Paul’s Third Journey

Sunday School Lesson


 




 

"Ephesus Curetes street" by Rita1234 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ephesus_Curetes_street.jpg#/media/File:Ephesus_Curetes_street.jpg


 

God provides salvation from sin through Jesus.


 

A1 Objectives

B1 Describe how Paul's teaching was received in Ephesus.

B2 Describe how Paul encouraged the elders of Ephesus.

A2 Scriptures

B1 Acts 19:1-20

B2 Acts 20:17-38

A3 Notes

B1 Acts 19:1-20

C1 Paul at Ephesus Acts 19:1-12

D1 Setting

E1 Apollos at Corinth

E2 Paul travels to Ephesus

D2 At Ephesus

E1 With John's disciples

F1 Finds disciples

F2 Questions their theology--"Did you receive the Holy Spirit, having believed?"

F3 Answer--"We have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."

F4 Questions their baptism--"What baptism were you baptized in?"

F5 Answer--"Johns"

F6 Teaches

G1 John

H1 Baptized with a Baptism of Repentance

H2 Taught that Messiah is whom they should believe in.

H3 Messiah was coming after him.

H4 Jesus Christ is Messiah.

G2 Baptism

H1 They want to be baptized in Messiah's name.

H2 Holy Spirit came upon them.

H3 They spoke in languages.

H4 They prophesied.

H5 Twelve men were baptized.

E2 In the synagogue

F1 Spoke boldly.

F2 Three months of speaking, debating, and persuading about the Kingdom of God.

F3 Results

G1 Some believed

G2 Some did not believe

H1 Hardened first

H2 Disbelieved

H3 Spoke evil to the Ephesians about the Christians and their faith.

G3 Paul withdrew from the unbelievers.

G4 Paul separated the unbelievers from the believers.

F4 Actions

G1 Met in Tyrannus' school.

G2 Debated

F5 Time there was 2 years.

F6 The Gospel spread throughout Asia (Eastern Turkey). Both Jews and Gentiles heard the Gospel.

F7 Miracles done through the Apostle Paul

G1 Laying on of Paul's hands, handkerchiefs, or aprons.

G2 Results

H1 Sick healed

H2 Evil spirits left those who were possessed.

C2 Seven Sons of Sceva Acts 19:13-20

D1 Exorcising demons

E1 Wandering Jews, not Christians, using the name of Jesus to cast our demons.

E2 Seven sons of Sceva

D2 Result

E1 Failure--Evil spirit

F1 Speaks, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"

F2 Beat the seven up badly, won the fight, stripped their clothes off, and chased them out of the house.

E2 Success--The news spreads about this and the Ephesians understand the Jesus is a very special person. They

F1 Feared Jesus

F2 Praised Jesus

F3 Collected all their occultic manuscripts and books

F4 Burned all of it.

F5 Worth of books equaled 50,000 pieces of silver.

F6 Word of the Lord grew powerfully and prevailed.

B2 Acts 20:17-38 The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

C1 Setting

D1 At Miletus

D2 Sends message to Ephesian elders

D3 They arrive

C2 Message

D1 Rehearses history

E1 Preached the Gospel from the very first day in Ephesus

E2 Served the Lord in

F1 Humility

F2 Tears

F3 Trials from Jewish plots

F4 Spoke

G1 The whole truth

G2 Publicly

G3 From house to house (personally)

G5 To Jews and Gentiles

G6 Repentance toward God

G7 Faith toward our Lord Jesus

D2 Now

E1 Going to Jerusalem

F1 Bound in the spirit

F2 Knowing (by the Holy Spirit) that I would be

G1 In bonds

G2 Tribulations

E2 Attitude

F1 I'm not what is important, Jesus and His message is important.

F2 I wish to

G1 Complete

H1 My course with joy

H2 My ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus

G2 Bear solemn testimony to the Gospel of the grace of God

E3 Announces that he will not see them anymore in this life

E4 I will not be punished for anyone's rejection of the Gospel, because I preached it.

E5 I told you (Elders) the whole counsel of God.

E6 Warning

F1 About the Christians. Take heed

G1 For yourselves

G2 For the Christians in your flock, because the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers.

F2 About your ministry. Shepherd this flock.

G1 The church of the Lord.

G2 The church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

F3 About false teachers

G1 They

H1 Are savage wolves

H2 Will come into the church

H3 Will not spare the flock

H4 Will arise from even yourselves

H5 Will speak distorted things so they will have their own followers

G2 You

H1 Must be alert

H2 Must remember me that for 3 years day and night I warned you.

F4 About the elders

G1 Entrust you to

H1 God

H2 Word of His grace

I1 Will build you up (in the faith)

I2 Will give you an inheritance about the sanctified.

F5 About me

G1 I have coveted nothing.

G2 I have worked to provide for my needs and those with me.

G3 I have helped the weak.

G4 I have remembered the words of the Lord Jesus that it is more blessed to give than receive.

F6 He prays for them.

F7 A tearful goodbye.

G1 He has to leave.

G2 They will see hum no more.

G3 They accompanied him to the ship.

