Acts 19:8-22 And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months… I. WONDERFUL PREACHING. 1. Manner of the preaching. (1) It was bold (Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philippians 1:14). (2) It was logical (Acts 18:19; Acts 28:23; Jude 1:3). 2. Rejection of the preaching. (1) Hard hearts (Exodus 8:15; Mark 6:52; 2 Timothy 1:15). (2) Evil speech (Acts 28:22; 2 Peter 2:2; Jude 1:10; Luke 2:34). 3. Extent of the preaching: "Two years; so that all...in Asia heard." 4. Lessons: (1) Be bold. Christ's servants must always be reverent, but they should never flinch. (2) Be logical. If the subject of the prayer meeting is home missions, don't speak fifteen minutes on the desirability of Christian contentment. (3) Be earnest. Better than grace in speech, or eloquence, or polish, or anything else, or everything else, is a downright, unflinching earnestness. (4) Be patient. Paul was contented to teach his Bible class every day for two years, and he would have kept at it till he died, even though no results appeared, if God had so willed it. (5) Be hopeful. From the little mission school you have organised at Ephesus mighty Christianising influences may perchance steal out by ways unknown to you into the great outlying wicked Christless Asia. (6) Be trustful. Speak the word; sow the seed; point the way. So surely as God is God, your work shall not be wasted. II. WONDERFUL HEALING. 1. Righteous miracles performed. (1) Removing diseases (Matthew 8:15; Luke 9:1; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:16). (2) Casting out evil spirits (Matthew 12:22; Mark 6:13; Luke 10:17; Luke 8:29; Acts 16:18). 2. Unrighteous miracles attempted. (1) The would be agents (Deuteronomy 18:20; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:5; 2 Corinthians 11:13). (2) The proposed means. (3) The results. 3. Lessons: The Great Physician — (1) Alike of worn-out bodies and of sin-sick souls, is God. (2) Generally uses human instrumentalities when He would renew the life of soul or body. (3) Does not countenance quackery in either bodily or spiritual healing. (4) Blesses the work of those who truly and unselfishly labour in His name. (5) Will terribly recompense those who borrow His name for unhallowed purposes of gain. (6) Will heal you. Are you unwilling, or is there nothing wrong in your spiritual life? (7) Is your only hope. Beware of the little physicians and the quacks. III. WONDERFUL REPENTING. 1. Moved to repentance. (1) Fearing (Joshua 24:14; Psalm 64:9; Luke 1:65; Acts 5:11). (2) Glorifying (Philippians 1:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 5:12). 2. Repentance (Matthew 3:6; Romans 10:10; 2 Corinthians 7:9; 1 John 1:9). 3. Fruits of repentance. (1) In purified lives (Genesis 35:4; Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 7:25; Luke 14:26; Hebrews 10:34). (2) In the spread of the truth. 4. Lessons: (1) When the wonders of God's healing providence are revealed, well may the people be astonished. (2) When the greatness of God's might is made known, well may the people fear. (3) When the fear of God has entered, then must the evil in the heart be confessed and driven out. (4) When the fear of God has entered the heart, straightway cometh the love that casteth out fear. (5) When the love of God has filled the heart, there is no room for old money-making rubbish to cumber up the precious space. (6) When the love of God comes in, the hate of God goes out forever. (7) When the love of God has filled one heart, it seeks to flow through that to others. Blessed they through whose hearts it flows unhindered! (S. S. Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. |
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