The power of discipleship ministry.

Acts 19:1-21,24-27

Key Verse 19:9-10, 20.

I really thank God for opening my spiritual eyes through today’s challenging passage! We have studied the topic of the work of the Holy Spirit for more than a month. Last Lord’s Day, we studied the Pentecost—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Do you remember it?

Firstly, Pentecost, the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, was not an accidental event but a preplanned act of God. It was foretold in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28–32, Ezekiel 36:25–27) and through Jesus’ promises in the New Testament (John 7:37; 14:26; 15:26–27; 16:7–15; Luke 24:46–49). It was a one-time, great event—like Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, or resurrection.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. Whenever the Holy Spirit was mightily manifested, the name of Jesus was proclaimed and glorified. He is not a mysterious power but one of the three Persons of the Trinity. He is the Almighty God who was involved in creation and in fulfilling Jesus' promises. The Scripture introduces Him as the Spirit of Jesus in John 14:17, Philippians 1:19, Acts 16:7, and Galatians 4:6. The clearest evidence is in the book of Acts. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, the main message was Jesus: 

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 

Whenever the Holy Spirit worked powerfully, the name of Jesus was proclaimed and glorified. Mighty transformations occurred, based on Luke 4:18–19.

Thirdly, in many cases, the work of the Holy Spirit begins in a seemingly insignificant way, much like a mustard seed. Initially small and easily overlooked, it later grows into something great and impactful. A great example is God’s discipleship toward Abram, who was an idol worshiper and childless until he was 75 years old. Almighty God chose this hopeless man and nurtured him for 24 years until he became a man who feared God. 

The best example is Christ Jesus’ discipleship ministry. He chose 12 uneducated seekers and nurtured them for three and a half years, instilling in them a vision for world mission. From a human perspective, Jesus’ vision through them seemed ridiculous and absurd because they were uneducated fishermen—fearful and filled with worldly ambition. 

However, when Pentecost came upon them, they became mighty warriors of faith and boldly spread the gospel from Jerusalem and Samaria to the ends of the earth. They became the leaders of the first church.

Today’s passage is the final message in our series on the work of the Holy Spirit. I wanted to study the revival brought by the Holy Spirit based on Scripture. I listened to and read many messages on revival with great excitement. 

I wanted to learn about powerful preachers reaching multitudes through revival. However, my eyes were drawn to how God’s revivals often began with just a few people. When God performed great revivals, He chose a few individuals and used them preciously. 

My final conclusion about God’s secret and mighty ministry is discipleship ministry.

Today’s passage illustrates a great revival in the idol city of Ephesus through Apostle Paul’s discipleship ministry with a few candidates. Ephesus was an ancient port city and the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. It symbolized a secular city—like New York or LA. 

The great idol temple of Artemis, the symbol of Ephesus, stood there, and many people depended on idol worship for their livelihood. The city was deeply embedded in idolatry. 

However, when Paul focused on discipleship ministry there for two years, not only Ephesus but all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. 

God also brought miraculous healings and freedom from evil spirits through Apostle Paul, by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

One example is that many who had practiced sorcery repented of their sins and publicly burned their scrolls—worth fifty thousand drachmas (about five million dollars today). 

This had a massive impact on Ephesus’ idol industry and confused their identity as the city of Artemis.

Discipleship ministry is God’s way for world mission. The way of evangelizing multitudes may look powerful, but its fruit is uncertain. Jesus focused on discipleship ministry, even as He preached to crowds and healed the sick. 

I deeply repented of my light attitude toward discipleship ministry, which often looks insignificant.

I pray that God may open our spiritual eyes to see the secret and powerful God’s way of discipleship ministry, so that each of us may become 1:1 Bible teachers, and through our discipleship ministry, we may see the vision of world mission—just as God, Christ Jesus, and Apostle Paul did.

Part One – Paul’s Discipleship Ministry in Ephesus

In Acts 19:1–5, we see that some disciples only knew the baptism of repentance. They didn’t know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After Paul taught them and baptized them in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Look at verse 8! Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly about the kingdom of God, just as he usually did in his preaching. He focused on public preaching as a common method of sharing the gospel because people gathered in the synagogue to hear the Word of God.

What was their response to Paul’s teaching? Look at verse 9: 

"But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way."

There are always two groups whenever the gospel is delivered—those who repent of their sins, accept Jesus as their savior and Lord, and experience the joy of the kingdom of heaven; and those who reject it, argue against it, or even mock it. When we encounter this kind of rejection, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel like our hearts are shrinking.

But what did Paul decide to do in that situation? 

Let’s read verse 9b: 

"So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus." 

