Christian History & Missions | Lecture 7 : BC201-CH&M-20260901

Good morning everyone. >> Welcome to the class on revivals, visitations and moves of God. Um so we're looking at the revival in the book of >> Acts. Okay. Which period are we in? >> The three there are three periods in the book of Acts. We which period are we looking at? >> Third one. A revival through whom? >> Paul. Okay. So we looked at his first missionary journey. Now we're going to be looking at his second missionary journey. Okay. So uh before we look into Paul's second missionary journey, I hope all of you read Acts chapter 15 to Acts chapter 18. Okay. Um we'll be looking at those chapters. Let's pause for a word of prayer before we begin. Can somebody lead us in prayer, please? Yeah. Thank you heavenly father for this time for this opportunity Lord Jesus we praise your name we lift up your name Lord Jesus thank you for this time Lord Jesus given us and Lord we are going to meditate your word Lord Jesus given us your wisdom knowledge understanding Lord Jesus be understand deeper and deeper our hearts Lord Jesus and you only guide and teach Lord Jesus this session by completely surrendering your mighty and Lord Jesus you only work we ask in Jesus Christ's name. >> Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. Okay. So we now move to Acts chapter 15 verse 36 where we look at uh Paul's second missionary journey AD 49 to 52. You can start the PPT. Okay. Uh AD 49 to 52. Okay. Paul's second missionary journey. And the scripture reference is Acts 15:36 uh to Acts 18:E 22. Okay. So, Acts 15:36 basically marks the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. It covers a three-year period. Okay. And how does this missionary journey begin? Does it begin on a very nice note? Happy note? No. Okay. Can somebody please read Acts 15:36-41, please quickly? By the time our PPT will be up. Acts 15:36-41. >> Who's reading it? >> Yeah. >> 15:36. Then after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take them with take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Familia and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cissia strengthening the churches. Then he came to Derby and Lististra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Tim Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, verse 41. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, right at the start of the second missionary journey, we see uh this significant disagreement between whom? Paul and Barnabas. Okay. So, what was a disagreement? Who was a disagreement about? >> John Mark. John Mark was um was Barnabas's nephew. Okay. And so we see that uh why does Paul not want to take John Mark? What happened during the first missionary journey? where >> in Pamilia. Okay. They said he said he wanted to go back. He did not want to continue on the missionary journey. Okay. So um you know Mark had left them u partway through the mission and we do not know the exact reason why he do he did that but Paul felt ma Mark had left them abandoned them maybe he felt he was disinterested about missions about God's work or working hard whatever Paul would have had his own ideas in his mind okay so Paul did not want to take John Mark on his second missionary journey. Okay. But who wanted to take him? Barnabas. Okay. Barnabas wanted to give his nephew a second chance. Okay. And this there was was it a very light disagreement or a strong one? It was very strong disagreement that led to Paul parting ways with Barnabas. So Paul takes home with him Silas. Okay. and uh uh has his new ministry partner and Barnabas takes whom? John Mark and they go to Cyprus. Okay. Now, who is Silas? Silas was one of the leaders from the uh who was sent from Jerusalem with the letter from the council. You know, when Paul and Barnabas had come back after the first missionary journey, they were in Antioch and then they journeyed where? from Antioch to where did they go after their first missionary journey? Where did they go? Hello everyone. What did we study last week? Where did they go last? We looked at it last week. Where did Paul and Barnabas go? They took along with them Titus. Remember why? Where did they go? It was very sad. Huh? Jerusalem. Yes. Why did they go to Jerusalem? >> Ah, to meet the apostles. And they had a Jerusalem council. And what did they discuss? So in the Jerusalem council. >> Yeah. Whether the Gentiles should be circumcised. Yes. So what was the result of the Jerusalem council? What did they all decide unanimously led by the Holy Spirit? the Gentiles don't need to be circumcised. So, Silas was the one who took that letter from the Jerusalem council, okay, to deliver it to the Gentiles. So, now he joins Paul in his second missionary journey. Okay, so here we see that even though uh there was um you know there was a disagreement Okay, can you put slide three please? Slide three. So here we see in slide three a sharp disagreement um that divided their path. So route one Barnabas takes Mark and sails to uh