Podcasts about Sceva

Deuteronomy 24 verses 1-4 speak of the divorce laws for the Israelites. Divorce was permitted on the grounds of a groom finding in his betrothed some evidence of indecency. The Septuagint Greek version uses the word “pornea” to describe this situation. This word speaks of all kinds of perversions as well as unfaithfulness prior to marriage. When the accused woman was sent away with an annulment of the marriage she was forbidden to remarry. This prohibition also meant that her former husband was not allowed to take her again as a wife. Divorce was to regulate behaviour within the nation of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ reveals this point to us in Matthew 19 verses 3-9. Divorce is abhorrent to the Lord GOD Almighty as Malachi 2 verses 13-16. Shows. Verses 5-22 speak of several miscellaneous laws. Verse 5 tells of a married man being exempted from warfare for one year after his marriage. Verse 6 is about care and compassion for the poor. Verse 7 prescribes death to be the penalty for kidnapping. Verses 8-9 instruct Israel to faithfully follow the Levitical rules relating to leprosy. Verses 10-15 speak of fair dealing among members of God's people. Every member of Israel were to show care and compassion – ie love for one's neighbour. The day labourer was to receive his wages on the same day as the work had been done. Verse 16 teaches the principle that we alone are answerable for our own sins. Ezekiel 18 clearly elaborates that principle. Verses 17-18 speak of the dispensing of justice to be free from bias and to be carried out with integrity. Verses 19-22 tells of the love of the widows and the fatherless children in a generosity of spirit that is seen in their harvesting practices: not stripping their fruit trees. Psalm 68 verses 1-6 and James 1verses 27 reinforce the message of the love and care to be shown to widows, and fatherless children. In so acting the Israelites were imitating their Heavenly Father. Verse 22 of Deuteronomy 24 states the premise for why they must behave as the LORD commanded. The people of the LORD were responding to the redeeming love that underlies their deliverance from Egypt. The entire chapter 4 of the Song of Solomon concerns the bridegroom's words to his beloved spouse. Verses 1-5 present a cascade of magnificent metaphors in which the groom describes the alluring beauty of his bride. In verses 6-7 he claims to be intoxicated by her love and his passionate desires for her love. Verse 8 expresses his desire to take her to the places where the wild scenery of the natural world causes romantic minds to become elevated in their feelings. Verses 9-15 present sparkling images of his intense desire to be with his captivating companion. The song closes in verse 16 with a wish for the fragrant north wind to stir up the aromatic fragrances of Solomon's spice garden. All of this speaks of the intense love of the groom for his bride, ie the Lord Jesus Christ's love of us. Acts 18 tells of Paul's arrival in Corinth. He chooses to live with Priscilla and Aquila, who had recently arrived in Corinth because the Emperor Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome, accusing them of being troublesome. Paul lodges with Priscilla and Aquila because they, like himself, are tent makers. This fine couple are mentioned 6 times in the New Testament, and 3 times Aquila's name is given first, and 3 times Priscilla's is mentioned first. This shows that they are partners who work together in everything – including the teaching of the gospel to private individuals. Some scholars believe that the letter to the Hebrews may have been written by Priscilla. Paul teaches in the synagogue at Corinth every sabbath day – that Jesus is the Christ (Israel's long promised Messiah). When the Apostle is fiercely opposed by the Jews Paul shakes the dust from his clothes as the Lord Jesus Christ had commanded in Matthew 10. Paul hires the house owned by Titus Justus, who accepts the gospel and lives next door to the synagogue. From this house Paul continues his preaching. This preaching results in the conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ of Crispus, who is the ruler of the synagogue, and many others including Crispus' family accept Christ. The atmosphere around the preaching is obviously tense and Paul becomes fearful and the Lord Jesus Christ appears in a night and says: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people” (Vv9-10 ESV). For eighteen months the preaching continues successfully. During the Consulship of Gallio the Jews make a united attack on Paul bringing him before Gallio. Gallio summarily dismisses their claims and drives them from his presence. The Jews take out their frustration and anger on Sosthenes, the then newest ruler of the synagogue. This avails nothing as we see in 1 Corinthians 1verse 1. Sosthenes accepts the gospel and becomes a baptised believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. After this Paul shaves his hair in Cenchrea and sails from Ephesus to Antioch in Syria to complete his Nazarite vow. After spending time with the brethren in Syria Paul resumes his preaching in Galatia. The chapter concludes with the conversion of Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian Jew – who had known only the baptism and preaching of John the Baptist. Priscilla and Aquila instruct him in the gospel and baptise him into the Lord Jesus Christ. It becomes obvious from this chapter that any who have not been baptised without a complete understanding of the gospel require to be baptised into the “whole counsel of God”: Acts 20verses 18-27. Acts In Acts 19 Apollos comes to Corinth (this was obviously very shortly after his conversion to Christ). Paul arrives in Ephesus and finds there disciples who had only known the baptism and teaching of John the Baptist. Those disciples, 12 in all, are likewise taught the full truth about the salvation in Christ Jesus and are baptised into that understanding. For three months Paul boldly speaks in the synagogue, until sustained resistance from Jewish foes causes Paul to seek other rooms for preaching. The Apostle hires the rooms of a local philosopher – one Tyrannus. Preaching from Tyrannus' rooms continues for two years so that all who live in the province of Asia hear the gospel. God through Paul supports the preaching by many miracles. Seven sons of an itinerant Jew by the name of Sceva attempt an exorcism on a man who attacks and wounds them – the sons of Sceva flee naked from the house where the attempted exorcism had occurred. God by that means shows Sceva's sons to be frauds. The testimony to the gospel causes many practicers of the dark arts (or magic) to forsake their craft and burn their books to the value of approximately $10,000,000. The chapter next says that craftsmen led by Demetrius, a silversmith himself, cause a riot – believing that Paul's preaching is endangering the sale of the miniature figurines of Diana (also known as Artemis) of the Ephesians. Some of Paul's companions are dragged into the arena by men wanting revenge. Paul attempts to go and answer them but is prevented from doing so by his friends. The riotous crowd take out their anger on a Jew named Alexander. The town clerk dismisses the rioters and disperses the crowd. The town clerk says that Rome may very well want to investigate the cause of the riot. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org

