Northwest Gospel Church - East Vancouver Northwest Gospel Church

Acts 19:11-20 | Andrew Murch | Power is attractive. We see it all over our world today that those who have power attract a group of followers and groupies. Who doesn’t want to be able to walk into the hottest restaurant in town without a reservation and say, “Oh, I’m here with...” Paul’s ministry in Ephesus is on fire. People are being healed left and right! In fact, Paul doesn’t even have to be there, if something like a napkin or apron has touched Paul, they are enough to heal people that then touch these items. It’s a million Christmas miracles and it’s not even Christmas! There is no one in the area who is not aware of Paul and the power that he wields in the name of Jesus.

Acts 19:1-10 | Andrew Murch | Paul has finished his second missionary journey, yet he’s not done spreading the good news of Jesus by any means. He embarks on his third missionary journey in the city of Ephesus, a place he’d been to briefly a year before. He’d been asked to stay but felt called by God to move on, but he promised to return to them, “...if God wills.” And God has willed. Paul’s ministry in Ephesus continues for two years. As was his custom he starts in the synagogue during the first three months of his stay. Sadly, as happened in many of the places that Paul visited, many of the Jews reject his teaching and stubbornly refuse to believe. Therefore, Paul spends the rest of his time in Ephesus preaching in the hall of Tyrannus and through it all of Asia hears the Gospel message, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:1-28 | Andrew Murch | After reading story after story of Paul’s boldness and tenacity in sharing the gospel, it’s almost shocking to hear God’s calm, quiet reassurance to “not be afraid . . . go on speaking . . . for I am with you.” We don’t know exactly what Paul was going through that warranted encouragement directly from heaven. But we do know that God spoke, reminding Paul of His faithfulness, and Paul listened and remained faithful.

Acts 17:16-34 | Andrew Murch | You can almost picture the formidable witness for the Gospel, Paul the Apostle as he arrives in the Areopagus on the top of the Hill of Aries, known in Latin as Mar’s Hill. We don’t often encounter explicit sermons from Paul in the Scriptures, but when we do, they are a treat. Facing the esteemed minds of the day, Paul seasoned his preaching with respect while at the same time boldly preaching nothing other than Christ and his resurrection. This text shows us the triune response to the gospel when it is preached, acceptance, curiosity, and denial, as well as the necessity of a pure preaching of the resurrection, no matter the cost. We ought to take a similar approach as Paul in our preaching of the Gospel. “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30–31).

Acts 17:1-15 | Andrew Murch | Paul was no stranger to adversity. In fact, as you follow Paul’s journey, you will likely conclude that Paul has made obstacles, setbacks, and persecution his friend. In this section of text, we will see this same theme running its course as Paul shares the message of the Gospel, not knowing whether the seed will sprout into salvation, suffering, or both. May God use his Word this week to strengthen you with a humbled resolve to trust our God is working in every circumstance. When all seems thwarted, God is often doing his most significant work. As believers, our calling to the mission of sharing the Gospel to a broken and desperate world is as potent as it was for the Apostle Paul. Whether it be to our families, our neighbors, coworkers, or perfect strangers – it is the distinct honor of the saved to partner with the Holy Spirit in proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus’ work on the cross.

1 Samuel 31:1-13 | Jake Gamble  | It’s not how you start the race, but how you finish it that matters. Tragically, Saul did not finish the race well. This week’s passage recounts the death of Saul. His story seemed to start so strong: he was the people’s choice for king, taller and more handsome than any in Israel. Yet he continually rebelled against God, turning from his ways and spiraling downward in pride, fear, and paranoia. Now, in this passage, the once mighty king meets his ignominious end.