Podcasts about Acts 19

Acts

The word of the Lord continues to increase and prevail mightily through... - personal embrace of the newness of Jesus - public proclamation of the truth of Jesus- cosmic demonstration of the name Jesus

A church of Jesus in Chattanooga, Tennessee that loves God and lives in community for the sake of the city.We gather for worship on Sundays at 10am at Battle Academy (1601 Market Street).@citycollectivechatt on Instagramwww.citycollective.usinfo@citycollectivechatt.com

What do you believe God can do? Maybe another way to think about it is what do you think God can't do? Join us this Sunday as we see God turn a city upside down. May this inspire us for what God can do in our city, and for what He wants to do in us.Speaker: Pastor Jeff Boettcher

How do you perceive evil spirits, sorcery and the occult? Do you underestimate them or even deny their existence? Or do you overestimate and live in fear of their power? Or have you even been involved in them? How do you perceive and experience the power of the name of Jesus over evil spirits? Let us see how God demonstrated His power in the cult and magic center of the Roman world.

Have you ever experienced something powerful? Like the crashing waves of the ocean, or the wind of a building thunderstorm, when we come across something powerful it can cause many different reactions. In the same way, the power of God displayed through the life and work of Jesus and His followers causes many different reactions and responses from the surrounding world. In acts 19-20 Paul is used by God in Ephesus to display His power. Power to heal, unite, save, redeem, restore, and protect. All of this display is not simply a flex, but God working to bring the truth of the gospel to unreached people all across the known world. This same power is still at work today in and through His body, the Church. We must grow in our trust, humility, reverence, and fear of God as we walk with Jesus. Join us this weekend as we grow together through the study of God’s word, and the impact of the Gospel! -Pastor Ben Key Verse: Acts 19:20 (NIV) - "In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power." For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49387567

Join us live for the sermon "A Clash of Cultures" as we dive deep into Acts 19—a passage that challenges us to reflect on how spiritual values confront and transform the prevailing cultural norms. In this message, we explore: • How the Gospel disrupts worldly systems • The transformative power of faith in the midst of cultural tension • What it means for us to live as counter-cultural ambassadors in today's world Tune in, engage with us in real-time through the chat, and discover how ancient truths remain powerfully relevant for our lives now. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and equipped to stand firm in your faith amidst a rapidly changing culture. See you there! #AClashOfCultures #Acts19 #LiveSermon #FaithAndCulture #GospelMessage

Title: “God vs. Magic” Part 1 Text: Acts 19:11-16 FCF: We often struggle to believe that God alone is sufficient for all we need. Prop: Because God's power is greater than magic, we must trust God alone without polluting His exclusive worship. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 19. In a moment we will read from the ESV starting in verse 11 and going to verse 20. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last time we learned of the incredible success that the Lord is giving to Paul in his third missionary journey. For two years he is able to preach the gospel and teach the commands of Christ to many in the city of Ephesus. He does this with very little opposition and the Lord blesses his ministry allowing the gospel to go out from Ephesus to all the province of Asia and many believers are strengthened. Today, we will see one final episode occurring in Ephesus forming the climax of Paul's missionary career. The reason I say this, is because in the book of Acts we will see Paul endure a great number of trials from this point forward. God will test him as Jesus said He would to Ananias the day Paul was converted. Paul will know what it is to suffer for the name of Christ. This final episode includes two scenes that go hand in hand with one another. We won't quite have time to see the effect of these two scenes on the city of Ephesus and on the believers there – but we will get a deep look into the cause of that effect this morning and God willing we will pick up the rest next time. So, without further delay, please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Most High God, we come to You today as Your children whom You have called out of the kingdom of darkness to join You in Your Kingdom of light. We were once Your enemy, deserving only Your wrath. We were the children of the devil and had unknowingly but willingly sworn allegiance to him and his vile program against You. We were subject to his tyranny over us with his weapons of sin and death. But Your Son has conquered both of these weapons formed against us. He has borne our sin, bearing in His flesh the wrath of God that was meant for us. He has died our death and has been raised to life. We now inherit Life through Him. And though the forces of darkness pursue us and hunt us – we know that when we resist and submit to You, they must flee. Your power is great. And the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We beg You today to be among us and to teach us from Your word. We ask this in the name of Your Dear Son, the Second person of the Godhead, co-equal in essence and authority eternally begotten by You, Amen. Transition: We have much to get to today, so let us get right into the text. I.) God's power is greater than magic, we must trust God. (11-12) a. [Slide 2] 11 - And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, i. Holy relics have been a part of many religions since the age of ancient empires. ii. Even Judaism had holy relics placed inside the ark of the covenant, which was itself a holy relic. iii. The Israelites began to treat the ark of the covenant as a good luck charm, taking it into battle to assure their victory. iv. This led to God judging them and having the Philistines defeat them in battle and take the ark from them. v. From this we can see that completely divorcing relics from the God who is behind them or treating them as if they were as special as the God behind them is a form of idolatry and something the Lord hates. 1. Some branches of Christendom today come dangerously close and I would say actually do cross the line into this error concerning relics. 2. They venerate or regard with great respect or reverence certain relics which are said to have great significance being connected to Christ, His apostles or famous members of the church. 3. The line between worship and veneration is not clear though. Even for these Christians who venerate these relics, it would be difficult for them to parse out exactly what it means to worship God and how that is different from what it means to venerate a relic. vi. So why all this discussion? vii. I think this passage has a great lesson for us regarding religious relics and what we should think about them. viii. Luke tells us that what God does in this passage is extraordinary. ix. The Greek literally says, that God was doing not ordinary miracles. They are odd, different than He usually does. x. This doesn't necessarily mean better or more powerful or more magnificent. xi. The NLT actually translates this – unusual miracles. I think that hits the nail on the head. xii. Luke's point is not to suggest that what is happening in this text is grand or marvelous. Simply what is not usual. xiii. So, what is happening through Paul that is unusual? b. [Slide 3] 12 - so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. i. So, with all that discussion about relics, I want to point out something here that I think we might miss. ii. Since Luke is not saying that what is happening with Paul's handkerchiefs and aprons is majestic or magnificent, or marvelous – but is instead not the same kind of miracles God normally does… iii. We can reasonably conclude that nothing is special about the handkerchiefs, aprons, or even Paul for that matter. iv. In other words, these relics are not special because Paul had them or even that they had touched his skin. That is not why they are different. v. They aren't even really different because of the miracles they perform. God has done these miracles of healing and exorcism through His apostles before. vi. They are different because God is using them to heal people and cast out demons of people, by someone simply touching them. vii. God does not normally do this. viii. That should lead us to ask the question… Why? Why is God doing this? What is the purpose that Paul's clothing should give healing to others? ix. The answer to this question is abundantly simple. x. God chose to heal in this way because of the superstitious nature of the Ephesians and their love of magic, incantations, spells, witchcraft, sorcery and exorcisms. xi. Although the Roman empire in general was awash with all kinds of magical practices connected to pagan gods and even the worship of the Emperor, Ephesus was at the very center of that. xii. So much so, that Clement of Alexandria, when speaking of magic spells written on papyri, calls them Ephesian writings. We get the impression that all spells had earned this monicker because of the city of Ephesus' connection to magic. xiii. God stooped to heal people in this way to draw a direct comparison between Himself, His Kingdom, His Son and His apostle Paul, to the magical powers and spirits that were an integral part of the Ephesians' lives. xiv. But God does not normally function this way. xv. What did Abraham say to the rich man in hell when he asked if Lazarus might go and warn his brothers about that terrible place he was in? Abraham said, they have Moses and the prophets, if they will not listen to them, then even if someone who was raised from the dead goes to them, they will not be convinced. xvi. God's only means of drawing people to Himself is by His word. xvii. Mere miracles won't convince anyone to believe. xviii. But God does sometimes send signs and wonders to people who are slow to believe. He provided many such signs to the Israelites in leading them out of Egypt. xix. God also provides signs to those who are especially wicked - to deepen their punishment for continuing in disbelief. xx. He provided a sign for Ahaz that God should be believed and the sign was that a virgin would conceive and bear a Son. xxi. Jesus during His ministry said that a wicked and perverse generation asks for a sign, because it is only people who are slow to believe or wicked who need signs. And only wicked people would want to be a people who need signs in order to believe. xxii. In other words, miraculous signs and relics are only as good as their ability to authenticate God and His messengers. xxiii. And that is exactly what it did for Paul in the city of Ephesus. xxiv. Suddenly Paul has been granted a voice to speak the message because he is apparently… more proficient at magic then their magicians… at least this is what the Ephesians would have thought. xxv. But Luke tells us that it was God… not Paul. c. [Slide 4] Summary of the Point: Luke's point in reference to the entire book of Acts here is again proving that God is the gatherer and grower of His church. He expands His Kingdom's reach. The specific permutation of that teaching here is by comparison to the Kingdoms that stand opposed to His. The kingdoms of darkness and the kingdoms of this world are becoming the