교회의 사역목표 (1): 말씀에 사로잡혀 Engaged with the Words of God 사도행전 시리즈 53 2025-05-04 주일 예배 설교 사도행전 (Acts) 19:11-20 [새번역/ESV] 11 하나님께서 바울의 손을 빌어서 비상한 기적들을 행하셨다. And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 심지어 사람들이, 바울이 몸에 지니고 있는 손수건이나 두르고 있는 앞치마를 그에게서 가져다가, 앓는 사람 위에 얹기만 해도 병이 물러가고, 악한 귀신이 쫓겨 나갔다. 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. 13 그런데 귀신 축출가로 행세하며 떠돌아다니는 몇몇 유대 사람조차도 "바울이 전파하는 예수를 힘입어서 내가 너희에게 명령한다" 하고 말하면서, 악귀 들린 사람들에게 주 예수의 이름을 이용하여 귀신을 내쫓으려고 시도하였다. 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.” 14 스게와라는 유대인 제사장의 일곱 아들도 이런 일을 하였는데, Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 귀신이 그들에게 "나는 예수도 알고, 바울도 알지만, 당신들은 도대체 누구요?" 하고 말하였다. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 그리고서 악귀 들린 사람이 그들에게 달려들어, 그들을 짓눌러 이기니, 그들은 몸에 상처를 입고서, 벗은 몸으로 그 집에서 도망하였다. 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. 17 이 일이 에베소에 사는 모든 유대 사람과 그리스 사람에게 알려지니, 그들은 모두 두려워하고, 주 예수의 이름을 찬양하였다. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 그리고 신도가 된 많은 사람이 와서, 자기들이 한 일을 자백하고 공개하였다. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 또 마술을 부리던 많은 사람이 그들의 책을 모아서, 모든 사람 앞에서 불살랐다. 책값을 계산하여 보니, 은돈 오만 닢에 맞먹었다. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 이렇게 하여 주님의 말씀이 능력 있게 퍼져 나가고, 점점 힘을 떨쳤다. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

God was doing extraordinary miracles through Paul. But when the Seven Sons of Sceva tried to mimic Paul's authority, a demon possessed man overpowered them and wounded them. In response to this power encounter, many people of Ephesus confessed and divulged their practices and burned their books of magic. Scripture References: Acts 19:11-20, James 2:19, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 5:19, Matthew 7:21-23, Ephesians 5:11Pastor: Daniel Hendrickson

In this sermon, we dive into the powerful story of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19, exploring how fear can overpower our lives when we fail to recognize our true identity and authority in Christ. Fear thrives in the absence of truth, and when we lack a solid foundation in God's Word, we distort reality and live in fear instead of faith. True spiritual authority comes from submission to God, not manipulation or control. By embracing our identity in Christ, surrendering our fears, and walking confidently in His power, we can overcome fear and live in freedom, knowing we are defined by His victory, not our past failures.

  ‭And‭ his‭ name‭ through‭ faith‭ in his‭ name‭ hath made‭‭ this man‭ strong‭‭, whom‭ ye see‭‭ and‭ know‭‭: yea‭, the faith‭ which is‭‭ by‭ him‭ hath given‭‭ him‭ this‭ perfect soundness‭ in the presence‭ of you‭ all‭.‭ (Acts 3:16, KJV). Today, I want to encourage you to use the name of Jesus to overcome the enemy and to see miracles. Jesus has given you His name as a weapon to bring victory in your life and ministry. When you use His name, you are invoking all that Jesus is, all that He has done, and all that He can do. When you speak the name, it releases the power of all of His redemptive work of forgiveness, healing, and victory over the devil. It's not enough to know the name of Jesus, you must use that name in faith. Miracles happen through "His name through faith in His name." You can activate miracles now by using the name of Jesus! Audio Notes: USE THE NAME OF JESUS READING: Acts 3:1-8 Main Thought: Use the name of Jesus to overcome the devil and all of his plans and operations. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” (Acts 3:6-7, KJV) Use the Name of Jesus to Preach the Gospel ‭And‭ he said‭‭ unto them‭, Go ye‭‭ into‭ all‭ the world‭, and preach‭‭ the gospel‭ to every‭ creature‭.‭ ‭He that believeth‭‭ and‭ is baptized‭‭ shall be saved‭‭; but‭ he that believeth not‭‭ shall be damned‭‭.‭ ‭And‭ these‭ signs‭ shall follow‭‭ them that believe‭‭; In‭ my‭ name‭ shall they cast out‭‭ devils‭; they shall speak‭‭ with new‭ tongues‭;‭ ‭They shall take up‭‭ serpents‭; and if‭ they drink‭‭ any‭‭ deadly‭ thing‭, it shall not‭ hurt‭‭ them‭; they shall lay‭‭ hands‭ on‭ the sick‭, and‭ they shall‭‭ recover‭.‭ (Mark 16:15-18, KJV). The Name of Jesus is the Name Above Every Name “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11, KJV) Use the Name of Jesus to Do His Works “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14, NKJV). Use the Name of Jesus by Faith “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16, KJV) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:14-16, KJV). CONCLUSION: Use the name of Jesus to win the lost, heal the sick, and cast out devils. Use the name of Jesus to move Satan out of your path. You have a job to do, and you have been given the equipment to get it done! More Videos>>> BSOM211: Boldness to Use the Name of Jesus [Audio]