Cyprus. Can you see Cyprus there? Yeah. And then we see that uh route two Paul chooses Silas and he journeys by land through Syria and Sicilia. So Paul and Barnabas take the sea route and if you look at the the map there um you know um uh uh Paul and Silas go by road. Okay, that is route two. Okay. So there was a sharp disagreement between them and um look at was uh uh go to you know the poweroint four. Okay. Now even though there was disagreement that caused a separation between Paul and Barnabas it did not last permanently. Okay. We read in 1 Corinthians chapter 9:E 6 where Paul refers to Barnabas very positively showing that he had reconciled with Barnabas. Yes, they they disagreed. They might be upset and angry but there it there is reconciliation. So if you look at 1 Corinthians 9:6, can somebody read that quickly please? 1 Corinthians 9:6. Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? >> Yes. Amen. >> So here we see that he has you know reconciled with him talking in favor of him. And uh did Paul reconcile with John Mark? Yes. His reconciliation with John Mark is much clearer than in the in the scripture than we can read. Barnabas, you know, u we see that even though John Mark left Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary journey, we do not know for what reasons, but we see that later on he becomes a key figure in the work of God, right? Uh the tradition holds it that John Mark was the one who authored the gospel of Mark. He's the one who wrote Mark and he the book of Mark was what influenced Matthew and Luke to write the book of the gospel of Matthew and Luke. So the first gospel written was Mark and it he was influ and they Mark and Luke were influenced by John Mark's writing also we see that Paul speaks very nicely very warmly of Mark. We read that in Colossians chapter 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:1 and Philemmon chapter 1 or there's only one chapter, so verses 23 and 24, where Paul calls him as useful for the ministry. So if you look at all of these references, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:1, and Phileimon chapter 1 23 and 24, Paul calls them very useful for the ministry. So here we learn a very powerful principle or a lesson that you know we can fail or make mistakes in ministry but that does not disqualify someone from God's plan right we can make mistakes we can fail but God can when we return and we are restored back to God can still use us for his plan and purpose. So God can restore and use anyone according to his purposes. Amen. >> Amen. >> Okay. So that is what uh we see in um in this case. Now let's move on. Uh Acts chapter 16 verses 1 to5. Okay. Can somebody read that please? Acts chapter 16 1:5 can put two. And then he came to Derby and Listra, and behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lististra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities that they delivered to them the decrees to keep which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily. Now when they had gone through Fergia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. So here we see that Paul and Silas, you can see that in your the PowerPoint, their intent was to go back to the same places that they had gone in their first missionary journey, strengthen the cities wherever they preached the word. Okay. And look at what God was doing in those uh places. Okay. Now let's move to uh slide five, please. So we see that they go by land to uh Sicily. Okay. First they go to Sicilia. Um okay that is Paul and Silas you know go through Syria to Sicilia uh to strengthen the churches there. And now what we read in Acts chapter 16 verse 1-5. Um they start their journey from Antioch the same church. Okay they pass through Syria Sicilia and then you can see they go to Derby and Lististra. Okay. And um there Tim a young disciple called Timothy who was 17 years uh joins Paul and Silas. So who was Timothy's mother? She was a Jew and his father was a >> Greek >> Greek. But we see what does Paul do with Timothy? >> Look at your verses there. What does Paul do with Timothy? >> He takes >> he takes him with him along with him on a journey. But also what does he do? He >> he circumcises Timothy. Why does he circumcise Timothy? >> Because his father was a Greek. >> And uh >> okay. But what did the Jerusalem council >> Jewish? >> What did the Jerusalem council say? Greeks don't have to be >> circumcised. He did not circumcise Titus. That's the reason why he goes so that you know he doesn't believe that we are made righteous by circumcision. But we or the law we are made righteous by grace through faith. Then why does he circumcise Timothy? >> Huh? Why does he circumcise Timothy? >> Titus was a gentile. Okay. Timothy is here a Jew and a Gentile. So why do you think he circumcises him? >> Mother is Jewish. >> Huh? Mother is Jewish. So >> because Jewish Okay. >> Okay. So here is Timothy who was a Jew compared to Titus who was fully gentile half Jew was. So if Paul circumcises Timothy, that