Paul’s Final Days
Teaching Notes
1. The Confrontation of our Idols
2. The Confrontation of our Comfort
3. The Confrontation of our Priorities
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way. It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He employed many craftsmen. He called them together…
Acts 19:23-25 (NLT)
Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout all of Asia! Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her magnificence!
Acts 19:25-27 (NLT)
An idol is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would hardly feel worth living.
Tim Keller
An idol is anything—good or bad—that you treat as ultimate. It’s what you rely on to give you meaning, security, or identity instead of God.
How to Recognize Idols:
1. Functional Saviors
2. Source of Identity
3. Heart Level Trust
I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.
Jim Carey
Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all.
Acts 19:26-27
Paul’s life challenges us to exchange our comfort for our calling.
People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own souls.
Carl Jung
The Gospel must CONFRONT us before it can COMFORT us.
I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world …To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…
Philippians 3:8-9
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
I Thank God- Maverick City
Who You Say I Am- Hillsong
The God You Are- Patrick Mayberry
Because of Christ- The Belonging Co.
WFC Speedway
Beautiful Surrender- Bethel Music
Who You Say I Am- Hillsong
Who Else- Gateway Worship
Agnus Dei- Third Day
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!