Join us today as we discuss how you can't be a Christian without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Baptism, and the funny story of the unbelieving sons of Sceva.

"Whoever is not against us is for us" is a very hard saying: it seems to conflict with another, similar statement in the Gospels (Luke 11:2); it is hard to reconcile with the sons of Sceva in Acts 19; it is complicated by Jesus' teachings about judging by fruits in Matthew 7; it is hard to know what "being against" even means. Zack reads these difficulties as an invitation away from systematic theology and towards increasing dependence on God's Holy Spirit. Moreover, he draws out important principles here with which we should reckon. Works, while not the basis of our salvation, reveal Christ-in-us. Our moment of hyper-Protestantism and church decline demands increasing ecumenism. Finally, perhaps most importantly, we must remain open to the new -- to God's surprising, scandalous work outside our own walls.

Daily Voice Devotional with Niyi AdekunleSaturday 22nd MarchThe Right of Use: Power of Attorney 6As we continue our discussion on the right of use—the power of attorney we have in Christ to fully represent Him on earth. Understanding this right in Christ is key to walking in the authority He has given us.The Old Testament gives us a type or shadow of the right of use of God's authority. For example, when sending Moses, God turned Moses' rod to His rod of power but Moses had to believe that the rod will do what God had said it would do and when he did, miracles happened. The same principle applies to us, no matter the right of use that we have in Christ, if we don't believe it, we won't walk in it.In His prayers for His disciples just before going to the cross, He said over and over again that they shared in His ability and authority and could therefore represent HimJohn 17:8 MKJV, For I have given to them the Words which You gave Me, and they have received them and have known surely that I came out from You. And they have believed that You sent Me. John 17:14 MKJV, I have given them Your Word… John 17: 22 MKJV, And I have given them the glory which You have given Me…. Everything the Father gave Jesus; He gave to us. His Word, His authority, and His glory have been imparted to us but without faith it won't work. This is the greatest barrier to operating in our God-given authority. The sons of Sceva, thought they had the right of use to the name of Jesus – they were disappointed and disgraced because they really didn't believe in it.My prayer that you will develop your faith in your right to use the authority you have in Christ and fully representing Him on earth as He intended.God bless you, enjoy your day

Acts 18:18-19:34 As Paul and others continued to travel, ministering to many throughout the Mediterranean area, they found various groups who were following an incomplete or false gospel. Some like Apollos knew only some of the story. He was preaching only about repentance, until they taught him about faith in Jesus. The sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons without knowing Jesus and ended up being assaulted. Some had mixed in the beliefs of other gods, ending up with a false gospel. As Paul exhorted, we must declare the whole Gospel of God, grounded in Jesus. Website: immanuelde.com Facebook: immanuelchurchwilmington YouTube: Immanuel Church Wilmington DE

Title: “God vs. Magic” Part 2 Text: Acts 19:17-20 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 fear the Lord and turn from our former ways. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 19. In a moment I'll begin reading starting in verse 11 from the English Standard Version. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week we took a deep look at the events that transpire in Ephesus surrounding the use of magic, sorcery and exorcisms and how they compare to Yahweh and His power. We saw how God stooped to demonstrate His power in an unusual way in order to prove that He is more powerful than all the magic that the Ephesians were depending on. God being more powerful than everything else must lead us to trust Him and not to try to use His name for selfish ends as some kind of good luck charm or talisman. Indeed, He cannot be used in such a way, for He doesn't need us for anything and we need Him for everything. Today we will see the effect of these events on the Ephesians and even the Ephesian Christians. Their response will both prove that they thought God is more powerful than all other powers and it will give us a pattern for a couple other responses we should have to His great power. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God. Invocation: Almighty God. We come today as Your dear children hoping to hear from You and Your Word. We know that we are sustained by the life-giving precepts which You have graciously given through inspiration of Your Spirit and preserved for us today. We ask that Your Spirit would be with us today as we peer into Your power and authority. We ask that You would show us Your might and that it would lead us to respond in a way that is pleasing to You. Help us Lord to grow in our faith in response to who You are. We ask this in the Son's name and by His authority and power, Amen. Transition: Let us get right to the text this morning as we seek to wrap up this narrative episode. I.) God's power is greater than magic, so we must fear the Lord and revere His name. (17) a. [Slide 2] 17 - And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. i. Luke begins assessing the effect of these two episodes by looking to the city as a whole. ii. All the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, heard about these events. iii. As is often the case in the scriptures it is ok for us to understand the word “all” not to mean all. iv. We are not doing damage to the inerrancy of scripture if we are to question whether or not Luke took a census to ensure that every single person in the city had heard about these things. v. I would say that Luke uses hyperbole as we normally do in conversation. 1. Everyone loves pizza! We might say. 2. Really? 3. Does every single person love pizza? I actually know for a fact that there are some people… if you want to call them people

