Keep the Mission Moving

What do you do when you’re driving down the road and come to a dead end? Do you stop and turn back and go home? Or do you find a new way forward? You have a goal, a destination. You don't just give up, do you? Life's like that often. We hit walls—challenges that seem impossible to overcome.

Maybe it's a tough situation at work or school, a seemingly impossible task, or maybe even doubts about your faith. In times like these, it’s easy to feel stuck and want to give up.

But just as in our drive, hitting a wall in life is not the end. In our text this morning, we see the Apostle Paul facing a similar situation. He hits a wall, but instead of giving up, he finds a new way forward.

Now, think about our world today. It can feel like there’s a lot of opposition to our faith. Whether it’s in schools, workplaces, or even among friends, standing up for what we believe can be tough sometimes.

But here’s the good news: God invites us to stand firm and find creative ways to share His love and truth. Just like Paul, we are called to persevere with purpose.

Let's take a look starting at verse 8. Let’s see how Paul's experience can inspire us to keep moving forward, even when we face resistance. Because when we trust God and step out in faith, amazing things can happen. Are you ready? Let's go.

Acts 19:8 NKJV

8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

What do we see Paul doing? He gives us an example that we should...

I. Speak Boldly About God's Kingdom (8)

Paul continues with his normal routine. He went to the synagogue.

This time he stayed for three months without running into trouble. I think that was a record for Paul.

What was he doing? He was reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue and persuading them, teaching them the things about the kingdom of God.

He brought a message to the Jewish synagogue that they were not accustomed to hearing. They would talk of the coming Messiah, but he proclaimed the Messiah that had already come! He boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah—that the Messiah didn’t come here to reign, but He came here to die!

He "reasoned" with them. The word that Luke used here in language he wrote in means, "to say thoroughly," i.e., to discuss. It can also mean "dispute." But our English word "dialogue" comes from this Greek word. This means that Paul not only preached to them, but he answered questions. I’m sure there was a give and take. Heated at times, maybe. But what do we see? They let Paul keep coming back for three months.

He was most likely speaking to those who had earlier received him favorably (cf: 18:19–21), and the three-month hearing they gave him was one of the longest he had in any synagogue. Obviously they were willing to keep discussing the matter.

He also "persuaded" them. This word means "to convince, pacify, or assure."

This word is in the original is in present tense, which would indicate the ongoing results of Paul's preaching. God used him to convince and persuade those unbelieving Jews in the synagogue.

One commentator wrote,

“The meaning of the Greek word conveys the idea that Paul was teaching the Word of God with good reasoning. Paul was an excellent teacher … He did something more than pound the pulpit and yell and holler and walk up and down the aisles. He gave forth good facts, used good logical arguments, and supported his teaching well with Scripture. The spiritual ignorance that is present in our churches today indicates we need a lot more of this skillful teaching in our churches than we are getting.”

Think about what it means to speak boldly. It’s not about being loud or aggressive. It’s about having the courage to share what you believe, even when it’s not popular. Paul reasoned with and persuaded some in the synagogue, engaging them in meaningful conversations about Jesus. He didn’t shy away from the tough topics. Instead, he approached them with humility and truth.

How often do we have opportunities to share our faith but hold back because we’re afraid of what others might think? Paul’s example challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. It’s about trusting that God will work through our words, even if we don’t see immediate results.

For three months these Jews put up with Paul's bold teaching. They heard him, they asked questions, they made statements, and some were persuaded.

So, let’s be inspired by Paul’s boldness. Let’s speak about our faith with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

But not everything stayed rosy. We also see what Paul does when faced with opposition. What does he do? He adapts and pivots.

Acts 19:9 NKJV

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

Luke tells us that some of the Jews had had enough! They reached their boiling point. They had heard their last sermon.

Luke tells us that some were "hardened." The tense of this word in the Greek shows us that this "hardening" was a process. Over the span of these three months, some hearts gradually hardened against the gospel. What we see is that when the truth is rejected repeatedly, it hardens the heart.

They reviled, or cursed "the Way" in front of the crowd. The Bible refers to Christianity as "the Way" in the Book of Acts. Most likely because Jesus said He was the Way.

So how does Paul respond? Does he hit the wall and just quit? No. He pivots. Like Paul, we need to learn how to...

II. Pivot When We Hit a Wall (9)

He moves his teaching to the lecture hall of Tyrannus, a place where he can continue sharing the gospel with those who are willing to listen. This move shows us the importance of being adaptable in our mission. When one door closes, God often opens another.

Paul had worn out his welcome in the synagogue. He didn't fight or resist them, but he took those who had believed and started a church down the road.

He moves them to the school of Tyrannus during their "off hours." This was probably the hall of a local philosopher named Tyrannus. His name meant "Tyrant." Who would name their kid tyrant? It was probably a nickname given to him by his students.

Paul was adaptable. God closes one door, and Paul looks for another.

In the same way, when we hit a wall when sharing our faith, we need to be willing to adjust our approach without compromising the message.

Paul's adaptability teaches us that when we hit a wall, it's not the end. It's an opportunity to find a new path.

We need to recognize that when what we're doing is unproductive, we need to shift our focus, trusting that God will guide us to where we can be most effective.

So, let's learn from Paul and be ready to pivot, knowing that God can use our flexibility to reach even more people with His love.

So Paul pivots. Now let's see how his adaptability and perseverance pays off.

Acts 19:10 NKJV

10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

For two years, he continues teaching daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

What was the result? Luke tells us that "all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."

Now, this might sound like an exaggeration, and it probably is to some degree. Luke loved to use hyperbole. But I think it shows us the incredible reach of the gospel as Paul continues to share it.

His dedication turned Ephesus into a hub of church planting, His ministry here even influenced cities like Colossae and Laodicea.

During this time the missionary team founded churches in Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, commonly known as the churches of the Lycus Valley.

Think about the power of perseverance. It's like a ripple effect.

It's like a teacher who invests time and energy into mentoring students year after year. Over time, those students go on to impact others, creating a chain reaction of positive change.

That's what Paul did in Ephesus. His daily commitment to teaching and sharing the gospel multiplied his impact far beyond what he could have achieved alone.

This teaches us to...

III. Stick With It (10)

When we persevere and stick with it in our faith journey, it can lead to exponential impact.

We might not always see immediate results, but God is at work, using our faithfulness to reach others in ways we can't even imagine. It's about investing in daily habits that reflect our commitment to God's mission, trusting that He will use our efforts to transform lives.

So, let's be inspired by Paul's example. Let's persevere in our own lives, knowing that God can take our small acts of faithfulness and multiply them for His glory. Whether it's through consistent prayer, sharing our faith, or serving others, our perseverance can have a lasting impact on the world around us.

God doesn't just call us to share the gospel; He equips us and multiplies our efforts far beyond what we can see.

So, as you leave here today, I challenge you to ask yourself, "Where is God calling me to be bold in sharing my faith or serving others?" Step out this week and engage someone in a conversation about Jesus or serving someone in a positive way.

Trust that God is with you, guiding you, and using you to expand His kingdom. Remember, your faithfulness can transform lives, just as Paul's did. Let's go out and make a difference, one conversation at a time.