We can trust that God causes the gospel to triumph in us, in the church, and among the world to bring many to himself.

##THE TRIUMPH OF THE GOSPEL IN EPHESUS (ACTS 19)
* To bring many to Christ (vv 1–12)
* To transform lives (vv 13–20)
* To overcome obstacles (vv 21–41)

God creatively uses many situations and methods to grow his church.

##The growth of the church (Acts 18)

* Building bridges (vs 1-8)
* Jesus’ empowerment and encouragement (vs 9-11)
* Enduring difficulty (vs 12-17)
* Making great efforts (vs 18-22)
* Humble and teachable (vs 23-28)

Build bridges to reach people with the gospel.

##Building Bridges for the Gospel
* Two responses to the gospel (vs. 1-15)
- A model for gospel bridge-building (vs. 16-34)
- Compassion and humility
- Identifying openings for the gospel
- Truth
- Grace

When we are seeking to fulfill a good plan for God and those plans are thwarted either by God, Satan, or our own hearts, we can rest in the fact that God will work all things for good and that in spite of our perceived failure, He still loves us.

##PASSAGES CITED:
Acts 16:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; Romans 8:28-39

There are four helpful guidelines for Christians to follow as they pursue a ministry of reconciliation with people around them.

##The Four Laws
1. Don’t hinder the Gospel (vs. 16:1-5)
2 Let God lead (vs. 16:6-10)
3. Go to the One (vs. 16:11-34)
4. Fight for God’s sake (vs. 16:35-40)

A look back at the sermon series over the past few year.

Because Jesus made purification for sins, we can live in salvation, assurance, and victory.

##Jesus Made Purification for Sins
* The problem of sin
* Purification for sins through Jesus
* Salvation, Assurance, Victory in Jesus

##Passages cited
Matthew 1:20-21; John 5:30; Romans 3:9; 5:12; 6:1-4; 8:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 John 5:11-13;

Because God is with us in Christ, we can abide in and enjoy God’s presence.

##Jesus as God and glorious (Hebrews 1:3):
* Jesus as God
* The glory of Jesus
* God with us
* The blessing of his presence

##Passages Cited
Psalm 139:1-8; Isaiah 7:10-17; 40:11; Matthew 1:18-23; John 10:27-29; Colossians 1:15a; 2:9

In response to Jesus making us new, we are to adore Jesus by experiencing the fullness of the new creation.

##Jesus the Creator and Sustainer
• Jesus as Creator and Sustainer
• Jesus, Christmas, and the New Creation (John 1)
• Jesus, the one who gives new life and sustains us
• Our response: adore Jesus by experiencing the fullness of the new creation

##Passages Cited
John 1:1-5; Acts 17:28; Romans 6; 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:13-14,16

We are to worship Jesus as we see how he is the culmination of God’s word.

##Jesus the culmination of God’s word (Heb 1:1-2)
* God’s previous speech (vs 1)
* Jesus the final word (vs 2)
* Jesus the fulfillment of God’s word (vs 2)