Missio Dei Fellowship

This section of Acts chronicles the final days of Paul's ministry in Macedonia and Achaia with a special focus on the final exhortations of Paul to the elders of Ephesus. In this section we are given a stark description of the mind set and actions of Paul as an Apostle/Elder as he gives his final exhortations to these precious men. Today we have the privilege to see him unabashedly declare his single-minded submission to the ministry of a servant of Jesus Christ.

This section of Acts chronicles the closing days of Paul's time in Ephesus. While he is seeing many very encouraging things occur, there is still the constant presence of resistance by those who reject the gospel message. In this passage we see the planning of Paul and the consequences of the gospel affecting the economy of many in Ephesus.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

There is a need to understand the plans of God but too often these become confused with our personal dreams for us. In this message we have an opportunity to see how Paul prayed for the church at Colossae to know God's will. We find a simple and straightforward approach that is not wrapped up in paganism or guess work. Rather, it is revealed for us through the Spirit-inspired Word and given so that we walk in a manner that honors God.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. Here we see him come face-to-face with the forces of Satan as the gospel is preached, people believe and there is a demonic push back. In all of this, we see the attempts to mimic the power of Christ in the gospel by those who are not believers. We see the material cost to repenting from false practices and we see how the gospel creates tension and hatred from those who refuse to bow in faith to Jesus Christ.

Paul is now in the beginning stages of his third missionary journey and finds himself in the city of Ephesus. He spends three months engaging Jews with the gospel. Luke records for us how Paul went about evangelizing and in it we have a simple blueprint of how to bring the gospel to others. It is always good to be reminded of how we ought to engage people for the gospel. At the same time this is a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel in the context of this sermon.

Often in the spiritual journey of every Christian there are times where things become more clear. This often comes through hearing doctrine taught well and it causes a person to make a key adjustment regarding what they believe. Sometimes it comes through life experiences as well. Certain things happening that make the person rethink and adjust what they understand. This section describes three different times in the early church where things became clarified.

Paul is in Corinth waiting for his companions. As usual, he begins to evangelize the Jews in the city along with Gentiles. This quickly begins to raise up a ruckus and false charges are once again made against him. In the midst of this, Jesus comes in a vision and encourages and strengthen Paul through two commands, do not be afraid and do not withhold speaking truth. Such a good exhortation for times such as Paul's and for us.

Aquila and Priscilla are introduced to the reader in Acts 18. Though they appear only a few times in the bible, their influence was one to consider for us today. This is due to at least three reasons: The first is that they labored and served the Apostle Paul in a point of time where he was likely lonely and facing discouragement. Second, they were responsible for bringing the great preacher Apollos to a proper and complete understanding of the gospel, thus unleashing him to do a good work himself. Third, because Priscilla becomes one of the key lightening rods for the egalitarian movement. This message seeks to develop all three of these points.