Act 19: 8-9a Paul returns to Ephesus after visiting other local churches. He preaches in their synagogue for 3 months, but is ultimately pressured to leave.

Paul rents out a lecture hall Act 19: 9b-10 Paul rents out a lecture hall from an Ephesian philosopher and preaches there during the “siesta hours” each day for two years.

Act 19:10 “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

Acts 16: 6-7 6 “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.  7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.”

We can take much encouragement from stories like this in The Bible… where God says “No” to what we see as a good thing, so that He can accomplish the best thing in us & through us.

Act 19: 11-12 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

These incidents of healing through “blessed” objects are extraordinary These incidents of healing through “blessed” objects are extraordinary. We can’t say that God won’t do a miracle in such ways… but we have no right to dictate to Him that He must!

with the Jewish “names” of God often being recited. Throughout the ancient world, there was a strong fascination with using “magic words” in order to gain love, wealth, or power; with the Jewish “names” of God often being recited.

Acts 19: 13-16 The dark, odd, and cautionary tale of the seven sons of Sceva (Jewish Exorcists)

the blessings of God and the power of God apart from Attempting to access the blessings of God and the power of God apart from a relationship with God (through saving faith in Jesus Christ) is fruitless… and dangerous.

Although this should never be our goal while doing ministry… How amazing is it that Paul was doing such transformational ministry work during his lifetime that he had “made a name for himself” in Hell?

Acts 19: 17-20 The “fear of the Lord” fills the Ephesian church Christians (old & new) openly repent of their sins Christians who still have ties to the occult burn their scrolls in a public bonfire worth $2.9 million

Far too many believers try to claim access to Jesus Christ’s salvation, power, & blessings; but still cling to their old lifestyles, habits, and sins.

that they were hiding in their hearts. Ezekiel 14: 1-6 God commands all the Israelites (beginning with their leaders & elders) to renounce and repent of their idolatry that they were hiding in their hearts.

Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”

Act 19:20 the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”