Holy Ghost Power
Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Paul earlier had a vision to go to Macedonia;
Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
There he met Lydia,the seller of purple cloth and die. Paul cast out a bad spirit from a local fortune teller who was a money maker for her masters. This took away their income so false charges were made about them being Jewish trouble makers.They were beaten and imprisoned. It was midnight when the prison shook by the power of God and all were released from their bonds. Paul led the prison guard and his family to Jesus.
It was the church of Macedonia, who gave liberally in spite of persecution.
2 Cor 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 Cor 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2 Cor 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Acts 20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Once again the synagogue of satan plots to destroy Paul.
Rev 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Instead of going by sea to Syria, they travel over land from Macedonia.
Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Acts 20:5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
These men were from various churches that had sent money for the perescuted church in Jerusalem. They were probably accompanying Paul so that Paul would not be accused of mishandling the money.
Whoa to those who steal the Lords money. Remember what the prophet Malachi said?
Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
It was the first day, Sunday, this was the start of Sunday gatherings. It was in the evening, because Sunday then was a work day. Gradually it became the custom to call Sunday the Sabbath. In our country no stores would open on Sunday for fear of the disapproval of the majority who attended church. Things have changed haven't they?
It was on the first day that Jesus rose from the grave. ( Mat 28:1) The offerings were to be gathered on the first day.
1 Cor 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Paul had dinner and began to preach until midnight. I have been in churches where people would get up and leave at the end of one hour. He had preached perhaps 6 hours.
Acts 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
It was not a dark sleepy place, but full of light as was Paul's message, the light and truth of God.
Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
Not everyone was wide awake and attentive. Sometimes I am tired from late nights witnessing on the Internet, and have difficulty staying awake. Some make a habit of sleeping through church.
This young man fell three stories out of the window. Perhaps the smoke from the oil lamps came to his window making him sleepy. Here was someone who had fallen away and appeared to be dead.
How many do we know who have fallen away, who no longer attend church and are not seeking God. This is a real problem in our churches.
Acts 20:10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
The dead young man was brought to life through the presence of God's anointing in Paul. Preach the word with signs and wonders following. We should go after those who have fallen away, embrace them, and bring the presence of the Holy Ghost to them. Paul did this, and the young man was made well. How many who fall away just need someone to hug them and care about them?
Elijah raised a boy from death
1 Ki 17:17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
1 Ki 17:18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
1 Ki 17:19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
1 Ki 17:20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?
1 Ki 17:21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
1 Ki 17:22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.
1 Ki 17:23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
1 Ki 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
Elisha raises a son from death
2 Ki 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
2 Ki 4:32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
2 Ki 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
2 Ki 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
2 Ki 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
2 Ki 4:36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.
2 Ki 4:37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
Jesus raised a boy from death
Luke 7:12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
Luke 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Luke 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luke 7:15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Jesus raised a young woman from death
Mat 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
Mat 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Mat 9:25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
Mat 9:26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Don't forget lazarus
John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Finally, Jesus is raised by the same Spirit
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Acts 20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
Paul continues preaching until daybreak. When under the anointing the spirit keeps you refreshed.
Acts 20:12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Acts 20:13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
Luke reports that they sailed unto Assos, but that Paul thought it best to walk. Paul had preached all night, he must have been in his 60's, and still he had strength to walk from Troas to Assos. This was about 15 miles.
Acts 20:14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
Paul gets on the ship and sails another 40 miles.
Acts 20:15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
Acts 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Paul had great victories in Asia, now he wishes to bypass Ephesus, perhaps knowing he would be tempted to stay there. His heart was on making it to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost.
Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after Passover. It was the feast of harvest and the feast of first fruits. The law came on this day on Mt Sinai and later the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 2 on Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit gave Paul the power to witness, and through him life was given..
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Paul certainly was an example of the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel in boldness with signs and wonders following.
Gary
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