Spiritual Warfare in Ephesus
The Call to Endure: From Ephesus to FBC • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsThe believers at Ephesus had to stand firm in spiritual battles.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
· Many of the nations involved in WWII were caught off guard when war came to them.
o France and the UK were shocked when Germany invaded Poland, and when the blitzkrieg came through the Ardennes Forest.
o Stalin was shocked when Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
o The US was surprised when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
· In each case, their view of the world didn’t correspond to reality.
Context
Context
· We will be focusing on a particular event that occurred during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus.
· There were many kinds of conflict in Ephesus: Political, economic, theological, etc.
o However, one that stands out is the spiritual conflict between Paul and the spiritual forces arrayed against the Gospel.
· Spiritual warfare is a big issue in the church and there are a lot of different views on spiritual warfare. But, what are we to think about these things?
· First, spiritual warfare is a reality. There is an unseen reality to things and we would be foolish to ignore it.
· Second, it is wise to avoid excessive speculation about these things.
o There is something attractive and captivating about these subjects, but we must remember to keep our focus on the things God wants us to be focused on; proclaiming the gospel to the nations.
· What I would like for us to be focused on today is the events that occurred in Ephesus during Paul’s ministry there, why they occurred, and what do these events indicate to us today about spiritual warfare and how we may endure.
The first thing the text indicates to us is that the confidence to stand is found in Christ alone.
The Confidence to Stand is Found in Christ Alone (Acts 19:11-16)
The Confidence to Stand is Found in Christ Alone (Acts 19:11-16)
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
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.
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.”
14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
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.
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 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. 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.” 14Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 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.
· As we established last week, Christ is on the move in Ephesus through the ministry of Paul.
all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
· Paul wasn’t just pursuing intellectual conquest in Ephesus.
o There is always a spiritual component to evangelism.
· The message of the gospel was not demonstrated only in Paul’s excellent and persuasive speaking, but also in the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power.
· Miracles were happening in Ephesus.
· A note about miracles: When we see miracles in the New Testament, whether done by Jesus or His apostles, they are always done in order to validate the message being spoken.
o For example, when Jesus heals the paralytic in Matt. 9:
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matthew 9:5–6 ESV)
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”
o Another example is when Peter heals the lame beggar.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong…12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? (Acts 3:6–7, 12 ESV)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
· And as those miracles were signs of the truth of their message, Paul’s miracles demonstrate an important message.
o First, note the extraordinary nature of the miracles…not only Paul’s direct miracles, but the indirect miracles occurring through his handkerchiefs and aprons.
o Second, let us note the message they are validating.
§ They heal diseases and cast out evil spirits.
§ These correspond to the great deliverance offered in Christ.
· Freedom from the curse of death (sickness) and the power of sin (evil spirits)
o Third, take note of what these miracles say about Paul’s character.
§ Handkerchiefs and aprons are symbols of Paul’s toil and labor on behalf of Christ.
· They are evidence of Paul’s humility and the greatness of the real miracle worker…God.
§ Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians:
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Paul’s miracle ministry bears no resemblance to the so-called “miracle” ministries we may see today. These are not marked by humility and service, but upon self-promotion, financial gain, and exploitation of the vulnerable.
Rather, Paul’s ministry was aimed at proclaiming Christ, selfless service, and helping the vulnerable.
· The amazing ministry of Paul had its admirers, and unfortunately, these admirers weren’t men of the best character.
· The introduction of the Jewish exorcists is a continuation of another theme of Acts, the battle between supernatural powers.
o Three other examples bear upon this event.
§ The story of Simon the Magician (Acts 8:9-25)
§ The story of Bar-Jesus the Magician (Acts 13:6-11)
§ The Philippian diviner. (Acts 16:16-19)
o In each of these stories, the person desires the power being demonstrated by the Apostles but lacks the faith that the signs are evidence of.
§ The power is a means to an end, namely, increasing their reputation.
§ The Holy Spirit is a genie who grants wishes or a supernatural, mystical force that gives superpowers.
o These travelling exorcists recognize that there is power in Jesus’ name.
§ But they don’t believe in Jesus; His name is just a name with spiritual power.
