Acts 18:23 – 21:15

Acts 18:23-19:10 – Teachable 

How much access does God have to your heart?  Paul gave God full access to his heart, mind and life.  He had a heart for evangelism and discipleship.  He began his third missionary journey to Galatia and Phrygia.  His goal was to strengthen all the disciples.  Who do you need to strengthen? 

While there a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus.  Apollos was very knowledgeable of scriptures and spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.  Priscilla and Aquila heard him and invited him to their home.  There they explained to him the way of God more adequately.  Being inspired and encouraged by them, Apollos went to Achaia to help prove the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Paul went to Ephesus and saw something was missing with some of the disciples.  They had been baptized by John the Baptist for the forgiveness of sins, but they didn’t know the rest of story about Jesus.  John taught about the coming of the Messiah, but perhaps they hadn’t heard He had in fact come.  They needed to trust and have faith in Him for salvation.  They had not been born-again and baptized by the Holy Spirit.  Paul re-baptized them.  When he laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them.  The Holy Spirit comes one time only and never leaves us.  Baptism is just an outward sign of an inward conversion.

Principle:  God’s word transforms a teachable heart.

How teachable are you? They were open to new truths about God.  The Bible is timeless truth.  We can’t help others go any further in their faith, if we haven’t gone further.  Are you willing to invest in someone else?  Maybe they know a little, but need to know more.  Knowing more could change the course of their life.

Acts 19:11-41 – Sacrificial

Paul taught in Ephesus boldly in the synagogue for three months.  Some refused to believe and became obstinate so he left and went to Asia.  Paul was empowered to heal and performed miracles in the name of Jesus.  When the people in Ephesus heard, many then believed.

Some of the Jews tried to drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus.  One was Sceva, a Jewish chief priest.  An evil spirit said to him, “Jesus I know and I know Paul, but who are you?”  Then the man with the evil spirits jumped on them all and gave them a beating. This shows us that we should not mess around with evil or the occult.  We can’t drive out evil spirits without Jesus. 

Only Jesus has the power to drive out demons.  Paul demonstrated God’s power right in the middle of Satan’s mist.  Satan’s uses counterfeit acts and he knows the unsaved don’t know the difference.  When this became known in Ephesus, the people were fearful and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.  Many who believed and confessed their evil deeds openly.

What do you have that you need to confess?

A silversmith named Demetrius who made idols called the other silversmiths together.  He was concerned that Paul’s teachings would convince people to not worship the idols they made and of course they would lose money.  He told them that Paul said they were no gods at all and that Artemis, Greek goddess of fertility would be discredited and people would be robbed of her divine majesty.  Most of the people assembled together didn’t even know why they were there.  They just jumped on the bandwagon. (Acts 19:32).  When they heard this, there was a riot. 

People even today like getting involved in protests.  Why do they do this?  Usually it’s because of some injustice.  It can be contagious and ordinary people can get swept up and do things they wouldn’t normally do like shouting, shoving, breaking things and even looting.  It can be very dangerous.  Maybe it’s entertainment for them or and something to do.  Evil was at work here, but so was God.  Thankfully, God worked through the city clerk who calmed the crowd down and sent everyone home.  God had preserved His work and His people again.

Principle:  A teachable heart will sacrificially obey God’s word.

When evil clashes with good, God always wins.  What do you need to sacrificially do to live up to God’s word?  God knows your secrets and so does Satan.  Sometimes it’s not easy to recognize idols today.  They could be an idea, an organization, pleasure, work, ministry, family, etc.  It’s anything you focus and count on instead of God.  If you need to be secretive about it, it’s an idol.  A teachable heart will obey God even at a great sacrifice.

