1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,520 Speaker 1: Let us pray. I have showed you all things, how 2 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he 4 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:16,079 Speaker 1: said it is more blessed to give than to receive. 5 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:22,239 Speaker 1: Acts twenty thirty five. In the name of Jesus. Through 6 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: Acts twenty and twenty one, I declare that I am 7 00:00:25,680 --> 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 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: the decision to build up my innermost being so that 11 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 1: when I need to move in faith, my body can't 12 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: override my spirit. For your word declares that the spirit 13 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: is willing, but the flesh is weak. So instead of 14 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: feeding my fleshly desires for comfort, I will instead turn 15 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:06,080 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 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: ends and another begins, Strengthen those I've impacted, continue to 18 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: inspire those I've been aligned to in season's past. Holy Spirit, 19 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:29,760 Speaker 1: May my heart be felt and my gratitude shown to 20 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: every one who has played a role in helping me 21 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,759 Speaker 1: to achieve all that you have called me to do 22 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 1: thus far in Jesus name. 23 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: Amen. 24 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: Listening to these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. 25 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: Continue hearing from the Lord by listening to to day's 26 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in 27 00:01:54,320 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: a Year dot com. 28 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:10,320 Speaker 3: Leaving the Ephesians. In our last story, Paul established the 29 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 3: Church of Ephesus. The Ephesians became very close to Paul, 30 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 3: and they all ministered alongside one another like family. There 31 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,640 Speaker 3: never was a more fruitful church that Paul led than 32 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 3: the Church in Ephesus. Together they healed, preached, and protected 33 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 3: people from demons. Now we see Paul leaving Ephesis to 34 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:33,040 Speaker 3: respond to the call of God. Danger awaited Paul, and 35 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 3: he and the Ephesians part ways to never see each 36 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 3: other again. 37 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 2: Hello. I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 38 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: in a Year podcast. But before we began, I want 39 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 2: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 40 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 2: to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress, 41 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 2: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 42 00:02:56,639 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 2: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 43 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 2: in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 44 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 2: from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham Dot org slash stress. 45 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 2: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our previous episode, 46 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: we heard how Paul planted a church in Ephesus that 47 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 2: became a strong, bold, and effective body of believers. Paul 48 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 2: would hold a very special place in his heart for 49 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 2: the Ephesian Church and find great encouragement in the faith 50 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 2: of the believers there. Today, we'll hear as Paul continues 51 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 2: his missionary work after leaving Ephesus. We'll hear how he 52 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,640 Speaker 2: performs yet another miracle that demonstrates the power of Christ 53 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: living in him and working through him. As he moves 54 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 2: throughout Asia, he'll share the Gospel of Jesus with every opportunity, 55 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 2: even as he looks ahead with some concern as to 56 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 2: his return to Jerusalem. Now, let's listen to today's reading 57 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 2: from the Book of Acts. 58 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 3: Paul's spoke in the center of a warm and crowded 59 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 3: upper room. He had spoken for hours on the Word 60 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 3: of God, telling stories and sharing his heart. However, the 61 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 3: night was hot, and a young man named Eutychus could 62 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 3: barely keep his eyes open. He leaned against the lattice 63 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 3: near the window for fresh air, doing his best to 64 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,799 Speaker 3: remain attentive and awake. As Jesus once said, the spirit 65 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 3: is willing, but the flesh is weak. So it was 66 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 3: for poor Eutychus. He listened to Paul teach the word 67 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 3: of God and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. As 68 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 3: Uticus lost consciousness, his shoulder leaned against the lattice. Paul 69 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,159 Speaker 3: continued to speak without taking a breath until he heard 70 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 3: a crack in the back of the room. Paul could 71 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,480 Speaker 3: say nothing to stop what was happening. Eutychus had fallen asleep, 72 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 3: leaned against the window lattice, and fallen through the floor below. 