I have begun a study of the letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians. As I began to do so, I reread Acts 18, 19, and 20 to refresh myself about the background of this church and Paul's relationship with the Ephesian believers. Paul had a tremendous impact in the city. It appears that the believers were very hungry to know and experience all that God had for them. The city of Ephesus had a population of about 300,000. It was a city filled with Jews and Gentiles. There was great deal of immorality, sorcery, and idol worship throughout the city. It was a prosperous city as it was on a trade route. In Acts 19, we discover three secrets for the church today that will cause it to be an effective influence in its community.
1. When the power of God is evident in the lives of the individuals in the church, the community surrounding the church is affected. When Paul arrived, he found 12 men huddled together, powerless to prevail against this large city. As Paul met with these men, he recognized that these believers were lacking something. It is the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is unleashed, the miraculous occurs. When power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed, people speak the word with persuasiveness.
2. People of influence walk the talk. Authentic Christians live like Christ. Paul spent three years living and ministering in Ephesus. He preached in the public and lived out his teachings from house to house. He was the same in public and in private. The belivers got rid of their sorcery and witchcraft materials. They had a huge bonfire. There was a 180 degree turn in their lifestyle. In fact, the latter part of Ephesians 4 and all of chapter 5, Paul writes about the believers walk and living a constant Christian life.
3. It's not said directly Acts 18, 19 or 20, but it is made very clear when Paul writes to Ephesus later from Rome, that impacting a city requires that a church be in unity. He also talks of this need indirectly in Acts 20 when he addressed the Elders of Ephesus.
These three qualities will make for a strong dynamic church in our communities today.
1 comment:
Bro. Gregg Thank you so much for this post today! I was just talking about this very subject with my Dad just minutes ago. His heart is burdened for his church which appears to be dying. Your post encourages and reinforces what I was saying to him.
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