“This went on for two years, with the result that the whole population of the province of Asia, both Jews and pagans, heard the word of the Lord” Acts 19:10.
Paul held daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. “This went on for two years, with the result that the whole population of the province of Asia, both Jews and pagans, heard the word of the Lord” Acts 19:10.
The end of next week I will be in Turkey (where this photo was taken in the ruins of Perge) along with a group of pilgrims (some from our church) to visit the sites of the seven churches of Revelation. It will be a mind and heart experience!
Last week I shared some bullet points I have gleaned over the last six months from the book of Acts as I have studied the places we will be going to. Here are the rest of the notables from my reading (you can see the first list of notables in last week’s blog):
-14:1-13 Make no mistake – when your enemies get into power, they don’t want to discuss things with you – they want to crush your head! We wish it were not so, but the book of Acts is replete with this truth.
-14:21,22 After an unsuccessful stoning of Paul, he revived and headed back into the city of Lystra. Here was a man who held no fear of death – we stand on the shoulders of great people!
-15:36-41 Barnabas ended up rehabilitating John Mark who had been unfaithful. Paul on the other hand couldn’t stand a person you can’t rely on and chose to go with Silas instead. Who was right? Both were – we are all given different temperaments that the Lord uses for His Kingdom’s sake!
-17:16-34 It wounded Paul to see intellectual Athenians so spiritually lost. He engaged appropriately with them regarding the gospel, and some believed. Does paganism in Canada bother us?
-18:1-11 After Athens, Paul went to Corinth and ‘just happened’ to meet a Christian couple who had just arrived in town themselves. And lo and behold, Priscilla and Aquilla were tentmakers just like Paul was! They enjoyed wonderful fellowship! What a hug from God for the single man Paul!
-18:24 Paul leaves Ephesus and here comes Apollos around the corner to the Ephesian church. Who is God bringing to us? Can we watch for people the Lord is placing in our midst for such a time as this?
-19:1-7 Here are sweet believers who never heard of the Holy Spirit. But they were open to Him and received Him through the laying on of Paul’s hands. Perhaps we Christians can confer blessings upon others as well…
-19:8-22 Here is the unfolding of evangelism in Ephesus. Paul reasoning daily in a secular building but also working wondrous miracles that proved his teaching. The seven sons of Sceva fiasco proved to be highly motivating for people to receive Christ. O Lord, prove your word with signs and wonders in our day!
-20:13-27 Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders at the port of Miletus as he prepared to see them for the last time as he headed to Jerusalem. He recounted his faithful ministry among them. In a time when high profile church leaders fall, most church leaders are faithful – why not send a note to a church leader you respect and admire!
-21:16 How did it come to be that Mnason from Cyprus was a Christian from the early days? Was he at Pentecost? Did he know someone when was there and brought it to Cyprus? God has a way of speaking to people through all kinds of ways!
There you have it – twenty points of note for me through the book of Acts – The Acts of the Spirit. What would you ask the Spirit to do in and through you?
Pastor Leon Throness
P.S. As you know I put an Encounter quote in the bulletin each week. I hope they have been encouraging and thought provoking. I have quotes ready through the summer but you may have a quote of your own that has been a great encouragement to you that I could put in the bulletin this fall. If you do, email it to me at leon@mycac.ca along with the author and I will use it in an upcoming bulletin…