gives him the freedom to minister to the Jews. Although Jews will listen to Timothy because he's a Jew. He's also circumcised Jew. So they would listen. So just to avoid unnecessary obstacles while ministering to the Jews even though he was a gentile, okay? Or even though Gentiles were not required to be circumcised according to the Jerusalem council. So here we learn a very important key principle. Sometimes we need to adapt in minor ways to prevent unnecessary conflict without compromising the gospel. Right? So sometimes it's okay to you know adapt in minor ways so that we can be effective in serving the gospel. Right? like when we go to North India uh to minister missions in our um various outreach churches you know they they would require us not to wear footwear when we go to the pullpit but here in APC you know in Bangalore we we we wear our footwear when we go up on the stage right it's our same APC outreach churches but when we go there they tell us to remove our footwear so we remove our footwear and we they ask us to cover our head and we here don't feed we we don't cover our head here. So it doesn't mean that they say hey we don't do that at APC central church the main church you know we adopt the same thing in all other outreach churches no we try to adapt ourself to the environment so that we don't be a hindrance from people to listen to the gospel right so that yeah cultural aspects that we can keep which will prevent unnecessary conflict conflict but we don't compromise on the gospel what we have to preach the word of god we don't make any compromises. Okay. So, um that is what how Paul even lived. Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 9:22. Can somebody read that please? 1 Corinthians 9:22. How did Paul live? To the weak I became as a weak and that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men and I might by all means save some. Amen. >> You can put on the sixth thing. Um just follow through and just Yeah, you can keep putting the slides. Right. So to the weak I become weak to win the weak. I've become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. So what is Paul approach here? He adapts his approach depending on his audience. Right? He says to Jews, I become like a >> Jew. To those under the law, he follow he follows the Jewish >> customs. To those not having the law, that is the Gentiles, he operates freely under Christ. And the weak, he becomes weak to win the weak. Amen. >> Amen. >> So this is his model for ministry. And this is something that we need to also follow. That means we are flexible, sensitive to people to help remove barriers so that you know we can preach the gospel in their context and we can preach it effectively. But we must remain faithful to preaching the uncompromised word of God or the uncompromised truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Okay. So we see that here he u Paul and Silas begin their journey by revisiting um uh you know the yeah you can put the the seventh one the seventh slide. Yeah. So you can see about how cultural adaptation without compromise. Okay. Yeah. So what happens here is that Paul and Silas traveled. They revisited the churches planted during their first missionary journey. Why do you think they revisit the churches during the the they had gone on their first missionary journey? >> To the to strengthen the churches. >> Okay. To strengthen the churches. Anything else? >> Okay. To see whether people are >> Okay. Growing. Okay. What else? Anything else? They strengthen to strengthen the believer's faith. Okay. >> Huh? >> Encourages us. Encourage the churches. Strengthen the churches. Yes. To also ensure whether the decision that was made in the Jerusalem council is followed by all of these churches that they had established during their first missionary uh journey. Okay. So they were looking if there was doctrinal unity maintained among all the churches. And we also see that church growth and revival are ongoing. It's not just limited to one season. That means even after he finished you know the um ministering there comes back to Antioch takes a break goes back you know still there is he goes back to see and sorry >> raise the new leaders >> to raise new leaders and also strengthen the church and to see that church growth and revival are ongoing and it's not just in one season. So revival is not just one season and stops but it keeps on going. So even after the first missionary journey, the churches continued to grow daily in numbers. And over three years that Paul and Barnabas were back in Antioch, you know, it was three years since they finished their first missionary journey, now going on their second missionary journey. Okay. Um they wanted to see how the churches were doing. Okay. So this shows a crucial principle about revival that revival is not a one-time event but something that can be nurtured and strengthened over time and also we must uh invest in leaders. Leaders must continue to um uh be raised up and also leaders must continue