|| ABOUT THIS MESSAGE || Yesterday morning, Pastor Emmanuel explained the dangers of using spiritual gifts for selfish ambitions, as shown by the seven sons of Sceva. While Paul experiences the miraculous power of God, the seven sons try to leverage the name of Jesus for their own gain, only to be humiliated and hurt by a demon. Through this message, we learned that true spiritual authority comes not from human effort or skill, but from being genuinely transformed by God and remaining in His presence. Relying on our ego and self-sufficiency will ultimately lead to failure, while surrendering to God through repentance unlocks true freedom.|| ABOUT BEACH CHURCH || We exist to reach, raise up, and release followers of Jesus who change the world. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone is welcome to learn about a relationship with God, whether you're curious or confident in your faith.|| GET CONNECTED || Here at Beach, we are most passionate about seeing people come into a relationship with Jesus! Head over to our website to get connected https://www.beachchurchjax.com/im-new|| FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||@beachchurchjax|| SCRIPTURE REFERENCES || Acts 19:11-20

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.

Monday, 17 February 2025   Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' Matthew 7:22   “Many, they will say to Me in that ‘the day,' “Lord, Lord, not the ‘Your name' we prophesied, and the ‘Your name' we ejected demons, and the ‘Your name' we performed many miracles?” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that not everyone who would say to Him, “Lord, Lord,” would enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Now, He continues with, “Many, they will say to Me in that ‘the day.'”   The use of the demonstrative pronoun and a subsequent definite article is not always translated. Most translations just say, “in that day.” However, the two together provide an emphasis that should not always be ignored. In this case, some literal translations include both.   The BLB, for example, says, “in that the day.” The LET goes a little too far towards the hills of Kentucky and says, “in that there day.” In setting the words “the day” off with apostrophes, the sense is more readily understandable.   There is a specific day that is coming when people will stand before the Lord and be judged. It is at that time that they will say, “Lord, Lord, not the ‘Your name' we prophesied.”   Again, the literal translation shows a specificity that is lacking in English. Using the word “in” gets the point across, but the statement is an assertion that these people used Jesus' name when they prophesied. It isn't just that they prophesied in His name, but that His name was the subject of their proclamation. With that, He continues with, “and the ‘Your name' we ejected demons.”   Again, the ejection of the demons wasn't so much in the name of Jesus, as if they had a part in the process. It is the use of the name itself that caused demons to be ejected. As this is so, it signifies that a power rests in His name that extends beyond this realm, even if His deity was not yet understood.   At a minimum, people would be thinking, “God has endowed this person with such spiritual power that even the proclamation of His name has power over the demons.” This is similar to the thought seen in Acts 8 –   “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.” Acts. 8:9-11   These people didn't claim Simon was God. Rather, they acknowledged him to be the great power of God. This is probably in line with what the people listening to Jesus must have thought concerning His words. Next, Jesus says, “and the ‘Your name' we performed many miracles?”   Again, the name itself is what carries the weight and authority of the action. The thing is, that in order to use a name to effect a change in another, one would think that there would be a conviction within the person stating the name that it was not only capable of conveying power but also it would be worthy of respect.   Such, however, is not necessarily true –   “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, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.' 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” Acts 19:13-17   Not all who proclaim the name of Jesus are sincere, even when they understand the power the name wields.   Life application: In the church today, there are lots of people, heaps of them, who claim to do the miraculous in Jesus' name. They claim prophetic visions and divine engagements with angels and even the Lord Himself. This has now been going on for over two thousand years.   How many of them do you believe? The Bible is written. What more do you expect from the Lord? Of what purpose is it that people claim to do these things? Paul says that we live by faith, not by sight. If we have sight, faith is excluded. Jesus said as much to Thomas.   Has one supposed prophecy or miracle over the past two thousand years since the Bible was completed added anything of value to the church? Be careful what you believe. If someone is sick, pray for the Lord's healing. If someone needs a job, pray that the Lord will provide it. But don't go looking for miracle workers.   The true miracle worker is in heaven, and He will work out His miracles in a manner that will meet His purposes. Have faith in that. It is sufficient.   Glorious God Almighty, when we call on the name of Jesus, the greatest miracle of our lives comes about. We are saved by His precious blood. What more could we ever ask for? Thank You for Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Acts 19:1-41 NIVWhile Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John's baptism,” they replied. 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.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 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. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.

