The Power of the Word

Introduction

Acts 20:17-21

though humbled, through tears and trials, in spite of plots against him Paul did not shrink from declaring anything that would help the Ephesian believers

not only did he want them to stand but thrive

Paul began his ministry preaching repentance and faith. (Acts 20:21)

this is where all true Gospel ministry starts

repentance toward God: He is holy and just, we have sinned and offended Him and His holy law and as such are in sinful rebellion, and under His holy wrath

faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: the One and Only Son of God, chosen to be our sin bearer and the atoning sacrifice for our sins

Acts 20:25-32

After the Ephesians repented and believed Paul taught them the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)

note the great passion that Paul did this with: he admonished them with tears (v.31)

his deep longing for the Ephesians was that they grow strong in their knowledge of the truth and walk in it

as we will see from our passage this morning, the result of his teaching ministry was the spread of the Gospel throughout the province of Asia as it overcame all opposition

then he concluded:

Acts 20:32 ESV

32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Two things absolutely are critical for the ongoing strength and growth of the church: God and His Word. (Acts 20:32)

some churches claim to have God that have abandoned His Word or are in the process of compromising

they are dying or dead

other churches claim to be faithful to the Word of God but lack the power of God in their midst

tends to legalism, and dead formalism, going through the motions

Ephesus appears to have fallen into this trap in Rev 2

Jesus rebuked them for abandoning their first love

every church that wishes to thrive must have God and His Word, truth + love

when God and His Word are exalted 2 things happen:

“which is able to build you up”

When God and His Word are both working together spiritual growth happens and numerical growth often follows. (Acts 19:32)

“and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified”

When God and His Word are working together, Christians persevere. (Acts 19:32)

we are living in a time when the need for perseverance is very great

times are uncertain: we can’t worship like we used to, we can’t sing, we must physically distance from one another

there are lots of empty spaces

temptation to do whatever will bring people in

Paul never compromised, his message was always the same, his passion for people and the truth never wavered because he was firmly committed to the Power of the Word

we’ll witness this in our passage this morning and see the tremendous power of the Word to transform not only unbelievers, but believers as well

The Word Proclaimed

Acts 19:8–10 ESV

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Ephesus

as the regional capital and the seat of Roman gov’t, Ephesus was a city of commerce and prosperity

an important economic centre

located on important trade routes, both land and water

2nd only to Rome as a cosmopolitan centre of culture and commerce

people from all over the Roman world came there while Paul was teaching

as a result many heard, some were saved and the Gospel spread far and wide

a religious centre

Temple of Artemis (Diana) one of the 7 wonders of the world at that time

Ephesus a hotbed of magic, spells, occult, charms, incantations

famous “Ephesian letters”

scrolls with magic words and symbols put in silk pouches and worn like a charm against evil and to promote success and happiness

“he entered the synagogue”

at the end of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey he made a brief stop in Ephesus and went to the synagogue where he was warmly received and was encouraged to stay and keep ministering

because he was on his way to Jerusalem to fulfill a vow, he left them but promised to return if the Lord willed (18:20-21)

having returned on his 3rd missionary journey he taught them in their synagogue for 3 months, the longest ministry in a synagogue

Luke tells us how Paul taught: boldly, reasoning with them, and persuading. (v. 8)

Paul spoke boldly

this means he spoke honestly and straightforwardly, without fear

didn’t hold anything back

did not water down anything that might be challenging

did not make excuses for truth that offended common thinking and ideas

Paul reasoned with them as he sought to persuade them

reasoning - Q&A

persuading - exhorting the Jews to embrace Jesus as their Promised Messiah

Sadly, over those 3 months of ministry a process of hardening set in among some in the synagogue.

became stubborn in their unbelief: idea of being dried out like a branch so that it can no longer bend because it has become stiff and brittle

something even Christians must guard against:

Hebrews 3:12–13 ESV

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

resulted in speaking evil of the Way

this is not uncommon when the Word is faithfully preached

if everyone loves the preaching something is wrong!

when this happened with Jesus and the crowds were growing He preached more challenging things which caused many to leave

Faithful preaching always “cuts” at some time or another. (Heb 4:12-13)

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

John Calvin: “The word either makes hard and excites opposition or it brings repentance and new life.”

refusing to cast pearls before swine (Mt 7:6) Paul withdrew and took with him those who embraced Jesus

when the synagogue became too toxic Paul took the disciples away for their protection and to further train and equip them

they began meeting in hall of Tyrannus

nothing known of Tyrannus

our English word “school” comes from this word “hall”

it was a place where some kind of regular teaching took place

its size and location and the ability for people to come and go resulted in many hearing

exposed the Word to a larger group of hearers who would never have darkened the door of the synagogue!

