Lessons from Ephesus

We kicked off a new series this Sunday. Made for This. A walk through Paul’s time in Ephesus and eventually into his letter to the church there.

But before the letter, we needed the backstory. So we spent time in Acts 18-20. Three movements. Three things Paul modeled for us.

First, disciplemaking. Paul placed Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus. They pulled Apollos aside and helped him take the next step. Then Paul returned and completed the work with twelve more. Nobody had it all figured out. That wasn’t a problem. It was normal. Discipleship happened in quiet, personal conversations. Not programs. Relationships.

Second, persuasion. Paul taught daily in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. All of Asia heard the word. Then God moved in power. The sons of Sceva tried to use Jesus’ name as a formula and got wrecked. People started confessing and burning their old practices in public. Fifty thousand pieces of silver worth. Roughly $5-7 million in today’s money. Costly. Visible. Final. And then a silversmith named Demetrius started a riot because the gospel was hurting his business. When lives really change, the ripple effects are real.

Third, the cost of service. Paul called the Ephesian elders together and told them he was heading to Jerusalem. Chains and suffering were waiting. He told them, “I don’t count my life as worth anything to myself.” Then he charged them: pay attention to yourselves and to the flock. Wolves will come. Watch closely. And remember, it is more blessed to give than to receive. By the end, everyone was weeping.

This was a room full of people who had been formed, convinced, and sent. Made for this.

Something to sit with this week:

Who around you needs someone to come alongside them and help them take the next step? You might be that someone.