Kingdom of God and His Christ. In the heart of the Roman Empire, in the heart of magic and pagan worship, with the temple of Artemis on full display, God stoops to prove that He is more powerful than the magic that they have trusted. He condescends to prove this to them by providing unusual miracles done through Paul's sweaty clothes. In this He shows that there is nothing that can stop His Kingdom and His gospel power. Nothing at all. By direct comparison all the attempts of men to gain power, natural and supernatural, fail to compare to the stooped power of our God. So, what application shall we draw from this? What else other than that we must trust God. Not in God as if to believe He merely exists. But to trust God. All that He says, all He commands, all He does, all He will do, we must put our trust and hope completely in the triune God Yahweh. Transition: [Slide 5 (blank)] In what seems like a new episode, Luke moves on from this event to another event during the course of Paul's stay in Ephesus. But I believe Luke sets this in close proximity, and even that they are chronologically related to one another. To the extent that we must view verses 11 through 20 as one narrative episode and not two. What follows is the strength of those who wield magic. What is their power compared to God's? Let's look. II.) God's power is greater than magic, we must not take the Lord's name in vain. (13-16) a. [Slide 6] 13 - Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” i. What is recorded here is the object of Jewish myth and legend. 1. Josephus in his work of Jewish Antiquities noted that Solomon had legendary power to cast out demons. This power was believed to have been transmitted via incantations and formulas by family blood lines to first century exorcists. 2. Both in Matthew 12 and Luke 11 it is presupposed that these exorcists existed. And to some degree they were able to have success although it is clear from their writings that the Jewish Rabbis of the day did not approve of the practice. 3. Therefore, these Jewish exorcists were outliers. Jewish to some degree but only tangentially. 4. They would be something like those who practice Voodoo today. Voodoo has elements of paganism but is mixed with elements of Christianity. 5. Most Christians would not perceive those who practice Voodoo as being Christians. In a similar way, most Jews, especially those from Judea, would not perceive these Jewish exorcists as being Jews. 6. But the Gentiles would. In fact, they would probably care very little as long as the exorcists were successful in their craft. ii. The art of exorcism is another matter we must discuss. 1. Exorcisms at this time were primarily the use of one spirit or deity's power to cast out another spirit. 2. This gives some clarity as to why the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. a. Beelzebub is the Philistine God of flies or filth. By the first century the Pharisees had come to regard Satan as this same entity and described him as the lord or prince of demons. b. With both of these things in mind, Jesus' comments about a kingdom divided against itself make a lot of sense and repudiates the common thought of how to perform exorcisms. c. Although it may seem like one spirit invoked causes the removal of another – Jesus' words considered would lead us to understand that though one demon may give way to another more powerful one – ultimately, they are all on the same side. d. The removal of a spirit by any power save by the power of God is at best a stall and at worst, part of a grander plan to possess the person to an even greater degree. e. Why do I say that? f. For two reasons really. i. First, In Matthew 12 where this confrontation occurs with the Pharisees, 1. Jesus actually gives an example of how demons return to people after they have gone out of them. 2. And when they return, they bring more spirits more powerful than they are with them. ii. Second, in Luke's gospel, the man who was possessed by a large number of demons that called themselves Legion, had been possessed many times before. iii. Perhaps this indicates that he had received exorcisms before, which only increased the appeal of more demons to return and possess him in greater numbers. 3. Along with exorcisms, the name of the particular spirit or deity is of great significance. a. According to Jewish and Pagan legend and mythology, to know the name of a demon or spiritual entity is to possess power over it. b. This is no doubt where stories like Rumpelstiltskin got their inspiration. c. And so, unsurprisingly, these exorcists had observed Paul and his preaching and recognized Jesus as nothing more than a great power source to tap into and ply their trade. d. They attempt to use Jesus' name in vain (using it without the honor or respect it deserves to do something selfish), namely to bind or force this demon to leave this man. e. The word adjure means to command someone under penalty for failure. iii. Before we get to what happens, Luke has a few details he wishes to convey to us about these men. b. [Slide 7] 14 – Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. i. The significance of this comment is somewhat lost on us. ii. Sceva is a Latin name. It means “the left-handed or The Left hand”.” His name occurs nowhere in the records of the high priests associated with the temple in Jerusalem. iii. Having seven sons who are all powerful in exorcism magic communicates the inherited nature of some special bloodline of power. iv. Sceva being linked to the high priests may indicate that he is of a Levitical line. v. Some suggest that he pretended to be of the high priestly line but it was only a title he gave himself. vi. I think that he was probably of a line of so-called priests, descended from those who inherited the legendary secrets of Solomon for casting out demons. Perhaps a priestly line different than the Levitical line that God established. vii. Perhaps the title meaning Left-handed actually refers to him being the Left hand of God. A way God works that is through evil or darkness. viii. But assuming any of this is true, why does Luke tell us this without explaining its significance? ix. I believe this comment is primarily for Theophilus insomuch that perhaps the line of Sceva and his great spiritists were still known when Luke wrote to Theophilus in the early 60s. x. To know what happens next in light of these people still be regarded as great magicians, would do much to prove to Theophilus that what he believes is true beyond doubt. c. [Slide 8] 15 - But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” i. This verse is, perhaps, one of the most chilling verses in the scriptures. ii. Not perhaps as chilling as “depart from me for I never knew you” but it is certainly high on the list of sending chills down your spine. iii. Here we are given the words of this evil spirit, and they are a warning to us as we consider the power of demons and their place in the world, even to today. 1. First, we should observe that Luke says it is the evil spirit that answers. Is this with the use of the vocal cords of the person he possesses? Perhaps. a. We do know that these spirits are intelligent spirit creatures, meaning that they are probably able to speak and have voices of their own. b. Indeed, as creepy as it might be to consider, the voice could have come from within the man and without his lips moving. c. We spoke about this in Acts 16 where the girl was crying out with a demon's voice. The word used there is where we get our word for ventriloquism. 2. Second, we should take a look at what this demon says. Essentially, it says three things. a. Jesus, I know. i. The word “know” here is the Greek word which implies an experiential knowledge of something. ii. It is a more deep, more personal, more intimate knowledge. iii. Obviously not going so far as to mean love… but it is a knowledge borne of familiarity. iv. This demon knows Jesus. v. It is well aware of the God-Man Jesus Christ and His defeat of the forces of darkness via His death and resurrection. b. Paul, I recognize. i. The word for “recognize” is the Greek word which implies cognition. ii. Something learned, heard of, acquainted with, or recognized. iii. This does not imply a familiarity or experiential knowledge but rather a passed down through the grapevine kind of knowledge. iv. It is the word from which we derive the word epistemology, which is the study of how we come to know something as more than merely opinion. c. But who are you? i. Greek sentences do not have punctuation. ii. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether what is being said is a question or a statement. iii. In this case, whether we put a question mark or not, the evil spirit is not asking a question at all. iv. It is not asking who these men are… it is making a statement. v. That statement is that they do not have the pedigree to be able to cast it out of the man it is possessing. 3. This is quite the chilling little sentence for a few reasons. a. First, it is chilling to know that the demons do not resist Jesus because they do not know Him. Indeed, they are quite familiar with Him and still hate Him. James says they believe in Him and tremble. b. Second, it is chilling to know that the demons know our names… or at least can know our names. For this demon had heard of Paul. c. Third, it is chilling to know that demons do not fear any of us. Not in and of ourselves. iv. One final point before we move on… 1. What is clear here is that invoking the name of a more powerful deity or spirit to push out another spirit is obviously not the “key” or “secret” to exorcisms. 2. Combining what we observed from Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees, it seems Jesus was well aware of the game that demons would play with these exorcists, allowing themselves to be removed to convince these exorcists that they had some sort of power and to make room for even more possessions in the future. 3. In this particular case, this demon wasn't playing along. Why? 4. My guess is that it probably didn't want to voluntarily leave at the behest of Jesus' name – for to do so would only give the name of Jesus and Paul credibility among the Ephesians. 5. One thing we are clear on here, is that merely invoking Jesus' name is not enough to cast out demons. As if it were some magic spell that beats them every time. 6. In fact, to invoke Jesus' name in such a way for selfish ends, while not being His servant, is a form of breaking the third command not to take the Lord's name in vain. 7. But when Jesus' name is invoked by one who knows Him, serves Him, and it is the will of God to do as the one who invokes His name has requested… then there is nothing that can stop it… 8. This, my friends, is why we pray in Jesus' name. v. So, how does the demon react to these men who think they have power over it? d. [Slide 9] 16 - And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. i. In short, the spirit used the body of the man he possessed to beat the snot out of these 7 sons of Sceva. ii. The fact that there were 7 of them contributes to the supernatural aspect of this beating. iii. Even some of the most well-trained martial artists, if they are outnumbered 7 to 1, it is not likely they will make it through unscathed if they make it through at all. iv. The more people you face at the same time in a fight exponentially increases the likelihood of losing. v. The only way this can be overcome, is by significant difference in force. 7 starving men against a Master, or 7 men against 1 with a machine gun. vi. The fact that these 7 men were so squarely defeated, to the extent that their robes were ripped from them and they all left wounded… proves that this man was indeed possessed. e. [Slide 10] Summary of the Point: Luke's primary point endures as we take the somewhat comical story of some people being healed and cleansed of evil spirits by Paul's sweat rag, while others cannot cast out demons even though they invoke the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches. This proves once again that God is greater than magic. All the powers and all the forces and all the works of witchcraft and wizardry – all the legends, all the ancestry, all the secret and forbidden knowledge, all the might of all the armies of all the kingdoms of hell, if we stack it all up against God's divine will and power… it is not a comparison worthy to be made. God wins. Without effort. Without breaking a sweat. So, what is the application for us? The name of God, The Father, His Son, and His Spirit, is not to be used in association with anything else. In fact, it is not able be used for personal gain, power, or selfish purposes. We must refuse to see Jesus, the Father, or the Spirit, as little more than a talisman or good luck charm to make our lives better. Instead, His name must be honored and revered. He must be worshipped and served. We are His. And because we are His and because He offers Himself to us, and because we desperately need Him to be what HE wants us to be… He is ours. Conclusion: So, what have we learned today CBC, and how shall we live? Doctrinal Takeaway: [Slide 11] Although we must leave the text this morning before we take a deeper look at the effect of these events on the people of Ephesus, there is already much for us to process this morning. Luke's primary point in this passage is a direct comparison between the power of God and all the would-be powers that exist in this world. We saw the wisdom of the gospel proved to those who were the wisest that humanity had to offer in Athens, but now we see the power of God and His gospel directly compared to the greatest power that can be attained in the world. The power of magic. Though magic is often a concept only conveyed to us in stories, the bible speaks of magic as real power granted to people through created beings who are opposed to the work of God. These real powers by force or by permission lend their aid to humans for their sinister purposes. To consider them to be extinct or in hibernation would be to adopt a hyper materialistic view that any missionary who has spent time in darker countries could immediately rebuff. These forces still exist today – not just in cute stories, but in reality. And there is real power that can be gained from the use of magic. But hear me now… it is nothing compared to the power of God. Even when God condescends to display His power in the same way magic does, His power still dwarfs it. There are two things we must do because of this. First, we must trust God. What He says, commands, does, will do – we must put all our eggs in His basket because there is only hope in Him. Secondly, which is a further explanation of what it means to trust God, is to not trust Him only so we gain something from Him. Our God cannot be used as a talisman, a good luck charm, a relic, or an icon to give us blessings or good fortune. He will not allow this to be the case. He is too great to enter into some kind of pact with us. He needs nothing from us. In fact, we are completely dependent on Him. We are nothing without Him. We cannot use Him to help us get what we want… because He is all we should ever want or need. That is the only relational arrangement that is appropriate with Yahweh, the God of the bible. He is either our everything or we are nothing. But how do we apply this more concretely to our lives today? 1.) [Slide 12] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that there are other sinister powers at work in this dark world. a. We have all grown up in an age of materialism. b. What I mean by that is that the basis for rational thought, science, philosophy, psychology, medicine, and even theology to some degree, is built upon the belief that all things are material. c. All that is can be experienced by our senses. d. Added to this we have TV shows, books, movies, and video games, and other media conveying to us through the medium of make believe the absolute absurdity of the spiritual realm being in any way real. e. Whether we want it to or not, this concept infects our understanding of biblical passages to where many so-called churches now find materialistic ways of explaining the miracles we see in the scriptures. f. And stories like the one we have seen today, are interpreted through the lens of dramatic license of the biblical authors. As if Luke spins a yarn to convey a deeper theological truth. g. But the bible speaks of a spiritual world that runs parallel to this one. It does not do so to any degree of grand specificity. It does not provide to us the exact hierarchy of the angels or demons. It does not tell us the inner workings of the war between light and darkness to any great detail. h. But occasionally it does prove to us, through stories like these that sometimes that spiritual world connects, intersects, and pushes into our physical world. i. And unless they are messengers of God, all other powers and forces have sinister and nefarious intentions toward the God who created them. They have rebelled and have aligned themselves with Satan. They have taken up the cause to oppose the Lord and His people. j. If the bible is true, then how dangerous is it to be convinced that such forces and powers do not exist in reality. k. This is a terribly frightening story, the thing of horror novels. l. Magicians and exorcists, necromancers and witches performing spells and incantations, invoking spirit beings to force them to use their power for the benefit of the spell caster. m. If the scriptures speak of these things, we gain nothing by denying their existence. In fact, we put ourselves in a rather vulnerable position on a couple levels. i. First, we are vulnerable because we have to interpret these passages in such a way that it calls into question what exactly we can ever glean from the scriptures. 