B3 Commentary

C1 Time--54-58 AD

C2 Distance--about 2,700 miles

C3 Main importance to Ephesians--Temple

C4 Worship

C5 Population at that time--~300,000

A4 Questions

B1 Why is Paul in Ephesus? (To preach the Gospel)

B2 Acts 19:2--what did Paul find in Ephesus? (Some disciples)

B3 Were these Christians? How do you know? (They were not because by believing in John the Baptist's message and having been baptized by him were still looking for Messiah to come).

B4 What is the Baptism of Repentance? Is it needed today?

C1 Baptism of Repentance

D1 Repentance--that they acknowledged that they were sinners and did not want to sin any more

D2 Baptism--water by immersion or poured showing

E1 Authority under the Messiah

E2 God is the one who cleanses from sin

E3 A dedication of one's self to God and His ways

D3 This baptism was preparatory for the coming Messiah about whom John preached was coming soon.

C2 Is it needed today?

D1 No, as we seen in Paul's answer to these disciples

D2 We have Messiah now and look forward to His return

D3 The Gospel is always the same it is by faith.

B5 Acts 19:4--what did Paul preach? (That Jesus was the Messiah that John the Baptist said to believe in).

B6 Acts 19:5--what did these men do? (They believed and were baptized in the name of Jesus).

B7 Acts 19:5--Jesus said to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Why did Paul baptize in the name of Jesus?

C1 Some believe (as Calvin) that this baptism refers to the Spirit's Baptism as recorded immediately after. This was to counter the idea of re-baptism. This baptism refers to water is clear.

C2 Some believe (Roman Catholic) that this is a different baptism. There is the baptism of John and this is the baptism of Jesus. Two different ones pointing to two different things.

C3 Some believe that the baptism of John is a Jewish baptism while the baptism of Jesus is Christian baptism.

C4 Being baptized in Jesus's name shows our submission to Him and so is emphasized.

B8 Acts 19:6--Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Does that happen today?

C1 Happens to all Christians at time of conversion

D1 "in whom you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory. " (Ephesians 1:13-14, EMTV)

D2 "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. " (Romans 8:9, EMTV)

C2 The special Baptism of Holy Spirit as found 4 times in Acts.

D1 Fulfillment of promise in prophecy. Joel 2:28

E1 Acts 2:4 to show fulfillment to Jews

E2 Acts 8:17 to show that Samaritans are included.

E3 Acts 10:44 to show that Gentiles are included.

E5 Acts 19:6 to show that the disciples of John the Baptist are included.

D2 Apostles present.

D3 Spoke in languages

D4 No Apostles today to lay hands on or be present for.

D5 Tongues

E1 Greek word

F1 Is glōssa

F2 Means tongue

F3 Used in different ways. It all depends on the context

G1 Tongue as in the physical thing inside our mouths.

H1 Mark 7:33, Mark 7:35, Luke 1:64, Luke 16:24

H2 Revelation 16:10

G2 Tongue as in everyone, everyone who speaks, speaker

H1 Philippians 2:11 (referring to everyone (every speaker), not just every language)

H2 Romans 14:11, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9

G3 Tongue as the organ of speech, thus what we say (Acts 2:26, Romans 3:13, James 1:26, James 3:5, James 3:6, James 3:8, 1 Peter 3:10, 1 John 3:18

G4 Tongue as in a language

H1 Mark 16:17,

H2 Acts 2:4, Acts 2:11, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:30, 1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4-6, 1 Corinthians 14:9, 1 Corinthians 14:13-14, 1 Corinthians 14:18-19, 1 Corinthians 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 14:26-27, 1 Corinthians 14:39

H3 Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 10:11, Revelation 11:9, Revelation 13:7, Revelation 14:6, Revelation 17:11

G5 Tongue as in tongue shaped (Acts 2:3)

F4 See special topic below (A5)

C3 What did these men do when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them? (Languages and prophecy).

B7 Acts 19:8--What were the 3 things that Paul did in the synagogue? (Spoke boldly, debated, and persuading things about the Kingdom of God). The idea of debating is not a formal debate but holding a discussion asking and answering questions.

B8 Acts 19:9--What happens to some people when the refuse to believe? (Start telling lies about how evil the teachings and Christians are). Does this happen today?

B9 Acts 19:14--Who is Sceva? (He is the chief priest in Ephesus. It is possible that he had a high rank among all priests being the head of one of the 24 courses/ranks of priests for Temple service).

B10 Acts 19:15-16--What happens when non-Christians use the name of Jesus to cast out demons?

B11 Acts 19:18-20--What shows the changed lives of the Christians? (They gathered all there occultic literature and burned them).

B12 Acts 20:17-24--What were the two main things that Paul told the Ephesian elders?

C1 "I preached the Gospel. I did not hold back any thing."

C2 "I'm going to Jerusalem."

B13 Acts 20:25-31

C1 What are the two main points of Paul's words?

D1 Be alert for yourselves and others.

D2 Some of yourselves will fall away and start teaching false doctrine to have a following.

C2 Acts 20:28--

D1 What are they to shepherd? (The church)

D2 Who is it who bought the church with His own blood? (Jesus)

D3 What is Jesus referred to in this passage? (Lord and God).

B14 Acts 20:32-38

C1 What is the "word of His grace?" (The Gospel and the Scriptures)

C2 What can the "word of His grace" do?

D1 Build you up--make your faith stronger by knowing the Scriptures and doctrine better.

D2 Finally at the end give you the inheritance.