Apollos, Aquila, Priscilla, miracle, evil spirit and the seven sons of Sceva!

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...

Send us a textWhat happens when you face the ultimate test of faith and come back stronger? Join me on this heartfelt journey as I return to podcasting after a year away, marked by the profound loss of my mother. I've found solace in my new home in North Carolina and am excited to share my plans for our weekly exploration of the book of Revelation. This episode is more than just an update—it's a call to prayer for our nation and a reminder of the ever-present challenge of staying vigilant in our faith against the formidable adversary we face.We navigate the intricate theme of "Compromise, the Ultimate Gateway Drug" through the cautionary stories found in Acts 19 and Revelation 2. Drawing lessons from the seven sons of Sceva and the church in Pergamos, this discussion illuminates the subtle dangers of small compromises. From indulging in secular distractions to the risks of idol worship and immorality, I stress the necessity of prioritizing spiritual commitments. As we hold firm, rewards await us—symbolized by the hidden manna and the white stone with a new name, promising spiritual nourishment and divine recognition.Inspired by a moving message from Joel C. Rosenberg, I explore the struggles of compromise in our spiritual lives, touching on real-life issues like social media distractions and personal battles. This is a heartfelt invitation to return to Jesus, embrace repentance and forgiveness, and nurture a close relationship with Him. Whether you're rekindling your faith or just beginning your spiritual journey, you're encouraged to seek a supportive church community and delve into the themes of Jesus' life, sacrifice, and imminent return. Let's grow together in faith, navigating life's messes with Jesus by our side. Support the show

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 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. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[a] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. 21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[b] to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

“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.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 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. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver (several million dollars).” - Acts‬ ‭19‬:‭13‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Scripture Reading: Acts 19:10–41 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul's hands, 12 so that when even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 But some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by evil spirits, saying, “I sternly warn you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 (Now seven sons of a man named Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.) 15 But the evil spirit replied to them, “I know about Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who was possessed by the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them all into submission. He prevailed against them so that they fled from that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; fear came over them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised. 18 Many of those who had believed came forward, confessing and making their deeds known. 19 Large numbers of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them up in the presence of everyone. When the value of the books was added up, it was found to total 50,000 silver coins. 20 In this way the word of the Lord continued to grow in power and to prevail. 21 Now after all these things had taken place, Paul resolved to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. He said, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So after sending two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed on for a while in the province of Asia. 23 At that time a great disturbance took place concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a great deal of business to the craftsmen. 25 He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business. 26 And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.” 28 When they heard this they became enraged and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The city was filled with the uproar, and the crowd rushed to the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions. 30 But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together. 33 Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for about two hours. 35 After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven? 36 So because these facts are indisputable, you must keep quiet and not do anything reckless. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against someone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. 39 But if you want anything in addition, it will have to be settled in a legal assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause we can give to explain this disorderly gathering.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.OutlineJesus is King not MagicAn anti-magic apologeticA brief primer on exorcismsSceva and his sonsThe reverse exorcismJesus and Paul are well known in the unseen realmPaul is recognized; Jesus is glorifiedMagic books are destroyedPaul's Focus Turns to RomeA Great Disturbance Concerning the WayNo reason to lie about itThe cult of ArtemisIdols of ArtemisDemetrius and the silversmithsThe Artemis templeThe accusation: challenging the goddess and the templeThe riot (or assembly?)Paul wishes to defend himselfThe Jews get blamedThe city clerk to the rescue

Send us a textUncover the mysterious and transformative events of Acts chapter 19 with us, as we explore how the power of the Holy Spirit ignited change across Asia. Imagine encountering a faith so profound that it alters economies and challenges cultural norms. This episode promises insights into the bold and daring acts of Paul, as he navigates through Ephesus, spreading the word of the Lord and encountering both great support and fierce opposition. Discover how twelve men in Ephesus, initially unaware of the Holy Spirit, were transformed into prophetic voices, and how Paul's teachings led to miraculous occurrences and a profound spiritual awakening.As we narrate the gripping account of the seven sons of Sceva and the miraculous healing episodes, witness the fear and reverence that swept through Ephesus. The economic impact of renouncing old practices in favor of Christianity brings about a tense confrontation between the silversmith Demetrius and the followers of Jesus. Listen to the chaos that ensues in the theater, where the Ephesians' loyalty to the goddess Artemis is fervently defended. Through these captivating stories, we reflect on the cultural and economic upheaval in Ephesus and the unwavering courage of Paul and his companions. Join us for a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter in early Christian history.Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