to invest in the communities they have planted that ensuring that you know there's growth that happens and people are maturing in their faith. Okay. Now let's continue with Paul's missionary journey. Okay. Acts chapter 16 to verse 17. Okay. So can somebody please read that? Acts chapter 16 6 to10. Can somebody read that please? >> 16 to 10 >> 16 6-10. >> Now when they had gone through Ferga and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysa, they tried to go into Bethnia but the spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysa, they came down to Troas and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now, after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Amen. >> Amen. >> Okay. So, what happens here? you see in your map, okay, that um um Paul and Silas are now on new on a new route, okay? They're venturing into different territories than uh than what they had done in the first journey. Okay. They you they initially planned to revisit the churches that they went on their first missionary journey but the Holy Spirit redirected their paths and prevented them from entering certain areas of Asia and Bethanya. Okay. So what happens is that um Paul so if you look at your map there okay uh they go to you know they go to uh Pyia Galatia they want to go to Britina but you know the Holy Spirit uh stops them from doing so. Okay. And um we see that um they um after they had come to Messia they tried to go into Britina but the spirit did not permit them. So passing by Msa they came down to Trrowaz. So can you show the next slide please? Throwass. And when they went to Trrowaz Paul has a vision in the night. You showing the next slide? Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Okay. So at Trrowass, Paul has a vision. He receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading him uh you know to come, pleading for help and asking him to uh come. Okay. If you can go on to 10. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So you know he receives a vision from a man from Macedonia pleading for help which uh guides them to go into Europe some new territory which they have not gone before. So you see how the holy spirit is leading them and guiding them. Okay so what do we learn from this that ministry requires us to be sensitive to the leading of the holy >> spirit >> spirit right? Yes or no? >> Yes ma'am. Yeah, you can go to the next slide as well. Leaven. Okay. So, we see part A is human plan but part B, you know, they want to be in Asia, they go to Britina, but the Holy Spirit stops them. They go to Trrowass and then go to uh Europe. Okay. So, sorry that is what happens there. And um uh so we learn from here that you know we need to be sensitive to God's spirit. Even if we have plans, we must be ready to change according to God's leading. Right? And God often directs us to places where people are prepared and ready to receive the gospel. Paul and Silas thought, okay, let's go back to the old places, strengthen the churches. But the Holy Spirit knew that there were some other places in Europe where people were ready to receive the gospel at that moment. So he guides them to those places. So this journey demonstrates to us the importance of recognizing where God is already moving. Okay? And then being very strategic about that and bringing the gospel to those people who are open to receive it. Okay? So if you look at the route that Paul and Silas are taking, they first go to Derby, Lististra, Galatia, Pyia, Messia, Trrowass and at Trrowass they are led to go to Macedonia. Okay, which is a very Macedonia is an important city in Philippi. Okay. And then from Philippi they go to Thessalonica, then an Corinth. all strategic urban centers very very big important urban uh or big cities with a very diverse population a lot of you know uh Jews Gentiles Greeks Romans all mixed together so he's taking them to very strategic urban cities like Philippi um Thessalonica an um and uh Corinth all very important uh strategic Um you can go to slide 12. Okay you can see all of those uh things uh cities Philippi, Thessalonica, Aans and Corinth. Okay. So all important cities that he takes them to urban cities. Okay. So now let's uh from Trrowaz they move to which place? From Trrowaz they move to Macedonia that is in Philippi. Okay. because he get he gets a vision. Okay. So now let's look at what happens in Philippi. Let's read Acts 16 11-15. Acts chapter 16 11-15. Therefore sailing from Tras we ran a straight course to Samatras and the next day came to and we were staying in that city for some days and on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside where prayer was customarily made and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyira who worshiped God. The Lord opened their heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. >> Amen. >> Okay. So after the vision they travel from so throwas. Okay. So you see there Antioch, they went to Derby, they went to Lististra, they go to Trrowass. Then at Truas, the