Acts Of The Apostles # 27 - 39

Some of the places that Paul visited would not have impressed us, but we can see from these verses that God used Paul in a great way. This is the place Paul wanted to visit on his second missionary journey, and God forbid him to come, but now, God not only allowed him to come, but God gave Paul an open door.

If this teaches us anything, it teaches us the importance of waiting on the Lord. The name of the Lord was greatly magnified in Ephesus. Let us look at these verses, and learn three things about how God's name was magnified through this great servant.

I. PAUL'S PREACHING (VERSES 8-10)

A. HE PREACHED WITH BOLDNESS

Verse 8, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly...." Paul's ministry at Ephesus was one of the high points in his career. He later wrote to the Corinthians and told how God used him there. He told them in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

Notice as Paul speaks of this door of ministry that God opened for him, he also states, “...and there are many adversaries.” This is where it takes boldness! Anyone can speak up for the Lord when he is among friends.

Illus: Most any preacher can enjoy preaching, in a church where people respond to the Word of God as it is being preached, with, 'Amen,' or 'Glory.' This is like pouring fuel on a fire, when a preacher is preaching God's Word. He knows he is among people who want to hear God's Word, and they rejoice when they hear It.

When Paul was at Ephesus, God had opened a door for Him, but at the same time there were some who bitterly opposed the preaching of God's Word. Nevertheless, the Bible says, Paul, "... spake boldly….”

Anytime God does a work, He opens the door, but someone has to have the courage to step through it. This is exactly what happened in Ephesus. God opened the door, and the apostle Paul went to the synagogue, and for three months, he boldly proclaimed God's Word.

B. HE PREACHED WITH PERSUASION

Verse 8b, "... disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

Illus: Before any salesman can be successful in his sales, he first has to be sold on the product himself. Many years ago, a young couple was invited to a cookware party, by an elderly lady that lived in the neighborhood. The husband had agreed to go, only because the lady needed five families to show up so she could win a prize that she wanted. Before they left the house, the husband had made up his mind that he was not going to buy any pots and pans. They, and the other families, were all seated when the salesmen appeared.

He introduced himself to all of them, then excused himself, and went to the kitchen to finish preparing the meal in the cookware he wanted to sell them. In a short time, he called them for supper, and they had a delicious meal. After they ate his food, he decided that he had earned the right to show them his stainless steel cookware.

That husband still had his mind made up. He was not going to buy any pots and pans. His wife had a cabinet full of them, and they did not need any more. The salesman was prepared for the fact that everyone there probably had a cabinet full of pots and pans. He went on to show everyone, that unless their cookware was made of stainless steel, it was no good. He did several experiments with the aluminum pans that the ladies had been cooking in, and the water in the pans turned a yucky green. He then talked about swallowing all that stuff every time they ate out of that cookware.

About that time, the husband who had been so determined not to buy any cookware, was about ready to turn to his wife and ask her, 'What are You trying to do, kill us!'

To make a long story short, that salesman sold every family there some stainless steel cookware, and that husband could not wait to get home, and get rid of those pots and pans that were killing him and his wife.

Do you know why that salesman was successful in selling his cookware? He persuaded them, because he himself was persuaded that stainless steel was the best and safest cookware that you could cook out of.

Illus: That reminds me of the story of the fellow who owned a store, and his whole basement was filled with all kinds of cheeses. A man saw all this cheese one day, and said, “You must know how to sell cheese with all this inventory!” He said, “I do not know a thing about selling cheese, but that salesman that sold me all this cheese knew all about how to sell cheese!”