1. We must have a consistent hermeneutic. 2. It is not a strange coincidence that those who deny the miracles in the bible are now claiming that women can be pastors and have authority over men in the church. 3. It is not a coincidence that those who deny the spiritual nature of these dark powers are suddenly supporting the LGBTQIA+ agenda. 4. Once you begin to interpret the scriptures in such a way that what is plainly said is interpreted to mean the opposite somehow – that hermeneutic applied to every other passage of scripture allows for you to make the bible say whatever you want it to. ii. Second, we are vulnerable because if the bible is true and these dark powers do actually exist, we can rest assured that we will never see their oppression or possession coming. 1. If these creatures are real and are intelligent evil in our world – do you think they would want the world to believe they exist? 2. Perhaps at one time they did. Prior to Christ's coming and achieving victory over them. 3. But now, they hide in plain sight. They do not reveal themselves to the whole world. So that they might do their hunting in peace. n. We gain nothing by denying that magic, witchcraft, sorcery, demonic possession and oppression exist. o. Indeed, we stand to lose much in doing so. p. I do not have a command from the Lord for you to stop reading, watching, or playing things where these powers are included in the make-believe world… but I do have an application for you – DO NOT ALLOW these pass times to convince you that these forces are fake, benign, or under your control. q. But while we affirm that these horrible forces and powers exist… as we concede that these principalities and powers of this dark world do continue to oppose our God even now, and even here in the US… r. We MUST deny… 2.) [Slide 13] Refutation: “What lies must we cast down” or “What do we naturally believe, or have been taught to believe, that this passage shows is false?” We must deny that such powers are greater than our God. a. It isn't even close folks. b. That doesn't mean that God does not allow them to have minor victories. That doesn't mean that God does not grant them minor successes and minor influences in the world. c. For as we see with the crucifixion of Christ – such successes are actually grave defeats to them. d. God turns their victories into defeats and their defeats into His glory. e. He is not troubled by them. He is not bothered by them. f. Though we call it a war between Light and Dark – that is creature talk. If the Lord so desired, the war could be over with a mere thought. g. But God's purposes are bigger, even bigger than the war between Angels and Demons. h. Bigger than the souls of mankind. i. Bigger than the kings and kingdoms of this world. j. Bigger than this world itself. k. God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He is so far beyond all that is a creature… l. All else besides Him is a finite creation. He is the infinite Creator. m. My friends. As real and as powerful as magic, demons, witchcraft and sorcery are – They are nothing compared to the glory, the majesty, the power, the wisdom, the might, the holiness of our great God, Yahweh, the Most High. n. Indeed, although other things are called gods in the scriptures, because God is so far above them – they do not deserve the classification. For the Scriptures also plainly declare that there is no God but Yahweh. He is in a category by Himself. And none approach Him. o. So, what must we do? 3.) [Slide 14] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must trust God alone. a. If these powers exist and actively oppose our God, but they do not even come close to His power, then we would be fools to attempt to oppose them without His strength. b. Like the sons of Sceva, we would find ourselves woefully outmatched. c. Instead, we must put our full confidence, hope, and trust in God alone. d. Not just for salvation, but for everything. e. For life, for eternal life, and for protection from these forces. f. God is all we need. g. He tells us to seek His Kingdom and righteousness first and then, when we do that, all our other concerns will be taken care of. h. Because His Kingdom and His Righteousness are all that really matter. Everything else… is just extra. i. We must trust the God who saves and the God who is in a category all to Himself. j. But that means we must stop doing something else… 4.) [Slide 15] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop merely adding God to what we already worship. a. Many people in America claim to be Christians. b. They claim this because they attend a Christian church, or their family did, or they prayed a prayer and asked Jesus into their heart, or they have some vague affiliation to or affection of Jesus. c. But in reality, most people who claim to be Christians in this nation do so with little better motives than these sons of Sceva who used His name to try to gain power over this demon. d. Many people claim Jesus as their Savior because they want to be saved from hell, but that is as far as the relationship has gone. They want forgiveness but no commands. Love but no Lordship. Acceptance but no correction. Mercy but no authority. They want heaven but would very much like to keep practicing all the fruits of hell. e. They live their lives as if Jesus is a wonderful addition, giving them security for their next life as they live this first one for their own pleasures, lusts, desires, and plans. f. My friends, such affiliation to Jesus is idolatry. It is taking the Lord's name in vain. g. To profess belief in Jesus only insofar as he forgives the sins you keep committing and gets you out of the hell you keep living for – such a Jesus doesn't exist. h. Jesus' name cannot be invoked, manipulated, manhandled. He cannot be strongarmed, seduced, deceived or abused. i. Our God is so far above you – that the only person you are fooling… is you. j. Our God demands exclusive, unpolluted, undivided, worship. And You don't bring anything to that worship that God actually needs from you. You only bring what He deserves from you. k. In this we find His mercy, for without Him we are nothing. l. God is all we need and God is all we have. m. Without Him we are nothing. Without us, He is the same. n. Therefore, to add God, Jesus, His Spirit, to our lives and live for ourselves is the most subtle of all forms of idolatry… and no man will be saved who confesses Christ in this way. o. God is either all you worship or you don't worship Him at all. p. My friends, God is too big and too powerful, too wise, too holy to be a god you add to your life. q. He demands to take over your life. That is true Christianity. That is true conversion. 5.) [Slide 16] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” There is no other god besides our God. a. The passage today is scary. b. These beings exist. They know our names. And they hate our God. c. It would be all we could do but to flee in fear… d. But our God is greater. e. Our God is stronger. f. There is no god but our God. g. Trust in nothing else. Trust in nothing less. [Slide 17(end)] Let me close with a prayer by the Reformer Martin Luther Lord, there is no doubt that we are poor sinners, and by our disobedience we have deserved infinitely more severe discipline than we are now bearing. But look, Lord, at the wicked enemy's intentions. The enemy hates you and your name, and hates us too because we hold fast to you and your name, because we find comfort in your word, and because we hope for mercy through your death and merits. Therefore, dear Lord Jesus Christ, punish our enemy, and help us for your name's sake! Such a thought cheers our hearts, giving us confidence and boldness to pour ourselves out to you in prayer. For this reason the prophets also prayed in this way, constantly pleading the name of God, as David does: "Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered" (Psalm 44:22). So we now pray this in Jesus' name… Amen. Benediction: May the Lord your God be to you a safe retreat In troubled times, a stronghold and refuge when you are oppressed, So that you can say, I will be glad and rejoice in you, I will sing praise to your name O Most High. Until we meet again, go in peace.