Holy Spirit tells them to go to Philippi. Okay. They go to Somatus, Neopolis. Then they go to Philippi, which is a leading city in Macedonia. And where do they go in in Philippi? Where do they go? Where do they go in Philippi on the Sabbath day? Please look at your Bibles. It's there. your >> no in in in Philippi where do they go in that city on the Sabbath day >> they go to the >> river site why do they go to the river site >> where prayer was customarily made in >> yes because people used to gather believers used to gather by the uh or prayer non-believers prayer was made by the river side showing that Paul and Silas looked for opportunities where God's people were already gathered so that they can minister to them. Okay. So they go there and what happens there? What happens there at the riverside? >> They met their Lydia. >> Yes. Lydia is a businesswoman from Titeria and she becomes a believer. Paul and Silas share the gospel. becomes a believer along with her household and then she opens her home to the mysteries to Paul and Silas. Okay. So what can we learn from this? What happens in Philippi? What do we learn from this? >> God can touch anybody. >> God can touch anybody. Okay. What can we learn from what Paul and Silas do? Come on. Where do they go? Sorry. >> Okay. They went to a place where there were people already gathered. They look for strategic places, opportunities where God's people were already gathered so that they can minister to them. Okay. So where go the people gathered spiritually, it helps in sharing the gospel more effectively. Then what else do we learn? God, can you please you pass the mic so that people can speak or uh otherwise it'll just be quietness in the Yeah. >> Yeah. God can use one person conversion to become a entry entry point to whole community. >> Yes. God often brings the right people uh to our path who are ready to partner for his work. So Lydia is one is a businesswoman those in the marketplace, business and society you know so that uh uh God brings such people so that they can become key partners in the ministry. So this was their first convert in Europe. Who was the first convert in Europe? Lydia. Okay. a significant milestone in the spread of the gospel and here we see how God begins to open doors in new regions uh starting with those who seek him or desire him. Now later in Philippi during their ministry Paul and Silas were all also imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Okay so let's read that um Acts chapter 16 27-34. Can somebody read that please? Acts 16 27-34. Excuse me. Yeah. 27 to 24. And the and the keeper of the prison awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled drew his sword sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are we all are here." Then he called for a light rain in fell down, trembling before Paul and Silas. >> Yeah. Continue reading. A little louder, please. >> Okay. And he brought them out and said, says, "What must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house and he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and immediately he and all his family were baptized. >> Amen. Okay. >> Okay. And now when he had brought them into his house, he set foot food foot before them and he rejoiced having believed in God and all his household. So here the jailer and and his entire household come to faith through Paul and Silas. So we see even in prison Paul and Silas were faithful in preaching the gospel. So what do we learn from this quickly? What do we learn from this? Use the mic please if you're speaking. What do we learn? Online students, you can also contribute. It's not only our in-person students um by a difficulty difficulty circumstances. Uh God can choose uh someone to believes. >> Okay. Even in difficult circumstances and situations, God can still uh you know when we're willing to share the gospel, God can still use that effectively. God's work is not limited by circumstances. Even in difficulty, in suffering, uh we can still minister. Opportunities, ministry opportunities can still exist, right? Okay. Anything else? God can use your darkest moment to save someone else. >> God can use our darkest moments even to save someone else. Our suffering and our pain to save people. Yes. What else? Revival and transformation can happen anytime. >> Anywhere. Even in a jail cell, right? Can we have revival even in a jail? >> Yes. What else? So if you're jailed for being and for you know going through persecution because of preaching the gospel don't cry you know don't wait to be dead but use that as an opportunity to minister to fellow jailers and bring about a revival. Okay. Okay. What else? >> God's presence. L God's presence is not limited by our circumstances. Yes. When we look at Lydia's conversion, how did when was how did Lydia get converted? When Paul and Silas, what did they do? >> They shared the gospel. They they started preaching and teaching and you know she was saved by hearing the the gospel and the jailer's conversion. How