Acts 18-20

Review

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "Stop! Acts; 2:38!" (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven). The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you." "SCRIPTURE?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AX and two 38's!"

Theme Verse:

Acts 1:8 CSB

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Things to look for:

1. Work of the Holy Spirit

2. Traditions and Transitions

Why Acts?:

1. Observe Spread of the Church and see the importance of missions

2. Gives Better Understanding the Letters Paul writes

3. There are no new issues in the Church today

Show Review Video

Paul’s 3rd Journey (Overview)

Video

Paul traveling teaching the Gospel in the synagogues, public places, and in homes. Meanwhile he his strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos (from Alexandria, only knew of John’s baptism)

Paul came to Ephesus, entered the synagogue for three months, then spending two years in a lecture hall. This lead to refutation of worship of demons and failure of others to drive demons out and subsequent spreading of news brought Jesus name to high esteem, and burnt their books that they used to practice magic (valued at 50,00 pieces of silver).

This is where trouble about “the Way” is stirred up by silversmith created a riot becasue “The Way” they could not earn money selling the idols they made, and then tied it to the worship of Artemis.

Acts 19:32 CSB

Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

Paul traveled to Corinth and stayed for three months, until his travel plans changed to avoid the Jewish plot on his life. As he passed back through Troas where he preached while a Eutychus fell asleep and fell out of a third story window. Then bypassed Ephesus and landed at Miletus where he summoned the church leaders from Ephesus to encourage them.

Paul’s Exhortation at Miletus

Paul knows this is his last time to see them and wants to leave a final message

Acts 20:17-36 (Urgent, Integrity, and

Paul Served

Humbly

Fully Invested

Only what was profitable

To all, Jew and Greek

Repentance and Faith

Paul in the coming time

Being led by the spirit, but has not a clue as what is to come

Still willing to follow

Knows just that there is going to have troubles and will not see these men again.

Parting Wisdom

Guard yourself and your flocks

Distortion of Truth lure people to follow

Night and Day do not stop

Be commited to God and the Word of his Grace*

Live in a manner to have a good testimony

We finally see the love that these men had for Paul

Application

Serving the Lord:

Completely- humbly and with tears

Humbly- Apollos

Tears

Teaching - Repentance and Faith in Christ

Trials:

From outside the Church- not a surprise

From within - a warning

Ambitious men will divert from the purity of the Truth and distort the word of God

- Alistair Begg - John Calvin

Live a Good Testimony:

A life of urgency - Be committed to God and his word

A life of integrity - do what is necessary to help the weak

Living in a manner that you can share the Gospel