B15 Acts 20:33--Did Paul covet anything of the Corinthians? (No) What is covetousness? (Wanting what another has. "I want Joe's bank account).

B16 Acts 20:34--Did Paul work? (Yes, he worked and provided for all his needs). Did he have to do this? (No, what wanted to be an example to the people. Acts 20:35).

B17 Acts 20:36--After saying these things what did Paul and the elders do? (Had a prayer meeting).

B18 Would the elders ever see Paul again? (Not in this life).

A5 Special topic--1 Corinthians 14. Most of the meanings are covered already.

B1 In Acts it is a real language and an Apostle is present and involved.

B2 In 1 Corinthians it is a real language as well.

C1 1 Corinthians 12:10--the Holy Spirit gives the ability to speak a language unknown to them.

C2 I don't know Russian, so if I started speaking in Russian to spread the Gospel, it would have to be the Holy Spirit helping me.

C3 I read of a Bible smuggler who pulled up to a check point. All cars and trucks previously had been taken apart and checked for illegal materials, especially Bibles. This man and his partner had lots of Bibles in their car and knew there was no hope of getting through the check point without the Bibles being seen. They prayed. They pulled up to the check point, spoke to the guard in an unknown language, and he waved them through. The driver did not know the guard's language at all, so whatever was said in that conversion was unknown to the driver. This would be a modern day gift of the Holy Spirit and languages. The noises made by modern day tongues speakers are very lacking.

C4 1 Corinthians 12:28 and 30 would is the same idea as verse 10.

C5 1 Corinthians 13

D1 Verse 1 refers to real spoken, human languages

D2 Verse 8 has to refer to a real languages as well.

E1 Love, prophecies, languages (tongues), and knowledge are Gifts of the Holy Spirit as we know from 1 Corinthians 12:8-11.

E2 Love is said to never end.

E3 Prophecies are said to katargeo, that is, become idle, cease, stop, etc. The gift will not be operative any more.

E4 Languages (tongues) are said to pauo, that is, stop, quit, and come to an end.

E5 Knowledge is also said to katargeo, that is, become idle, cease, stop, etc.

E6 So of these 4 only love will continue to this day.

E7 The speaking of languages (unknown tongues) is to be with an interpreter present. The message of the tongue speaker is revelation, a message from God. Since there are no Apostles or prophets in this day, there is no one to authenticate it for us. We simply would not know if it is from God, from man, or from a demon.

C6 1 Corinthians 14

D1 General Comments

E1 Corinth was a messed up church. There were many problems (The following 19 points are from the book Spiritual Gifts by John MacArthur Chapter 1) The article is well worth your time to read.

F1 Divisions (1:10-11)

F2 Human wisdom (1:18-25)

F3 Human personality cliques (1:12-17)

F4 Carnality (3:1-9)

F5 Sexual perversion -- fornication and incest (5:1-8; 6:12-20)

F6 Worldliness (5:9-13)

F7 Lawsuits (6:1-8)

F8 Rebellion against apostolic authority (4:1-21)

F9 Marital conflict (7:1-40)

F10 Unmarried conflicts (7:1-40)

F11 Abuse of liberty (8:1-13; 10:23-33)

F12 Idolatry (8:4-13; 10:1-22)

F13 Pride (8:1-3; 10:12)

F14 Selfishness (11:17-22)

F15 Demon worship (10:19-22)

F16 Insubordination of women (11:2-16)

F17 Abuses of God's intended roles for men and women (11:2-16)

F18 Abuses of the Lord's Supper and love feast (11:17-34)

F19 Abuses and perversions of spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40)

E2 Many citizens of Corinth practiced the "Mystery Religions" where the Delphi would get a message from the gods telling the people by speaking in an unknown language. The priest then would interpret the message. Further info here and here.

E3 The Corinthian church took it a step further by some who had the gift of languages to pretend they were more spiritual.

E4 Paul writes 1 Corinthians 14 in particular to correct their false doctrine.

E5 In contrast to the false gift the real gift of languages

F1 Is given to some, not all

F2 Is a real language. The word "unknown" is not in Greek.

F3 Is spoken to God

F4 Is a message from God

F5 No one understands what is being said

F6 Does need an interpreter

F7 Not all are to speak at once

F8 If no interpreter is present, then they must keep quiet

F9 It comes down to this that the church service is to be in the language of the people unless there is an interpreter.

F11 Languages, as this gift is, will stop

F12 Prophecy is better, because people will learn and be edified. They understand those words

D2 Summary

E1 The Apostle does not forbid speaking or praying in languages other than the native language.

E2 If no one knows the language, there is no benefit to the church

E3 God wants the people of the church to understand and be edified.

E4 There is to be order in the church

E5 Tongues (languages) are going to come to an end in time. We see this in the history of the church.

Don’t be suckered by a psychopath

In light of two high profile prison escapes involving insiders, it is obvious that the insiders were overwhelmed by the prisoners emotionally. We must be ready. We must be alert to prevent our having relationships of any type. If we are not alert, we may be used, manipulated, by the psychopath.

The Hare Personality profile is the most common (also see here and here). The diagnosis from the DSM that are usually used are antisocial personality disorder and dissocial personality disorder. The Triarchic model lists three main characteristics.

