Part 12 in the Houses of Fire series - IMITATING PAUL

Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey (AD 54-57) Acts 19:8-12, 20:6-12, 20:18-38

A message that will challenge both the Evangelical and the Charismatic Christian: A challenge for the Evangelical because they will often find ways to minimize the possibility of living like the Apostle Paul due to his unique office and authority as a 1st Century Apostle. And, this message will challenge the Charismatic because so much ministry done by modern charismatics violates much of what Paul practiced and preached.

Paul was/is an equal-opportunity offender!

Acts 19:8-10 - "Reasoning and Persuading"

Hall of Tyrannus? - “was either a building for hire, named after its owner, or the private residence of a sympathetic donor”

Acts 19:11-12 - "Extraordinary Miracles"

Kingdom Ministry = BOTH/AND

Acts 19 - V. 8, 9 & 11 – Paul was BOTH “reasoning and persuading them about the Kingdom of God…reasoning daily AND God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul

Imitating Paul? 6 NT passages where he exhorts us to do what he was doing!

Acts 20:6-12
•Sunday worship (first day of the week)

•Communion included

•In a HOUSE

•LONG meetings (till midnight…Paul talked still longer…conversed until daybreak)

•Miracle of resurrection

1st Century Christian Calendar developing - Sunday worship and Pentecost

Acts 20:18-38 - Paul's message to his Ephesian Elders

*So, how Did Paul LIVE?

*Humility – “with ALL humility”

*Tears, Trials & Suffering = PART of following Christ) – imprisonments & afflictions

*Public (Synagogues) & Private (House Churches) – Evangelism & Teaching

*Jews & Greeks (for 10 years)

*Message included REPENTANCE (not just faith)

*Led by Holy Spirit
*Dead to Self – Surrendered to Christ’s Lordship & Plan (v. 24)

*Believed we are RESPONSIBLE (v. 26-27)

*Warning - False teachers/teaching coming (v. 29-31)

*Trusted in God’s Ability & God’s Word to keep them & grow them (v. 32)

*Paul & the Prosperity Gospel (v. 33-35) – Giving – to who? - PAY ATTENTION CHARISMATICS!!!

*Paul’s relationship with his team (v. 36-38)

****AND WHO ARE WE TO IMITATE??****