2013 Messages

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Experiencing the Power of God (Acts 19:1-34)

Mark Pitman, October 19, 2014
Part of the Living Life Together series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

Tags: But Because You Want To; God Rewards Sacrificial Service with Fruitful Ministry; Don’t Shy Away from Confrontation because Often There is Greater Fruit on the Other Side of the Challenge., Not because You Have to, Often You Serve Christ Best When You Sacrifice, Recognize that Keeping the Team Together is an Incredible Challenge

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About Mark Pitman: Mark is the lead pastor at Bridgewater Community Church
Earlier: Same day: Later:
« Discerning God’s Will as a Family None Making a Difference that Can’t Be Ignored »

Acts 19:1–34 (Listen)

19:1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.

And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

(ESV)

Sunday Theme Message Scripture Special Events
1/6/13 Finding Hope Why are We Here, Where are We Going, How Do You Fit in? Romans 15:2
1/13/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus is Superior in Every Way Hebrews 1:1-14
1/20/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Deserves your Attention Hebrews 2:1-8 Sanctity of Human   Life
1/27/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Soften Your Heart Hebrews 3:1-19
2/3/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Rest Hebrews 4:1-5
2/10/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Hope Hebrews 5:10 Valentine’s Day
2/17/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Help You Draw Near to God Hebrews 7:1-28
2/24/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Offers You a Better Promise Hebrews 8:1-13
3/3/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Shed His Blood for You Hebrews 9:1-28
3/10/13 Hope  in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Can Give You Confidence Hebrews 10:1-39 Daylight Savings begins;   Gideon Speaker
3/17/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus is Worthy of Your Faith Hebrews 11:1-40
3/24/13 Finding Hope Finding Hope from 5 Surprises at the Cross Matthew 27:27 Palm Sunday
3/31/13 Finding Hope Finding Hope from Inside the Tomb Acts 2:1-42 Easter
4/7/13 Guest Speaker—Scott   Towers
4/14/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Taught Us to Endure Hebrews 12:1-29 Camp Selah
4/21/13 Hope in Our Sufficient Savior Jesus Taught Us to Change Hebrews 13:1-25
4/28/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Tears You Up Matthew 6:25
5/5/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Makes You Small Matthew 6:25
5/12/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Steals Your Hope Matthew 6:26, 28-30 Mother’s Day
5/19/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Wastes You Time Matthew 6:27
5/26/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Offends Your Father Matthew 6:26, 32 Memorial Day Weekend
6/2/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Leads You Astray Matthew 6:32 Honor Graduates
6/9/13 Guest Speaker–Christopher Avell  
6/16/13 Finding Hope in Handling Worry Worry Turns Your Head Matthew 6:33-34 Father’s Day; Baby   Dedication
6/23/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every   Relationship Needs: #1 Grace Genesis 39:1-40:8
6/30/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #2 Encouragement Ephesians 4:29 FOURTH OF JULY—5th Sunday at the Pavilion   following service
7/7/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #3 Loyalty 2 Samuel 23:8-17
7/14/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #4 Forgiveness Matt 18:15-35 Communion
7/21/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #5 Transparency 1 John 1:1-2:2
7/28/13 Finding Hope in Relationships 6 Words Every Relationship Needs: #6 Perseverance Hebrews 10:32-11:2; 12:1-3
8/4/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Hope 1 Cor 10:13
8/11/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Finding Hope (or Ruin) in Becoming What We Worship  Isaiah 6
8/18/13 Guest Speaker—Mike and Carolyn Ballast (Missionaries) I Cor 1 VBS Sunday (Avalanche Ranch: A Wild Ride through God’s Word)
8/25/13 Finding Hope in the Promises of God Get in the Game Eph 4:11-16 Baptism & Family Night at PSR
9/1/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Challenge of Hope Ruth 1:1-15 Labor Day
9/8/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Contrast of Hope Ruth 1:16-22
9/15/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Providence of Hope Ruth 2:1-13 Randy and Adena Wildman (Missionaries)Men’s Outing (9/21)– Robert Houk’s home
9/22/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Provision of Hope Ruth 2:14-23 SYATP (9/25)
9/29/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Adventure of Hope Ruth 3:1-13 5th Sunday—Harvest party at the Pavilion (Rides/camp fire, etc.); Shawn & Amanda (Missionaries); BCC 101 Class
10/6/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Faithfulness of Hope Ruth 3:14-18 Communion
10/13/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Resources of Hope Ruth 4:1-12 Columbus Day- 10/14
10/20/13 Finding Hope in the God who Provides The Prodigy of Hope Ruth 4:13-22 (10/19) Harvest Party at The Fethers.
10/27/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Foundation of Stewardship Mark 12:1-12 Testimony
11/3/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Giving Luke 19:11-27 Testimony
11/10/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Serving 1 Cor 12:12-27 Veteran’s Day—11/11; Testimony
11/17/13 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Commitment Joshua 24:14-28 Testimony
11/24/113 Finding Hope in the Stewardship of   Life The Stewardship of Thanksgiving Ps 107 Thanksgiving; Decorate Church
12/1/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Wonder of Your Eternal Home 2 Cor 5:1-21 HOPE;Advent Scripture– Isaiah; Communion
12/8/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home Bowing Down Wisely Ps 95:6 PEACE; Advent Scripture– Micah 5:2, 4-5; Children’s Program
12/15/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Beauty of Your Eternal Home Rev 21 JOY; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 9:6 -7
12/22/13 Finding Hope in our Eternal Home The Gift that Overcomes Death 1 Cor 15:50-58 LOVE; Advent Scripture– Isaiah 52:7-10
12/24/13 Christmas Eve The Perfection of Heaven Ps 24:3-4
12/29/13 Preparing to Live by Preparing to Die 2 Kings 18:13-19 5th Sunday