1. Boldness—as in a lack of fear regardless of the situation. This is coupled with an over confident attitude.


2. Disinhibition—as in poor impulse control, lack of foresight, and demand for instant gratification.


3. Meanness—as in a lack of empathy, lack of closeness to others, use of cruelty to gain what they want, and defiance of authority.

The most telling is the overwhelming charm and (supposed, perceived) personal interest in you. If you or I fall for this, we will be used, manipulated.

The Bible has an example in the person of Nimrod. See here, here, and here
(see notes on verse 8). He is self-seeking, rebellious, and self-glorifying.

1. Cush fathered Nimrod, who became the first fearless leader throughout the land. He became a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD. That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a fearless hunter in defiance of the LORD." (Genesis 10:8-9 ISV)


2. Cush fathered Nimrod. He became the first powerful ruler on the earth. (1 Chronicles 1:10 ISV)

The person the Bible labels as the Anti-Christ is also such a person. He is both against Christ (Jesus) and a pretender (that he is god). Read more here.

1. The people living at that time will, in general, be looking for a military, financial, social leader to conquer the chaos that exists in the last days.


2. He will have a plan. He will preach a message, "The world will be destroyed. The only hope for the earth and its inhabitants is to follow my plan. Everybody must follow my plan or we will be destroyed. Everyone must follow my plan for it to be successful." Naturally those who do not follow his plan must be destroyed.

We must be alert. Somebody might try to manipulate us.

1. "Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. " (1 Peter 5:8, LEB)


2. "So then, we should not be sleeping like the others; we should be awake and sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:6, GNB92)


3. "The end of all things is near. You must be self-controlled and alert, to be able to pray. " (1 Peter 4:7, GNB92)

It seems that these traits are nothing more than a very thick façade for the real person inside. The inside person, the real person, must continuously be hidden and suppressed. One might learn this manipulation as a child who found they could use the charm to get what they want. Being that every person is evil. Other characteristics of the child is in their personality, namely, fearlessness and impulsivity. See here for a personal testimony/advice from a psychiatrist (this view-point is not necessarily Christian).

If a psychopath truly repents and puts their trust into Jesus, they need to go to all those whom they have hurt and make things right. This must be done in a brief encounter because these victims will think you are still trying to manipulate them. One of the important things they would need to pray and learn about is empathy. These two links have somewhat non-Christian approach—here and here.

My opinion—

For parents

1. It is especially important for the first two years of life to have a close and time investing relationship between mother and infant. This isn't "quality" time of 30 minutes a day. It is more like hours a day. The baby and mother spend a lot of time (hours) together bonding in smiling, laughing, talking, touching, etc. together. Dad is important and needs to spend time as well, but he is not as important at this time.


2. Dad and mom taking time to be together with the child present. Dad and Mom need to treat each other with love, kindness, and empathy.


3. Dad needs to take the child with him on errands and chores. Mom needs to do the same. The child can learn by seeing and feeling togetherness, successes and failures. How do Mom and Dad deal with these things?


4. Dad, especially, needs to read, study the Bible, and pray with the family consistently and with meaning (it is not just a boring chore/requirement).

For adults who did not have this empathy training as children

1. Learn to listen, not just hear. Stop what you are doing and really listen. Take the time it needs to listen to the other person. It may be 10 minutes or more. Shut up and listen. Don't form opinions and start to give your advice. Wait and listen.


2. Try to relate to what the other person is going through (being in their shoes idea).


3. Keep quiet. Do not offer advice. Just listen. When the other person is done, work together to solve the problem or at least, deal with it.


4. Don't start judging the other person or thinking you are better than them (as in "I would never be as stupid as this"). Don't label someone. Look at them as a person, not a label (as in "welfare mom" or "terrorist."


5. Read the life of Jesus in the Gospels starting with Mark. See how He shows empathy, sympathy, and kindness. Read how He dealt with persecution, false witness, and verbal and physical abuse. Then imitate Him in what you face and live with. Show others the same kindness and compassion that Jesus showed and lived in His life on earth.


6. Purposefully go out of your way to help someone. Maybe visit a nursing home or some other place where people might be lonely.


7. Pray for God to help you. Talk with someone else who will listen, too.


8. Resist bullying, impulsiveness, arrogance, and self-destructive behavior. God will bring it to your mind that you are doing this. So quit, walk away, get away from it, and avoid it. It will be hard, but each time you do this, it will be easier and eventually become a habit.


9. This won't happen in a day. It takes practice. With God's help you can do it.

How to handle a psychopath.

1. Be aware of charm. Be aware of their story telling, their wonderful deeds, and their answer to humanity's pressing needs.


2. Be aware of false contrition. They may show remorse, but it is only to get out of trouble.


3. Deal and know the truth. Be skeptical. It might take some research to see if that person is telling the truth. It is not what they say is truth, but truth is truth. Study truth.


4. Deal with reality. One may live their life telling people that they are Jesus or the Virgin Mary. They truly believe it. But where is reality? The person you are talking with might make claims of doing famous things or being a famous person or knowing famous people. It is also called fact-checking. Check it out!


5. When you present evidence of their exaggerations with the truth, beware that they will not accept your findings. Instead they will attack you—your character, your mentation, your facts, your nose, whatever. You cannot talk a psychopath out of their lies, but you don't have to give in and believe them. They want power over you, so resist the temptation to wilt under their talk and actions.


