Legacy
Acts 21:10-14 (HCSB) 10 While we were staying there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this […]
People: Good, Bad, Ugly
36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.37 There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. And embracing Paul, they kissed him,38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.1 After we tore ourselves […]
Ministry and Money
As part of Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian Elders, the Apostle feels the need to give a financial accounting of his ministry. Luke records his words: 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.34 You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs, and for those who were with […]
Finish Strong
Acts 20:22-24 (NIV) 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may […]
Don’t Shrink Back
When it was time for Paul to head to Jerusalem, he had a sense that “this was it.” And so, in a very touching moment, Luke records for us his farewell to the Ephesian elders. Paul was connected to lots of churches in the mid-east and Asia minor, but he was closest to the people […]
You are getting very sleepy…
Acts 20:7-12 (HCSB) 7 On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight.8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled,9 and a young man named Eutychus was […]
Go, Team, Go!
Acts 20:4-6 (HCSB) 4 He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas,6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread. In five days […]
Spiritual Warfare and Union Bosses
In our study of Acts, we come today to the great riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). A man named Demetrius was angry with the church and incited a mob in the city center. There were two issues at hand. The first was economic – because of the great number of converts to “the Way,” the […]
Decisions, Decisions
Acts 19:21-22 (HCSB) 21 When these events were over, Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well!”22 So after sending two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed in the […]
Show Me the Money!
17 This became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Then fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices,19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned […]
Abra Cadabra Jesus!
Acts 19:13-16 (HCSB) 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!”14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.15 The evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, […]
Marketing Miracles
Acts 19:11-12 (HCSB) 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands,12 so that even facecloths or work aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. Years ago, a friend of mine in college was a “prayer partner” for […]
