Paul
spent two years at Ephesus on his third Jesus-following road trip. Like Earlysville, Ephesus was a terrific
place.
Paul
only baptized 12 Jesus-followers. When
God’s spirit entered them, the city would be transformed. vv5-7 In two years, the entire city heard God’s good news. v10
Of
course, transformation included both tragedy and comedy.
One
day showy itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to manipulate God’s spirit to
eliminate a demon. The evil spirit
chased the frauds away naked and wounded.
v16
Many
Jesus-followers “got honest.” They
confessed their sins and disclosed their secret practices. This led to their burning all their
objectionable books worth 50K silver coins!
The
silversmiths of the jeweler’s union rightly anticipated that the new Jesus
movement would compromise their profitable charm business. They rioted.
Ironically, the town clerk quelled the uprising, unintentionally
defending the Jesus-followers who continued turning their city upside down.
Luke
says the word of the Lord grew mightily and
prevailed. v20
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What
makes Albemarle County so livable?
How
might God use 12 newly Spirited individuals to facilitate country
transformation?
The
effect of God’s spirit in the city was both widening and deepening. What is one specific way you’ve witnessed God’s
widening impact?
How
has God’s spirit deepened your spirit?
If
the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed in Albemarle County, what
might be the signs of transformation?
Invitation: Keep your eyes and ears attuned to how the
Lord is working along your actual path today.
Pray for Him to show you. List
below what God reveals:
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