§ Naming Jesus is like an incantation like “hocus pocus” or “abracadabra.”
· They attempt to cast out an evil spirit through their craftiness, and they come face to face with the reality of the spiritual world and how tragically unprepared and unarmed they are.
· Paul’s message to the Ephesians clearly teaches that we are under the power of the spirit of this age.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
o That is to say, in our natural state, we are on the bottom of the totem pole.
· The spirit mocks them by calling out their lack of status.
o “Jesus, I know”—Even demons believe and submit to the authority of Christ.
o “Paul, I recognize”—Believers have become citizens of the kingdom of God, and are free from the kingdom of darkness (Col. 1:13)
o “But who are you?”—The sons of Sceva found out where they ranked in the pecking order, and it wasn’t at the top.
§ And they leave humiliated and beaten by the demon-possessed man.
§ Their mistreatment demonstrates the folly of the enemy and all those who take the Lord’s name in vain.
§ Jesus says, “A house divided against itself cannot stand”
It’s not about knowing the name of Jesus that brings power but knowing and belonging to Jesus.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5 ESV)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
· This story demonstrates the spirit of religious syncretism, that is, a “whatever works” mentality.
o The Romans were accustomed to adopting the religious practices of the conquered peoples as a way of hedging their spiritual bets.
o The Jewish exorcists were willing to appeal to the name of Jesus Christ in order to gain for themselves.
The spirit of syncretism is alive today in the form of abandonment of the gospel in favor of more attractive, less offensive forms of church and religion.
A “have it your way” type of church. Sometimes even appealing to and incorporating other religious practices.
Today you may not see many professing Christians engaging in the use of crystals, seances, and medium.
But it is not uncommon for them to devote themselves to homeopathic medicines, yoga, or other practices derived from the non-Christian world with near-religious devotion.
The story of the seven sons of Sceva shows us what happens when we try and stand against the spiritual forces of this age in our own strength and by our own understanding. What we should learn is that commitment to Christ leads to transformation.
Commitment to Christ Leads to Transformation (Acts 19:17-20)
Commitment to Christ Leads to Transformation (Acts 19:17-20)
17 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 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
19 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 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
17 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 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19And 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 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
· The response to this event was striking…revival broke out in Ephesus.
· Every corner of Ephesus and every person were affected.
o It marked a turn in the culture of Ephesus.
§ The practice of magic had a strong cultural hold…even amongst the believers.
· It wasn’t the miracles, but the fact that the sons of Sceva had been divinely judged in the sight of all for trying to use the name of Jesus.
o Breaking God’s commandment (3rd).
· This is one of the great and powerful things of the gospel; it sensitizes us to their sin.
o There is no hiding when faced with the purity and power of Jesus.
· J.I. Packer spoke powerfully about the power of revival:
As God uses His word to quicken consciences, the perverseness, ugliness, uncleanness, and guilt of sin are seen and felt with new clarity, and depth of each person’s sinfulness is realized as never before. Believers are deeply humbled; unbelievers are made to feel that living as they do with sin and without God is intolerable, and the forgiveness of sins becomes the most precious truth in the creed.
Where the light of Jesus shines, darkness retreats and the gospel advances.
o The Holy Spirit pricks our consciences, and so we are drawn to respond.
· Fear: the right response to the demonstration of God’s power and the gospel.
· The name of Jesus was extolled: we see that godly fear is God-honoring.
· Many of those who were now believers came: though many had professed faith in Jesus Christ, apparently, they had not fully separated from their old lives (the spirit of syncretism).
o Now, they were made awake to the reality of the calling of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
· The pull of our former lives can be strong a times.
o There are always temptations to hold on to old patterns of living.
§ Unforgiveness, licentiousness, and self-gratification are powerful temptations.
o This is why Paul tells us to watch the way we live.
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV)
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. (1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV)
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
o Whatever would cause us to stumble back into old patterns must be considered as an act of war.
· Confessing and divulging their practices: Godly fear leads to confession of sin…agreement with God about the nature of our sinfulness.
o Remorse (grieving), repentance (turning), renunciation (forsaking), restitution (mending).