73 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 3: Euticus hit the floor with a deadly thud. Paul ran 74 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 3: down the stairs to the street below the upper room. 75 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 3: People were screaming and losing their composure, but Paul knew 76 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 3: exactly how Jesus could be glorified in this moment. He 77 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 3: bent over the lifeless body and took him up in 78 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 3: his arms. Do not worry, Paul said, life will be 79 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 3: restored to him in the name of Jesus. So that 80 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 3: morning Eutachus spoke up with air and his lungs and 81 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 3: his body uninjured. Paul continued his travels along the Sea 82 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 3: of Asia. He and Luke preached the Gospel and every 83 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 3: city they visited, but Ephesus was on his mind. Paul 84 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 3: knew that his journey would ultimately end in Jerusalem, but 85 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 3: he was frightened. The Jews burned with rage against Paul. 86 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 3: He was of them once. He was a Pharisee of pharisees. 87 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 3: He was a high ranking official, given authority and influence. 88 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 3: He gave it all up for Christ. For that reason, 89 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 3: the Jews hated him. Yet the spirit drew him there. 90 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,880 Speaker 3: So Paul decided to go to Ephesus one more time 91 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 3: to see his dear friends. They were his true family. 92 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 3: Paul arrived in Ephesus again and called the elders to 93 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 3: join him in the room of meeting. The men gathered 94 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: around Paul. His lips were quivering and his hands were shaking. 95 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 3: Paul took a long, drawn out breath and began speaking. 96 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,560 Speaker 3: You know that I have served among you without fear. 97 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 3: You know that I am not one to shrink in 98 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 3: the face of danger or persecution. There was a pause, 99 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:20,359 Speaker 3: and Paul looked up at the loving faces of his 100 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 3: brothers and sisters. Paul smiled and cleared his throat, trying 101 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:28,039 Speaker 3: to hold back tears. I am going to Jerusalem. I 102 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 3: don't know what will happen to me there. The only 103 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:32,800 Speaker 3: thing I know is that the Holy Spirit draws me 104 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,159 Speaker 3: forward so that I might finish the race. Well, it 105 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 3: is very possible that none of you will see my 106 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 3: face again. Tears broke through Paul's hardened face. I know 107 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:46,239 Speaker 3: that when I leave, there will be wolves in sheep's 108 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 3: clothing coming out against you. Be alert, my friends, put 109 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:55,479 Speaker 3: on the full armor of God. The whole Ephesian Church 110 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 3: gathered around Paul. They knelt together and prayed. They embraced 111 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 3: him and cried on his shoulders. They knew they would 112 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 3: not see his face again. However, Paul would one day 113 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 3: write them a letter from prison, a letter reminding them 114 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 3: of their firm identity in Jesus, that they are to 115 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 3: be rooted and grounded in love, remembering that all good 116 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 3: things spring forth from Christ. The Ephesian Church would forever 117 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 3: hold a special place in Paul's heart. 118 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 2: We begin today's scripture in the city of Troaz. After 119 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 2: leaving Ephesus, Paul had gone to Macedonia, then Greece, where 120 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:37,559 Speaker 2: he ministered for three months until the Jews there formed 121 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 2: a plot against him, and he left in Troaz, Paul 122 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 2: and his missionary companions shared the gospel for seven days, 123 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,640 Speaker 2: and on Sunday of the second week, Paul gathered to 124 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:50,720 Speaker 2: break bread with the church there and share some teaching 125 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 2: before leaving. Apparently he had much to say, because we're 126 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:59,640 Speaker 2: told he prolonged his speaking until midnight, hungry for truth, 127 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 2: and tro As hung onto his every word. Lighting lamps 128 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,000 Speaker 2: in the upper room as the night grew darker, we 129 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 2: hear of one young man named Euticus, who was seated 130 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: high up near a window in the third floor. Try 131 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 2: as he might have, he could not stay awake into 132 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 2: the late hours of the night, and eventually he drifted 133 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 2: into a deep sleep, falling through the window to the 134 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 2: ground below. His name, which means fortunate, seemed to have 135 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 2: failed him because his unfortunate fall proved fatal. As people 136 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: rushed to his aid and found his lifeless body, can 137 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:37,760 Speaker 2: you imagine the chaos? What a church service? Paul, however, 138 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 2: remained calm. He went downstairs, bent over the young man, 139 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 2: and taking him into his arms, told the people not 140 00:08:44,960 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: to be alarmed because there was still life in Uticus. 