THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 19:13-22
“Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)
Jesus holds all authority over all creation, given to Him by God.
The Spirit of God works with/for Jesus, fulfilling His will and purpose.
Those who surrender to Jesus and His message are filled with His Spirit.
Our strength is in our relationship to Jesus, and our living for Him.
The sons of Sceva tried to use Jesus’s Name as a magic talisman.
But they did not know Jesus, Jesus did not know them, nor did these demons.
Using Jesus’s Name, or quoting a bible, or belonging to a church…
These do not give us spiritual power – only a relationship with Jesus does.
Jesus is not a means to an end, to whatever perk or blessing we may want.
The message of Jesus is about emptying oneself of power and self-interest.
It leads to humility, repentance, self-denial, change of direction.
Is your relationship with Jesus changing you, like it did the Ephesians?
Is the message of Jesus spreading and growing in and through me?
“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:20)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I want to know You better, and I want Your message to change me more. May Your word have this kind of power and impact in my life!