Paul was not discouraged by those who rejected the gospel. Instead, he focused on those who were potential disciples. He moved to the lecture hall of Tyrannus with those few candidates and dedicated himself to studying the Bible with them daily. 

We don’t know how many followed him. Bible study with a small group may have seemed ineffective compared to preaching to a multitude. It looked like nothing compared to the great and secular city of Ephesus.

Bible study with just a few people  also seemed insignificant in a city filled with idols and superstition. Many travelers visited Ephesus to worship idols. The city’s economy heavily depended on idol worship. Idolatry was deeply ingrained in their business, culture, and daily life—it was common and popular.

Secondly, Paul focused on intensive Bible study daily. Look at verse 10a: 

"This continued for two years." 

Tyrannus Seminary School was essentially established with just a few disciples. They gathered every day, and Paul lectured on the Scriptures. They likely discussed who Jesus is, what the true gospel is, and how to live a spiritual life. Paul dedicated himself to teaching these few disciples. Daily Bible study for two years is not easy—many of us find it hard to attend Bible study once a week. I have studied bible with Austin for 3 months and could see slowly his inner changing.   Yet this went on for two whole years. Corando who attended our Dominican Republic mission join our group bible study. I can see hope through the words of God.

What happened through this intensive daily Bible study over two years? 

Let’s read verse 10b: 

"So that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord." 

The Word of the Lord spread not only to Ephesus but also throughout the entire province of Asia. 

Preaching in a gymnasium to thousands might seem much more powerful than studying 1:1 or the group Bible with a few people. 

Helping just one person weekly with the Word of God might seem insignificant and ineffective. It looks like nothing compared to the powerful, secular world of Ephesus.

However, this is God’s way. 

Long ago, God chose an old and hopeless man, Abram, and raised him patiently over 29 years until he became a man who feared and revered God. When God called Abram with a great vision through this one hopeless man, It was to make a holy nation through his descendants. When He couldn’t wait for God’s time, He even ran away from God’s presence for 13 years after he gained Ishmael through his servant Hagal. God visited him and rebuked Abram. ”I am God Almighty, walk before me, and be blameless”( Ge17:1)  He repented his sins and accepted God’s vision. God never abandon his own people and accomplish his hope and vison through his chosen people.

Jesus’ messianic ministry followed the same path. Choosing twelve disciples to preach the gospel to the whole world seemed unwise. From a human perspective, the faster and better way would have been to preach to the masses, evangelize them all at once, and baptize them.

But Almighty God and Jesus didn’t do it that way. 

Jesus called twelve disciples and served them personally and intensively with love for three and a half years—until He died on the cross and rose again. 

Did Jesus’ method fail? Not at all. 

The gospel spread throughout the world through those twelve.

Think about how powerfully God used one man—Paul—who dedicated himself to the gospel!  God used him to impact Rome, the entire known world (UR), and beyond.

God does not look at quantity. He looks for the few who earnestly seek Him, fear Him, and dedicate their lives to His kingdom purpose. He uses them preciously.

You may know that Princeton University started with just a few young people who were interested in Bible study. Pastor William Tennent began Bible and theology study with his three sons and some nearby friends. His purpose was to teach the Bible rightly. He personally taught them systematic theology, church history, and practical theology based on Reformed theology. 

Though the beginning seemed insignificant, it became the Log College and eventually developed into Princeton College, which raised many pastors. 

This revival, part of the Great Awakening, greatly impacted America, England, Asia, and even South Korea. The whole world was awakened from spiritual sleep through that revival. 

One of William Tennent’s sons, Gilbert Tennent, became one of the great leaders of the Great Awakening. Don’t judge God’s work by size or numbers. 

God can change the entire world through one person!

CMI was actually started with just two people—Samuel Lee and Missionary Sarah Bae. M. Sarah came to Korea as a missionary when the country was very poor. She met Dr. John Jun and began 1:1 Bible study with Dr. Jun and several students. Most universities in Korea were pioneered through discipleship ministry by 1:1 Bible study. 

More than 10,000 students were raised as disciples of Jesus, and more than 300 missionaries were sent out through this work. 

Pastor Duk Sun Hong came to Chung Ju from Dae Jun and raised several disciples through 1:1 Bible study. (picture) Now, more than 77 missionaries have been sent out, and four churches have been pioneered from Chung Ju.

When we look at our ministry, it may seem small compared to big churches. I personally have lost hope many times.  But God’s perspective is different.

When I began to study the Bible with Shawn, he sometimes showed up 30 to 40 minutes later. After a few months, he suddenly disappeared. I couldn’t talk with him for 3 years.

But now, after accepting Jesus as his Savior and Lord, he has been driving more than 1 hour and 10 minutes every Sunday—for over seven years—to attend worship service. He now serves Corado, Jack, Kevin, and Steve with 1:1 Bible study. 