did it happen? So what was the earthquake and the prison doors opening? What do we call that? The supernatural intervention, right? So amid trials and supernatural in uh intervention. No, you don't put down that slide. Okay. Showing that God continues to work even when circumstances are difficult and hostile. Okay. Now let's move on. um what happens after they you know um they are released from prison where do Paul and Silas go okay so let's read on from um Acts chapter 17 1-9 please >> now when they had passed now when they had passed through uh >> yeah that's no fus and >> Polonia uh they came to Thessalonians where where there was uh synagogue of the Jews. >> Okay. So now where were they? They were where were they imprisoned? Which city? >> Thessalonica. That Thessalonica. Where were they imprisoned? No. Where were they imprisoned? Philippi. Okay. From Philippi they go to Aopolis and Appalonia and then they come to Thessalonica. Can you see that in your map? Thessalonica. Okay. Um where there was a synagogue for Jews. Okay. So they don't go to the riverside because there here in unlike Philippi here there was a synagogue. So they go to the synagogue where they can preach and teach. Yes. Continue reading. Then Paul then Paul his custom was went into them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them for the scriptures explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again >> from the dead of saying this Jesus >> from the dead and saying >> this Jesus whom I preached to you is the Christ and some of them were >> pursued pursuited and a great multitude of the devote Greeks And not a few of the leading women's join Paul and Silas. But the Jews who were not >> visited becomes envious took some of the evil men from the marketplace and gathering a moves at all the city. Mobs at all the city in upper and attacked the house of Jason and sought to bring them out of the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some prison to the ruler of the city crying out this who had turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason hand her board >> has harbored them >> has harbored them and this all are acting contrarily to the decrees >> of >> Caesar. Cesar saying there there is another king Jesus and they troubled the crowd and they ruler of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest they let them go. >> Amen. Thank you. So we see that Paul and Silas and Timothy leave Philippi and they travel through Aia Fis and Apollonia. Now these were smaller cities on the route to Thessalonica. Now scripture does not give us detailed accounts of what happened in Ampopolis and Napoleon. These stops show that they were just moving strategically along major travel routes to reach major or bigger urban cities. Finally they arrive where? Thessalonica. Now Thessalonica is a very significant city uh with a Jewish synagogue. Uh so and it is Paul's pattern which he usually does. Whenever he goes to any city there is a synagogue he goes there and he preaches first to the Jews and here he's preaching to the Jews and also reasoning with them from the scripture that Jesus is the Messiah or Jesus is the Christ. So he's using the Old Testament Torah which the Jews know or Old Testament scripture to prove that Jesus is the Christ. Okay. Uh so we see that Paul and Silas establish a church in Thessalonica uh and they preach in a synagogue for three Sabbaths and we see that some Jews oppose them. They make a mob. Okay? And they assault Jason's home. Why Jason's home? because Paul and Silas were staying in Jason's home. Okay. Um so if you look at 1 Thessalonians 1 4 and 5 where Paul is writing to this church, you know, look at what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 4 and 5. Can somebody read that please? did not in the Holy Spirit as you know what kind of among you for your sake and you become followers of us and of the Lord having received the word in much with joy of the Holy Spirit. >> Amen. So how did uh the Thessalonians receive the gospel? How did the Thessalonians receive the gospel? Come on. Huh? In words. >> Not only in words but also in power and the Holy Spirit showing that revival is spiritdriven. Okay. Um now we see while ministering here Paul also wanted to support himself. He did not want to burden the church to provide for him financially. So look at what he says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 9. What does he say? >> Yeah. >> For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. We preach to you the gospel of God. Amen. >> Yes. So what does Paul do? He not only preaches and teaches the gospel, not only depends on the churches financially, but what does he do? He labors and toils night and day. What is the meaning of there's a is it a difference between work, working, laboring and toiling? >> Yes. >> Working is what? >> Just working. >> Working is just you know normal work. Laboring is what? They bring us >> it's very hard uh task. Okay. Like some physically very strenuous demanding like