1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: Let us pray. I have showed you all things, how 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:09,040 Speaker 1: that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he 4 00:00:11,920 --> 00:00:16,080 Speaker 1: said it is more blessed to give than to receive. 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:22,279 Speaker 1: Acts twenty thirty five. In the name of Jesus. Through 6 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: Acts twenty and twenty one, I declare that I am 7 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: now walking in a different discipline. I decree and declare 8 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 1: that my body no longer has control of my life. 9 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: Through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am making 10 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: the decision to build up my innermost being so that 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,880 Speaker 1: when I need to move in faith, my body can't 12 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: override my spirit. For your word declares that the spirit 13 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: is willing, but the flesh is weak. So instead of 14 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: feeding my fleshly desires for comfort, I will instead turn 15 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: to my spirit that is powered by your Holy Spirit. Jesus. 16 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:12,840 Speaker 1: Then move forward with purpose and power as one season 17 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: ends and another begins, Strengthen those I've impacted, continue to 18 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: inspire those I've been aligned to in season's past. Holy Spirit, 19 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: May my heart be felt and my gratitude shown to 20 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: every one who has played a role in helping me 21 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: to achieve all that you have called me to do 22 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 1: thus far in Jesus name. Amen. Listening to these daily 23 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue hearing from the 24 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: Lord by listening to to day's Bible in a Year, 25 00:01:52,760 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 26 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:10,360 Speaker 2: Leaving the Ephesians. In our last story, Paul established the 27 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 2: Church of Ephesus. The Ephesians became very close to Paul, 28 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:18,120 Speaker 2: and they all ministered alongside one another like family. There 29 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 2: never was a more fruitful church that Paul led than 30 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 2: the Church in Ephesus. Together they healed, preached, and protected 31 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,960 Speaker 2: people from demons. Now we see Paul leaving Ephesus to 32 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,080 Speaker 2: respond to the call of God. Danger awaited Paul, and 33 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 2: he and the Ephesians part ways to never see each 34 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: other again. 35 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham once again with today's episode 36 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 3: of The Bible of a Year. Thank you for joining 37 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 3: millions of people who have downloaded this podcast. In our 38 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 3: previous episode, we heard how Paul planted a church in 39 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 3: Ephesus that became a strong, bold, and effective body of believers. 40 00:02:57,080 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 3: Paul would hold a very special place in his heart 41 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 3: for the Ephesian Church and find great encouragement in the 42 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:07,320 Speaker 3: faith of the believers there. Today, we'll hear as Paul 43 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 3: continues his missionary work after leaving Ephesus. We'll hear how 44 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 3: he performs yet another miracle that demonstrates the power of 45 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 3: Christ living in him and working through him. As he 46 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 3: moves throughout Asia, he'll share the Gospel of Jesus with 47 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 3: every opportunity, even as he looks ahead with some concern 48 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 3: as to his return to Jerusalem. Now, let's listen to 49 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 3: today's reading from the Book of Acts. 50 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,960 Speaker 2: Paul spoke in the center of a warm and crowded 51 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 2: upper room. He had spoken for hours on the Word 52 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:44,240 Speaker 2: of God, telling stories and sharing his heart. However, the 53 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 2: night was hot, and a young man named Eutychus could 54 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 2: barely keep his eyes open. He leaned against the lattice 55 00:03:50,320 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 2: near the window for fresh air, doing his best to 56 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 2: remain attentive in a weeke. As Jesus once said, the 57 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 2: spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Oh it 58 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 2: was for poor Eutychus. He listened to Paul teach the 59 00:04:03,800 --> 00:04:07,120 Speaker 2: word of God and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. 60 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: As Udaicus lost consciousness, his shoulder leaned against the lattice, 61 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 2: Paul continued to speak without taking a breath until he 62 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,080 Speaker 2: heard a crack in the back of the room. Paul 63 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 2: could say nothing to stop what was happening. Eutychus had 64 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 2: fallen asleep, leaned against the window lattice, and fallen through 65 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 2: the floor below. Uticus hit the floor with a deadly thud. 66 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:31,160 Speaker 2: Paul ran down the stairs to the street below the 67 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 2: upper room. People were screaming and losing their composure, but 68 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 2: Paul knew exactly how Jesus could be glorified in this moment. 