Grace Church
Paul's Odyssey #2 The Awakening in Ephesus
The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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. This summer we'll look at his 3rd missionary journey
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. This summer we'll look at his 3rd missionary journey
Have you ever listened to a story of someone's adventure and have been overwhelmed or maybe underwhelmed? Sometimes the Bible can appear like this. A little chaotic and hard to follow.
Acts 18:22-23 covers a lot of time, miles, meetings, and interactions that aren't recorded and may leave us feeling a little uncertain as to what has transpired and what is the next step.
Acts 18:22-23 covers a lot of time, miles, meetings, and interactions that aren't recorded and may leave us feeling a little uncertain as to what has transpired and what is the next step.
Our text this morning in Acts 19:1-10 and kicks off the 3rd missionary journey.
God did something in the city of Ephesus that left many spiritually healthy individuals and a solid church. This area could be used as a home base of operation for this entire region. This explains our title for today, "Awakening in Ephesus."
God did something in the city of Ephesus that left many spiritually healthy individuals and a solid church. This area could be used as a home base of operation for this entire region. This explains our title for today, "Awakening in Ephesus."
Acts 18:24-28
We see that the team of Aquilla and Priscilla meet a Jewish guy from Alexandria, Egypt (Apollos) and invested time to train and sharpen him to preach the Gospel. Apollos then returned across the Aegean Sea and began a teaching ministry in the church at Corinth.
Meanwhile, a number of months later, Paul was working his way back to Ephesus and Apollos has relocated. This sets the stage for what happens in Acts 19.
We see that the team of Aquilla and Priscilla meet a Jewish guy from Alexandria, Egypt (Apollos) and invested time to train and sharpen him to preach the Gospel. Apollos then returned across the Aegean Sea and began a teaching ministry in the church at Corinth.
Meanwhile, a number of months later, Paul was working his way back to Ephesus and Apollos has relocated. This sets the stage for what happens in Acts 19.
In life, we will encounter many people. They are not random encounters but should be viewed as divine appointments. There are people we can help, people who can be reached for Jesus, people who are there to bless you, and people who God wants us to invest in...to train and to sharpen for some future ministry.
This week, try looking at people through these lenses. Make a choice to get out of your comfort zone and allow God to use you in their life...and they in yours.
This week, try looking at people through these lenses. Make a choice to get out of your comfort zone and allow God to use you in their life...and they in yours.
Acts 19:1-10 describes many of the divine appointments that God presented to Paul. In this passage you'll see several key actions that enabled Paul to impact these people. Today we'll look at just four of these.
1. Paul DECIDED to get out of his comfort zone.
Acts 19:1
Here at Grace Church we talk about Walking Across the Room to get to know someone. Paul literally walked across a country!
There are many opportunities this summer to connect with others.
Acts 19:1
Here at Grace Church we talk about Walking Across the Room to get to know someone. Paul literally walked across a country!
There are many opportunities this summer to connect with others.
2. Paul INITIATED conversations by asking thought-provoking questions.
Acts 19:2-3
Jesus modeled how to ask good questions throughout the gospels...over 300 questions actually! In doing so, He opened doors for deeper conversation, trust, compassion, and reconciliation with God and others.
Acts 19:2-3
Jesus modeled how to ask good questions throughout the gospels...over 300 questions actually! In doing so, He opened doors for deeper conversation, trust, compassion, and reconciliation with God and others.
3. Paul PROVIDED truth that enabled people to develop a proper faith.
Acts 19:4-7
Paul was not condemning nor was he arguing with these people. He helped them to have a more complete and truthful understanding of what had happened. Many people today need clarity of what they have heard about Jesus and the Christian faith.
*Mentoring program at Grace Church
Acts 19:4-7
Paul was not condemning nor was he arguing with these people. He helped them to have a more complete and truthful understanding of what had happened. Many people today need clarity of what they have heard about Jesus and the Christian faith.
*Mentoring program at Grace Church
4. Paul INVESTED time in relationships which were open to spiritual matters.
Acts 19:8-10
Not everyone has a positive attitude toward God or the things that matter to Him. But there are a great many who do. There are people who want to grow in their faith, develop ministry skills, and reach their God-given potential. Our mission is to know Jesus and make Him known!
Acts 19:8-10
Not everyone has a positive attitude toward God or the things that matter to Him. But there are a great many who do. There are people who want to grow in their faith, develop ministry skills, and reach their God-given potential. Our mission is to know Jesus and make Him known!
Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/r/dashboardCJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/pages/cjs-orderMeet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be Sunday, July 27th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
Family Hikes on the Grace Trails
Fun exploration and creative activities for YOU! - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 6:15-7:30 pm
Invite your family and friends to explore and create along the trails. The materials and instructions will be provided. Let us know if you plan to attend using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/wednesdaysRead the Bible this year
Grace Church encourages you to read through the Bible this year by using the Bible Project plan "One Story that leads to Jesus" on the YouVersion Bible app. You can find this plan at the link below. Contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) if you have questions.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22273Baptism
Sunday, August 10, 2025
If you have a desire to participate in our upcoming baptism service, we invite you to fill out the application and submit it no later than Sunday, August 3rd. The baptism service will take place following the church service on August 10th at Ryan & Tracy Hickey's pool in Vermontville.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/baptismGrace Church App
Access messages, prayer posts, news & events, Breeze login, and more!
Use the link below to download the Grace Church app through Tithely.
This is an easy way to access all of the most important things found on our website or even get to the website itself.
Once you download the app it will ask what topics you would like notifications for so that you won't miss out
on any information that is shared.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) or Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org).
https://tithely.app.link/gc3August/September Grace U Classes
4:8 Principle: Thursdays at 6:30 pm beginning August 7th
The Art of Neighboring: Sundays at 8:45 am beginning August 3rd
Just Walk Across the Room: Sundays at 6:30 pm beginning August 31st
Sign-up for a class using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/grace_uSign-up for a class using the link below.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Sunday, July 13th - Joe Mater, William Orton
Monday, July 14th - Graham Dykhouse
Tuesday, July 15th - Stacy Schilz
Wednesday, July 16th - Lena Kuestner
Thursday, July 17th - Sarah Hoxie, Avianna Robinson, Claude & Sherry Snider, Matt & Donita Firman
Friday, July 18th - Doug & Donita Murphy
Monday, July 14th - Graham Dykhouse
Tuesday, July 15th - Stacy Schilz
Wednesday, July 16th - Lena Kuestner
Thursday, July 17th - Sarah Hoxie, Avianna Robinson, Claude & Sherry Snider, Matt & Donita Firman
Friday, July 18th - Doug & Donita Murphy