Book of Acts

Sunday Morning Live 02.25.24

While in Miletus, the apostle Paul calls together the elders of the church of Ephesus in order to share his heart with them. He reminds them of how he lived before them, serving the Lord with humility, with many tears and trials by the plotting of the Jews. He tells them how he held nothing back by preaching the truth to them, yes, even the truths that possibly could/would offend some of his hearers because he knew the importance of teaching the WHOLE counsel of God. Paul, as you can imagine, spoke passionately to them as this was his farewell address to the Ephesians. He knew that where he was headed next, chains and tribulations awaited him and that they would see his face no more. Yet, knowing what awaited him, Paul was UnMoved. Why? Because 1) he didn’t count his life dear to himself and 2) he was determined to finish his race unto the glory of God. Today, we live in a world filled with uncertainty. Chaos surrounds us. Politics are flaring with hate and bias. Misinformation and disinformation abounds in our news media outlets causing Christians, in particular, to be targeted. Why? Because 2 Tim 3:12 tells us, “Yes, andall who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” If your desire is to live a godly life, know that persecution awaits you. But fear not because our hope and security is in Christ Jesus. Like Paul, may we, too, say “None of these things move me.” If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! The Ephesian Elders Exhorted Acts 20:17-24 17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24[c]But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my [d]race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

While on his 3rd Missionary Journey, the apostle Paul arrived in Troas where he spoke to the congregation until midnight. Among his audience was a young man named Eutychus who was sitting in a window on the 3rd story. As he was listening, he fell asleep (probably due to all the oil lamps that were burning in the room causing heat and fumes), fell out of the window and died. Paul, not wasting a single moment, rushed over to him and was used by God to bring him back to life. In this teaching, we see that Paul didn’t rebuke the young man for falling asleep in a 3rd story window, which obviously was a dangerous and careless thing to do. Rather, he ministered to him by embracing him and bringing him back to life. Are there people in your life today who you tend to get angry at for doing things you deem as careless or even dumb? Rather than getting upset and angry at them, perhaps you can learn a lesson from the heart of the apostle Paul who, instead of being upset, he chose to uplift this young man in the midst of his dire circumstance. If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 20:1-16 Journeys In Greece 1After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Ministering at Troas 7Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upper room where [a]they were gathered together. 9And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted. From Troas to Miletus 13Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had [b]given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

Do you remember one of the recent riots in the U.S. where the reporter said that the riot was “fiery but mostly peaceful” while a building was burning behind him? How could such a thing be? The answer? He was a telling a lie in order to push a certain narrative, a lie that would cause much confusion and wrath to his hearers. In this teaching, we see another man by the name of Demetrius who also used a lie in order to push a certain narrative, which also resulted in an angry, riotous, confused mob. They were so full of wrath they they arrested 2 innocent men, Gaius and Aristarchus (v29) and were about to put them through an illegal trial. What a mess! But God…comes to their rescue through an unusual, unexpected source. If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 19:21-41 The Riot at Ephesus 21When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 23And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [e]Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and [f]her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31Then some of the [g]officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33And 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. 34But 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!” 35And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess [h]Diana, and of the image which fell down from [i]Zeus? 36Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of [j]your goddess. 38Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a [k]case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40For we are in danger of being [l]called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Demon possession is real. It’s just as real today as it was in the apostle Paul’s day. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 saying, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” In this teaching, we talk about the 2 different realms of existence: the physical and the spiritual by examining the case of the seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out demons “in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches”. Long story short, it didn’t turn out well for them because they were trying to counterfeit the genuine faith of the apostle Paul. And the result? They were overpowered by the demon possessed man, beaten up and stripped of their clothes, which ended up in them fleeing the house naked. What a mess! But in the end, God was glorified and the Word of the Lord grew and prevailed. If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 19:11-20 Miracles Glorify Christ 11Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, [a]“We [b]exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, [c]overpowered them, and prevailed against [d]them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Have you ever put together a puzzle only to find a piece that is missing? How important is that missing piece to the satisfaction of the completion of that puzzle? Or how about yeast to a baker or a hammer to a construction worker? There are certain things in life that are necessary pieces to ensure a successful conclusion. Such is the case for the believer. There are many who have a missing piece in their walk with Jesus. It’s called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, we talk about the triune relationship a believer has with the Holy Spirit by examining the 3 Greek prepositions that are laid out in the scriptures. In John 14:17, Jesus said, 17the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with (“para” in the Greek) you and will be in (“en”) you. Prior to salvation, the Spirit was with “para” you, drawing you to a relationship with Christ. But once you made Jesus your Lord, the Spirit dwells in “en” you, making you the temple of the Holy Spirit. But then then Jesus followed up in Acts 1:8 saying, 8But you shall receive power (“dunamais”) when the Holy Spirit has come upon (“epi”) you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” This is the 3rd preposition that describes that missing piece for many believers. The word “upon” is the Greek word “epi” and it describes a filling to “overflowing”. And the Greek word for “power” is “dunamais”, which describes a dynamic power that will overflow from the life of the believer. Have you been baptized with the “dunamais” power of the Holy Spirit? If not, tune in to this sermon while asking the Spirit to speak to your heart in this matter. If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 19:1-10 1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7Now the men were about twelve in all. 8And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

