The Church Unleashed: A Study of the Book of Acts God s plan to make strong believers November 2-3, 2013 Pastor John Lloyd God knows where each one of us is in our spiritual life. In this passage, we see how the Lord reaches out to Apollos and the twelve disciples to bring them to the place where they needed to be. God desires to reach each one of us right where we are now. He wants our church to be a place where people can believe, but also become the person God desires for us to be. The church is unleashed when it continually reaches and develops its members. Enjoying the Journey, Acts 18:23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. How can we, as a church, best unleash the people of God, in the Spirit of God, with the Word of God, for the glory of God, in the world? The church is unleashed when it continually reaches and develops its members.
How can we reach and develop our people? I. Recognize it s our to grow stronger in the Lord and to help others grow stronger as well. Acts 18:23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. John 21:17He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? and he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. Reflective questions: What are you doing to grow spiritually in your relationship with God? Who are you helping to grow? Strong believers make a strong church A strong church makes strong believers.
II. your soul into the Word of God strengthens you. 18:24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ( I Peter 2:2, Ephesians 4:15, Rom. 10:17, 2 Tim. 2:15, Ps.119) A. Strong spiritual build your faith. Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) (Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:42-47, I Thessalonians 5:11) B. your faith develops your faith. Acts 18:27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. C. develop strong faith and character. James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
III. on the Spirit will make up for any deficiencies. Acts19:1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13-14) Acts 19:4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus. 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. (Psalm 127:1, Galatians 5:16, 25) John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, John 14:26 Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Obedience brings spiritual strength. Spiritual strength fuels obedience. Prayer: Show me where I can obey you stronger. Lord, give me strength and courage to trust you in my weakness. Give me a greater burden to strengthen and develop those around me.