69 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 2: He bent over the lifeless body and took him up 70 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: in his arms. Do not worry, Paul said, life will 71 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,200 Speaker 2: be restored to him in the name of Jesus. So 72 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 2: that morning, Eutychus woke up with air and his lungs 73 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 2: and his body uninjured. Paul continued his travels along the 74 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: Sea of Asia. He and Luke preached the Gospel and 75 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,359 Speaker 2: every city they visit, but Ephesus was on his mind. 76 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 2: Paul knew that his journey would ultimately end in Jerusalem, 77 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 2: but he was frightened. The Jews burned with rage against Paul. 78 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 2: He was of them once. He was a pharisee of pharisees. 79 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 2: He was a high ranking official, given authority and influence, 80 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 2: he gave it all up for Christ. For that reason, 81 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,160 Speaker 2: the Jews hated him, Yet the Spirit drew him there. 82 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,559 Speaker 2: So Paul decided to go to Ephesus one more time 83 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 2: to see his dear friends. They were his true family. 84 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 2: Paul arrived in Ephesus again and called the elders to 85 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 2: join him in the room of meeting. The men gathered 86 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 2: around Paul. His lips were quivering and his hands were shaking. 87 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 2: Paul took a long, drawn out breath and began speaking. 88 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 2: You know that I have served among you without fear. 89 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 2: You know that I am not one to shrink in 90 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 2: the face of danger or persecution. There was a pause, 91 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: and Paul looked up at the loving faces of his 92 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,839 Speaker 2: brothers and sisters. Paul smiled and cleared his throat, trying 93 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 2: to hold back tears. I am going to Jerusalem. I 94 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 2: don't know what will happen to me there. The only 95 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 2: thing I know is that the Holy Spirit draws me 96 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 2: forward so that I might finish the race. Well, it 97 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: is very possible that none of you will see my 98 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:19,359 Speaker 2: face again. Tears broke through Paul's hardened face. I know 99 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,960 Speaker 2: that when I leave there will be wolves in sheep's 100 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 2: clothing coming out against you. Be alert, my friends, put 101 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 2: on the full armor of God. The whole Ephesian Church 102 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 2: gathered around Paul. They knelt together and prayed. They embraced 103 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,280 Speaker 2: him and cried on his shoulders. They knew they would 104 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 2: not see his face again. However, Paul would one day 105 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 2: write them a letter from prison, a letter reminding them 106 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 2: of their firm identity in Jesus, that they are to 107 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 2: be rooted and grounded in love, remembering that all good 108 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 2: things spring forth from Christ. The Ephesian Church would forever 109 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 2: hold a special place in Paul's heart. 110 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 3: We begin today's scripture in the city of Troaz. After 111 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:10,320 Speaker 3: leaving Ephesus, Paul had gone to Macedonia, then Greece, where 112 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 3: he ministered for three months until the Jews there formed 113 00:07:13,280 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 3: a plot against him and he left. In Troaz, Paul 114 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 3: and his missionary companions shared the Gospel for seven days, 115 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:23,360 Speaker 3: and on Sunday of the second week, Paul gathered to 116 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 3: break bread with the church there and share some teaching 117 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 3: before leaving. Apparently he had much to say, because we're 118 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 3: told he prolonged his speaking until midnight. Hungry for truth, 119 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 3: the brothers in Troaz hung onto his every word, lighting 120 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 3: lamps in the upper room. As the night grew darker. 121 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 3: We hear of one young man named Uticus, who was 122 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 3: seated high up near a window in the third floor. 123 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 3: Try as he might have, he could not stay awake 124 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 3: into the late hours of the night, and eventually he 125 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,360 Speaker 3: drifted into a deep sleep, falling through the window to 126 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 3: the ground below. His name, which means fortunate, seemed to 127 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: have fail him because his unfortunate fall proved fatal. As 128 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,120 Speaker 3: people rushed to his aid and found his lifeless body. 129 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 3: Can you imagine the chaos? What a church service. Paul, however, 130 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 3: remained calm. He went downstairs, bent over the young man 131 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,560 Speaker 3: and taking him into his arms, told the people not 132 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 3: to be alarmed because there was still life in Udicus. 