PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 19:13-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“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 God’s will and purpose.
Those who surrender to Jesus and his message are filled with the Spirit.
Our strength is in our relationship to Jesus, and our living in 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)
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!
The name of Jesus is powerful – in the face of evil spirits – invoking Jesus’ name will send them away. Yet be careful, as we see here: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Buddhists have told me that the name of Jesus works to sent evil spirits away – but they themselves don’t know Jesus. Will they get retribution from the evil spirits. As a follower of Jesus I can stand strong – even though inside I might not feel strong – knowing that Jesus has already defeated death – and the day of final judgement on the evil one will come soon – in the meantime I need to stay close and go boldly in Jesus name – not my own!
My words and deeds need to show I am His and He is mine. Being His follower need to bring praise to His name, not mine. I need to be a channel of His peace, an instrument of His love flowing through me. As I live for Him others need to see Christ Jesus living in me.
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It isn’t pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men let we receive
And in dying that we’re born to turn around
Oh, master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy