The Well Of Regional Impact

Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in

power.

A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned

them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty

thousand drachmas.

1 Drachma= around 1 days wages. (137 years worth of income)

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith

named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business

for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in

related trades, and said: "You know, my friends, that we receive a good income

from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced

and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the

whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at

all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that

the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess

herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be

robbed of her divine majesty."

But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great

door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in

order to draw away disciples after them.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to

speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I

have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

● Step 1: It Starts with Praying for Our Land

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

Add Note

● Step 2: Areas of Impact (Where We Dig)

People – Individuals

Helping Practically

Business

Government

Art

Add Note

● Step 3: Methods of Impact (How We Dig)

Invite.

Share Your Story.

Make things better…wherever you are.

Give God Glory.