NCF Podcast

www.northpointsb.com Pastor Paul M. Reinhard

Acts 19 The Turning Point

November 1, 2009

Worship: Spend this time connecting with God through songs, prayers, and creative arts. Boldly declare that the Holy Spirit is free to move and minister through your group!

Welcome: Have you ever forgotten to set your clock when the time changes?

Word: This week Pastor Paul shared the pivotal roll that Acts 19:19 played in his spiritual journey! The story of Acts 19 is set in the ancient city of Ephesus. The goddess Artemis [Diana in the Latin] was the principle spiritual power of the area! God used the Apostle Paul to challenge her… and the Kingdom of God won!

1. Are things such as crystals, fortunes, curses, magic, and astrological signs still available in our world? How do people you know use them?

2. Can you think of any books or movies that focus on the occult that have been popular over the last few years?

3. Pastor Paul shared about reading Acts 19 in the room of his Army barracks in the late summer of 1977. When he read verse 19 God called him to a moment of decision. You can continue doing what you have been doing, or you can follow me! Paul packed up all of his non-Christian spiritual books and headed for the dumpster at JFK Memorial Chapel, Ft. Bragg, NC.

Read Acts 19:17-20 from a couple of different translations. Reflect together on four key things that stand out! Are these things easy? Why or why not?

A. They confessed their sin.
B. They destroyed what was causing them to sin.
C. It cost them dearly.
D. The gospel spread widely with powerful effect.

6. Are their things in your life that keep you in sin and make you weak in your service to God?

A. Are you willing to confess them to someone you trust?

B. Are you willing to destroy them and pay the price if necessary?

[This could mean throwing out movies, magazines, alcohol, drugs, and your favorite bong. It could mean deleting files on your computer and not returning to certain websites. It might mean quitting a job or ending a toxic relationship.]

Keep in mind that in today’s dollars 50,000 pieces of silver would be about $4,000,000. The people who accepted Christ, repented of theirs sins, and burned the scrolls of Ephesus and Artemis were doing a spiritually radical and financially costly thing! That one moment changed their lives and legacy forever!

If Pastor Paul had not loaded a bag with books and thrown them away that day in 1977 I doubt he would be writing out these notes for you today! If Paul had said no to God that day, there is no telling where he would be now!

Closing Prayer: Shine your light Oh Lord my God into the depth of my heart. Reveal the sins that keep me from serving you freely and completely. Give me the Holy Ghost power to go through my house, my work, my car, and my life with Jesus. Help me to gather up everything that holds me back, and let me throw it away. Break the hold of Satan on my life, my family, my legacy, my home, my job, my church, and my city… In the powerful and precious, name of my Lord and my Savior, Jesus the Christ,AMEN

Witness: Acts 19:20 (NLT) So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. If we obey Him, He will use us in amazing ways!

Notes: