Truth and Power Encounters at Ephesus Truth and Power Encounters at Ephesus Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [36] Acts 19:8-20 November 25, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

OUR 21ST-CENTURY EVANGELISM VS. PAUL’S FIRST-CENTURY EVANGELISM* Mainly “inviting people to church” vs. Going to “where people are” [going] Appealing to decision with little understanding vs. Reasoning and persuading for the gospel [truth encounter] Expecting quick results vs. Faithful sowing of seeds and in due time reaping a harvest [patient] As evangelistic projects vs. As missional living [lifestyle] * Adapted from John R. W. Stott, The Message of Acts

LESSONS ABOUT TRUTH ENCOUNTERS AND POWER ENCOUNTERS 1) Truth encounters require OUR PATIENCE in speaking, reasoning and persuading others about the gospel (vs. 8, 10). 8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (vs. 8,10)  Truth encounters are between the truths of God and the lies of the Evil One and the world.  Apostle Paul was proactive yet patient in sharing the the gospel for two years—reasoning and persuading others about the truths about the kingdom of God.  In sharing the gospel, we are also to be proactive and patient in truth encounters through reasoning and persuading others.

LESSONS ABOUT TRUTH ENCOUNTERS AND POWER ENCOUNTERS 2) Truth encounters require OUR READINESS for both negative and positive responses to the gospel (v.9). But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. (v.9)  Paul’s powerful reasoning and persuading brought positive and negative responses—and he was ready for both.  From those who rejected the gospel, Paul moved on to invest into those who were responsive and built into them six days a week (from 11am to 4pm) for two years!  In dealing with the various responses to our sharing, we also need to be free with the negative and be intentional in building into more responsive people.

LESSONS ABOUT TRUTH ENCOUNTERS AND POWER ENCOUNTERS 3) Power encounters are mainly FOR VALIDATING AND SUPPORTING TRUTH ENCOUNTERS (vs.11-12). 11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. (vs )  Power encounters are between the power of God and the power of the devil and this world (Eph. 6:12).  These power encounters were validation of Paul’s apostleship and gospel as God-anointed [i.e., uniquely for the “Apostles”]; for us, God’s power can be shown supernaturally by grace.  We are to seek to be faithful in truth encounters, relying on God’s supernatural power to be revealed in our lives.

LESSONS ABOUT TRUTH ENCOUNTERS AND POWER ENCOUNTERS 4) Power encounters are to be used NOT FOR OUR GAIN BUT FOR GOD’S GLORY (vs.13-20). 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

LESSONS ABOUT TRUTH ENCOUNTERS AND POWER ENCOUNTERS 4) Power encounters are to be used NOT FOR OUR GAIN BUT FOR GOD’S GLORY (vs.13-20). 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. (vs )  The name of Jesus has power but is reserved only for those who belong to Christ through God’s saving grace.  Power encounters are not for selfish gain but for furtherance of God’s kingdom and glory.  In personal experiences of God’s power, we are to seek God’s glory and the furtherance of the gospel of Christ.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.How can I be more proactive yet patient in speaking, reasoning, and persuading others about the gospel? What is my first step? 1.What would it mean for me to be ready for negative responses to my sharing of the gospel? For positive responses? 2.How can I use my personal experiences of God’s power not for my personal gain but for God’s glory?