Exposition of Acts: Force of the Word
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. PHYSICAL BATTLEFIELDS
A. EVERYDAY CONVERSATION
>>1. FEARLESS DIALOG
Acts 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. (also Lk 14:21; Rom 3:23-24; 14:17 Mk 1:15; Jn 3:3)
>>2. FANATICAL OPPOSITION
Acts 19:9a Some stubbornly resisted, continuing in unbelief and speaking evil of the Way before the congregation,
B. EVANGELISTIC CONCENTRATION
>>1. FOREMOST LOCATION
Acts 19:9b so Paul withdrew from them, taking the disciples with him, and reasoned daily in the school-hall of Tyrannus.
>>2. FERVENT WITNESS
Acts 19:10 This continued for two years, until all the residents of Asia heard the Word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (also Eph 4:11-13)
C. EXTRAORDINARY CONFIRMATION
>>1. FANTASTIC WONDERS
Acts 19:11 And God was doing unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
>>2. FAMOUS MIRACLES
Acts 19:12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried to the sick, and their diseases left, and evil spirits departed from them. (also Acts 5:15; Mt 14:36)
II. SPIRITUAL BATTLEFIELDS
A. EXPECTED CONTENTION
>>1. FUTILE EXORCISM
Acts 19:13-14 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists started to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” (Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this). (also Acts 8:9)
>>2. FEROCIOUS ATTACK
Acts 19:15-16 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man possessed by the evil spirit leaped on them, beat and overpowered all of them, so that they fled from that house naked and bloody. (also James 2:19; Mk 5:1-13)
B. EXPRESSING CONVICTION
>>1. FEARFUL HEARTS
Acts 19:17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus – Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the Name of the Lord Jesus celebrated.
>>2. FALSE PRACTICES
Acts 19:18-19 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. A number of those who were connected to occultic practices brought their books together and burned them in the sight of everyone. When they estimated the value of them, it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. (also Rev 21:8)
C. ETERNAL CONDITION
>>1. FULL INCREASE
Acts 19:20a So the word of the Lord continued to increase
>>2. FINAL PRIMACY
Acts 19:20b and prevail mightily. (also II Cor 5:17; I Thes 1:9-10