Acts 19:21-41 tells the story of how the Gospel advanced so powerfully in Ephesus that the city's idols could not stand against it. As people came to recognize Jesus Christ alone as the True and Living God, the idols that once held their devotion simply faded from significance. However, not everyone experienced this transformation. When the prevailing culture and its established ways of life are threatened by the Gospel, resistance is inevitable. This is “The Way of the Gospel,” and we will consider it under two headings: 1. The Gospel Transforms Lives and Disrupts Culture (21-27), 2. The Gospel Advances Despite Opposition (28-41).

Join us as Teaching Elder Adam Vinson continues our study through the book of acts.

The book of Acts, also called the Acts of the Apostles, spotlights the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This powerful book was written by the Apostle Luke who also wrote the Gospel of Luke.   Join Jerry as he walks through this book and recounts the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria and the surrounding world. You will be encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of many who were transformed through hearing the gospel and witnessing of miracles. You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Today’s Bible Verse: “One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 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 bleeding." — Acts 19:15-16

Talk about it:pursueGOD.org/ac

Talk about it:pursueGOD.org/ac

Talk about it:pursueGOD.org/ac

Talk about it:pursueGOD.org/ac

Talk about it:pursueGOD.org/ac

In Acts 19:8-20, we see the power of God's Word at work—it strengthens believers, unsettles opponents, exposes deception, breaks spiritual strongholds, leads sinners to repentance, and brings true revival. As people witness the supremacy of Jesus, they confess their sins, turn from their idols, and surrender to Him. As we reflect on this passage and consider this ancient place “Where the Word Prevails,” my prayer is that this place - our hearts, homes, church, and community would likewise be transformed by the power of God's Word. We will consider this under two key headings: 1. The Word Increases With Power, 2. The Word Triumphs Over Darkness.

