Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 19
8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
Commentary:
19:9 the Way. See note on 9:1–2. the hall of Tyrannus. Some Greek manuscripts in the “Western text” tradition add that the daily lectures were held between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., which included the hottest part of the day, when people would take off work for a midday nap. reasoning daily. See note on 17:17.
19:10 Paul ministered in Ephesus for about three years (c. a.d. 52–55; see 20:31). That he reached all the residents of Asia reflects his missionary strategy of setting up in the major cities and sending coworkers into the surrounding region to establish churches. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians near the end of his time at Ephesus (see note on Acts 19:22).
19:10 Paul ministered in Ephesus for about three years (c. a.d. 52–55; see 20:31). That he reached all the residents of Asia reflects his missionary strategy of setting up in the major cities and sending coworkers into the surrounding region to establish churches. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians near the end of his time at Ephesus (see note on Acts 19:22).
Questions:
- Paul then spent three months boldly preaching in the synagogue. He was reasoning with them, persuading them. He left the synagogue, but still held daily discussions in the lecture hall. He reasoned with them DAILY. Paul was obviously determined to persuade people. He was persistent in his preaching of the Gospel. It can be easy to get discouraged when someone in our lives is resistant to the message of Jesus. But Paul's persistence and intentionality can serve as a great example for us. Is there someone in your life you've been praying for and trying to reach for Jesus? Do you need a little dose of Paul's tenacity? How can you be more intentional?
- The first takeaway from Sunday was that we OVERESTIMATE what WE can do in the short-term and we UNDERESTIMATE what God and do through us in the long-term. Paul had been moving pretty quickly from city to city up to this point, but he has stayed 2 years in Corinth and now 3 years in Ephesus. He was spending multiple hours every day preaching the Gospel for YEARS. Faithfulness in one direction for a long time is what produces change, growth and impact in our lives. It takes grace-driven, Spirit-empowered effort and faithfulness over long periods of time. What you, your family, your kids, your marriage really need is faithfulness in one direction for a long time. Where do you feel you may lack in faithfulness? Is there anything in this question that is convicting to you?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would be persistent in trying to reach people for Jesus.
- That you would remain faithful over a long period of time.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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