God’s ministry is like a mustard seed—it looks like nothing. But the Holy Spirit works underground. Later, it becomes great, just as Matthew 13:31–32 teaches: 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

I really encourage you to begin 1:1 Bible to one soul. 

When you do, you will first come to know Jesus’ heart. And your faith in God’s Word will become deep and solid. You will grow like Jesus as you serve one soul.

Part Two – The Power of the Word of the Lord

When Paul focused on discipleship ministry in Ephesus, what happened? 

Look at verses 11–12:

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”_

God performed miraculous healings through Paul. Even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and they were healed and set free from evil spirits. This power did not come from Paul himself, but from the Holy Spirit working through him. God revealed His mighty power through Paul because he faithfully served the discipleship ministry. 

I also have experienced many answered prayers and have come to deeply realize that God is pleased with our ministry—even when it seems small and insignificant.

After these miraculous healings, what did some wandering Jewish exorcists attempt to do? 

Look at verses 13–14: 

“13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. They said, ‘I command you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’ 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.”

The name of Jesus became powerful and well-known. These exorcists, including the sons of a Jewish high priest, attempted to misuse it to drive out evil spirits. But what was the result?

Verses 15–17 say: 

“15 But the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?’ 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and wounded. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.”

Even the evil spirit recognized Jesus and Paul—but humiliated and harmed those who misused Jesus’ name. This showed that Jesus alone has authority over evil spirits. As a result, the people of Ephesus were filled with awe, and the name of Jesus was greatly honored.

Look at Verses 18–19   

“18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. The value of the scrolls was found to be fifty thousand drachmas.”

Many repented of their hidden sins and showed up their identity as Christians. Those who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them publicly. The total value was fifty thousand drachmas—more than five million dollars today. True repentance swept through even the sorcerers. 

How could this happen?  What was the source of this mighty work?

Look at verse 20: 

“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

It was through the teaching of the word of God to a few committed disciples. This gives us a few key lessons:

 Firstly, the word of the Lord is still living, active, and powerful.

When the word of the Lord prevails, false idols and lies are exposed. 

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 says: 

_“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God”

The word of Jesus has divine power to destroy spiritual strongholds because it is the truth.  It revealed the idols and the fakes in Ephesus as false. When the word of God spreads, truth is revealed, and Jesus is proclaimed as the true Lord and Savior.

Secondly, Jesus is the true sovereign ruler over both the spiritual and physical world.

When Jesus rebuked the storm, it became calm. When He rebuked a deaf and mute spirit, it left the boy immediately. Everything is under His authority. 

We often think the world is ruled by a few powerful, wealthy people, and this can make us anxious about money and success. But Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33: 

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

If we seek His kingdom first, God will take care of everything we need. After experiencing this powerful discipleship ministry in Ephesus, what vision did Paul receive?

Look at verse 21: 

“After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. ‘After I have been there,’ he said, ‘I must visit Rome also.’”

Paul saw the vision to pioneer Rome—the center of culture, politics, material and idolatry. Though he went there as a prisoner, he studied the Bible even with the guards. Paul died in 65 AD. But about 250 years later, on February 27, 380, Rome officially accepted Christianity as its national religion. His vision was fulfilled.

Wherever the word of the Lord prevails—in a soul, a group, a community, or a nation—revival comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always works in partnership with the word of God. When D.L Muddy delivered the gospel to England 1873, the England and Ireland was slowly swept the region. The jail were packed by violated people due to drunken people before the revival was swept. After the revival was occurred by message of D.L Muddy, Jail became empty and people were filled with the Holy Spirit instead of drunken by the wine.

When I came to the U.S., God gave me a huge vision: 

To pioneer Harvard with the word of God, to serve one missionary soul every Lord’s Day, and to send 15,000 missionaries monthly, based on Mark 9:23, 29 and Genesis 1:28. 

When I prayed about this dream, I felt such excitement. But as I’ve grown older, and my eyes tire more easily, doubt sometimes creeps in. Still, I know it’s in God’s hands. All I can do is faithfully teach the Bible to those who are spiritually hungry, and live by faith.

John 5:24 says: 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.”

If anyone hears the word, repents, and believes, the Holy Spirit transforms them from death to life.  Do you believe it?

In conclusion:

We learned from Paul’s discipleship ministry in Ephesus: 

First, it looked small—but powerfully impacted not only Ephesus but all of Asia. It starts with 1:1 Bible study or with small group   

Second, the word of God is still living and active. If anyone hears and receives it, transformation will come.

Let’s boldly share the word of God with anyone who has a spiritual desire and we may see God’s manifestation!