“But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.” (Acts 19:8-11)

We often think that Paul’s life was always on the move. But in fact, when he had the opportunity he stayed in places for years sometimes. One of the places Paul stayed for some time was Ephesus. You may know that one of his letters is to this beloved church. He spent years teaching, preaching, and performing miracles. Our text tells us that many Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of God as it spread through Paul throughout the entire region. In verse 11, Luke tells us that God did extraordinary miracles through Paul while he was in Ephesus. Some of the miracles that are recorded after these verses are pretty amazing. But more important is how the kingdom of God spread throughout the region because of Paul’s faithfulness to keep teaching.

When we consider for a minute the extraordinary things the great people of faith have done from biblical times to now, the truly amazing thing is that they were done in and through ordinary people. My point is that it was not about the person. It was about God! It is God who does the extraordinary. Our role is to be the instrument through which the extraordinary occurs, or doesn’t occur. You see, the other option is that we limit God’s ability to do the extraordinary through us because we confuse who it’s all about and get focused on ourselves. We need to be open to being used by God. That’s it! You are a member of the Body of Christ. You have a God-given purpose to further the kingdom of God. God wants to do extraordinary things through you. Are you opening yourself up that way? Are you willing to allow God to use you in ways that you cannot imagine?

I pray that each of us sees that the extraordinary can be done in and through us if we are simply willing to let God do His work through us.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church