The late Dr. Frank Pollard compared his role as Sheriff in his high school play to many so-called Christians. He got all the good lines and got the bad guys although he didn't get the girl. However, it was just a part. If something bad happened, he admitted he wouldn't know what to do as he was just playing a part. So, he said, are many people who claim to be Christians yet have no faith. He wove the high school memory into a lovely sermon on Paul's visit to Ephesus as he preached from Acts 19. Enjoy the 1996 sermons posted below.
Scripture: Acts 19:1-7
(NIV) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
(KJV) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
(1599 Geneva) 1 And [a]it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul when he passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples,
2 And said unto them, Have ye received the [b]holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be an holy Ghost.
3 [c]And he said unto them, Unto [d]what were ye then baptized? And they said, Unto [e]John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe in him, which should come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.
5 And when they heard it, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
6 So Paul laid his hands upon them, and the holy Ghost came on them, and they spake the tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
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