2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.”

5. 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.”

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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!

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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.

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

17. 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.”