Join us as Pastor Adam Vinson continues our study through the book of Acts. Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14MNvMimA6k9htVF8OD0fueUtCXfSw55H/view

Welcome back to the pod! Today we're covering Acts 19, so open your Bibles. Here's the question we'll answer: What Is the Right Response to Sin?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. What Is the Right Response to Sin?We all sin; it's our response to sin that matters mostSee 10 Sinful Responses to SinMinimizing Sin: “It's no big deal.”Rationalizing Sin: “He deserved it.”Blame-Shifting: “She made me.”Codifying Sin: “It's a condition, not a sin.”Worldly Grief: “Sorry I got caught.”Today in our text (Acts 19) we're going to see two groups of peopleWho were confronted with their sin problem and had a choice to make One group is an example of what to doThe other group, what NOT to doThe context for the chapter is one particular sin: sorceryBut the lessons apply to everyone, everywhereThe Set UpActs 19:11-12 (NLT) 11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.We're in Ephesus, a renowned center of occult practices in the ancient Greco-Roman world.To the secular world, miracles look like magicWe saw this with Peter and his shadow (Acts 5), Philip and Simon Magus (Acts 8) The point: Jesus>magic (understatement)Acts 19 (NLT) 13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Note: they weren't followers of Jesus, but they were using his name as an incantation.Reminiscent of the "Ephesian Letters" (Greek: Ἐφέσια γράμματα, Ephesia grammata) – a set of words or symbols believed in antiquity to possess magical power. These were often inscribed on amulets, statues, or other objects. The exact content of the Ephesian Letters is debated, but ancient sources suggest they were a group of six mystical words: Askion, Kataskion, Lix, Tetrax, Damnameneus, AisiaThese words were considered meaningless in everyday language but were thought to hold esoteric significance, potentially tied to ancient rituals or the invocation of supernatural powers. Some scholars believe they were connected to the worship of Artemis of Ephesus, the city's patron goddess.These Jewish exorcists were using Jesus' name like it was one of these six mystical words.Acts 19:14-16 (NLT) 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil...

Welcome back to the pod! Today we're covering Acts 19, so open your Bibles. Here's the question we'll answer: What Is the Right Response to Sin?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. What Is the Right Response to Sin?We all sin; it's our response to sin that matters mostSee 10 Sinful Responses to SinMinimizing Sin: “It's no big deal.”Rationalizing Sin: “He deserved it.”Blame-Shifting: “She made me.”Codifying Sin: “It's a condition, not a sin.”Worldly Grief: “Sorry I got caught.”Today in our text (Acts 19) we're going to see two groups of peopleWho were confronted with their sin problem and had a choice to make One group is an example of what to doThe other group, what NOT to doThe context for the chapter is one particular sin: sorceryBut the lessons apply to everyone, everywhereThe Set UpActs 19:11-12 (NLT) 11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.We're in Ephesus, a renowned center of occult practices in the ancient Greco-Roman world.To the secular world, miracles look like magicWe saw this with Peter and his shadow (Acts 5), Philip and Simon Magus (Acts 8) The point: Jesus>magic (understatement)Acts 19 (NLT) 13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Note: they weren't followers of Jesus, but they were using his name as an incantation.Reminiscent of the "Ephesian Letters" (Greek: Ἐφέσια γράμματα, Ephesia grammata) – a set of words or symbols believed in antiquity to possess magical power. These were often inscribed on amulets, statues, or other objects. The exact content of the Ephesian Letters is debated, but ancient sources suggest they were a group of six mystical words: Askion, Kataskion, Lix, Tetrax, Damnameneus, AisiaThese words were considered meaningless in everyday language but were thought to hold esoteric significance, potentially tied to ancient rituals or the invocation of supernatural powers. Some scholars believe they were connected to the worship of Artemis of Ephesus, the city's patron goddess.These Jewish exorcists were using Jesus' name like it was one of these six mystical words.Acts 19:14-16 (NLT) 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil...

Destin continues our series in Acts 19 where we see how God uses Paul to continue His work of maturing very different individuals, leading to significant cultural and economic impacts in Asia Minor.Stream additional content at https://www.youtube.com/c/RockPointeChurchFM

Acts 19:17-41 // Abandoning Idols // John Lightbody Sermon Video // https://youtu.be/YRg8uuaUiR4 Find out more about River City Church at rivercitydbq.org

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Genesis20;Matthew19;Nehemiah9;Acts19 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Acts 19:8-20:1 "Reasoning, Demons, and Christ"Series: The Book of Acts: Gospel Driven Growth Speaker: Rev. George SinclairMessiah DowntownDate: 19th January 2025Passage: Acts 19:8-20:1-------------------The Book of Acts: The Gospel Driven Truth Acts 19:8-20:1 "Reasoning, Demons, and Christ" January 19, 2025-Church of the Messiah is a prayerful, Bible-teaching, evangelical church in Ottawa (ON, Canada) with a heart for the city and the world. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus, gripped by the gospel, living for God's glory! We are a Bible-believing, gospel-centered church of the English Reformation, part of the Anglican Network in Canada, and the Gospel Coalition.- WAYS TO GIVE: https://www.messiahchurch.ca/donateWeb: https://www.messiahchurch.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawamessiahchurch/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comottawa/

