(Acts 17:22-31 NKJV) Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; {23} "for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: {24} "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. {25} "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. {26} "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, {27} "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; {28} "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' {29} "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. {30} "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, {31} "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Questions for every seeker of God:

1. Do I really know God?

2. Do I really love God?

3. Can I trust God?

4. How can I know, love, and trust God?

The word seek in the Bible has an interesting usage compared to how we may use the word in modern English. It can mean to search for someone or something, but when applied to God, it means to discover Him by worship or devotion. There is obviously a meaning beyond the simple meaning we acquaint with the word seek.

NT:2212

zeteo (dzay-teh'-o); of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):

Today there are a number of books that are making the bestselling list that are advertised as self-help books for seekers of God. In spite of these efforts, people do not seem to be any better at the seeking business than they were before.

Recently, I sat in a church service where the pastor was going through the book that was chosen as book of the year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. It was entitled, "The Purpose Driven Life." It appeared to be pabulum for baby Christians, possibly the young in age as well as in Christian maturity. When you understand how the voting for this Book of the Year award is conducted, you might have a better grasp on a modern problem.

"Every year, ECPA sends out thousands of ballots to Christian retailers around the country and asks each store to vote for the one book they most enjoyed selling. It is exciting to see the response and involvement our industry takes in this cornerstone event," commented Kelly Gallagher , Vice President - Marketing & Technology for ECPA.  

In other words, it is not about content or positive results in Christianity, but about the book they enjoyed selling. Does this mean that each time a customer bought that book the seller felt a rush of joy?

The same author wrote "The Purpose-Driven Church" that also received rave reviews. Another best-selling series by another author was entitled, "The God-Chasers." What a title! Are we really chasing God? If so, then how? Is He chasing us?

Why do we need these types of books anyway? It is because Christianity has morphed into a confusing religious as to purpose and meaning. It reminds me of an incident that Paul experienced in the book of Acts.

(Acts 19:30-34 NKJV) And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. {31} Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. {32} Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. {33} And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. {34} But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

I actually mean to be facetious here, but these people did not know why they had come together. However, when they found out that Paul was a Jew, they were in complete unity for about two hours, and that without prompting. This example might remind some of you of certain church meetings that have the same problem. When it comes to the meeting itself, they have no clue as to why they are gathered. However, when it comes to identifying a common foe, they can get in unity rather quickly.

Today, Christianity seems to be all about the meeting. You have heard me teach along these lines before, but it does not hurt anything to reiterate with some additional thoughts.

First, let us start with the basic problems with modern Christianity. We have millions of people attending meetings in church buildings throughout our nation each Sunday morning. Most of them do not know why they are there or what to expect from the experience. The great majority of them believe that they are "going to church" and "having church." The problem is that their terms are improper and therefore misleading. This leads to a huge misunderstanding of purpose in both the individual Christian's life and the church meetings as well.

As a result, the majority of professing Christians do not know why they are coming together. The only time they seem to be united is when they face a common enemy, usually a pastor who tries to revive their dead and dying faith.

No wonder elementary books are popular, so are elementary sermons. If the basic essentials of Christianity, have to be taught, then there is no true spiritual experience as a premise in that church. These basics are contained in the Scriptures and inseminated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. If professing Christians do not have the Holy Spirit, it is also no wonder that they think they have to chase God.

These churchgoers need to get back to the basics, prayer, studying the Scriptures, and maintaining intimacy with God. If not, they are going to need a lot more how-to books. Many Christians in America appear to have read a how-to book that explains how to be a Christian and not be affected by it too greatly.