The Council of Wolves!

The next day…

Paul was set before the council…

at Jerusalem.

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.  Acts 22:30

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.  Acts 23:1

They were hostile…

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?  Acts 23:2-3

and indignant…

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?  Acts 23:4

In humility, Paul apologized…

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.  Acts 23:5 

and in wisdom he replied…

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.   

 Acts 23:6-7

By this…

the council was sharply divided…

their hearts being revealed…

Variance. Strife. Contention.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.   Acts 23:9

Paul was nearly torn asunder…

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.   Acts 23:10

And the night following…

the Lord stood by him, and said…

Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,

so must thou bear witness also at Rome.  Acts 23:11

Again, a strong conspiracy rose against him…

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.  Acts 23:12-13

Fueled by hatred…

they purposed to kill Paul…

and conspired with the council to do so…

at the earliest opportunity.

And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.  Acts 23:14-15

God  intervened…

and the conspiracy was discovered…

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.  Acts 23:16-17

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.  But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.   Acts 23:19-21

and prevented…

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.  Acts 23:22

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.  Acts 23:23-24

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. Acts 23:31

Paul’s journey is not over…

Convicting testimony.

Unveiled hearts.

Thwarted Plot.

Exposed fruit.

God has a purpose…

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.   

Matthew 10:16-18

Bonds and Afflictions in Jerusalem!

On more than one occasion…

the Holy Spirit testified…

                                that great trials awaited Paul in Jerusalem.

And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.  Acts 21:10-11

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  Acts 20:22-23

Nevertheless…

Paul set his course for Jerusalem…

                                                                                and set his heart…

                                                                                                                firmly upon Jesus Christ!

And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.  Acts 21:12-13

Intrepid. Courageous. Valiant.

Paul enters Jerusalem…

And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.  Acts 21:17

And testified to the brethren there…

                                                                of the mighty acts of God…

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord…  Acts 21:19-20

Within a week…

great opposition arose against Paul…

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.  Acts 21:27-28

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)  Acts 21:29

Chaos erupted…

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.  Acts 21:30

The entire city was in an uproar…

the unfolding of prophecy had begun.

Paul was beaten…

And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.  Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.  Acts 21:31-32

and bound…

Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.  Acts 21:33

The crowd became violent…

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.  Acts 21:34-35

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

 Acts 21:36

Even so…

Paul desired to testify…

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? …But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.  Acts 21:37, 39

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,  Acts 21:40

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence:  Acts 22:1-2

of the transforming power of the Living God!

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.  Acts 22:3-5

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.  Acts 22:6-8

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. Acts 22:11

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.  Acts 22:12-15

And they gave him audience unto this word…

and then lifted up their voices, and said…

Away with such a fellow from the earth:

for it is not fit that he should live!

Unreasonable. Irrational. Fierce.

They refused to receive his testimony…

And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.  Acts 22:22-24

Steadfastly, Paul spoke…

with great wisdom…

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.  Acts 22:25-26

For the time being…

Paul was spared a scourging…

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.  Acts 22:27-29

Against great opposition, Paul’s bold testimony,

stands as a beacon of light and truth.

Paul was a brightly burning light.

Are you?

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 Matthew 5:14-16

Farewell Ephesus!

For the span of three years…

Paul labored in Ephesus…

day and night…

with many tears!

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  Acts 20:17-19

His preaching was bold…

     aggressive…

and purposeful…

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:20-21

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  Acts 20:26-27

He labored with his hands…

and with his heart…

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.  Acts 20:33

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.  Acts 20:34

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Acts 20:35

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  Acts 20:31

He faced many difficulties…

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  Acts 20:19

And would face many more…

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  Acts 20:22-23

He was steadfast…

devoted…

and resolute…

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24

He was vigilant…

careful…

and attentive…

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  Acts 20:28

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Acts 20:29

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Acts 20:30

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  Acts 20:31

Nevertheless…

it was time for Paul to depart…

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  Acts 20:25

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.  Acts 20:32

And when he had thus spoken…

he kneeled down…

and prayed with them all. 

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more.  And they accompanied him unto the ship.  Acts 20:36-38

Paul…

Valiant preacher of the gospel.

Fervent defender of the faith.

Zealous for the testimony of Christ.

Vigilant overseer of the church.

Beloved of the Saints.

An excellent example of Valiant Christianity!

Effectiveness!

Paul remained in Ephesus for a season…

teaching and preaching…

the word of God.

Around that time…

strong opposition arose against Paul…

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;  Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.   

Moreover ye see and hear…

that not alone at Ephesus…

but almost throughout all Asia…

                                               

this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people,

saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.  

Acts 19:24-27 

So potent was Paul’s preaching…

it threatened to annihilate the market for idols.

For this, they were very upset…

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.  Acts 19:28 

Agitation. Chaos. Pandemonium.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.  Acts 19:29 

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.   

Acts 19:32

Chaos and confusion reigned…

for nearly 2 hours…

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.  But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.  Acts 19:33-34 

Until the voice of reason…

subdued the riot…

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.  Acts 19:35-36 

And cleared up the trouble…

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.  Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.  But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.  For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.  Acts 19:37-41 

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. Acts 20:1

For more than 2 years Paul had a profound effect on the city of Ephesus…

It would never be the same.

Exceptional preaching.

Bountiful conversions.

Intense opposition.

Impassioned upheaval.

They would not soon forget all that God accomplished in their streets…

How about the streets of  YOUR city?

Are you in the game…or sitting on the bench?

Ephesus, a City Transformed!

And so Paul traveled to Ephesus…

with boldness, he began to preach…

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

 Acts 19:8 

And  opposition arose against the gospel…

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Acts 19:9  

This continued on…

until all of Asia heard the gospel…

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  Acts 19:10 

And God mightily confirmed his ministry…

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:11-12 

Dynamic. Almighty. Restoration.

Soon after,

certain  Jews arose…

and sought to overthrow devils…

having not the authority to do so…

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. Acts 19:13-14  

The results were disastrous…

and revealing…

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:15 -16

The incident was noised abroad…

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus;  Acts 19:17

And God mightily confirmed His Truth…

in the hearts of many…

and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

 Acts 19:17-18

Compelling. Effective. Transforming.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.  Acts 19:19-20 

A great Victory!

The city of Ephesus…

once a stronghold of darkness…

now a beacon of LIGHT!

His Truth…

Boldly proclaimed.

His name …

Greatly magnified.

His message…

Mightily prevailed.

Labor and Travail

Be in pain, and labour to bring forth…   

as a woman in travail…              Micah 4:10 

We are to labor for…

the souls of men…

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58   

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.   1 Thessalonians 2:9 

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 4:19 

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.  2 Corinthians  2:4 

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.  2 Corinthians  5:9 -11

We are to labor for…

meat that endures…

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.   John 6:27 

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.   And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.  John 4:34-36   

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.  1 Timothy 4:10

We are to labor for…

 fruit that remains…

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  John 15:16 

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.   2 Corinthians 4:8 -11

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  Romans 5:3-5 

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 1 Thessalonians 3:3  

By what means is this accomplished ?...

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:4 -10

Therefore…

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.   

1 Corinthians 16:13 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  2 Timothy 2:3-4

Labor and Travail to bring forth…

By pureness.

By knowledge.

By longsuffering.

By kindness.

By the Holy Ghost.

By Love unfeigned.

By the word of TRUTH…

By the power of GOD…

By the armour of RIGHTEOUSNESS…

Bring forth Christ!

He that winneth souls is wise…

What are you laboring for?