Keys to the Establishment of the Church in the Aegean Area: (Acts 16:6-19:20)
1. Paul was aggressive in seeking new areas in which to take the gospel. (16:6,7; Matt. 28:19,20)
2. Paul laid down strategies, tried to follow them, and yet was sensitive to God surprising him by
developing things in a completely different way. He developed a sensitivity to respond to these open
doors and to use opposition as an opportunity. (16:6-40)
3. Paul was skillful in adapting his presentation of the gospel to the world view of the hearer:
a. to the man with the Bible as a base for his world view (17:1-15)
1) Paul was very skillful in his ability to understand the Word (v2)
2) Paul went where he knew he would gain a hearing. (v2)
3) Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence of the Old Testament
predictions of the person and work of Christ. (v2-4)
4) his arguments stimulated them to eagerly search for themselves (v.11)
b. to the man without the Bible as a base for his world view (17:16-34)
1) Paul knew the world view of his audience (v.22,23)
2) Paul respected the view of his audience (v.22,23)
3) Paul found a common presupposition, a common starting point (v.23)
4) Paul shared the truth and carefully corrected the world view of his hearers (v.24-31)
5) Paul quoted from their view (v.28)
6) Paul brought them to the point of personal response (v.30,31)
4. God opened the hearts of those who responded to the gospel. (16:14)
5. Those who responded personally had to hear the Word, understand it, and accept it. (16:14,32,34;
17:4,12; I Thess. 2:13)
6. God was in control, no opposition caught Him by surprise. He used it for His purpose and caused it to
cease when it was to His advantage. (18:9-11)
7. Paul moved ahead in obedience to God even though he was filled with fears. (18:5-9; II Cor.7:5;I Cor.2:3)
8. Paul was allowed to devote himself to full-time ministry. The financial giving of believers was vital to the
progress of the gospel. They gave sacrificially. (18:5; II Cor. 11:9; Phil.4:15; II Cor. 8 & 9)
9. Paul and his team were very careful to correct any improper dividing of the Word. (18:24-19:10)
10.The church (in Ephesus and surrounding areas) purified itself early of all occult practices and
associations. (18:17-19)
____________________________________________
Rabbi Jesus – Master Teacher
His Art of Questioning
Questions take a great variety of forms and purposes. They can draw someone in. They can be used as a barb or to agitate someone to think deeper. Of course a lot of us ask questions because we don’t know something. This naturally was not the case with our Lord. Our Lord used questions masterfully as when the enemies approached and asked. Mt. 21:25 He was deft and deflected their question. He would answer if they could first answer if John the baptizer was from heaven or men. He turns the tables on His enemies. They go away not answering at all.
What follows is an attempt to classify many of our Lord’s questions to show their purpose and how we too can use questions in such a way. The classifications overlap at some points and are only an attempt to see how He operated with this teaching tool.
1.Shovel or Spade – These questions seek to have people dig deeper than what they know at the time. Many refer people to the Scriptures. What better place to find answers than in the Word.
• Mk. 10:3 “What did Moses command you?” He wants them to get into the Scriptures and go into Genesis deeper.
• Jn. 20:29 “Have you believed because you have seen Me?” Think again and dig deeper and see how all Scriptures are fulfilled in the Christ.
• Jn. 10:34 “Is it not written in your law?” Dig and go on to see who the Son of God is v. 36.
• Jn. 5:44,47 He accuses them to get them back into the Word. “But if you do not believe his writing, how will you believe My words.?”
• Mt. 12:3-5 In answer to accusations He causes them to reflect back to Scripture. “Have you not read?” on the bread of the presence.
• Mt. 10:11 (lawful to heal on the sabbath answers a question with a question) “What man of you if he has a sheep…?”
• Mt. 21:42f. in the parable “Have you never read in the Scriptures?”
• Mt. 19:4 “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning…?”
• Mt. 22:31 “And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read…?”
• Mt. 26:53-54 The answer is self-evident. Will the believers grasp it as time passes.
2. A Sharp Stick to Accuse and Expose Sin – These questions are sharply worded based on to whom they were addressed and the situation.
• Mt. 26:55 The question is an accusation against the mob, while what follows is aimed at believers.
• Lk. 13:15-16 “You hypocrites, does not each of you…?” Where is compassion?
• Lk. 12:56-57 “You hypocrites! You know how to interpret…but why do you not know…?”
• Mt. 12:25-26″…by whom do your sons cast them out?”
• Mt. 17:17 “Oh faithless and perverse…how long…?” He rebukes as He heals.
• Mt. 18:33 “And should you not have had mercy…?”
• Lk. 17:17 “Were not ten cleansed…?”
• Mk. 14:6 “Why do you trouble her?” He accuses at the same time as he comforts Mary.
• Mk. 8:12 “Why does this generation seek a sign?”
• Jn. 6:61 “Do you take offense at this, then what if…?” This is in response to the reaction to hard sayings.
• Jn. 8:41 “Which of you convicts me of sin?” In this questioning He is also reaching out.
• Lk. 22:27 “For which is greater…?” Using contrast He seeks to expose their sin.
3. Prod – This is close to a Stick poking and yet it has the benefit of an attempt to bring around in the questioning. It is milder.
• Lk. 13:2,4 “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners…?” “Unless you repent…”
• Lk. 22:27 “For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? …But I am among you as one who serves.”
• Jn. 3:10,12 “Are you a teacher of Israel…?” It is to humble Nicodemus to then build on that.
• Mt. 19:17 “Why do you ask me what is good? One is good…” It is thought provoking.
• Mt. 16:26 “For what will it profit a man , if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life…? This was said to His disciples and uses the ‘man’ third party to prod them to think on this. Again Jesus uses contrast to great effect.
• .Mk. 10:36 “What do you want me to do for you?…” He exposes their selfishness and lack of humility.
• Mk. 5:39 “Why do you make tumult and weep?” He gets the people to thinking and stirs them up to what He’d do. They can think back and consider.
Pastor David Koenig
