How to See a Miracle in 2021

INTRODUCTION: new year resolutions. ???

Apollos - Maybe Hebrews?

He was a good preacher.

Though he knew only the baptism of John - He likely heard John while visiting. He knew the Messiah was coming, but not had come.

Priscilla and Aquila - Godly older couple.

Took him aside - in private!

Acts 18:27–19:3 ESV

And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Holy Spirit - Scripture is clear you get the Holy Spirit when you believe. So what is wrong with these guys?

This is why Apollos was mentioned, they heard Apollos before he knew Jesus had come. They believed Messiah was coming, not in Jesus.

Fill Up on the Holy Spirit...

So many Christians live like this! As if they did not

We make new year resolutions trying to be better or quit an addiction, etc. Without the HS. (porn/friend illustration)

Acts 19:3–7 ESV

And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.

Paul could tell something was off, and essentially they were still OT believers. It was through Paul they got the Holy Spirit!

Do you remember when you first believed? That gift is what they got! No wonder they loved Paul!

“It’s not difficult to live a Christian life without the Holy Spirit, it’s impossible!”

This year, above everything else. You need Holy Spirit in your life.

Acts 19:8 ESV

And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

synagogue - He always went to the synagogue first, he sought to redeem his people.

3 months is a long time.

spoke boldly, reasoning - Perfect model for what we are to do.

Speak boldly on the Bible.

Yet reasoning. - You must know the Bible and also speak intelligently to them.

...Live in Obedience to God...

What he was doing was not miraculous, it is something that we can and should be doing.

Acts 19:9–10 ESV

But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

speaking evil of the way - Mando fans anyone? So they were spreading lies about Christianity so he left.

hall of Tyrannus, probably some sort of town hall.

continued for two years! - the longest he ever stayed at one time.

all the residents of Asia - That is huge! Different than now, but still like Florida.

Paul lived there , got a job as a tentmaker, witnessed. All the things were simple acts of obedience. Don’t seek the miracle seek obedience.

handkerchiefs and aprons - this was the real deal. Everyone was getting miracles.

Internet Jewish Exorcists - There have always been fraudulent.

By Jesus who Paul proclaims - They couldn’t do it themselves. so they had to mention Paul.

7 sons of the High priest. - They were important people. 7 of them.

Jesus I know, Paul I recognize. - Apparently demons gossip!

Naked and wounded - you lost!

50 thousand pieces of silver - probably over 5 million dollars today.

This was all God, not Paul.

...And the Lord will do awesome things!

Ephesians 3:20–21 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.