Unusual signs in unusual times (Acts 19:9-10)

“But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
(Acts 19:9)

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
(Acts 19:10)

God has become very active sequentially moving and replacing shepherd’s between Corinth and Ephesus.

First, there was Paul in Ephesus, then came along Apollos. Soon, Apollos decided to go where Paul had just spent over 1 1/2 years in Corinth ministering the Gospel. Now Ephesus is back open for Paul to return, and he finds a group of 12 who possibly (and I say this with caution) had been regenerated, but not yet filled with a subsequent filling of the Holy Spirit, for their gifting.

Now Paul, who had recently determined not to minister to the Jews ever again, v 18:6, go’s back for more abuse a third time, only to leave to a hall, where he took a group of the true church and spent two years ministering.

Now we've all heard the catchy commercial “five dollar foot long", but how about 5 hour sermon, daily? Five hours of Bible study, 7 days a week, for 24 months.

This guy labored tirelessly in Tyrannus’s hall for the Gospels sake.

His calling and commitment to Christ and His Word, brought about amazing signs. I mean this Apostle had an unusual anointing from the Holy Spirit that others throughout the centuries have tried to duplicate, and have ended up looking like a pig in a tree. Stupid.

According to the Scriptures, God had anointed the handkerchief and aprons that had touched his skin, to heal the sick, and exercise the evil spirits out of people.

But where modern day faith teachers would say that it must have been his sweat or skin that gave the anointing, the sons of Sceva recognized that it was the “name of Jesus” that had done the miracles.

“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, sayings, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches””
(Acts 19:13)

As Paul labored diligently at the teachings and reasoning of the Word, great things began to occur. His love for Jesus and His people, by His grace alone, helped transform the sinner into an example bearing the mark of his Savior..

While God most likely will never do such unusual signs and wonders so consistently again, He still pours out His Spirit in unusual times, when His name is being glorified and exalted.

Never underestimate what God can do when the name of Jesus is relentlessly spoken about.

Make this the pattern you follow; labor hard for truth, labor long for love, and prepare for God to do some unusual signs in unusual times.