Journey with us through Acts 19 at Into the Word, a radio and online program committed to reading, loving, and living the whole Counsel of God. In this program we will work our way chapter by chapter through the whole Bible. Our host and Bible teacher for this adventure is Pastor Paul Carter. If you are interested in additional resources or previous episodes in the series, you can find those at https://intotheword.ca/. If you would like to support the program or our monthly mission partner, you can do so at https://intotheword.ca/how-to-support-the-into-the-word-podcast-bible-commentary. To connect with our Bible readers and Into the Word listeners, connect with us on Facebook at https://facebook.com/In2theWord

Acts 19 (NIV)

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new monthly church history podcast at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:Today, we're diving into Acts 19:21-41 with a focus on understanding the various motivations that drive us. Our episode is titled "What Should Motivate Us." We'll explore the story of Paul and the different characters in Ephesus, reflecting on what truly motivates us in our daily lives. Stay tuned as we uncover insights that can help us align our motivations with our calling to serve Christ.Show Notes for "What Should Motivate Us" (Acts 19:21-41)Episode Summary: In this episode, we delve into Acts 19:21-41 to explore the motivations behind the actions of different individuals and groups in Ephesus. Paul's journey and his ministry provide a stark contrast to the motivations of others, such as Demetrius the silversmith and the city officials. By examining their motives, we reflect on our own and seek to align them with our calling to serve Christ.Key Points:Paul's Motivation:Demetrius and the Silversmiths:The Crowd's Confusion and Mob Mentality:Civic Leaders' Self-Interest:Reflection on Our Motivations:The importance of regularly examining our motives to ensure they align with our mission to serve Christ.Recognizing when our actions are driven by less noble reasons and striving for purity in our service.Reflection Questions:What motivates you in your daily life and service to others?How can you align your motivations more closely with Christ's example of sacrificial service?In what ways can you guard against the influence of crowd mentality and ensure your actions are based on truth and understanding?Application:Regularly reflect on your motivations and seek to purify them through prayer and self-examination.Strive to serve others with the same sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus and Paul.Be mindful of the influences around you and remain grounded in your faith and understanding of God's word.Thank you for joining me today I hope it encourages you to examine your motivations and align them with your calling to serve Christ faithfully.The Bible is Alive! - Read the Bible in a Year - NIVWelcome to the "The Bible is Alive!" where we read through the entire Bible and...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Sunday Service - January 12, 2025 - Tony Hauck 

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome :Our scripture focus today is on Acts 19:8-20, where we'll explore the reality of sin in the life of a believer. We'll discuss whether a genuine Christian can continue to sin, including committing serious sins, and the biblical response to sin through confession and repentance.Join me as we unpack this passage and discover the transformative power of genuine repentance and the importance of addressing sin in our lives.Thank you for tuning in.Episode Notes:Key Points:The Reality of Sin Among Believers:Paul's Ministry in Ephesus:The Incident with the Seven Sons of Sceva:The Importance of Confession and Repentance:Sin and Its Consequences:Application:Recognize that believers can and do sin, but sin should be addressed seriously through confession and repentance.Reflect on areas of life where old habits or sins persist and take steps to confess and forsake them, trusting in God's grace for transformation.Conclusion: Believers who sin are called to confess and forsake their sins, relying on God's mercy and grace. The example of the Ephesian believers in Acts 19 serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of genuine repentance and the importance of addressing sin in our lives.Support the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome: Today, we're diving into a powerful passage from Acts 19:1-7 we we walk into a city bustling with activity, where the supernatural is not only believed but actively sought after. This city is Ephesus, 2000 years ago.Ephesus was a place steeped in mysticism and magic, where people eagerly chased after every new teaching and miracle. Yet, amidst all the noise and excitement, there still remained a profound sense of emptiness among the ordinary people—a yearning for something more substantial, more real.In this episode, we'll journey to Ephesus where the Apostle Paul encounters a group of disciples who, despite their devotion, are missing a crucial element of their faith: the Holy Spirit. We will uncover the significance of the Holy Spirit's role in our spiritual journey and the difference between merely knowing about God and truly experiencing His power.Episode Notes: Paul and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)Theme: The transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.Key Points:The Incomplete Faith of the Disciples (Acts 19:1-3)Paul's Teaching and the Necessity of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:4-5)The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6-7)Conclusion:Encouragement to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives.Invitation to experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.Reminder of Jesus' promise of "rivers of living water" representing the Holy Spirit.KINGDOM COME WITH ANDREW NKOYOYOLearn how to experience Holy Spirit's power, healing, miracles. Subscribe/follow now belowListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

What a Riot!

Speaker: Aaron Beane Date: December 29, 2024

Religion Games, Critical Moments, & Revivals

Acts 19:21-41 – Persecution in Ephesus

Acts 19:11-20 – Power Encounter in Ephesus

Fr. Mike emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit exemplified in Paul's interaction with those in Ephesus in Acts 19 and reminds us that God wants to fill each of us with the same Holy Spirit so we can walk in his strength. Fr. Mike also highlights the power of sacramentals, the reality of demons acknowledging Jesus, and the importance of removing things in our lives that are harmful. Lastly, as we begin reading the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we get a glimpse of Paul's heart for the people of Corinth. Today's readings are Acts 19, 2 Corinthians 1-2, and Proverbs 28:22-24. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.