Acts 20:1-12 – Attentive    

Paul knew it was time to leave, but before he left he sent for the disciples, encouraged them and said goodbye.  He traveled to Greece and stayed 3 months.  He continued traveling and preached wherever he went.  Then in Troas he preached and taught up into the night.  There must have been many people there listening to Paul speak.  A man named Eutychus was on the 3rd floor window seat listening to Paul and fell sound asleep and fell to the ground dead.  Paul rushed to him and God allowed him to resurrect Eutychus.  Paul didn’t scold him, but showed compassion.  Eutychus means fortunate.  The people probably now thought Paul is for real and trusted him.  This solidified Paul’s authority. 

Principle:   A teachable heart lives attentive to God’s people and God’s word.

How are you to people around you who are hurting - to their hearts? 

How prepared are you to hear God’s voice or Word? 

What will you do to make time with your creator? 

What are you ready to put aside – cell phone, computer, household chores? 

Where do you sit in church?

Do you sit in the back so you can get out quickly or up front so you won’t be distracted?

You know what needs to be removed so you can concentrate when spending time in His Word. 

Acts 20:13-21:15   Compelled

Then Paul left Ephesus, he said farewell to the elders.  He described his ministry and told he served the Lord with great humility and with tears.  He knew hard days were ahead, but he walked toward them.   The Holy Spirit warned him of the hardships to come.  He knew he may not ever see them again so he gives instructions and warnings to the elders.  They are responsible to keep watch over the church and be on guard.  A pastor’s role is to fed the flock and teach the scripture.  If not, people won’t change.  So many have been taught by savage wolves.  These wolves get started in the church.  People don’t know it’s not the truth.  So stay alert and remember God’s Word.  God’s Word is our tool to live by. They are to work hard and help the weak.  “It it more blessed to give than to receive.” – (Acts 20:35)

Paul was compelled to go back to Jerusalem.  Remember Jerusalem is where Stephen was stoned and Paul was there helping to stone him.  Now there is Paul back there again.

Principle:  A teachable heart lives compelled by God’s Spirit and truth for His purposes.  

We get courage by getting in the game not sitting on the bench.  Paul was compelled by God’s Spirit and was given complete access.  Are you living compelled by this world or God’s Spirit?  Paul’s school of suffering has changed many lives.

Join me here next week for our study 1 Corinthians 1-4 -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 16-18

Acts 16:1-10 – Paul’s Second Mission Journey Begins

Paul had the heart of evanglism.  He not only shared the gospel with the people, but wanted to go back to visit the towns to encourage and lead the people to be disciples.  He knew shallow faith would not sustain them.  There had been a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over Mark.  Paul felt Mark was unreliable since he had deserted them in the past and didn’t want to take him with them on the journey.  Barnabas wanted to take him, because he believed in giving second chances.  It’s a good thing God gives us second chances – even third and fourth chances.  The actions of both men ultimately moved God’s work forward spreading the gospel twice as fast to more people.  Later Mark proved himself to Paul by his ministry.  He also wrote the Book of Mark.

Paul took Silas, Timothy and Luke with him on his second missionary journey.  We know Luke went because he wrote the book of Acts and in 16:10 he says “… we got ready…” indicating he was with them.  How did the missionaries know where to go?  The Holy Spirit led them (Acts 16:6-10).  We learn God’s guidance when we listen to Him.  (Proverbs 3:6) “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” 

One way God leads is by opening and closing doors.  Paul was confident in his calling and he didn’t stop his journey just because the Holy Spirit would not allow them to enter Bithynia (Acts 16:7).  God spoke to Paul in a vision calling him to go to Macedonia.  He surrendered to God’s Spirit.  Are you surrendering to God’s Spirit?  Sometimes God says “No”.  Paul had that experience and was obedient.

Principle:  God’s way of leading is step by step.

Have you experienced God opening and closing doors? 

How alert are you with the Holy Spirit’s leading?  

Where do you need God’s direction today?  If Jesus is your Lord, all He asks is for you to do the next right thing. 

Acts 16:11-17 – 17:15 – Ministry in Macedonia

When they reached Philippi, they found Lydia and other women gathered there to listen to their teachings.  Lydia and her household believed and were baptized. 