6. Don't tell them anything about your family, your friends, your finances, your weaknesses or temptations. They will use that information against you, to manipulate you.


7. Remember they are evil.


8. Remember that they look out for themselves and only for themselves.


9. Point out to them that what they are saying is a lie (if it is). Then when they try to berate you, stay firm, do not given in. They will eventually find someone else.


10. If they continue to harass and try to manipulate you, document everything and report it to authorities if you need to. Don't tell the psychopath you are doing the documentation.


11. If they lie, break a promise, or neglect a responsibility (work, pay bills, etc.), forgive them the first time, but if it happens again. Leave and stay away.


12. If they tell you that they can leave, that it will crush them, that they can't handle being without you, then realize they have no compassion, they cannot be hurt. Their feelings and compassion is dead and nonexistent.


13. Avoid them. They will find someone else. As said before you cannot hurt their feelings, because they don't have any.


14. Don't give in to them about money, sex, or doing something for them. They will blackmail you and control you.


15. Don't feel sorry for them and give in to them even one time. They will use that against you next time.


16. Live your life consistently. Do NOT talk how to live but live differently. Let your talk and walk match.


17. Be compassionate and defensive of animals, the sick, the elderly, children, and the poor.


18. If you are sucked in by a psychopath and realize it, forgive yourself. Don't beat yourself up. You wised up and got out. You now have experience. Use your experience to help others and remind yourself that you could be suckered in again.


19. 
    
    Remember that Jesus is the good shepherd. The psychopath is a raging wolf.
    
    
    
    
    1. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. " (John 10:11, EMTV)
    
    
    2. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young." (Isaiah 40:11, NKJV)
    
    
    3. "Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14, GNB92)
    
    
    
    


20. "For let not anyone of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's affairs; " (1 Peter 4:15, EMTV)


21. "Let your way of life be without loving money, being satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, "By no means shall I desert you, nor in any way shall I forsake you;" so that being confident, we may say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" " (Hebrews 13:5-6, EMTV)

Paul’s Second Journey

 

A1 Objectives

B1 Explain how Lydia came to faith in Jesus.

B2 Describe how God used Paul and Silas even though they were in prison.

A2 Scriptures

B1 Acts 15:39-16:15

B2 Acts 16:22-34

A3 Notes

B1 "...Sharp disagreement..." Acts 15:39

C1 What are we supposed to do in a situation like this?

C2 Both to pray.

D1 For each other

D2 About the situation

C3 Walk apart and cool off for awhile

C4 Point out the pros and cons together

C5 Study to see if this situation is addressed in Scriptures.

D1 By law

E1 We must do something

E2 We must not do something

D2 By principle

D3 By example

C6 Define together the goal, then how to reach that goal

C7 Be humble instead of an attitude of "because I said so."

C8 In this case discuss why it would be better to have John with them or why it would not.

C9 Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 together to learn about love.

C10 Consider

D1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard onto his robes." (Psalms 133:1-2, HCSB)

D2 "Then Abram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives." (Genesis 13:8, HCSB)

D3 "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." " (John 13:35, HCSB)

D4 "Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction." (1 Corinthians 1:10, HCSB)

D5 "...diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:3-6, HCSB)

D6 "...fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 2:2-5, HCSB)

D7 "Let brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1, HCSB)

D8 "Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble," (1 Peter 3:8, HCSB)

D9 "We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God's love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence," (1 John 3:14-19, HCSB)

B2 Forbidden by the Holy Spirit--Acts 16:6

C1 Paul was an Apostle. Silas was a prophet (Acts 15:32)

C2 Apostle and prophets (real apostles; real prophets) get revelation from God.

C3 God said, "No" concerning their traveling to Asia (eastern Turkey).

B3 Lydia--Acts 16:11-15

C1 From Troas to Philippi

C2 They needed to sail across the Aegean Sea

C3 It was about miles.

C4 Landed in Neapolis then traveled to Philippi.

C5 Met Lydia who is the first European convert

B4 Slave girl--Acts 16:16-21

C1 Demon possessed

C2 Gave information to owners on how to make money

C3 Tried to divert the Gospel truth.

D1 Everyone knew the slave girl was possessed.

D2 The demon knew that if he used the girl to tell the truth, everyone would think that the Gospel is from the devil and no different than she was. It would be just a different message from the same source.

C4 Cast out by Jesus through Paul.

B5 Persecution--Acts 16:22-40

C1 After casting out the demon, the owners lost money because they no longer had the information they wanted.

C2 They tried to get the preachers killed.

C3 Paul and Silas were thrown into prison by the authorities.

C4 Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns.

C5 The prisoners heard this.

C6 There was the earthquake.

C7 All prison doors were opened by no one escaped.

C8 The jailer thought they had and that he would be killed for their escape.

C9 Paul and Silas yelled at the jailer that no one had escaped.

C10 The jailer, who had heard the Christians pray and sing, had been convicted by the Holy Spirit and be saved.

C11 He was saved.

C12 His life was changed.

C13 Paul and Silas were asked to leave by the city officials who did not want it known that they had broken Roman law by jailing Roman citizens without a trial.

A4 Questions

B1 Why did Barnabas want to take John Mark with them on their revisit journey?

B2 Why didn't Paul want him?

B3 How would you feel if you were Barnabas, Paul, or John Mark?

