When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he … More How do we discern God’s will?
In our Bible reading passage for today, Acts 20:18-35, Paul is speaking to the elders from Ephesus. In 2002, John Piper challenged men and women who are in positions of leadership in youth and college ministries: I want to begin by asking you a question that comes from the book of Acts. When your present … More Not shrinking, but imparting a passion
Steven Cole, in a sermon from Acts 20:1-16, “HOW ONE MAN CHANGED THE WORLD” The apostle Paul changed the world as few other men have ever done. He lived in a day before jet airplanes or cars and paved highways. He had to go everywhere by foot, on donkeys, or by sailing vessel, none of … More Paul: How did he do it?
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”—Acts 19:27 ESV Steven Cole comments on Acts … More Ask the eternal question
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the … More Costly cleanup
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began … More God’s work and God’s workers in process
Bob Deffinbaugh wrote an article on Acts 18:1-7 at Bible.org: It took a while to realize this, but it is noteworthy that Paul’s first significant success evangelizing among the Gentiles came at this point in time, a time when Paul was at his lowest. He was fearful, both of his safety, and of the results … More God works through human weakness so that He receives the honor and the praise.
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” Acts 17:24-25 John … More Bad news. Best news.
And it happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortunetelling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God,who are proclaiming to you … More God’s will, even if someone got mad?
Here is an except from a 1970 sermon by Ray Stedman based in our reading for today, Acts 17:1-15 We are told here that the Jews were jealous. They were unable to win against the power of the Scriptures and the logic of the apostle, and so they revealed the lawlessness in their own hearts by turning, … More When you turn something upside down which is already upside down, you turn it right side up.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 