Sermon Overview:
In Acts 19, Paul meets a group of disciples from ‘John’s baptism,’ who know nothing of Jesus Christ. Paul shares the gospel with them, and upon hearing, they believe and are baptized. This is followed with a ‘mini-Pentecost’ moment when the Spirit uniquely evidences their new birth with signs and gifts. Some Jewish exorcists try to use Jesus’ name to cast out a demon from a possessed man. However, the demoniac acknowledges Jesus, and Paul, but not these imposters and attacks them. The local Ephesians respond to all of this with belief in Jesus and public repentance from secret sins in a mass confession and book burning. These strange stories are intentionally preserved by God to instruct us that Jesus Christ alone has the power to save those who believe and is not simply a magic trick to profit from. He exposes the secrets of our hearts, graciously leads us to salvation through His gospel, and gives hope that His Word will continue to save.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where are you struggling with unbelief in the sufficiency of Christ for your life?
2. J.I. Packer says, “We never move on from the gospel, we move on in the gospel.” How can you further study the gospel and address inadequate knowledge of Christ?
3. How does the gospel defend you in resisting your temptation to fear?
4. CJ informed us that, “This passage is intended to shape us by convicting us of lingering secret sin.” Is there any secret or lingering sin in your life that you need to bring into the light of Christ?
5. How do the results of God’s Word (verse 20) from these two stories encourage you as you seek the ministry of the Word and seek to minister the Word to others?
In Acts 19, Paul meets a group of disciples from ‘John’s baptism,’ who know nothing of Jesus Christ. Paul shares the gospel with them, and upon hearing, they believe and are baptized. This is followed with a ‘mini-Pentecost’ moment when the Spirit uniquely evidences their new birth with signs and gifts. Some Jewish exorcists try to use Jesus’ name to cast out a demon from a possessed man. However, the demoniac acknowledges Jesus, and Paul, but not these imposters and attacks them. The local Ephesians respond to all of this with belief in Jesus and public repentance from secret sins in a mass confession and book burning. These strange stories are intentionally preserved by God to instruct us that Jesus Christ alone has the power to save those who believe and is not simply a magic trick to profit from. He exposes the secrets of our hearts, graciously leads us to salvation through His gospel, and gives hope that His Word will continue to save.
Discussion Questions:
1. Where are you struggling with unbelief in the sufficiency of Christ for your life?
2. J.I. Packer says, “We never move on from the gospel, we move on in the gospel.” How can you further study the gospel and address inadequate knowledge of Christ?
3. How does the gospel defend you in resisting your temptation to fear?
4. CJ informed us that, “This passage is intended to shape us by convicting us of lingering secret sin.” Is there any secret or lingering sin in your life that you need to bring into the light of Christ?
5. How do the results of God’s Word (verse 20) from these two stories encourage you as you seek the ministry of the Word and seek to minister the Word to others?
Recent
Sermon Quotes: "A Moving Farwell"
May 31st, 2023
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "A Moving Farewell"
May 31st, 2023
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Keeping God and the End in Sight"
May 24th, 2023
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Anything But Ordinary"
May 17th, 2023
Sermon Quotes: "Anything But Ordinary"
May 16th, 2023
Archive
2023
March
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "No Turning Back"Sermon Quotes: "Open Doors and Open Hearts"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Three Unexpected Converts"Sermon Quotes: "The Pulpit and The Pew" Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "The Pulpit and the Pew"Sermon Quotes: "Three Unexpected Converts"
April
Sermon Quotes: "Our Prowling Adversary"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Our Prowling Adversary"Sermon Quotes: "The Most Important Week In History"Sermon Quotes: "The Most Joyful Event"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "The Most Joyful Event"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "The Gospel Confronts the Gods"Sermon Quotes: "The Gospel Goes Next Door"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "The Gospel Goes Next Door"
May
Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Pentecost Catches Up"Sermon Quotes: "Pentecost Catches Up"Sermon Quotes: "No Little Disturbance"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "No Little Disturbance"Sermon Quotes: "Anything But Ordinary"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Anything But Ordinary"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "Keeping God and the End in Sight"Sermon Overview & Discussion Questions: "A Moving Farewell"Sermon Quotes: "A Moving Farwell"