2 Session 2

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August 08, 2020, Saturday

Manila, Philippines

CCF 4W'S Pursue God's Mission by the Power of the Holy Spirit

WELCOME

If you will be given a chance to travel; all expense paid for; where will you go? Who will you take with you & what would be your main reason for traveling to that place?

WORD

Acts 19:21-28

21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[a] to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: "You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesusand in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty." 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

In the course of our study on ACTS, we have seen Paul's relentless pursuit of his God given mission. This week, we look into the other half of ACTS 19. The Bible tells us that many people were repenting & were burning things related to magic.

Acts 19:19-20

19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[a] 20 In this way the word of the Lordspread widely and grew in power.

This was an amazing transformation; people were giving up bad practices & they were learning to obey. Now you would think that it will now be smooth & easy moving forward, but there were still challenges to Paul's ministry in Ephesus which was the center of commerce & idolatry. How can we continue like Paul in pursuing God's mission for us? By being empowered by the Holy Spirit! Though

Acts 19:21-41

The Riot in Ephesus

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus,Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Fellow Ephesians, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmenhave a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

we see the marks of a Spirit filled man as exemplified by Paul & his response to the challenges he met at Ephesus.

1) PRIORITIZE GOD'S WILL

A Spirit filled man's priority is to do God's will. We see this in the way Paul planned his missionary journeys Paul purposef in the Spirit,

Acts 19:21

21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[a] to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also."

to reach Rome & preach the good news to the center of world power during his time. As he submitted to the leading of the Spirit. Paul was able to spend more time in Ephesus & also send out workers to other fields. (Timothy & Erastus were sent to Macedonia) As we submit to God, our primary mission in life changes. Imagine the places that Paul & his team covered in their missionary journeys; it took effort, time & utmost dedication to the goal of spreading the word of God. In our lives, we must also see how we are doing in prioritizing God's will or agenda in the things that we do & the places we go to. Are our lives pleasing to Him & are others drawn closer to God through us? Think about your workplace, family or campus. How is your participation in building God's Kingdom by helping others know Jesus Christ?

2) PRESENCE OF PROBLEMS or PROPER RESPONSE to PROBLEMS

When you do God's will & set priorities accordingly, a Spirit filled man will eventually STILL encounter problems. We have to realize that coming to Christ does not exempt us from difficulties. God allows problems in our lives to develop our faith in Him & Christ like character. The problem that arose in Ephesus was initiated by Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis.

Acts 19:24

24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.

We see that even if Paul & his disciples influenced almost all of ASIA (TURKEY) & that the power of the gospel has PERSUADED & allowed people to TURN AWAY from ungodly things, there was still opposition to the truth that Paul presented to the people. Demetrius triggered a public riot of idol worshippers, whose profitable business crafting images of Artemis was affected by people turning to God in response to the gospel. These craftsmen used their religious devotion to Artemis as a jump off point for anger against Paul & his team & two of Paul's companions were imprisoned as a result of this opposition.

Acts 19:29

29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.

In 1 Peter 4:15-16

15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

we are reminded by the Apostle Peter to make sure that even in our suffering, we get to glorify God. This is the same concept that Paul, as a Spirit filled man of God & his team, enacted upon. They did what God wanted them to do. Later on, the town clerk, an unbeliever

Acts 19:35

spoke & it seemed that he had no issues with Paul's team, saying that they were "neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess". He eventually dismissed the crowd & this miraculous interjection showed how God was still in control over this situation. A Spirit filled man like Paul wil feel secure as he trusts in God's supernatural protection for His purpose & for His glory!

3) POWER TO PERSEVERE

The clincher to this story is at the end of chapter 19 as we see how God resolved the riot that ensued & how Paul was able to get away unscathed & kept safe only by God's amazing power & control. We see that Paul did not take a rest after the uproar; Paul sent his disciples to Macedonia while he went to continue the mission towards Greece.

Acts 20:1-2

Through Macedonia and Greece

20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,

To persevere, we must make sure we are not hindered by our own idols & modern day idols include whatever it is that we cannot give up when God asks us to. How do you test what the idols of your heart are? Ask yourself, to what or with whom, is your happiness dependent on? What is it that if you lose it, will make you angry? As Elizabeth Elliot once said, "The Christian life is a process of breaking your idols one at a time" As Hebrews 12:1-2

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

tells us, let us run the race marked out for us & "lay aside every encumbrance" that hinder us from the pursuit of God's mission by the power of the Holy Spirit!

DISCUSSION QUESTION: (DONT INCLUDE HERE YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE BECAUSE WE ARE NOW AT THE PRESENT, POST THIS IN YOUR WEBNOVEL)

1) How are you doing in the aspect of being Spirit filled? How did your response to problems this week show your full dependence of the Spirit or the lack of it?

Mia answer: I am doing in the aspect of being Spirit filled by spending time with Him; my response to problems this week show your full dependence of the Spirit by praying for Him to guide me

Kathy answer: Spirit filled means you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and your next step is you would bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The total dependence of the Holy Spirit, you trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in your decisions. The lack of Holy Spirit means you are lacking purpose or guidance in your tasks undertaking.

2) What are the idols in your life now that you need to surrender to the Lord? Know that it may not always be bad things as sometimes, the "good" things can be the enemy of the best things God has in store for us.

Mia answer: The idols in my life now that I need to surrender to the Lord is my lovelife

Kathy answer: The idols in my life now that I should surrender to the Lord Jesus is my past expreience, past conflicts and inner remorse. I need God to heal them. I should not be burdened by these idols.

3) What would be some opportunities this week where you can practice being filled & empowered by the Spirit & as a result be able to influence others (at home, at work, at school) towards knowing the Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ as Saviour & Lord?

Mia answer: Some of the opportunities this week where I can practice being Spirit filled & empowered by the Spirit & as a result be able to influence others towards knowing the Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ as Saviour & Lord is continue to pray ask His guidance

Kathy answer:Some opportunities in this week which I can practice is to join Bible Study, praying alone, having devotional time alone, which I would become closer to God and learn God's leading to my life.

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