B4 How did Paul think of John Mark later? (Colossians 4:10)

B5 Since Paul and Silas were blessed by the church at Antioch, does that mean that God had no use for Barnabas and Mark?

B6 How do we handle disagreements?

B7 Did Paul and Barnabas handle this well? (Acts 15:39)

C1 We don't know all the details.

C2 The Greek word for the disagreement is παροξυσμός

D1 It is a strong word for disagreement.

D2 It is a disagreement with strong emotion.

D3 Some other uses in the New Testament

E1 "And in Athens, while Paul waited for them, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was full of idols." (Acts 17:16, EMTV)

E2 "...does not behave disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil;" (1 Corinthians 13:5, EMTV)

E3 "And let us consider one another for the stirring up of love and of good works," (Hebrews 10:24, EMTV)

D4 In modern Greek it is used among other things for the word "seizure."

C3 As soon as Paul and Barnabas had become Christians were they perfectly mature in the faith, or did they still have to learn? Do Christians need to learn? Who does this teaching?

B8 Do these sharp disagreements lead to separations? How might this apply to marriage, family situations, church situations, society, business, etc?

B9 Acts 15:41--what does "strengthening the churches" mean?

C1 Handling disagreements according to the Scriptures

C2 Handling misunderstood doctrine according to the Scriptures

C3 Correcting people who preach false doctrine.

C4 Correcting people preaching a wrong Gospel

C5 Warning about false teachers.

C6 Handling people who are at odds with each other

C7 Clarifying what was taught earlier (in their first visit)

C8 Preaching against sin that might have arisen in the church

C9 Encouraging the brethren to continue in the faith. Discouragement may come

D1 from persecution

D2 from trials

D3 from failures

D4 from successes

D5 from believing there is no success in their sharing the Gospel

D6 from seeing no answer from prayer

D7 from remembrances of past sin

D8 from still struggling over present temptation to sin

B10 Acts 16:1--whom does Paul and Silas meet in Derbe/Lystra? (Timothy)

B11 It is written that Timothy has a good reputation from the brethren. Do we have the kind of reputation?

C1 "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves the preeminence over them, does not receive us. On account of this, if I come, I will call to mind his works which he does, slandering us with evil words. And not being content with that, he does not receive the brothers, and hinders those who desire to, casting them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate the evil, but the good. He that does good is of God; he that does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has a good testimony with everyone, and of the truth itself. And we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true." (3 John 1:9-12, EMTV)

C2 How do we develop a good reputation?

D1 Pray

D2 Study the Bible

D3 Fellowship with God and fellow believers

D4 Living the faith

B12 Acts 16:4--it speaks of the "decrees"? What are these decrees? (The Jerusalem Council--"...but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood." (Acts 15:20, EMTV)

B13 Acts 16:6--why did the Holy Spirit forbid them from going to Asia (eastern Turkey)?

C1 Shows who is boss. The Holy Spirit is the vicar of Christ, not any human.

C2 Is there any better boss then God?

C3 Different opinions

D1 Not to spread the Gospel at that time further in eastern Turkey, but now it is time to preach in Europe.

D2 The other cities in "Asia" were not spiritually ready for the Gospel.

C4 Two years later they came to Ephesus which was in Asia

B14 Acts 16:14--Who opened Lydia's heart?

B15 What are some things about Lydia?

C1 Business women--seller of purple cloth

C2 Worshiped God

C3 Took time out to pray with others at the river side

C4 Listened intently

C5 Had heart opened by God

B16 How does God open the heart? What does this mean?

C1 To understand the truth and reality of one's lost condition. There is no obscurity.

C2 God does this by the work of the Holy Spirit.

B17 After God opens the heart, what does God expect from the person?

C1 We can either resist or not resist God's call.

C2 We can either obey or disobey.

B18 Is faith a work?

C1 A Calvinist will say that it is because salvation has to be all of God (Monergism).

C2 A classical/reformed Arminian will say that it is not a work. God initiates salvation. After God's complete work, He wants us to believe (synergism).

B19 Why did Lydia and her household get baptized? (Jesus had commanded it. Matthew 28:19-20)

B20 Were infants baptized? Some believe this because Scripture states, "...her household..." There must have been infants in her household. (No because infants do not understand their sinful condition and cannot respond in faith).

B21 Is there any evidence from our Scripture reading that there was a change in Lydia? (She invited the brethren to stay at her home).

B22 Acts 16:16 and Acts 16:19--Does money affect how people react to situations? Does money affect how people treat Christians?

B23 Acts 16:22-23--What would you and I feel like to be beaten, thrown into the inner prison, and be shackled? What would we do?

B24 Acts 16:25--Why did Paul and Silas sing hymns and pray? Is this what someone would expect to do after being beaten?

B25 Acts 16:26--Was this earthquake from God?

B26 Acts 16:27--Why did the jailer want to kill himself?

B27 Acts 16:30--Why did he come and say, "What must I do to be saved?"

B28 Acts 16:31--Is that all we have to do is believe to be saved? What we do have to do be remain saved? (faith from start to finish).

B29 Acts 16:31--What is believe? (What Jesus says is true. Trust is my confidence in Him to say and do the truth; I don't have to worry about it).

