In 2 Timothy 4, Paul urges Timothy to be prepared to preach the gospel in season and out of season. He charges Timothy to be sober minded, to endure hardships, to evangelize, and to carry out his ministry. 3 of those 4 charges we can often get onboard with, but it’s the “enduring hardships” we struggle with. Remember to put on the full armor of God and seal it with prayer.

God is working many miracles through Paul – so much so that even handkerchiefs that had touched his skin were being used to heal people. A group of men try to replicate God’s work through Paul by casting out evil spirits in Jesus’ name. One evil spirit leaps on them and overpowers them, causing them to flee naked and beaten. Our attempts at copying will always leave us naked, wounded, and battered.

Paul returns to Ephesus and finds a group of believers who were baptized into the baptism of John, but are missing an important piece of the trinity. He teaches them about the power of the Holy Spirit. What are you baptized into? The baptism of sorry? Or the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Aquila and Priscilla come across Apollos preaching the truths of the death and resurrection of Jesus. He has a thriving ministry, but is still missing something. They come alongside him and teach him the rest of the story. 

Paul, still in Corinth, is conspired against by the unbelieving Jews. He is accused of starting a new religion and is brought before the proconsul, Gallio. Gallo sees Christianity as just another sect of Judaism, thus validating Christianity.