Sunday Morning Message: Acts 19:13-20

When seven sons of a Jewish priest try to mimic Paul's miracles by invoking Jesus' name without faith, they face the wrath of a demon who knows Jesus and Paul but dismisses them, leaving the entire city of Ephesus shaken by the power of the true gospel.In Ephesus, Paul teaches about the Holy Spirit and performs miracles, but the seven sons of Sceva, seeking their own fame, attempt to cast out a demon in the name of "the Jesus whom Paul preaches"—only to be violently overpowered by the demon, exposing their lack of true faith and authority. This terrifying event strengthens the believers' trust in Paul's teaching and the power of Jesus, spreading fear and reverence throughout the city.Today's Bible verse is John 14:13, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Seven Sons of Sceva • Sunday Service Website: www.PastorTodd.org To Give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give   The story of the seven sons of Sceva is a powerful reminder of the authority we have in Christ and the importance of having a genuine relationship with Him. This account, found in Acts 19, offers believers several lessons about spiritual authority, the dangers of imitation without faith, and the power that resides in the name of Jesus when used properly. The Story: Acts 19:11-20 (NKJV) Acts 19:11-12 (NKJV) “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” Commentary: Paul's ministry in Ephesus was marked by extraordinary miracles, as God moved mightily through him. The emphasis here is that these miracles were God's work through Paul—an important distinction. It's a reminder that miraculous works flow from God's authority, not human effort. It's also a testament to the power of God's Spirit working through a yielded vessel.* Acts 19:13 (NKJV) “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, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.'” Commentary: These Jewish exorcists, including the seven sons of Sceva, saw the power displayed through Paul's ministry and thought they could imitate it without truly knowing Jesus. They used Jesus' name like a magic formula, unaware that spiritual authority cannot be borrowed or mimicked. This serves as a warning against using the name of Jesus superficially or without a true connection to Him.* Acts 19:14-16 (NKJV) “Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” The evil spirit recognized the authority of Jesus and the legitimacy of Paul's ministry, but the sons of Sceva had no real relationship with Christ. As a result, they were overpowered by the very force they sought to command. This demonstrates that the spiritual realm recognizes true authority, and without a genuine relationship with Christ, we lack the power to stand against evil. It also highlights the danger of engaging in spiritual matters without being properly equipped or covered by the blood of Jesus.* What Can We Learn as Believers? 1. Authority Comes From Christ Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'” 2. A Genuine Relationship with Christ is Essential John 15:5 (NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” 3. Demons Recognize True Authority James 2:19 (NKJV) “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” 4. Imitation Without Relationship Leads to Defeat Ephesians 6:10-11 (NKJV) “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” 5. Spiritual Authority Requires Submission to God James 4:7 (NKJV) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 6. True Power is Found in the Name of Jesus Philippians 2:9-10 (NKJV) “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” 7. Fear of the Lord and Revival Follow True Power Acts 19:17-18 (NKJV) “This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.” 8. God's Power Cannot be Manipulated Acts 8:18-20 (NKJV) “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!'”   The story of the seven sons of Sceva teaches us that spiritual authority comes from a genuine relationship with Jesus, not from imitation or superficial use of His name. As believers, we must be rooted in Christ, submitted to His authority, and clothed in the armor of God to stand against the enemy. We cannot wield spiritual power without true faith and alignment with God's will. The authority we carry in Christ is real and powerful, but it is only effective when we operate within the bounds of our relationship with Him and in submission to His Spirit.  

Acts 19:1-22 - Sons of Sceva Acts 19:1-22 Christ Church Kingwood October 20, 2024 Preacher: Cary Apel

1109 士基瓦 Sceva by 靈修廣播站

'This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to those who were ill, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, ‘In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 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. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honour. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. ‘After I have been there,' he said, ‘I must visit Rome also.' He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.' (Acts 19.10-22, NIV)

www.brockportfirstbaptist.org

In Episode 159 of "The Conquer Addiction Podcast," Ken Pounders continues the conversation on overcoming addiction by exploring the crucial aspect of identity in Christ. Building on previous discussions, he unpacks how recognizing and accepting one's new identity can dismantle the chains of addiction, sin, and shame. Using the compelling biblical account of the seven sons of Sceva, he underscores the importance of genuine relationship with Christ for accessing true spiritual authority and power. Listeners are invited to embrace their divine purpose and are guided through a heartfelt prayer of surrender, offering a path to lasting freedom and transformation. Website: https://omainc.org Email: OMADirector2017@gmail.com or priorityev@mac.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/165704310121828/ Website: https://priorityev.info Instagram: instagram.com/bro_ken   Outreach Ministries of Alabama, Inc., PO Box 98 Valhermoso Springs, AL  35775 Phone:  256-778-8096

In today's message, we talked about how God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul, particularly in Ephesus, where many were healed and freed from evil spirits. The narrative highlights the failure of the seven sons of Sceva, who attempted to exorcise demons without a genuine relationship with Jesus, leading to their humiliation and the magnification of Christ's power. As the Gospel spread, it threatened local idolatry, prompting a riot incited by silversmith Demetrius, but order was eventually restored. The speaker emphasizes the importance of genuine faith, recognizance of spiritual warfare, the necessity of confession and repentance, awareness of materialism, and the support of a community in our spiritual journeys.

THE UNSEEN Identity & Authority 9.1.24 One of the enemy's primary tactics in your life is for you to forget or fail to know your true identity in Christ. In the moment we take on a false identity, we immediately forfeit the victory and power that has been given to us. Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 10:17-19 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Where does our authority come from? · It comes from the finished work of Christ · It comes as we align ourselves with His will Acts 19:11-16 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 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. Matthew 28:18-20 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 1. We must walk in our identity 2. We must operate in our authority 3. We must exercise our power

Drop us a text message to say hi and let us know what you think of the show.In which John and David discuss the encounter between the demonized man and the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19. They explore the significance of knowing Jesus and the dangers of engaging with the supernatural world based on ego and human effort. They also highlight the contrast between the prevailing Word of God and the powerlessness of demonic forces. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of magnifying Jesus and the impact of the gospel in the region.Episode 196 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 104If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love it if you left a review or comment where you're listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021________Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others. However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love. Thank you so much.Support the Show.

Drop us a text message to say hi and let us know what you think of the show.In which David and John discuss the importance of the supernatural and the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church. They reflect on the extraordinary miracles performed by Paul and the significance of the embodied nature of early Christianity. They also explore the dangers of separating knowledge and power, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of word and spirit. The story of the Seven Sons of Sceva serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of a genuine relationship with Jesus and the surrender to the power of the Spirit.Episode 158 of the Two Texts Podcast | Disruptive Presence 103If you want to get in touch about something in the podcast you can reach out on podcast@twotexts.com or by liking and following the Two Texts podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you enjoy the podcast, we'd love it if you left a review or comment where you're listening from – and if you really enjoyed it, why not share it with a friend?Music by Woodford Music (c) 2021________Help us keep Two Texts free for everyone by becoming a supporter of the show John and David want to ensure that Two Texts always remains free content for everyone. We don't want to create a paywall or have premium content that would exclude others. However, Two Texts costs us around £60 per month (US$75; CAD$100) to make. If you'd like to support the show with even just a small monthly donation it would help ensure we can continue to produce the content that you love. Thank you so much.Support the Show.

2:24 - How does John 21:21-22 relate to people who never heard the Gospel? / 11:26 - Why did Chuck Smith omit the word 'Last' in 1 Corinthians 15:52 / 21:56 - What are the Old Testament references to the Second Coming? / 24:28 - Where do Dinosaurs fit in the Biblical timeline? / 29:58 - Church Discipline, and turning someone over to their sins. / 40:57 - Does the remnant survive the Tribulation, and not get a heavenly body? / 46:51 - 2 Chronicles 22:2, why are there translation differences? / 50:57 - The seven sons of Sceva, and other topics.

Why does the Bible praise the exorcist in Mark 9 but not the sons of Sceva in Acts 19 when both spoke in Jesus' name? What does it even mean to do something in Jesus' name? Which Scriptures are comforting to someone weighed down in a trial? This week, Pastor Jeff and Jordan dispel superstitions about our faith and encourage faithfulness to Christ.   —   This episode of The Beyond Sunday Podcast expands upon the sermon “When the Struggle Is Prolonged | Acts 19:1–41.” In this sermon series, we will follow the journeys of the Apostle Paul and his companions as they trust and follow Jesus to new places and new challenges.   —   Submit a question: bit.ly/BeyondSundayQuestions   VBS: https://onrealm.org/FirstBaptistBG/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=NjcyZmM2YzgtYzI0Mi00NjRiLTk4MTktYjEzZDAxNjc1OWYz God's Promises While We Wait: https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/6f/6f5609b5-c221-4e9f-a0e7-59f46f374008/documents/God_s_Promises_While_We_Wait.pdf

Send us a Text Message.Welcome back to the Tat2d Preacher Podcast. In Episode 44, we delve deep into the realm of the occult through the lens of the New Testament and early church history. We'll explore the pervasive nature of magic, witchcraft, and supernatural phenomena in the first century and examine how the early Christians and biblical texts addressed these dark practices. From examining the intriguing cases of Simon the Sorcerer and the Sons of Sceva, to understanding the sharp condemnations from early church fathers like Augustine and Tertullian, this episode offers a comprehensive view on the conflict between divine power and the occult. Discover the stark differences and the real dangers involved in spiritual warfare. Don't miss out on this intense exploration! Subscribe now and leave a review to support the channel!02:06 Exploring the Occult in the New Testament03:07 Cultural Context of Magic in the First Century09:34 Jesus and Perceptions of Magic18:22 New Testament Verses on the Occult22:19 Paul's Encounters with Magicians23:54 The Slave Girl with a Spirit of Divination25:57 The Sons of Sceva and Spiritual Warfare29:04 Paul's Teachings on Witchcraft30:22 Revelation's Warnings Against Witchcraft33:43 Early Church Fathers on the Occult39:43 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLet's Connect!Logos Bible Discount: https://partners.faithlife.com/click.track?CID=438160&AFID=562100https://www.thetat2dpreacher.com/bio.site/thetat2dpreacherhttps://www.instagram.com/thetat2dpre...https://www.tiktok.com/@thetat2dpreacherpatreon.com/TheTat2dPreacher

The instance of the possessed man beating the Sons of Sceva comes across as comical, but there is a hard truth here that rests in the middle of the story: the power of the Holy Spirit is not for personal glory, but for the glory of God.

In this episode, hosts Wayne Heins and Jeremy Griffin delve into Acts chapter 19, specifically focusing on the story of the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest. They explore the layers of this biblical narrative, discussing the importance of maintaining a focus on Christ and intentional worship. The hosts emphasize that worship is not just about singing choruses, but about forming a deep spiritual connection with the Father. They also touch on the extraordinary miracles performed by Paul, including the healing power of handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched his skin. The hosts express skepticism towards the practice of selling "anointed" items, drawing parallels to the misguided actions of the seven sons of Sceva. The discussion then moves to the significance of the seven sons' attempt to invoke the name of Jesus without a genuine relationship with Him. The hosts compare this to modern-day instances of celebrities professing faith for personal gain, rather than a true encounter with Christ. They also highlight the powerful example of repentance shown by the believers in Ephesus, who burned their books of magic arts, signaling a turning away from the occult. Throughout the episode, the hosts stress the importance of having an authentic personal experience with God, rather than simply imitating others. They caution against falling back into old ways and emphasize God's continuous pursuit of His children to restore them to the right path. The episode concludes with a prayer for clarity, understanding, and continued guidance from the Holy Spirit as listeners explore the profound truths of the Scriptures. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reduxchurch/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reduxchurch/support

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More Than Meets the Eye - "Who's In the Fight With You?" (Acts 19:13-20) A quick review as we pick back up with our series, More Than Meets The Eye: Jesus said we have an enemy; there is a fight; and we need to be ready! However, it's not just about having all the right equipment. We need to be in relationship with the ONE who defeated the enemy. In this section of scripture there is an example of how NOT to fight a spiritual attack. The sons of Sceva tried to rebuke demons in the name of Jesus, but they didn't have a relationship with Jesus in the first place. The Name of Jesus has ultimate power when facing spiritual warfare. The way to combat it is through His Name and His Word, but we must first know Him and have a relationship with Him.

ACTS 19:8-20 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day, the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 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. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (NIV 84) FROM THE LESSON Burn the boats - a phrase spoken by Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec Empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain in 1519. Ephesian writings - Ephesus was a center for magical power in the Mediterranean world. The phrase "Ephesian writings" was used in antiquity to refer to any documents that contained magical spells and formulas. "All of life is repentance" - this is a quote from the reformer, Martin Luther. Believers commit not to a moment of repentance but to a life of repentance.  Definition of repentance - "the call to repent is an invitation to see the world differently in light of Jesus Christ." DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 Icebreaker: can you think of a motivational phrase or memorable motto that you have liked or that has encouraged you in some way through the years? Share it with your group. 2 Repentance is not a one-time event, but instead it is a commitment to a lifelong process. Discuss the difference with your group. 3 The call to repent is an invitation to rethink everything in your life in light of His life. Discuss this process with your group. 4 We looked at three characteristics of the kind of repentance that leads to spiritual breakthrough in Acts 19:17-19. Re-read these verses. The characteristics are conviction (verse 17), confession (verse 18), and conversion (verse 19). Discuss the importance of these three characteristics with your group.

Acts 19:13-16 — Many in the modern church are like the seven sons of Sceva who know of Christianity, but they are not truly regenerate. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13–16, they have yet to give up their worldly ways and believe in the truth of the gospel. Many associate themselves with the church for social or financial gain. They are self-deceived hypocrites who try to use Christianity for worldly gain and pleasures. Many of these people are simply humanists or socialists who use Christianity as a platform for their ideologies. This kind of association for gain has been prevalent whenever Christianity is viewed as socially expedient. But this has the terrible effect of creating false believers who have never truly believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ or repented of their sins. This is why there are so many Christians who resemble the world more than Christ. The answer to this is a call to true faith in the only gospel that can save. It is a call for all to turn from their sins and hypocrisy and be born again to a new life in Christ. The church must be clear that to be a Christian one must have been regenerated and given a new nature that comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:13-16 — Many in the modern church are like the seven sons of Sceva who know of Christianity, but they are not truly regenerate. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13–16, they have yet to give up their worldly ways and believe in the truth of the gospel. Many associate themselves with the church for social or financial gain. They are self-deceived hypocrites who try to use Christianity for worldly gain and pleasures. Many of these people are simply humanists or socialists who use Christianity as a platform for their ideologies. This kind of association for gain has been prevalent whenever Christianity is viewed as socially expedient. But this has the terrible effect of creating false believers who have never truly believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ or repented of their sins. This is why there are so many Christians who resemble the world more than Christ. The answer to this is a call to true faith in the only gospel that can save. It is a call for all to turn from their sins and hypocrisy and be born again to a new life in Christ. The church must be clear that to be a Christian one must have been regenerated and given a new nature that comes from the work of the Holy Spirit. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

Luke 1:13-20 We live in a day and age where there are many things that come against us. However, just like the seven sons of Sceva we might go after strongholds thinking we have the authority only to realise that we don't. The only way to become a generation that walks in releasing the power of God is to remember the following: We can't get authority from God if we don't have intimacy with God. We need a generation who know how to linger in the presence of God.3. Vision will come when we stand in the presence of God. Our identity and our authority should be the result of our intimacy with the Lord whereas our doubts and fears will be a manifestation of our distance from Him. So wherever you are today on your journey, press into His presence and ask the Lord to teach you how to spend time with Him!Application: Do you find yourself rushing out of the presence of God? When was the last time you sat and lingered in His presence?Prayer: Father, teach me how to sit with you. I long to be beside you and I'm sorry for the letting life's distractions get in the way of intimacy with you. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear your still small voice, and help me draw closer to you daily!