133 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 3: Then he went back to eating and teaching, talking for 134 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 3: quite a while longer with them before leaving. Eudicus, we're told, 135 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 3: was taken away alive, just as Paul had said, as Elijah, 136 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 3: Elisha and Jesus before him, Paul was operating with God's power, 137 00:08:41,559 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 3: the power of the resurrection, flowing through him, so that 138 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 3: not even death could have the final say. We then 139 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 3: heard how Paul continued his travels throughout Asia. He had 140 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 3: a singular purpose and plant to make the name of 141 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 3: Jesus known throughout the world. But even as he traveled, 142 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 3: he knew his calling was leading him back to Jerusalem, 143 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 3: a place where he once was in the in crowd 144 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 3: of Jewish leaders and rabbis. Now he was persona on 145 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: grada among the Jews because he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. 146 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 3: Before going home to Jerusalem, however, Paul wanted to see 147 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:21,959 Speaker 3: his beloved Ephesian Church brothers and sisters once again, so 148 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 3: he called for the elders there to gather. He went 149 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 3: back to Ephesus and spoke to them, reminding them of 150 00:09:27,880 --> 00:09:30,800 Speaker 3: his passion and purpose. As he went about Asia and 151 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 3: every stop, the Holy Spirit had told him of the 152 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,319 Speaker 3: persecution he would face, and yet he continued. He pressed 153 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:41,320 Speaker 3: on with the message of Christ. In Acts twenty twenty four, 154 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 3: we read these words from Paul, some of my favorites, 155 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 3: in all of the Book of Acts and in the 156 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 3: Bible itself. But I do not account my life of 157 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 3: any value, nor as precious to myself. If only I 158 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 3: may finish my course in the ministry that I have 159 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 3: received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel 160 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 3: of the grace of God. Paul was not saying his 161 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 3: life had no value or that it wasn't valuable. To 162 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 3: the contrary, he was saying that his value and worth 163 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 3: was not according to his own efforts or plans, but God's. 164 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:16,679 Speaker 3: He knew that there would be no greater value than 165 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 3: to pour himself out for the sake of the advancement 166 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 3: of the Gospel, being willing to suffer anything for the 167 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 3: cause of Christ. That was his high and holy calling 168 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 3: and purpose, and it was of infinitely greater worth than 169 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 3: anything else he could imagine. Oh, that we would be 170 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,840 Speaker 3: so bold and courageous to share the Gospel. And remember, 171 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 3: this ministry is not achieved, it is received from the Lord. 172 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 3: Paul continued speaking to the Ephesians, warning them to be 173 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,559 Speaker 3: on guard that false teachers and wolves would try to 174 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:51,320 Speaker 3: lead them astray, that they were to hold tight to 175 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 3: the teaching that they had received and remember God's work. 176 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,760 Speaker 3: He would later write a very powerful letter to the 177 00:10:57,800 --> 00:11:01,440 Speaker 3: Ephesians in which he reminded them how Christ reconcile them 178 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 3: and all of creation to himself and to God the Father, 179 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 3: calling them to unity in Christ with each other as 180 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 3: Christ Church and encouraging them to put away falsehood, speaking 181 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 3: the truth in love, and to live as brand new 182 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 3: people in Christ. It was a bittersweet time, as Paul 183 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 3: in the Ephesians knew this would likely be the last 184 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 3: time they would be together this side of eternity. Dear God, 185 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,679 Speaker 3: we thank you for the courage and the commitment of 186 00:11:29,720 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 3: the apostle Paul. What a great man. May we be 187 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 3: motivated by his example for our own witness in the 188 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 3: power of the Holy Spirit. Help us to hold fast 189 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 3: to the truth of the Word of God and to 190 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 3: speak boldly the testimony of Jesus everywhere we go. May 191 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,240 Speaker 3: you bless your church and the missionary movement of Jesus 192 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 3: all around the world. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen. 193 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to Today's Bible in a year. 194 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 3: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download 195 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:03,959 Speaker 3: the Prey dot com app and make Bible study in 196 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 3: prayer the priority of your life. And if you appreciate 197 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,680 Speaker 3: this podcast, please share it with someone else. I also 198 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 3: want to encourage you to go to Jack Graham dot org. 199 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org for we have resources that 200 00:12:19,559 --> 00:12:22,000 Speaker 3: are free and available for you, so that you may 201 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 3: know Christ and grow in him. God bless you.