Ramblings on Acts 19 ... an assignment for Church

I was asked today to post a blog for our church's newest series. We are studying the book of Acts and several people from the congregation have been assigned a chapter and have been asked to blog about what they've read. My assignment was Acts 19, which is really not a great chapter to write about. While it is a good historical account of the life of Paul and the persecution he encountered spreading the gospel of Christ, it isn't a great chapter like Acts 2 (the pouring out of the Holy Spirit), Acts 9 (the conversion of Saul, who later became Paul) or Acts 16 (the Philippian jailer - "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved").

So I was to read my assigned chapter, choose a key verse, blog a few paragraphs about what I encountered reading the passage, and then leave the readers with a few questions to ponder as they study the passage themselves.

Here is my first pass. I'm not sure if I'll send this version on for publication, but I wanted to make sure my initial thoughts did at least find its way to my own personal blog.

Key Verse – Acts 19:20 “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”

In the early days of the church, God used several key people and numerous miracles to demonstrate his power. First Peter at Pentecost, then later Paul as he traveled throughout the Asian provinces, performed miracles in the name of Jesus. As a result, many turned to follow Jesus, leaving their past lives behind.

And when these new converts began to fully devote themselves to “The Way,” some local merchants felt the pinch. In Acts 19 we learn that because of Paul’s teachings, local silversmiths endured an economic downturn because they were selling fewer idols. Because former idol worshipers learned there is only one true God, they stopped frequenting the silversmith shops. I believe following Jesus should result in our lifestyles changing. Material things that were once important to us should now seem insignificant when compared to the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

The transformation in the lives of the followers of Christ in Ephesus was so great, people who live and work around them noticed. Men who had once profited off the sale of idols became so worried about their future, they incited a riot. While the culture has changed, and while we enjoy many freedoms in America, a life devoted to following Christ should look different than the lives of those around us. I don’t imagine our choices in the 21st century will lead to anyone inciting riots; however I do believe our daily choices, especially on things where we choose to spend our time and money, demonstrate where our hearts are truly focused.

When the world around us notices the changes in our lives, they will want to know more about what has caused us to change. As you tell them what has motivated your lifestyle metamorphosis, Acts 19:20 will continue to ring true in our communities: “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”

As you read through Acts 19 today, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I live my life each day in a manner that permits the word of the Lord to continue to spread to all I encounter?

2. Are there any areas in my finances that I have yet to turn over to God and if so, am I willing to surrender them to Him today?

3. What can I do today to show the love of God to someone, causing them to desire to know more about my Savior?