141 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: Then he went back to eating and teaching, talking for 142 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 2: quite a while, longer with them before leaving. Eudicus, we're 143 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 2: told was taken away alive, just as Paul had said 144 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 2: as a lie Elisha and Jesus before him. Paul was 145 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 2: operating with God's power, the power of the resurrection, flowing 146 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: through him, so that not even death could have the 147 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 2: final say. We then heard how Paul continued his travels 148 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:19,360 Speaker 2: throughout Asia. He had a singular purpose and plant to 149 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 2: make the name of Jesus known throughout the world. But 150 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,400 Speaker 2: even as he traveled, he knew his calling was leading 151 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:28,600 Speaker 2: him back to Jerusalem, a place where he once was 152 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 2: in the in crowd of Jewish leaders and rabbis. Now 153 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: he was persona on grada among the Jews because he 154 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 2: proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Before going home to Jerusalem, however, 155 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 2: Paul wanted to see his beloved Ephesian Church brothers and 156 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 2: sisters once again, so he called for the elders there 157 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 2: to gather. He went back to Ephesus and spoke to them, 158 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 2: reminding them of his passion and purpose. As he went 159 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 2: about Asia and every stop, the Holy Spirit had told 160 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 2: him of the persecution he would face, and yet he continued. 161 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 2: He pressed on with the message of Christ in acts 162 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:08,079 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four. We read these words from Paul some 163 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 2: of my favorites in all of the Book of Acts 164 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 2: and in the Bible itself. But I do not account 165 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 2: my life of any value, nor is precious to myself, 166 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 2: if only I may finish my course in the ministry 167 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 2: that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify 168 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 2: to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul was 169 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 2: not saying his life had no value, or that it 170 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 2: wasn't valuable. To the contrary, he was saying that his 171 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:36,199 Speaker 2: value and worth was not according to his own efforts 172 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 2: or plans, but God's. He knew that there would be 173 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 2: no greater value than to pour himself out for the 174 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 2: sake of the advancement of the Gospel, being willing to 175 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:49,240 Speaker 2: suffer anything for the cause of Christ. That was his 176 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 2: high and holy calling and purpose, and it was of 177 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 2: infinitely greater worth than anything else he could imagine. Oh, 178 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 2: that we would be so bold and courageous to share 179 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 2: the Gospel. And remember, this ministry is not achieved, it 180 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 2: is received from the Lord. Paul continued speaking to the Ephesians, 181 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 2: warning them to be on guard that false teachers and 182 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 2: wolves would try to lead them astray, that they were 183 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 2: to hold tight to the teaching that they had received 184 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 2: and remember God's work. He would later write a very 185 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 2: powerful letter to the Ephesians in which he reminded them 186 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 2: how Christ reconciled them and all of creation to himself 187 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 2: and to God the Father, calling them to unity in 188 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 2: Christ with each other as Christ Church, and encouraging them 189 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:38,559 Speaker 2: to put away falsehood, speaking the truth in love, and 190 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:42,240 Speaker 2: to live as brand new people in Christ. It was 191 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: a bittersweet time, as Paul and the Ephesians knew this 192 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:48,200 Speaker 2: would likely be the last time they would be together 193 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 2: this side of eternity. Dear God, we thank you for 194 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 2: the courage and the commitment of the apostle Paul. What 195 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 2: a great man. May we be motivated by his example 196 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 2: for our own witness in the power of the Holy Spirit. 197 00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 2: Help us to hold fast to the truth of the 198 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:08,199 Speaker 2: Word of God and to speak boldly the testimony of 199 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:11,720 Speaker 2: Jesus everywhere we go. May you bless your church and 200 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 2: the missionary movement of Jesus all around the world. In Jesus' name, 201 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 2: we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible 202 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 2: into Year podcast. Before we go, I want to let 203 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,959 Speaker 2: you know about a unique ebook that's yours to download 204 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 2: absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and 205 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:35,319 Speaker 2: my prayer is that it will help you conquer the 206 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 2: daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress into 207 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 2: your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free from 208 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 2: Stress today by visiting Jackgraham dot org slash stress. That's 209 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 2: Jagraham dot org slash stress.