March 1, 2023 -- Acts 19:8-10 -- The Acts of the Apostles: that is some powerful preaching

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 19:8-10 ESV

How hungry are you for the word of God? Perhaps you are faithful and go to church once a week and watch a podcast or two on interesting topics related to the Bible? Maybe you read your Bible as much as four days out of seven and some weeks hit a full week? Did you catch the commitment Paul had to preach the Gospel in the city of Ephesus? He was rejected by the Jewish people and he withdrew from the Synagogue. So, he preached in the Hall of Tyrannus, every day! Some manuscripts noted he preached from 11 AM to 4 PM each day. No doubt there were many people equally committed to coming and hearing what he had to say.

Thirteen books of the New Testament are attributed to Paul. He is a deep thinker, a powerful theologian and a great defender of the faith. It would be amazing to hear him explain the Old Testament in such a way that believers would understand their need for Jesus. As he reasoned there, the Spirit was giving Paul great insight so when the time came, and he was imprisoned, with much time on his hands and many people he loved on his mind and heart, he'd have been prepared to write letters and theological treatises which form a large part of the New Testament. How compelling it must have been for those Ephesians to go to the Hall of Tyrannus and know they’d hear deep and beautiful teaching after teaching.

This is a huge reminder to me. The Gospel does not have to be adorned with gimmicks. The pure word, explained, is Spirit-inspired, and today remains powerful because of the work of the Holy Spirit to direct the lives of believers. If the word has become dull for the listener, it is not because God the Glorious, the Majestic One of All Eternity is any less interesting. All eternity will not be long enough to unpack the wonders of Who He Is. The length of centuries stretching into forever will constantly show the depths of God’s love given in Jesus Christ. Now, today, take the privilege of getting to know this God, Dreadful in Splendour. Read the Bible. Pray. Spend time with other Christians who love Him. Get to church, as often as it is open, to hear the Word preached. Pray for your preacher, that he will be filled to the full measure of the Spirit of God so that he will preach with insight and power.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Nothing can compare with You! ^You form light and create darkness, You make well-being and create calamity; You are the LORD Who does all things! *You determined the measurements of the earth and laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together. You commanded the morning since days began and You caused the dawn to know its place. ^You, LORD of all perfection, made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek You. In You we live and move and have our being. Triune God, You are the One we praise and adore. Feed our hungry souls with the instruction of Who You are; fill our imagination with Your grandeur so that all our days we will follow You with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Amen.

^Isaiah 45:7
*Job 38:5-6
^Acts 17:26,28

https://youtu.be/UV8bv4QuDtM
Behold our God -- CBU University choir and orchestra

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.