SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
Acts (NIV) 20:20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
OBSERVATION: The church in Ephesus started out of Paul’s teachings in the synagogue. When they had to leave that location, they moved to the lecture hall. During that time, he taught them daily and everyone, Jews and Greeks “who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” As Paul was later meeting with the leaders of the Ephesian church, he reminded that he had taught them “publicly and from house to house.”
Today the church is often recognized by its building. But that was not the case in the book of Acts. The church was not recognized by its building but by its teaching and preaching of the Word of the Lord. And it was recognized by miracles of healing and deliverance in the name of Jesus.
The preaching and teaching of the Word of God accompanied by healings and miracles was the key for starting churches and church growth in the book of Acts.
APPLICATION: We need the Holy Spirit anointing today in sharing the word and believing for miracles.
PRAYER: Lord, fill us with the Holy Spirit and anoint us to preach and believe for miracles. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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