Starting his third missionary journey, Paul leaves Antioch of Syria and retraces his steps back through Achaia and Macedonia, eventually arriving in Ephesus where he remains for several years, “so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10b NKJV). During this time, “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:11 NKJV), authenticating Paul’s gospel message. This passage records the humiliation and defeat of unbelieving exorcists who attempted to imitate Paul’s miracles by invoking the name of the Lord Jesus. As a result, “fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified…So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:17b, 20 NKJV).
As people abandoned their pagan practices to worship Jesus, an idol-maker begins to stir up opposition among his fellow craftsmen. “’‘Men…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’” (Acts 19:25-27 NKJV).
Pastor Kevin shows from this passage and parallel Scriptures: that salvation requires not only a turning from sin (repentance) but a turning to Jesus, trusting in Him for salvation from our sins; that the gift of tongues is not a requirement of salvation, as many falsely teach; and how the indwelling Holy Spirit not only provides power to be witnesses of the gospel, but can come upon believers to impart various gifts at various times for God’s specific purposes. We also see parallels between the Ephesians’ worship of the pagan goddess Diana and our country’s multi-billion-dollar porn industry. Pastor Kevin pleads with believers to flee pornography and all forms of immorality so that we can, like Paul, be equipped to persuade our unbelieving friends and family to turn to Jesus while there is still time.
Maranatha!
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