Also at Philippi, Paul and Silas met a slave girl who was possessed by evil spirits and predicted the future.  Paul knew this was a danger to the word of God and commanded the evil spirit leave her.   Where God is at work the enemy is on a mission.  Satan can appear as an ally or with attacks.  When the owner of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and took them to the authorities.  They were beaten and put in prison. 

Is there an evil influence you need to get away from?

In prison they didn’t complain to God.  Instead they prayed and sang hymns to God as the other prisoners listened.   I can just picture Satan in a panic, because he knew God was at work.  Suddenly a miracle happened.  A violent earthquake shook the prison and the doors were opened and all the chains became loose.  The jailer awoke and was going to kill himself thinking the prisoners had escaped.  When he turned on the lights, he saw Paul and Barnabas still there and asked what to do to be saved.  Acts 16:31 - “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your household.”   This doesn’t mean if you believe, your household will be saved.  It means if you and you household believe, all will be saved.  The jailer was filled with joy because he now believed in God.  This is an example of how God uses good out of evil and how blessings can come through troubles.  When the Holy Spirit moves among people, there will be opposition by evil powers.

The jailor took them to his house, fed them and cleaned their wounds.  When morning came, the magistrates released them and they were told to go in peace.  Paul reminded them he was a Roman citizen and they had no right to treat him that way and they had broken the law.

Paul and Barnabas left Philippi and went to Thessalonica then to Berea.  In Berea they met with some of the same similarities as in previous places.  They always went to preach in the synagogue.  Some people believed and some agitated the crowns and stirred up people.

There were some differences though.  There the people received the message with great eagerness and even examined the scriptures to see if what Paul said was the truth.  That’s a great lesson for us all.  We should examine God’s word for ourselves and not just take the word of others as truth.

Principle:  God fulfills His plans in unexpected ways.

Acts 17:16-18:22 – Ministry in Athens and Corinth

Paul then went to Athens alone and waited for the others.  He was tired and greatly distressed.  His heart was probably crushed, because the city was full of idols.  This was the greatest city in the world, but the people were lost.  They were atheists and materialistic.  They were probably like the New Age movement today.  The people spent all their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.  There was an altar with an inscription:  TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.  The Athenian people were intellectuals and refused to accept the doctrine of the resurrection.  When they heard about the resurrection, some sneered, some refused the good news about Jesus and the resurrection; however some wanted to hear more and some became followers. 

Does that sound like some people today?  We all know people who are very intelligent and think they don’t need God.  They refuse to listen and accept the gospel.

Paul was prepared and gave them a brilliant message that God was sovereign and in control and that God commands they should repent.  In Acts 16:24-31 Paul gives the message of the foundations of Christianity:

God is a living person – verse 25.

God is not live in temples built by hands, but He created everything – verse 24.

God controls the universe – verse 24.

God controls geographical boundaries – verse 26.

God overrules historical events – verse 26.

God is not distant from His creation, but near to each person – verse 27

God can never be worshiped through statues or images – verse 29.

God commands sinners to repent – verse 30.

God will judge the world through Jesus Christ – verse 31.

Paul’s message is a model for sharing the gospel.  He started on common ground meeting them with compassion and connecting with them.  Then he focused on God and who He is, our Creator and His supremacy.  He shared the truth about sin and that God’s grace is greater than sin.  Then he told them to trust God for the results.

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  Many of the women were prostitutes and the city was considered “sin city”.  There the Jews opposed him and became abusive.  Paul said “…. Your blood be on your own heads!  I am clear of my responsibility.  From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6).  God encouraged Paul while he was in Corinth by telling him “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:9-10).  God encourages us, too - through scripture and through our Christian friends with support, their prayers, and their encouraging words. 

How prepared and willing are you to speak to those around you?

How has His word encouraged you?

Principle:  God leads those committed to His truth to places His truth is needed.

Join me here next week for our study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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