Acts 19
-While Apollos was in Ephesus, Paul came once again and
believers received the Holy Spirit who were familiar only with the baptism of
John. They were baptized in the Name of Jesus and Paul laid hands on them. With
that laying on of hands they received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in
tongues and prophesying (the power of God came upon them!). There were about
twelve of them. *Application* Oh the mighty power of God when He is in a place.
I have seen His awesomeness sweep through a place that is hungry for Him and
allows Him to have His way in all things. It is truly supernatural and just as
real as in these New Testament times. Praise the LORD!
-Paul taught in the synagogue for 3 months with
effectiveness, but some were becoming hardened and disobedient to the faith
speaking evil of him and the Way. *Application* Any time God’s Spirit is moving
there will be a counter punch by the enemy. These are spiritual battles we
should expect and prepare for with fervent praying and many times fasting
(Matthew 17:21).
-Paul withdraws then from the synagogue and takes disciples
that were of faith in Christ. They reason together in the school of Tyrannus
for 2 years. In this amount of time the Bible states that all in Asia heard the
word of the Lord (Acts 19:10). *Application* Notice that the message of Christ
was not taught in the traditional setting here as the church grew in Asia. In
Christian work and ministry we must remember to be flexible. The church is the
body of Christ and not a building. His message can spread from any location. Be
flexible and adaptable in your service for the Lord as Paul shows in this
passage. God can do great things in whatsoever manner He pleases. Rejection in
a traditional place doesn’t mean God is through working through you in that
particular locale.
-God was giving great power and authority to Paul. The seven
sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were trying to cast out demons but the
demons didn’t know them and chased them out naked and wounded. Fear of the Lord
was on Ephesus as a result of these remarkable events and magic practices were
being eradicated and destroyed. The word of the Lord was growing mightily and
prevailing (Acts 19:20)! *Application* Our nation at this time needs some of
this type of Holy Spirit type fire and power. However, Christians must stand up
for God and what is right for this to happen. Are we giving God a chance to
show up big for us?
-The Demetrius incident occurs, but it is subdued concerning
Artemis’ idol worship. *Application* What are the idols in our modern society?
Where would we see this kind of back lash to the growth of the gospel and sold
out Christianity? I know one thing for certain here where I live in Texas. If
you dared to put a Christian meeting up against high school football in the
fall, there would be an uproar from the carnal saints. Where do our affections
reside?
Verse to Memorize:
Acts 19:20
No comments:
Post a Comment