uh you know these people who build the uh buildings and all that construction work there hard labor. Okay. So he says he's labored and toiled night and day so that they cannot be a burden to anyone. And he says he also preached the gospel of God. Okay. Um and but we see that you know the other churches however contribute to his ministry. How do we know that? Look at what Paul writes in Philippians chapter 4:e 16. Or as Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you see that it is read >> no first Philippians 4:16 one minute right please you read ma ma read >> for even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. >> Yes. So he says for even when I was in Thessalonica you sent me aid or you send me help more than once when I was in need. So here we see it highlights the importance of supporting people financially by partnering in their ministry. Okay. So here Paul not only works hard, toils, labors hard but also we see that he receives help from the church at um you know uh the Philippi the church at Philippines. Okay. So uh when he writes to them he he mentions about it. What can we learn from this for our lives today? From what we just read in um acts 17:es 1-9 what can we learn or from this whole thing so far from morning what we had looked at from the beginning what can we learn what's the first thing that we need to do come on what did we learn from morning I mean what we looked so far what are some of the lessons that we can learn. >> Okay. Okay. No. Uh culturally adopt adapt yourself to the culture and to the people that you're ministering to. Yes. Okay. What else? Don't lose the opportunity to minister even in difficult circumstances. Even when they were in Philippi, when they were in prison. Okay. What happens when they were they want to go to Britinia? What did what happened? >> Did not holy spirit did not permit them and told them to go to where? >> To Philippi. That is Macedonia. Right. So we need to be ready to the spirit's leading even if it means changing our plans. Okay. Okay. What else? Yes. through partnership in ministry giving not just praying. >> Okay. Partners through partnership in ministry requires also financially giving not just >> not praying for people. Yes. Thank you. What else? Revival is spiritled and powerful. Sometimes revival can happen when we >> speak >> speak preach the word. Sometimes it can also happen through the work of the the power of the Holy Spirit. Supernatural, right? In case of Lydia, it was preaching the word. In case of the jailer, it was the supernatural that he saw. What else? Anything else? >> Ah, okay. They closing the doors to go to the your own cities that they wanted to go but opening the doors to Europe. Good. Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. You have a question. Please take the mic and ask. >> Oh, you posted it here. Okay. Let me just look at it. Okay. There's a question. Okay. The first question from Rajiv Kumar. The Holy Spirit stopped Paul from doing a good thing. What good thing might God be asking you to stop so you can do his best thing? Okay, he's I think he's asking all of us this question. It's not a question that I need to answer. The Holy Spirit stopped Paul from doing a good thing. What good thing might God be asking you to stop so you can do the best do his best thing? Yes. So, it's a good question that we can all ask ourselves. Joy says, "Inte integrity to the calling of God even in hard times and believing God is faithful at all times." Yes. Thank you. Okay, we'll stop here. Okay. Um, we will continue with Paul and Silas going to Berea and Aans. So, please everyone read Acts chapter 17. Okay, please. So nice stories act chapter 17 and acts chapter 18 and come tomorrow so that it can uh be more interesting. Any questions before we end class? >> Huh? No your question. >> There's no it's not here. Rajiv Kumar. So I think it's a more general question. It can be so different from it can be different for different people right. So for holy spirit stop Paul but what is Paul asking us to stop so that we can do the best thing can be differing for each one of us. >> Sorry can you holy spirit did not actually stop Paul. It was only guiding him uh so that he doesn't fall into uh some danger dangerous situation. >> He stopped fall from going to the places that he wanted to go and his own plan. >> Yes. >> And he guided him to go into something that was better or the holy spirit had planned. Yeah. >> So holy holy spirit can never stop somebody doing a good thing. >> Oh yeah. Sometimes he can stop us from doing something that is good to get to do something that is even more better in in accordance with God's plan. Yes, he can. Anyway, they were going to preach the gospel. They were preaching the gospel in the cities that they wanted to go to the first missionary journey, but he had something better for them. So, yes. >> Thank you, pastor. >> Yeah. Good. Okay. Thank you everyone. I'll see you all tomorrow. God bless you all. Thank you pastor. Thank you puja.