B30 Acts 16:31--Why do most versions leave out the word "Christ" as in "...believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?" (Wilbur Pickering states in his notes on this passage, "Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit 'Christ' (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). Why would having the word Christ be important or why would it not? (A lot of people believe in Jesus but to believe He is Christ, Messiah, is important).

B31 Acts 16:31--If the jailer believed, would all his family be saved, too? (No each person has to believe for themselves. See Acts 16:34).

B32 Acts 16:32--Who heard the Gospel? (All the jailer's family and anyone else living there).

B33 Acts 16:33--Was there a change in the jailer? What was it? (He washed their wounds. A real conversion experience changes a person from the old life to the new. See Galatians 5:19-24).

B34 Acts 16:33--Is baptism necessary for salvation? What if someone refuses to be baptized?

B35 Acts 16:34--What was the reaction of the family after believing and being baptized? (They rejoiced).

A5 Resources

B1 Animated map

B2
Map

B3

B4

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

A1 Scriptures

B1 "And we request of you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and instruct you, and to regard them beyond all measure in love, because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the discouraged, be supportive of the weak, be patient toward all. See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue that which is good, both for one another and for all. Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing! In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. But test all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. " (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, EMTV)

B2 "We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves. We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages. Put all things to the test: keep what is good and avoid every kind of evil. " (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, GNB92)

A2 Outline--Some last minute rules

B1 Regarding leaders in the congregation

C1 Respect them

C2 Love them in the Lord

C3 Be at peace

B2 Regarding fellow Christians in the congregation

C1 Admonish the disorderly

C2 Encourage the discouraged

C3 Support the weak

C4 Be patient

B3 Regarding all humans

C1 No revenge

C2 Always rejoice

C3 Pray without ceasing

C4 Give thanks in everything

C5 Don't quench the Holy Spirit

C6 Don't despise prophecies

C7 Test all things

C8 Keep tightly to what is good

C9 Abstain from every form of evil

A3 Notes

B1 Leaders

C1 Types

D1 "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, " (Ephesians 4:11-12, EMTV)

D2 Apostles--the 12 that Jesus chose plus the few others recognized by the 12 during their lifetime. After the 12th died (John) there were no more apostles because there was no one to certify that person to be an apostle. Consider this.

D2 Prophets--the early church had a number of prophets and prophetesses. There are none now because there are no apostles to certify them.

D3 Evangelists--those whom have the gift of preaching the Gospel. We are all responsible to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ but these have a special gift, a drive, to preach. This may be in an area that has not heard the Gospel or in an area that has.

D4 Pastors--leader of local congregation. God gifts them to teach, lead, console, counsel, pray, evangelize, and many other things.

D5 Teachers--have the gift of explaining things so that people can easily understand.

D6 Elders, bishops, overseers, etc. refer to the same as pastor.

D7 Deacon and deaconess help with finance, counsel, and other personal, family, or congregational needs.

C2 Congregation's duty towards

D1 Respect them

E1 Treat them well

E2 Pray for them

E3 If disagree, approach them respectfully, not threateningly

D2 Love them in the Lord

E1 Pray for them to have

F1 Safety

F2 Wisdom

F3 Skill

F5 Fruits of the Spirit

E2 Help them by

F1 Assisting in tasks

F2 Not making life hard for them as in whining, refusing to obey Scriptures, etc.

D3 Be as peace

E1 Don't argue

E2 Don't fight

E3 Tell the truth

D4 They still may sin, so they may need rebuke. Galatians 2:11, 1 Timothy 5:20, John 16:23, etc.

B2 Regarding fellow Christians in the congregation

C1 Admonish the disorderly.

D1 Admonish is to point out errors.

D2 Disorderly is not following the order of the Scriptures and causing disruptions in the congregation.

D3 Disorderly may also refer to those who disobey the clear teachings of the Scriptures.

C2 Encourage the discouraged by

D1 A visit

D2 A letter

D3 A card

D4 A good deed as take them to the store

D5 Listen to them

D6 Pray with them

C3 Support the weak

D1 Tenderhearted, those who get discouraged easily

D2 Those who struggle with temptation

D3 Those who are sick and infirm

C4 Be patient

B3 Regarding all humans

C1 No revenge

D1 Financial

D2 Verbal

D3 Physical

D4 Slander

D5 Libel

C2 Always rejoice

D1 In things are pleasant then thanking God for it.

D2 In things that are unpleasant then thanking God that He has not left you, nor forsaken you (Hebrews 13:5) and that nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:31-39).

C3 Pray without ceasing

C4 Give thanks in everything

D1 If things are good

D2 If things are bad. We still pray, because it could be worse, and God will help us.

C5 Don't quench the Holy Spirit. We quench the Holy Spirit

D1 In these three things. "And when He comes, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I am going to My Father and you see Me no more; " (John 16:8-10, EMTV)

D2 In these three things. "...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. " (Romans 14:17, NKJV)

D3 In this one thing. "...that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. " (Romans 15:16, NKJV)

D4 In this. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. " (Ephesians 4:30, NKJV). We grieve the Holy Spirit when we sin in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we do not believe the plain, normal sense of the Scriptures.

D5 The Holy spirit does give joy in tribulation. "And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, " (1 Thessalonians 1:6, NKJV)

C6 Don't despise prophecies

D1 There are no prophets today because there are no Apostles to tell us who is true or false. See above discussion.

D2 This would refer to that church specifically and the early church in general.

