1
rich
Libsyn
https://www.libsyn.com
90
600
GOT ACTS! (Chapter 19) - Who is Worshipped
Pastor opens with Who and what was worshiped then:   Athens - Athena - Knowledge Corinth - Aphrodite - Sex Ephesus - Artemis - Money Rome - Emperor - Power   As we look at this list, all of the what’s still apply to us today.    Pastor’s question now becomes personal: “Who or What do you worship? What is at the heart of your life?”   Acts 19:1-8 - Then - Paul goes to Ephesus and for 3 months speaks in the synagogue boldly arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God - God’s rule in the lives of true believers. Today we too need to hear about the kingdom of God because it is at the heart of this kingdom is Jesus and His story. His story shows us God’s heart as we listen, read and seek genuine biblical teaching.   Acts 19:9-12 - Then - Some of the people listening to Paul became obstinate; refusing to believe and publicly spoke against Jesus. Then Paul leaves the synagogue taking his disciples with him and instead had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, doing this for 2 years to so that all Jews and Greeks in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul during this time including healing the sick, curing illnesses  expelling evil spirits. Today - It is still important to learn the fundamentals of the Scriptures and the importance of the supernatural power of God. God was moving in amazing and miraculous ways then and that continues around the world, today. We are called to embrace clear biblical teaching and the understanding that God ACTS both then and now!    Acts 19:13-21  - Then - The use of magic and occult practices were common and some Jews tried using Paul’s words of “in the name of Jesus,(adding “whom Paul preaches,”) I command you to come out,” when driving out evil spirits from the demon-possessed. A Jewish chief priest’s seven sons were speaking these words one day and the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” These are people using Jesus’ name as a magic charm. Suddenly the man that had the evil spirit jumps on the seven sons and overpowers them all. This is spiritual warfare. When the news of this event became known to those living in Ephesus, people were seized with fear and the name of Jesus was held in high honor.  People realized that Jesus’ name had life changing power. The result was many who believed now came and openly confessed - repented- of what they had done in practicing sorcery. They brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly and the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. We today continue to experience spiritual warfare. We too are to repent and get rid of those things that pull us away from the truth and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Repentance is to be a way of life. The message of Jesus is life changing!    Acts 19:22-34 The Uproar  - There is an uproar. Peoples’ lives are being changed and so the enemy is pushing back and those living and proclaiming God’s truth are attacked. We hear the “all about the money” frustration because Paul has convinced large numbers of people to no longer purchase the idols that craftsmen were making. The craftsmen also say that Artemis will end up being discredited by Paul’s teachings. The crowd gets furious and begins to shout “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” And the whole city is in an uproar. Such an uproar that people just joined in, not even knowing why they were there. In the chaos, Paul’s traveling companions are seized and rushed into the theater area. Paul wants to appear with them before the crowd but his friends would not let him. In the theater Alexander and Jews resistant to Paul’s teachings, step up to make a defense before the people but is unable as it is turning into a near riot now. Still today we need to consider how the love of knowledge, sex, money, power or another things takes the place in our lives that belongs to God alone.   Acts 19:35-41 - Order is restored - The city clerk steps in and warns the crowd.   Now back to our original question: Who or What is worshiped in our lives. Where are our hearts. Who is God and Lord in our lives?   Real faith is not knowing certain Bible truths - it is knowing Jesus as our Savior, Deliverer, and Returning King. It is all about a transformed life through faith in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the work of our Heavenly Father.    May God bring that about in all fullness in our lives.   This week’s READING ASSIGNMENT: Acts chapter 19-20.      Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Video series at our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now   Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos   Sunday Service https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service
Awake Us Now
https://www.awakeusnow.com/
<iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/43341194/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/207767634