2 things that are often more heavily emphasized one over the other in the life of the believer are evangelism and discipleship. But scripture commissions us to occupy ourselves with both. In Mark 16:15, Jesus said “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” He also said in Matt 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” In this study, we focus in on the importance of discipleship as Aquila & Priscilla hear the preaching of a man named Apollos who was eloquent, mighty in the scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit and who taught accurately the things of the Lord. But…he only knew the baptism of John, meaning, his message was incomplete. As a result, they tactfully took him aside and discipled him by teaching him “the way of God more accurately.” There was no fanfare or agreements to sign. The process was simple and effective. Are you sharing your faith with others? If so, that’s fantastic. But how are you doing in the area of discipleship? It’s imperative that we take the time to invest in others because by doing both, we are fulfilling the commission of Jesus. If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 18:23-28 PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY BEGINS 23After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. Ministry of Apollos 24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

When life hits us hard, it's easy to want to quit. We've all been there. And in chapter 18 of Acts, the Apostle Paul was there as well. He was afraid (v9) and perhaps even at the point of wanting to quit. But God makes a promise to him (v10) that would propel him new heights of confidence & endurance, resulting in a long & fruitful ministry in Corinth (v11 & v18). In this teaching, we see the result of the power of God's promises upon a life that is willing to trust and obey in Jesus Christ. Perhaps you're feeling anxious about situations in your life. If so, consider these 5 promises of God: 1. THE PROMISE OF PROVISIONS (Philippians 4:19) "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 2. THE PROMISE OF STRENGTH (Isaiah 40:31) "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." 3. THE PROMISE OF PROTECTION (Isaiah 43:2) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." 4. THE PROMISE OF HOPE (1 Cor 2:9) "But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'” 5. THE PROMISE OF PEACE (John 16:33) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 18:18-22 18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, “must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Paul's arrival in Corinth was accompanied by "fear & trembling" (1 Cor 2:3). And understandably so as he & Barnabas were imprisoned & beaten in Philippi (Acts 16:23-24) and had just evaded arrest in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9), not to mention all the other times of being beaten, stoned, and arrested during his 1st Missionary Journey. The threats on his life were very real. And Paul certainly had his moments of fear. In this second installment of our 2 part series, Paul graduates from fear to faith. How? By hearing from God whose promise of His presence was enough to bolster his faith. Are you hearing from God today? Are you in His Word & devoting time to prayer, fellowship & sharing your faith? Through our intentionality of exercising spiritual disciplines, we too can move from fear to faith! If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing to help us grow our Rumble & X channels. We very much appreciate the support! If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 18:1-17 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled [a]by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named [b]Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the [c]judgment seat, 13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then [d]all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

Paul's arrival in Corinth was accompanied by "fear & trembling" (1 Cor 2:3). And understandably so as he & Barnabas were imprisoned & beaten in Philippi (Acts 16:23-24) and had just evaded arrest in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9), not to mention all the other times of being beaten, stoned, and arrested during his 1st Missionary Journey. The threats on his life were very real. And Paul certainly had his moments of fear. In this chapter, we read of one of those moments of being in fear. But after hearing from God, his faith is restored, and fear is conquered. Are you hearing from God today? Are you in His Word & devoting time to prayer, fellowship & sharing your faith? Through our intentionality of exercising spiritual disciplines, we too can move from fear to faith! If this teaching video blesses you, please consider liking, commenting & subscribing. We appreciate the support. Lord bless you and keep you as we await His soon return! ACTS CHAPTER 18:1-7 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled [a]by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.