Grace Church
Paul's Odyssey #3 The Riot 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
Last week we followed the Apostle Paul from Antioch, Syria across the rugged countryside of modern-day Turkey to the wealthy, mega-pagan city of Ephesus. Upon arriving, Paul began bringing people to faith, helping them grow, established a church...all while dealing with opposition.
In today's text, we see that simple differences led to disagreement then became stubborn resistance, and evolved into a full-fledged riot.
A riot in its most usual sense means, "unrestrained behavior of any sort, typically a violent, mob action by a crowd."
According to the Bible, the reason for rioting is not commitment to or a desire to promote some cause, but the root cause is spiritual..."the selfish lawlessness, stemming from pride and rebellion toward authority."
We see this in Acts 17:5.
A riot in its most usual sense means, "unrestrained behavior of any sort, typically a violent, mob action by a crowd."
According to the Bible, the reason for rioting is not commitment to or a desire to promote some cause, but the root cause is spiritual..."the selfish lawlessness, stemming from pride and rebellion toward authority."
We see this in Acts 17:5.
Netflix's Matilda The Musical entitled Revolting Children expresses the children's anger and growing bravery as they begin to revolt against what they believe are the oppressive authorities in their lives. The video looks cute but is just an example of how many in our entertainment and educational industry intentionally contribute to an attitude of lawlessness. As Christians we are to embrace and uphold the laws of our nation.
In Acts 19:11-41 we see this principle of lawlessness demonstrated in Ephesus as Paul shares The Story...God's Story of Jesus and Our Story With Jesus.
Throughout the Bible, church history, and in our world today people react to The Story and many times in an ugly, suffocating, and horrific manner. This should not surprise us! John 15:18
Throughout the Bible, church history, and in our world today people react to The Story and many times in an ugly, suffocating, and horrific manner. This should not surprise us! John 15:18
In our text this morning (Acts 19:11-41) we see Paul and the Ephesian believers obeying the Lord and seeking to share the Gospel Story. As a result, they experienced the hatred and lawlessness Jesus had predicted.
If we desire to obey God and live as a disciple-maker there are some core truths that we need to grasp. Our text today reveals at least four of these truths.
If we desire to obey God and live as a disciple-maker there are some core truths that we need to grasp. Our text today reveals at least four of these truths.
1. God's POWER will be demonstrated.
Acts 19:11-20
Acts 19:11-20
2. God's PLAN(S) will be revealed.
Acts 19:21-22
Acts 19:21-22
3. God's PURPOSE(S) will be misconstrued.
Acts 19:23-34
Acts 19:23-34
4. God's PROTECTION will be experienced.
Acts 19:35-41
Acts 19:35-41
Today we'll talk about just one point in detail...
1. God's POWER will be demonstrated.
Acts 19:11-20
1. God's POWER will be demonstrated.
Acts 19:11-20
Through these verses we see God's power evidenced in a variety of ways. God worked through specific individuals but not everyone.
A thorough study of miracles in the Bible reveals that God only did miracles in certain situations and in certain time periods in Biblical history and with a limited number of individuals. The purpose was always to confirm the teaching of God's Word. God can heal, we can't.
God's power is most often seen in the changed lives of people.
Acts 19:17-20
A thorough study of miracles in the Bible reveals that God only did miracles in certain situations and in certain time periods in Biblical history and with a limited number of individuals. The purpose was always to confirm the teaching of God's Word. God can heal, we can't.
God's power is most often seen in the changed lives of people.
Acts 19:17-20
If change happens in our life, there should be observable...
- confession of sin & repentance
- growth to be more like Jesus
- reprioritization of time, talents, treasures
- love and care for people
- study, apply, & teach God's Word correctly
- commitment to reaching the lost.
- confession of sin & repentance
- growth to be more like Jesus
- reprioritization of time, talents, treasures
- love and care for people
- study, apply, & teach God's Word correctly
- commitment to reaching the lost.
We're going to spend some time talking about this idea of God empowered change in our lives.
As a Christian, what is one specific area that has changed since you trusted Jesus as your Savior? It might be something you have turned from or maybe something that you are now doing.
Be honest, brief, and concise. Avoid too many details and try to keep it to a one minute time frame.
As a Christian, what is one specific area that has changed since you trusted Jesus as your Savior? It might be something you have turned from or maybe something that you are now doing.
Be honest, brief, and concise. Avoid too many details and try to keep it to a one minute time frame.
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).
Read 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/gc3Fill-Up with Grace Wednesday Events
Each week we have a different theme. Eats, Parks, Hikes, and Acts.
Check out the events page of the website to learn what's happening each week. You can also let us know you plan to attend there as well.
https://gc3.org/eventsAugust/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 Foundations 3: Sundays at 8:45 am beginning August 10th
Sign-up for a class using the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/grace_uKaraoke Night at Adrianson's
Paul and Kelly Adrianson would like to invite us out to their home (3322 S. Tanner Lake Rd. Hastings, MI 49058) for a fun night of fellowship and karaoke. This will take place on Friday, August 1st at 6:30 pm. They ask that you bring a snack to share. It would also be very helpful to know if you plan to attend. You can let them know by filling out the sign-up form at the link below.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/karaokeMooville Ice Cream Day
The deacons and Grace Church are promoting a free ice cream time at Moo-ville on Saturday, August 2nd from 1:00-3:00 pm. The cost of all ice cream ordered during this time will be provided by the Samaritan Fund at Grace Church. Spread the word and make plans to come out and build relationships with people that day. Wear your Grace gear if you have it. Let's be a blessing to our community!
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Monday, July 21st - Debbie Stroven
Tuesday, July 22nd - Evelyn Fisher, Larry & Trish Miller
Wednesday, July 23rd - Diane Snook
Friday, July 25th - George & Amanda Shook
Tuesday, July 22nd - Evelyn Fisher, Larry & Trish Miller
Wednesday, July 23rd - Diane Snook
Friday, July 25th - George & Amanda Shook