C7 Test all things

D1 The standard to test against is the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

D2 We are to test all things.

D3 Doctrine, lifestyle, fellowship are important. There is a standard. It is not a church standard that we live by but the Scriptures themselves.

D4 For example

E1 "...not to be quickly shaken from your mind, nor be disturbed, neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ has come. " (2 Thessalonians 2:2, EMTV)

E2 ""I know your works, and your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you tested those who say that they are apostles and they are not, and you found them to be false; " (Revelation 2:2, EMTV)

E3 "Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all readiness, each day examining the Scriptures to see whether these things might be so. " (Acts 17:11, EMTV)

C8 Keep tightly to what is good

D1 Good is defined by what God calls good.

D2 We are to be consistent.

D3 To do this in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C9 Abstain from every form of evil

D1 Evil is defined by what God calls evil.

D2 We are not to do these things.

D3 Evil can be appealing, but in reality it is deadly.

Strengthen the Churches

"And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. " (Acts 15:41, EMTV)


 




 

What does "strengthening the churches" mean?


 

The Greek word is ἐπιστηρίζω

B1 This means to make stronger.

B2 It is used 4 times in the Bible.

B3 The trees in the Biosphere 2 fell under their own weight from etiolation and no stress wood. The wind causes the trees to grow this type of cells which strengthen the tree. Our word here has the idea of strengthening in this sense. The winds and battering from skeptics, enemies, false apostles, false prophets, and false teachers might overwhelm the local congregation, thus Paul wanted to return to the congregations and strengthen them.

How do we strengthen the churches/congregations?

B1 Many of the epistles written in the New Testament were written for this purpose.

B2 The congregations would be strengthened by

C1 Handling disagreements according to the Scriptures

C2 Handling misunderstood doctrine according to the Scriptures

C3 Correcting people who preach false doctrine.

C4 Correcting people preaching a wrong Gospel

C5 Warning about false teachers.

C6 Handling people who are at odds with each other

C7 Clarifying what was taught earlier (in their first visit)

C8 Preaching against sin that might have arisen in the church

C9 Encouraging the brethren to continue in the faith. Discouragement may come

D1 from persecution

D2 from trials

D3 from failures

D4 from successes

D5 from believing there is no success in their sharing the Gospel

D6 from seeing no answer from prayer

D7 from remembrances of past sin

D8 from still struggling over present temptation to sin

Christians and churches need strengthening today in the nearly overwhelming flood of false doctrine, false teaching, and false teachers. We are strengthened by reading and studying the Bible every day. We also need fellowship and prayer. Without this we might fail the faith.

10 ways Christians are to handle disagreements

"Therefore a sharp disagreement arose so that they were separated from one another. And Barnabas, taking along Mark, sailed to Cyprus. " (Acts 15:39, EMTV)

What are we to do when we have a sharp disagree, an all-out argument, and fight?

 

An argument is very stressful on the body and has physical and psychological effects?

B1 Physical

C1 Stress hormones released

D1 Cortisol

D2 Epinephrine

C2 These hormones affect

D1 Immune system—lowering its effectiveness

D2 Cardiac system

E1 Raise blood pressure

E2 Make heart work harder for the heart

E3 Raise blood sugar

B2 Psychological

C1 Depression

C2 Anxiety

B3 Image

 

By Gdudycha (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

What are we supposed to do in a situation like this?

B1 Both to pray.

C1 For each other

C2 About the situation

B2 Blaming others does not help, so don't.

B3 Walk apart and cool off for awhile. Talk about it tomorrow. Get some sleep.

B4 Think is this situation really that important to get angry, then affect our testimony, work, and witness.

B5 Point out the pros and cons together

B6 Define together the goal, then how to reach that goal

B7 Be humble instead of an attitude of "because I said so."

B8 In this case discuss why it would be better to have John with them or why it would not.

B9 Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 together to learn about love.

B10 Consider

C1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard onto his robes." (Psalms 133:1-2, HCSB)

C2 "Then Abram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives." (Genesis 13:8, HCSB)

C3 "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." " (John 13:35, HCSB)

C4 "Now I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction." (1 Corinthians 1:10, HCSB)

C5 "...diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:3-6, HCSB)

C6 "...fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus," (Philippians 2:2-5, HCSB)

C7 "Let brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1, HCSB)

C8 "Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble," (1 Peter 3:8, HCSB)

C9 "We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God's love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence," (1 John 3:14-19, HCSB)

The Greek word for the disagreement is παροξυσμός

B1 It is a strong word for disagreement.

B2 It is a disagreement with strong emotion.

B3 Some other uses in the New Testament

C1 "And in Athens, while Paul waited for them, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was full of idols." (Acts 17:16, EMTV)

C2 "...does not behave disgracefully, does not seek its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil;" (1 Corinthians 13:5, EMTV)

C3 "And let us consider one another for the stirring up of love and of good works," (Hebrews 10:24, EMTV)

B4 In modern Greek it is used among other things for the word "seizure."

As soon as Paul and Barnabas had become Christians were they perfectly mature in the faith, or did they still have to learn? Do Christians need to learn? Who does this teaching? (The Holy Spirit)


 

Hopefully this will help us to handle a disagreement in a more godly way. If we fail, then we confess our fault and ask forgiveness. This takes humility.