The True Power of God
Notes
Transcript
Pastor Phil Pagliari
Acts 19:11-20*
By grace the true power of God comes true belief and holy living.
By grace the true power of God comes true belief and holy living.
1. God does miraculous things to all who truly believe in Him. (Acts 19:11-12)
1. God does miraculous things to all who truly believe in Him. (Acts 19:11-12)
Orthodoxy - true belief
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive
Indicative and Imperative
Done - Do
Exposition: dunameis ou tas tuchousas God "did extraordinary miracles through Paul" (v. 11,—not the ordinary kind), such as healings and exorcisms via sweatbands or aprons from his tentmaking work. These weren't Paul's invention; God sovereignly chose the means to authenticate the apostolic gospel in a superstitious culture.
Exposition: dunameis ou tas tuchousas God "did extraordinary miracles through Paul" (v. 11,—not the ordinary kind), such as healings and exorcisms via sweatbands or aprons from his tentmaking work. These weren't Paul's invention; God sovereignly chose the means to authenticate the apostolic gospel in a superstitious culture.
Theological Insight : Miracles here confirm the resurrection's message (Heb. 2:3-4), not a normative "believer's toolkit." Paul didn't intentionally "anoint" cloths; God used everyday items to meet people in their worldview, redirecting them from magic to Christ. This underscores divine sovereignty—power flows from God, not formulas or relics.
Theological Insight : Miracles here confirm the resurrection's message (Heb. 2:3-4), not a normative "believer's toolkit." Paul didn't intentionally "anoint" cloths; God used everyday items to meet people in their worldview, redirecting them from magic to Christ. This underscores divine sovereignty—power flows from God, not formulas or relics.
Illustration: Imagine a faith healer today selling "prayer cloths" for $50, claiming Acts 19 as proof. But Paul healed selectively (e.g., not Timothy's stomach, 1 Tim. 5:23), showing God's purpose, not our demand. Contrast with the woman touching Jesus' hem (Luke 8:44)—faith in Christ, not the cloth.
Illustration: Imagine a faith healer today selling "prayer cloths" for $50, claiming Acts 19 as proof. But Paul healed selectively (e.g., not Timothy's stomach, 1 Tim. 5:23), showing God's purpose, not our demand. Contrast with the woman touching Jesus' hem (Luke 8:44)—faith in Christ, not the cloth.
Application: True believers rest in God's sovereign power through ordinary means like preaching, not chasing signs. Examine: Do you seek God's glory or personal breakthroughs? Cross-ref: 2 Cor. 12:12.
Application: True believers rest in God's sovereign power through ordinary means like preaching, not chasing signs. Examine: Do you seek God's glory or personal breakthroughs? Cross-ref: 2 Cor. 12:12.
2. Jesus is glorified when The Holy Spirit exposes all of the fake followers in due time. (Acts 19:13-17)
2. Jesus is glorified when The Holy Spirit exposes all of the fake followers in due time. (Acts 19:13-17)
Exposition: Seven sons of Sceva, itinerant Jewish exorcists, try name-dropping "Jesus whom Paul preaches" (v. 13) as a magic spell. The demon retorts, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" (v. 15), overpowering them. Fear grips the city; "the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled" (v. 17).
Exposition: Seven sons of Sceva, itinerant Jewish exorcists, try name-dropping "Jesus whom Paul preaches" (v. 13) as a magic spell. The demon retorts, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" (v. 15), overpowering them. Fear grips the city; "the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled" (v. 17).
Theological Insight: This exposes false professors—those with head knowledge but no heart submission (cf. Matt. 7:22-23). Demons recognize true authority (James 2:19), but pretenders get humiliated, vindicating Christ's lordship. It's God's sovereign timing: He unmasks hypocrisy to purify His church, echoing total depravity and the perseverance of saints.
Theological Insight: This exposes false professors—those with head knowledge but no heart submission (cf. Matt. 7:22-23). Demons recognize true authority (James 2:19), but pretenders get humiliated, vindicating Christ's lordship. It's God's sovereign timing: He unmasks hypocrisy to purify His church, echoing total depravity and the perseverance of saints.
Illustration:
Illustration:
Like modern "word-of-faith" preachers chanting verses as incantations for wealth, the Sceva sons treated Jesus as a tool, not Lord.
Like modern "word-of-faith" preachers chanting verses as incantations for wealth, the Sceva sons treated Jesus as a tool, not Lord.
Their beating (naked and wounded, v. 16) pictures spiritual defeat—public shame that sparks awe.
Their beating (naked and wounded, v. 16) pictures spiritual defeat—public shame that sparks awe.
Mark 5:3-4
Mark 5:3-4
Application:
Application:
Self-exam: Is Jesus your formula or your King?
Self-exam: Is Jesus your formula or your King?
Fake faith fails in trials; true faith submits.
Fake faith fails in trials; true faith submits.
Churches, reject pragmatic "success" metrics—preach the full gospel, letting God expose what's false.
Churches, reject pragmatic "success" metrics—preach the full gospel, letting God expose what's false.
Acts 8:18-24 (Simon Magus).
Psalm 19:7 “7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.”
3. The power of God is made know when a viable change takes place through the regular means of grace. (Acts 19:18-20)
3. The power of God is made know when a viable change takes place through the regular means of grace. (Acts 19:18-20)
Exposition: exomologeomai Believers confess sins (v. 18,—publicly owning up), burn sorcery books worth 50,000 silver pieces (~$5-10 million today), and the Word "grew mightily and prevailed" (v. 20).
Exposition: exomologeomai Believers confess sins (v. 18,—publicly owning up), burn sorcery books worth 50,000 silver pieces (~$5-10 million today), and the Word "grew mightily and prevailed" (v. 20).
Theological Insight : This radical repentance is fruit of irresistible grace, not willpower—God transforms through His appointed means: bold preaching (vv. 8-10), which Paul faithfully did for two years. The bonfire wasn't emotional hype but costly obedience, showing sanctification's reality.
Theological Insight : This radical repentance is fruit of irresistible grace, not willpower—God transforms through His appointed means: bold preaching (vv. 8-10), which Paul faithfully did for two years. The bonfire wasn't emotional hype but costly obedience, showing sanctification's reality.
Illustration:
Illustration:
Ephesus's magic manuals were big business; burning them was like a tech CEO torching profit-making code.
Ephesus's magic manuals were big business; burning them was like a tech CEO torching profit-making code.
Today, delete occult apps, trash horoscope books, or renounce "manifestation" schemes—publicly, to declare war on sin.
Today, delete occult apps, trash horoscope books, or renounce "manifestation" schemes—publicly, to declare war on sin.
Application:
Application:
Growth comes via ordinary grace: Scripture reading, baptism, Lord's Supper, prayer—not events.
Growth comes via ordinary grace: Scripture reading, baptism, Lord's Supper, prayer—not events.
What "books" need burning in your life? The gospel prevails when we yield.
What "books" need burning in your life? The gospel prevails when we yield.
Desiers Chnage
Sacrifiecs are made
The Word of the Lord Prevales!!
Cross-ref: Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
Cross-ref: Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
God's power isn't pragmatic magic but sovereign grace turning rebels into worshipers. If you're a fake follower, confess today—Jesus saves the exposed. True believers, glorify Him through holy living. Gospel call: Repent and believe; rest in Christ's finished work. Benediction: "The Word of the Lord grew mightily" (v. 20)—may it in us.
