Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts.
A careful study of the book of Acts and the lives of the early Christians should strengthen our faith, spark our imagination, and stir our commitment to the Great Commission and to our church family.
A simple lesson: "If God used Paul, with limited resources in an ungodly world to make disciples, He can use us!"

This summer we'll look at the 3rd missionary journey of the Apostle Paul and can be thought of as a concluding sequel on the life of Paul.

Today we'll do a review of what we've covered the past two years. It can be broken down into three simple sections.

First - Saul who was also known as Paul
Acts 7-12
He was a passionate Jew, trained as a Pharisee, acted as a persecutor of the Christian Church, and became a bold proclaimer of Jesus as Lord. He is also Polyonymous meaning "having or being known by various names."
Depending on his audience and the setting he found himself in, he went by his Hebrew name, Saul, or his Roman name, Paul.

We can understand Paul’s life before the missionary journeys by looking at the locations where Scripture places him.
1. Tarus – Formation (First 12-13 years)
2. Jerusalem – Education (Ages 13 – very early 30’s)
3. Damascus – Conversion (In early 30’s) Blinded by God, Confirmed by Ananias
4. Arabia – Transformation (Quiet 3 years - time with God - Paul was in the Nabatean Petra)
5. Jerusalem – Demonstration (Few weeks – Giving proof of his faith to the church)
6. Syria & Cilicia – Instruction – (10 years learning a trade and how to minister)
7. Antioch – Collaboration (about 1 year teaming up with Barnabas)

Second - First Missionary Journey: Evangelizing and Establishing
Acts 13-14
People are won to Christ, persecution is experienced, and preaching to the Gentiles becomes a thing. Acts 13:46-48

Third - Second Missionary Journey: Encouraging and Enlarging
Acts 15-18
A defining characteristic of this second trip is that Paul began to raise up a team of highly committed individuals to share in the work of proclaiming Christ (Timothy, Luke, Aquilla & Priscilla, Silas, Titus, and others)

Two simple thoughts:
1. It's good to have partners in ministry who share the vision and the work...may be friends or family.
2. Everyone has a responsibility to share Christ...must be intentional and creative.

Paul was heading to Jerusalem for the Pentecost.
Acts 18:20-22

Two simple thoughts:
1. Our time on planet earth is limited (no guarantees) so we should prioritize God's purpose for our life and God's people in our life.
2. Accountability for our Christian lives and ministry is essential for God's blessings and greater effectiveness.

The church is God's family. He expects that we grow and go together.
Notice the actions of Paul. He spent, he set, and he strengthened.
Acts 18:23

Two simple thoughts:
1. Socializing and rest are not the reason that God saved us. They are divine opportunities to re-charge us for God's work.
2. A healthy Christian is not a lazy Christian, but one who is actively involved in honoring God and helping people.

God takes us through various stages on our life missionary journey. Each one is to prepare for the next one and the purpose of each is to accomplish His will...not our own.
1. You are encouraged to read and think deeply about our text from today (Acts 18:18-23).
2. Review the six simple thoughts that were presented and determine which one needs your urgent attention.
3. Consider your commitment to God's Church and find a place that will help you grow and equip you to GO and make a difference in the second half of 2025.