· Such was the change, that the believers in Ephesus were bringing everything that belonged to their old ways together to destroy it in sight of all. A powerful symbol of commitment.
o Remember that the rich young ruler would not follow Jesus because it meant giving up his many possessions.
o The Ephesians mortified their sins by putting them to destruction, even to the point that a great deal of value was destroyed.
§ This is evidence of their humility before God.
· Jesus promised in Mark’s gospel great reward to those who make such sacrifices to follow Him:
29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29–31 ESV)
29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,
30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
· The story of the sons of Sceva reveals the importance of being prepared for the spiritual battle going on around us.
o The key to this abiding in Christ…putting off the old man and putting on the new.
· The way of endurance is to leave the old man behind, with the sure faith that we will receive a greater reward.
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7–8 ESV)
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
· As a closing statement shows that this moment of public repentance caused the revival to grow even greater… This would ultimately lead to the riot at Ephesus we covered last week.
· This victory comes from the gospel.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16–17 ESV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
· That is how Paul ministered: through the Word of God and the Power of the Holy Spirit and in prayer.
Commitment to Jesus Christ and the gospel enables us to Stand Firm with God’s Power.
Standing Firm with God’s Power (Eph. 6:10-20)
Standing Firm with God’s Power (Eph. 6:10-20)
Clothed in Divine Power (Eph. 6:10-13)
Clothed in Divine Power (Eph. 6:10-13)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
· We must not fail to realize that the strength to stand comes from God and is not our own.
o And the strength of God is sufficient to keep us in through every trial.
· We must understand that fact because our war is not against the things we can see…apart from God, we are woefully out of our death.
· For that reason, God has given us the tools to fight this fight and emerge victorious.
o The armor of God.
o We will examine this passage in greater detail in the fall, but it will serve us today to understand the great gift that God has provided for us.
Equipped With Spiritual Armor (Eph. 6:14-17)
Equipped With Spiritual Armor (Eph. 6:14-17)
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
· God has given us everything we need, so let’s briefly look at them.
· Belt of Truth
o Our enemy is a great deceiver.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
o God has given us the certainty of truth so that we can have confidence in His promises.
§ Confidence literally means “with faith.” God’s truthfulness means that we can trust His promises.
· Breastplate of Righteousness
o We are not able to stand in our own righteousness because we are sinners by nature.
§ No one will be justified by good works.
o Rather, we need the imputed righteousness of Jesus, which he has given us by his substitutionary death on the cross.
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (Philippians 3:9 ESV)
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
· Shoes of Readiness
o Roman war sandals had hob-nails on the bottom, so that they could better grip the ground in battle. Much of their strategy involved their foothold…both to endure the pushing assaults of the enemy, as well as pressing forward to gain ground.
§ God has given us the powerful gospel to move forward and take ground in all the world.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18 ESV)
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
§ Nothing can stop the procession of the gospel to victory.
· Shield of Faith
o As we have received the imputed righteousness of Christ, we need to take hold of the promise of the completed work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14 ESV)
o No scheme of the enemy can undo the perfection of the salvation Jesus has accomplished for us.
· Helmet of Salvation
o We can have full and final assurance of our future salvation.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
o Our minds can rest at ease knowing that Jesus is holding us fast through the power of the Holy Spirit.
· Sword of the Spirit
o The Scripture is a powerful weapon in our arsenal.
o One of the most helpful things it does is to protect us from sin.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:9–11 ESV)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
o So read your Bible! Your life depends on it!
Engaged in Persistent Prayer (Eph. 6:18-20)
Engaged in Persistent Prayer (Eph. 6:18-20)
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
· Pray regularly:
17 pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
17 pray without ceasing,
o Let no part of your life be un-prayed for.
§ Prayer leads us to remember and continue in godly dependence.
· Ask for help:
16 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16b ESV)
16 The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
o In fact, His Holy Spirit directs our prayers where they need to go:
· 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26–28 ESV)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
o God wants you to pray for help in times of trial because it is His pleasure to provide for every need.
· Pray for one another:
o We have been given as members of the body of Christ for mutual support.
§ You need others, and they need you, so pray for them.
o Pray for their endurance.
o Pray for their boldness.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:15–17 ESV)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
