Sermon: The Next Level

THE NEXT LEVEL
(Acts 18:23 – 21:14)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 13 July 2008

Why God Wants to Take Us to the Next Level

* He has future plans for us
- There are places you cannot go, until God takes you to the Next Level

* He has future ministries for us
- There are things you cannot do, until God takes you to the Next Level

* He has future challenges for us,
- There are battles you cannot win, until God takes you to the Next Level

The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul  (Acts 18:23 – 21:142)

I.  THE NEXT LEVEL IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH: KNOWING THE WAY (Acts 18:24 – 28 )

“One of the disturbing things about Christianity is that very few Christians ever advance beyond their first revelation.” (Dr. Lester Sumrall)
There’s a danger in thinking you’ve got it all figured out when you really don’t
 
APOLLOS
Halfway is not Enough – educated, eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, knew only the baptism of John

On Fire But Not Anointed – “fervent in spirit,” burning or boiling hot

Knowing the Way More Fully -  “definitely and accurately” Once you learn, you too can go and be effective in the things God has called you.

FIVE KEY PRACTICES
1. Am I Growing in Knowledge of God’s Word?
2. Am I Growing in Excellence in God’s Purpose?
3. Am I Growing in Passion for God’s Kingdom?
4. Am I Growing in Humility with God’s People?
5. Am I Growing in Availability to God’s Spirit?

II. THE NEXT LEVEL IN SPIRITUAL FULLNESS: KNOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 19:1 – 7)
 
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (: 2)
Accepting Christ as your Savior is essential for salvation. But, once you are saved, God then has the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost available to you!

The Holy Spirit enables you to be and to do all that God has designed and destined you to be and do. Eph 5:18 says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” The Greek word translated as “filled” literally means “to fill to the top so that nothing can be added.”

GOING FOR MORE
“On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
They were willing to take another step forward in their relationship with God.   

The word “baptizoo” or “immersion” is used to describe our entry into the dynamic of His fullness of life and power; Jesus chose it to describe living in the fullness of the Spirit. Today, the Lord might say, “I want to flood all compartments of your being with my life and power!”   

These 12 men were ready for more, so Paul lays hands on them and they begin to speak in tongues and prophesy! (19:6). The baptism in the Holy Spirit offers you dramatically more power for life and service.
Speaking in tongues (languages) are mentioned three times in Acts: Acts 2, 10, and 19.
Initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.

You’ll never completely comprehend the Holy Spirit until you’ve entered your inheritance in heaven

Live A Spirit-Filled Life - John 7:37-39; Rom 8:26;  2 Cor 3:17

III.  THE NEXT LEVEL IN ANOINTED MINISTRY: KNOWING JESUS (Acts 19:8 – 20)

When Paul came to Ephesus he found a city that was completely in the grip of superstition, fear, demonism and darkness. And it was to Ephesus that he wrote from Rome saying, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12). It seems suggestive that Paul’s most complete study of spiritual powers and the battle Christians face comes from this letter to the Ephesians.

KNOWING JESUS MORE INTIMATELY
The demon says (19:15), “Jesus I know (ginosko – indicative present active; it means I know him with a deep knowledge) and Paul I know (espistamai, I am acquainted with; I know his name, I know who he is) but who are you?”
 
There are two kinds of knowledge:
 1. Factual knowledge is ritualistic
2. Experiential knowledge is relationship

KNOWING JESUS

1. Know who He Was. The promised Messiah/Christ–“the anointed one” – Prophet, Priest, and King
2. Know why He came Is. 61:1-2, Lk. 4:18-21; 19:10
3. Know who He is –Rev. 19:16 tells us that He’s the King of King and Lord of Lords, Righteous Judge of all. James 4:12; Acts 10:42; Titus 2:12

Does the Devil Know Your Name?  Acts 19:11-16 
The devil knew exactly who the true believers were/are he had to watch out for.
Two traits that will bring you to the devils attention.
1. Believe in the Name of Jesus.
2. Live in the Name of Jesus
There’s a difference to knowing the facts, Naming Jesus and Knowing Him

(19:17) “This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (18) And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. (19) Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
A drachma was worth about a day’s wages = 130 years of income. In our day, $50 per day wage times 50,000 = $2.5 million.

Many of those who BELIEVED now came and openly confessed their evil deeds (19:18). They were already believers, but had not put away their evil deeds.

v18. these individuals “openly confessed” - this may indicate that not only did these people get right with God concerning these practices but that these people revealed the contents of their spells.

Demons cannot force their way into a human life. They cannot overpower and take possession of a human. They must find a way to trick or deceive the individual into yielding his or her will to their influence and power.

Extraordinary Power  Acts 19:17-22
Extraordinary Opposition Acts 19:23-34
Extraordinary Provision Acts 19:35-41.

IV. THE NEXT LEVEL IN EMERGING LEADERSHIP: KNOWING YOUR CALLING (Acts 20:1–38)

Get some godly leadership in our lives.
An ancient Persian proverb offers the following excellent advice on leaders.
He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not is a fool—shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not is a child—teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows is asleep—wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows is wise—follow him.
1 Corinthians 11:1, Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

“Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them… He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people…” Acts 20:1, 2

Eutychus – the next level of emerging leadership? (20:7-12)

In Ephesus (20:13-38), here was that which Paul said weighed upon him daily: Care for the new Christians who had come to Christ. He longed to impart more truth to them, for he knew, far better than we in our day seem to have remembered, that beginning the Christian life is not enough; you must learn how to live and serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. 
“Take heed to yourselves and to the flock…shepherd the church of God” (: 28).

V.  THE NEXT LEVEL IN COURAGEOUSOBEDIENCE: KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD (Acts 21:1–14)

In our text, we find good people differing in opinions about what the will of God is. In 20:22 in the heart of Paul, he is convinced God’s will is for him to go to Jerusalem. But in 21:4, 12 it seems Paul’s friends are convinced it was God’s will that Paul not go to Jerusalem. The main thing for your life is to seek God’s plan and will for your life.

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

Paul - Bound and Determined to Go. When the godly brothers saw Paul’s determination they consented to the will of God (: 14). Be strong in your determination to do whatever God directs you to do.

God’s will is sometimes hard to understand – Be Obedient
God’s will sometimes involves difficult circumstances – Be Courageous
God’s will always involves a blessing – Be Confident

CONCLUSION

Has God spoken to you about going to the Next Level?
What’s your Next Level?

THE NEXT LEVEL in

1. Spiritual Growth: Know the Way
2. Spiritual Fullness: Know the Holy Spirit
3. Anointed Ministry: Know Jesus
4. Emerging Leadership: Know your Calling
5. Courageous Obedience: Know and Do the Will of God