God Writes the Best Stories: Ephesians Part 1

Sermon Summary

In this message, Pastor Zach Daniel launches a new sermon series through the book of Ephesians by exploring the backstory of how the church at Ephesus was founded. The sermon establishes that studying Scripture from ancient churches is not merely a history lesson but serves as training and equipping for the good works God has prepared for us today. Through testimonies from church members like Brett and Abby Phillips, Matt Wolf, and Nathan and Ellen, we see how the Holy Spirit continues to speak, lead, and guide believers into the stories God is writing through their lives.

The heart of the message centers on Acts 19 and the role of the Holy Spirit in establishing and empowering the church. Paul, led by the Spirit, arrives in Ephesus and encounters disciples who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. When Paul prays for them, the Spirit comes upon these twelve men with power, and they begin speaking in tongues and prophesying. This mirrors the pattern established at Pentecost and demonstrates that God faithfully fulfills His Word in every generation. 

The impact of the Spirit's work in Ephesus went both deep and wide. For two years Paul taught in the Hall of Tyrannus, and the gospel spread throughout all of Asia Minor. Lives were transformed as people burned their magic books and occultic materials. This revival brought reformation to their society and economy. The church Paul planted became the community he would later write the letter to the Ephesians to, encouraging them that the Holy Spirit who began a good work in them would continue filling and strengthening them. The challenge for us today is the same: Will we be filled with the Holy Spirit, allow Him to strengthen us as a family, and watch as He multiplies His life through us to future generations?

Key Scriptures

1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB1995)

"Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB1995)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Acts 19:1-7 (NASB1995)

"It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said to him, 'No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' And they said, 'Into John's baptism.' Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men."

Acts 20:32 (NASB1995)

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

Acts 19:10 (NASB1995)

"This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."

Instructions for Groups

Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You do not need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.

Discussion Questions

Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding

1. In Acts 19:1-7, what does Paul ask the disciples he encounters, and what does their answer reveal about their spiritual understanding at that point?
   
   

2. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what four purposes does Scripture serve, and what is the ultimate result it brings to the person who engages with it?
   
   

3. The sermon mentions that the twelve men in Acts 19:7 is an "Easter egg" connecting back to the original twelve disciples. What pattern do we see repeated from Acts 2 to Acts 19, and what does this tell us about how God works across different times and places?
   
   

Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony

1. Zach shared testimonies of Brett Phillips receiving guidance at a prayer meeting, Matt Wolf sensing direction during his morning devotions, and Nathan and Ellen receiving prophetic confirmation about missions. What do these stories reveal about the different ways the Holy Spirit speaks to and leads believers?
   
   

2. Zach described the changes he experienced after being baptized in the Holy Spirit: increased hunger for God's Word, deeper understanding of Scripture, awareness of God's presence, and a new love for people. What does this teach us about the fruit the Holy Spirit produces when He fills a believer's life?
   
   

3. The gospel's impact in Ephesus went "deep" in individual hearts and "wide" throughout the region. What is the relationship between personal transformation and broader community impact, and why does one seem to lead to the other?

Putting It into Practice

1. Paul asked the Ephesian disciples a direct question: "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" If someone asked you that question today, how would you respond, and what would you want them to know about your experience with the Holy Spirit?
   
   

2. The church's word for the year is "Strengthen the family to multiply." What is one specific area of your life where you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to be strengthened so that His life can flow through you to others?
   
   

Prayer

1. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We are going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let us sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
   
   [After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
   
   

2. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?