Do You Have Jesus & the Holy Spirit?

Pastor Damian introduces the next part of the church’s “Rise” series through the book of Acts, focusing on the spread of the gospel to all people as commanded by Jesus in Acts 1:8. He explains that they are now in the section called “Rise: Reaching All People,” following Paul as he brings the gospel from Jews to Gentiles. The message centers on Acts 19, where Paul is fully engaged in his third missionary journey and arrives in Ephesus for a significant three-year ministry. Damian provides background on Paul’s earlier journeys, showing how the Holy Spirit directed where he could and could not preach. He then describes Ephesus as the Roman capital of the province of Asia, a wealthy port city and a major center for Artemis worship. The port’s decline led to increased economic dependence on the lucrative, idolatry-driven religious system surrounding Artemis. Paul enters this influential and spiritually complex city as Acts 19 begins. The sermon’s key question is, “Do you have Jesus and the Holy Spirit?” which will be explored through the passage.