Ephesus: The Third Missionary Journey “WORKING TOGETHER”

Part 1

Success? I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; Galatians 1:6 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! Galatians 1:8 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! Galatians 1:9

“…the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them…” “…the Holy Spirit had prevented them…” “…That night Paul had a vision…”

Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Don’t be afraid!” Acts 18:9 “the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia” 1Thes.1:8 Then he set sail…They stopped first at the port of Ephesus…They asked him to stay longer… Acts 18:19 We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope ; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Paul’s “ I dunno ” Acts 18:18ff Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of [Corinth] and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. he left them there In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow. They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. they asked him to stay Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent …

Paul’s “ I dunno ” Acts 18:18ff In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow… [Nazarite] …but taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted “the church,” and went down to Antioch. Acts 18:21-22 “I’m busy right now…” Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1

Probably This: After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. Acts 21:17-19 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law! ” Acts 21:20 WHAT HAPPENED IN “THE CHURCH” AT JERUSALEM? When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted “The Church,” and went down to Antioch. Acts 18:21-22 UN-Spectacular

If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. Philippians 3:4-6 Paul’s View Hey guys, I’m one of you! More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Philippians 3:8 Paul Changed: We also exult in our tribulations… because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 Here’s How:

I am a GREAT Rocket Scientist, you punk! I will be a MUCH GREATER Rocket Scientist soon, old man!

I am so BEAUTIFUL Yeah, but I’m YOUNG and Beautiful, y’old bag! I’m the most beautiful of all you wenches! I’m just clueless! ( But beautiful! )

I am a bad-ass, mo-fo concrete worker! Yeah, but I’ve got a nice, pink purse! I wish I had a pink purse! More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Philippians 3:8 You Will Be Changed: We also exult in our tribulations… because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 Here’s How:

Part 2 And working together with Him, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 Corinthians 6:1

Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18:24-28 …each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 Powerful Man

And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Acts 18:23 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, " Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? " And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 19:1-3 Something was wrong…No “Holy Spirit” Indwelling the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.“ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men. Acts 19:3-7 Holy Spirit Empowered Life "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive… John 7:38-39 Not Right

And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Acts 19:8-10Recognize?

God Pulls Together the Right People… Lydia, other “prominent women” (Macedonia) Priscilla & Aquilla (from Rome)Sosthenes (in Corinth)Apollos (In Ephesus)12 Disciples of John the Baptist (Ephesus)With Paul, Timothy, Silas…(Antioch) In the Right Place… Ephesus, NOT Jerusalem “ working together with Him ” — 2 Corinthians 6:1 At the Right Time… “the Spirit prevented them…” God is not Bound by Our Social Damage

“ working together with Him ” — 2 Corinthians 6:1 "From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:38-39 the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 We also exult in our tribulations… because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 How: