Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, A Right Relationship.
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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In the beginning of Acts 19, we read how Paul had come to Ephesus and taught the people for over two years. Through his ministry, God did many great things through Paul and many lives were changed. In Acts 19.11-22, we see an event that shows the importance of having a right relationship with Jesus when we are serving Him. This event can help us to consider where we are at in our own relationship with Him.
God works through those who are truly in Christ (11-12)
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.
One of the reasons why God was able to do extraordinary things through Paul is because Paul was sold out for Jesus. At one point, Paul was determined to destroy the church, those who were followers of Jesus. However, through an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), his life was completely changed.
Following his conversion, we are told that the Spirit led Paul into the wilderness where he remained for three years. During this time, he apparently received teaching through the Spirit into the truths of Jesus. His focus during this time was his relationship with the Lord.
Because of this relationship, God did extraordinary works through Paul. The works were not done by Paul’s efforts, but through the power of God. Plus, when God works, He does things His way. In this case, He used handkerchiefs and aprons to bring about healing. God brought about the cures, not Paul, and all credit was given to God.
God used Paul because of Paul’s relationship with Him. Like Paul, are we sold out for Jesus? Are we pursuing a closer relationship to Him? What are we doing to grow in our faith? How can we go about making our relationship with Jesus of utmost importance?
God still works through those who are truly in Christ. When we are in tune with the Spirit, God can work through us. We may not know how God will work through us, but we can still trust Him.
Knowledge does not represent true faith (13-16)
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.
Some Jews saw what God was doing through Paul, so they went around attempting to do works of their own. They went about driving out evil spirits by invoking the name of Jesus over the demon-possessed. Their problem, though, was that they knew about Jesus, but did not really know Him. They attempted to cast out demons “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.” They were just following a pattern, not the person of Jesus Christ.
In this instance, the demons respond to these Jewish men saying, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” The truth of the matter is that demons know Jesus. James writes in the book that bears his name, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” – James 2.19.
Jesus is the only One the demons fear. They do not fear humans. Because of this, everything is to be done in Jesus’ name. As a result, the seven sons of Sceva receive a beating they will never forget. An evil spirit in one person was able to overpower seven men working by their own understanding, knowledge, and power.
Do we truly know Jesus, or do we just know about Him? Are we pursuing a relationship with Him, or just seeking knowledge about Him? Are we listening for the leading of the Spirit within us, or are we living only for ourselves?
A true work of God will bring about change (17-22)
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.
When the Jews and Greeks heard about the seven sons of Sceva, they were all seized with fear. Because of this, they held the name of the Lord Jesus in high honor. Many confessed their sins and those who practiced sorcery brought and burned their scrolls publicly.
According to this passage, the value of these scrolls came to about 50,000 drachmas. A drachma was equivalent to a day’s wage. That’s about 137 years of wages! Because of all this, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
The truth from this action is that when there is a true work of God, change occurs. So, we are to be mindful of what is of God and what is of man. There are many events that cause an emotional rush. Many go to concerts, conferences, tent meetings, camp meetings, etc., and return home with an emotional high. New programs and practices that breed excitement are often implemented during these times. The trouble with these high’s, though, is that they usually do not last and do not bring about lasting change.
Only through a true work of God can we get past the emotion and into spiritual reality. Change comes through the work of God through the Spirit within us. Lasting change comes through the power of God as the Spirit works in us. As the Spirit works within us, we can overcome sins, repair broken relationships, experience a change in our hearts and minds, and bear fruit that will last forever.
Where do we want to be?
What kind of relationship would we like to have?
Do we want God to be able to work in us and through us?
Are we pursuing a relationship with Jesus, or are we just gaining knowledge of Him?
Are we experiencing change in our lives because of the work God is doing in us?
Will we consider giving our all to Him today and every day?
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