Pastor Marshall Ochs | April 3, 2022
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Acts 18-19. These chapters cover the first leg of Paul’s third missionary journey. He begins the journey with a trip to the region of Galatia, and continues into Ephesus where he stays for over 2 years. While in Ephesus, he meets multiple people who struggle with their identity. This region is deeply rooted in magic, witchcraft, and the worship of Artemis. This lifestyle shapes their identity and hinders their new identity in Christ.
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Paul’s friends Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and explained some things he was missing. Do you have a heart of humility where you are willing and want to be taught the way of Jesus accurately? Or are you defensive?
Where is your identity currently rooted? Maybe it is words spoken over you, a career, a political viewpoint, sexuality, an experience, a disease, or illness. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where your identity is rooted. Is it in anything other than Jesus Christ?
Some of the Jewish exorcists tried to mimic what Paul was doing to make a name for themselves. Are there any ways you are trying to make a name for yourself instead of Jesus? Holy Spirit, show us how to minimize ourselves to lift the name of Jesus on high.
Acts 19:19 says many who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them. Is there anything you need to burn symbolically or literally? We can’t have two identities.
Galatians 3:26 says, “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” God adopted us as sons and daughters. Does this identity inform every aspect of your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you His power, strength, and vision to live fully rooted with your identity in Jesus and Jesus alone.