Talk to Unbelievers 8
And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
Go where the fish are biting
The first thing he did was go to the Synagogue.
Paul knew where to find spiritually interested fish.
we should always ask people the question, are you interested in spiritual things?
Speak Boldly
παῤῥησιάζομαι parrhesiazomai – to speak with boldness or confidence.
“Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."
It is a misunderstanding to suggest words are not needed.
The gospel must be proclaimed.
A good life without words, people won’t know why.
Bad life with words people think we are hypocrites!
Godly life with bold words, people will be impacted.
Reason with the religious
διαλέγομαι dialegomai - to converse, discourse, argue, discuss.
Paul was very good at was giving reasoned arguments for his faith.
This is the methodology we should use in when we talk to people!
Use your power of persuasion
πείθω peitho - to influence, motivate, encourage, or convince others.
Sometimes it takes great effort to shift people in their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.
Sometimes it takes long evenings of quiet conversation to open their minds to Jesus.
Be persistent: Don't give up. You may need to invest hours of your time and love to help people see the light.
Ac 28:23 “persuading them about Jesus from morning till evening.”
Train Disciples 9-10
But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
There is no effectiveness without opposition.
the question is, “how should I respond to opposition?”
Some hearts were hardened
σκληρύνω skleruno –they did not believe- their heart was hard.
Examples of hard hearts: Pharoah, the Israelites, even the disciples.
A hard heart is resistant to spiritual things.
Jesus “Do not to cast your pearls before swine.”
They spoke evil of Paul in public
Paul speak to the Synagogue for three months.
Some of them opposed Paul verbally and publicly.
κακολογέω kakologeo means to curse or verbally abuse!
Paul began to train the disciples elsewhere
Paul began teaching the disciples daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus!
Paul spent most of his time training up disciples!
Trust God’s Transforming Power 10-12
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
All those in Asia heard the Word
Paul trained the disciples for two years!
Jesus trained the 12 in about three years.
When you make disciples who make disciples the kingdom of God explodes!
Paul also showed us the wisdom of following God’s will.
in Acts 16, Paul was forbidden to preach the Gospel in Asia.
Instead, God routed him through Europe.
God’s strategy was to reach Ephesus first, because Ephesus would reach all of Asia!
God was multiplying Paul’s efforts.
From Ephesus, the disciples reached Pergamum, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
These are the Seven churches of the book of Revelation.
the ripples of the Gospel spread out to reach an entire continent!
God worked through Paul in unusual ways!
unusual miracles were done by the apostle Paul.
God was authenticating his message to the world by the Apostles.
Ac 2:43 many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done.
Acts 14:3; signs and wonders to be done by Paul & Barnabas.
2 Corinthians 12:12 “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you.”
Today we believers get providential miracles according to James 5:14-16
God still works providential miracles today
So, here’s our plan for becoming a world transforming church: Talk to people about Jesus. Train many disciples, and most of all submit to Jesus and be healed, delivered and transformed. When people see Jesus in you, they will want what you have, and we’ll become a world transforming church! This is a turning point!