Paul's Perseverance in Witnessing: Jesus is Exalted
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 19:1-22
Memory Verse: He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 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 19:9b-10)
This lesson begins after Paul had gone back to Jerusalem, made a swing through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the churches and had gone on to Ephesus. Apollos was still in Corinth. Recall that Paul had left Aquilla and Priscilla in Ephesus. It appears that they never encountered these disciples Paul found. For many years disciples of John the Baptist became disciples of Jesus (see John 1:35) but not all. (NOTE: A History of the Christian Church, p.18, Williston Walker states that those in Acts 19:1 were still just disciples of John the Baptist.)
They had not even heard of the Holy Spirit and had only received John's baptism of repentance. Probably they were Gentiles or they would have heard of the Holy Spirit in the Hebrew scriptures. Did Paul see or not see something he expected? The Lord prompts him to ask the question about the Holy Spirit. Word received: Paul is again listening to Me. I want you to listen to My Spirit as Paul did. "On hearing this…" Word received: See the result of Paul listening and obeying Me. As you listen and follow Me, You too will see Me work. Prayer: Lord, open our ears and hearts to keep on listening to you for guidance.
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Word received: I want you to ask that same question to believers who show no evidence of My power in their lives. "No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Word received: That is the condition of so many of My people. They hear of evil spirits, but not of My Holy Spirit. I want them to hear, I want them to know the power of My Holy Spirit.
Have you heard that the power of the Holy Spirit that began to operate in the apostles on the Day of Pentecost is available to you today? Have you received it? Recall that Jesus' disciples received the Holy Spirit after Jesus rose from the dead (John 20:22) but they did not receive His power until Pentecost (Acts 2).
When Paul heard their answer, he immediately tells them about Jesus to whom John pointed and the necessity of being baptized in the Name of Jesus. He baptized them and laid his hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit with power. Word received: I want you to find the freedom of My Spirit and lay hands on others as Paul did so they may receive the full power of My Spirit. The Lord is faithful and wants his people to receive all that he has for them. After they received the Holy Spirit, they received outward manifestations of God's Spirit.
Notice that there were only twelve, but Paul thinks they are just as important as large numbers. Word received: It isn't only the times with thousands that are remembered in Scripture, it is the twos and threes and twelves as well and even one lonely Ethiopian by himself. Don't be afraid to minister to only a handful. Paul was not held back by such fears.
The next thing to notice is Paul's perseverance. As was his custom, he preaches and argues with those in the synagogue, both Jews and God-fearers (those Gentiles who worshipped the God of Israel but had not become Jews). He does this week by week for three months. The Amplified Bible, verse 9 says, "But some became more and more stubborn (hardened and unbelieving) discrediting and reviling and speaking evil of the Way before the congregation." As long as people were seriously considering the news about Jesus, Paul stayed but when people's minds were made up--both ways--there was no longer any point in staying. We need to know when to continue and when to stop and move on.
Paul took those who had become believers, left the synagogue and moved into a large hall (unused during siesta time, noon to 3 or 4) and stayed there daily presenting and debating the Good News till ALL in the province of Asia had heard!!!!
"God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul". Word received: I do not work in one manner only. You should not assume how I will work, only that I will. Look to Me to do more than you expect. God works in many ways. Here God uses things Paul has touched. One of the ways He works is by using physical, created things such as blessed water for baptism, Paul's hands to convey his healing, bread and wine to become vehicles of his grace to convey the spiritual reality of his Body and Blood given for us. God blessed the faith of the men who let down their friend through the roof to get him to Jesus. Jesus healed in many ways. There isn't a recipe that we can follow to control God. He will not be put in a box. God uses things but he wants us to look to him in faith and expectancy. (The problem with relics is that people's attention shifts from God himself to the physical thing.)
That is where the sons of Sceva went wrong. They saw Paul heal in the Name of Jesus so they thought they could use that name like a magic formula without knowing Jesus himself (relationship). They didn't fool the evil spirit! He said, "Jesus I know and Paul I know , but who are you?" and he beat them up badly. Word received: My power is not to be mocked or misused. It should always point to Jesus. These men were obviously misusing God's power -- to point to themselves and not to God.
God takes what was bad and uses it for good. God used both the unusual miracles and the dramatic failure of the sons of Sceva to glorify and make known the Name of Jesus. People developed a healthy respect/fear/awe for the tremendous power of God in Jesus. The result was that the Word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. People's lives were changed.
The other result was that new believers, who had been hiding their involvement with the occult and sorcery repented publicly and brought their magic books together and burned/destroyed them. They were worth a lot of money! (50,000 pieces of silver or $9,300 in 1987 dollars.) Ephesus was famous as a center of magic and sorcery and the occult magic books were often called "Ephesian Writings".
Is there anything you think you are hiding from God??? Several of the teachers mentioned possessions they destroyed after becoming Christians because these things represented forces that opposed God. (Examples: records, statues of Buddha, jewelry decorated with symbols of astrology). God's people may have stuff they shouldn't have and at the same time even believers may not have all that God wants them to have. God is calling us to be open to helping people both receive and let go of things. How have you experienced the power of Jesus' Name and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Finally, notice how Paul made decisions. Again and again we see that Paul listened to the Lord when he made decisions. The Greek says Paul resolved "in the Spirit" that he would go to Jerusalem through Macedonia and Greece and then hoped to go to Rome. (He didn't leave right away however which was how he got involved in the riot that was a backlash against all the conversions to Jesus and drop in sale of idols.) (Ephesus forms the background of Paul's two letters to the Corinthians.)
What should we do when things are not going well for us?
1. Keep things in perspective. Jesus has won the victory!
2. Recognize that trouble is a normal part of the Christian life. (Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.")
3. Keep praising God through the midst of it. You can always find something to praise God about.
4. Look for the good that God is bringing out of the bad situation.
5. Turn to Jesus. Turn to your Christian friends for support.
6. Don't try to "get back" at anyone. Leave that to God. Jesus said, Forgive and pray for
those who "despitefully use" you.
Look again at what Paul says about his first visit to Corinth. (See 1 Corinthians 2:1-5) Paul keeps his attention on following Jesus, the crucified and risen One, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit, no matter what happens.
Word for SS teachers: Invite them to receive more of My Holly Spirit. I AM with you as you pray for them.
We prayed with each other and for the teachers not present with us.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 23
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Jesus loves us, and wants us to share that love by telling others about Jesus.
2. God works in many ways. When we pray for others in Jesus' Name, we are asking for God's power to come and help them.
When we pray in Jesus' Name, He always does something. It may be different from what we expected, but He always does something.
3. When you were baptized in the Name of Jesus, God sent His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts. Jesus wants us to listen to Him and not do all the talking.
4. Just like the adults, you too can pray: Come Holy Spirit. Come Now. Come with More Power.
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