Luke tells us that while Paul laboured at his tent making (20:34), he reasoned daily (19:9), teaching in public and from house to house (20:20).

the common practice at that time was to work until 11am and rest until 4pm during the hottest period of the day

if Paul was to reach the people of Ephesus with the truth of God’s word it had to be when the people of Ephesus were available and that was generally from 11-4 and later in the evenings

it is likely then that Paul worked at his tent making until 11 (20:34) and then taught until 4

Luke tells in 19:9 that he did this “daily”

5 hours/day = 5 sermons/day

6 days/week for 2 yrs = 3,120 sermons!

even if we cut this in half to allow for breaks the total would be 1,560 sermons - covered a wide variety of topics and issues!

Paul’s summary in Acts 20:20

Acts 20:20 ESV

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

after teaching in the hall of Tyrannus Paul continued teaching house to house throughout the evening hours! (Acts 20:31)

summary of Paul’s time in Ephesus in v.10

Acts 19:10 ESV

10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Paul’s strategy: preach the Word, make disciples and watch them spread the Gospel far and wide.

as Paul taught daily the Word was carried in the hearts and on the lips of those who were transformed

besides Ephesus churches were planted in Colossae, Laodicea, Hierapolis, and the other churches of Rev 2-3

the transforming power of the Word of God spread far and wide

The Word Confirmed

Acts 19:11–12 ESV

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.

hankerchiefs = rags used to wipe sweat from the face, perhaps a headband

apron: worn by labourers as part of their work clothes

widespread belief at the time that magical power could be transmitted from the magicians to others by means of articles which had touched them

we have hints of this in a couple of verses:

Matthew 9:21 ESV

21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”

Acts 5:15 ESV

15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

Paul was well aware of this widely held belief and gave out his rags and aprons with the result that when the sick and demon possessed were touched by them were healed

a powerful and convincing proof that Paul was from God and spoke on His behalf

Paul’s astonishing miracles proved that there was something at work which was far greater than anything the Ephesians had ever known, opening wide the door for his Gospel message.

Lesson concerning Paul’s miracles:

before the NT was completed there was no way for people to know whether the Apostles were to be believed or ignored as charlatans and deceivers

God gave them the power to perform heal and cast out demons so that they and their would be received as true

once the NT was completed miracles were no longer necessary

we now have the Word to evaluate who is genuine and what teaching is true

Jesus’ instruction in Jn 8:32:

John 8:32 ESV

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Word Counterfeited

Acts 19:13–16 ESV

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.

Ephesus was the centre of magic and a melting pot of religions.

the Ephesians were receptive to anyone who appeared to have any kind of magical power, regardless of what they believed

proved to be very beneficial for Paul and the Word!!

as such, Ephesus was a magnet for travelling con artists, charlatans, magicians and in this particular instance, exorcists, those who specialized in casting out demons

a great opportunity for fame and fortune for those who were especially good at deceiving people

having witnessed the power that Paul had over demons and recognizing how famous he had become, some Jewish exorcists decided to copy what they thought was Paul’s magic

among them were 7 sons of Sceva

high priest - as there is no record of a high priest by that name it is more likely he was a leader over one of the divisions of priests who served at the Temple in Jerusalem

Priests in Ephesus were especially revered because it was believed they knew more of the gods and and therefore had greater magical power.

so the 7 had a big name behind them, a big reputation

they were in the spotlight!

these 7 tried to use the name of Jesus as a magical name to overpower the demon

Jesus name a means to their own ends

the demon acknowledged bothJesus and His servant Paul but answer them with,

“who are you?”

“you” is emphatic

the demon was ridiculing them as insignificant and powerless

recognizing they had no connection to Jesus and were powerless, they attacked (jumped on), overcame (mastered) and beat (overpowered) the men so that they fled naked, bleeding and bruised

there must have been a large crowd watching this spectacle because the news spread rapidly throughout the whole city!

remember they had no internet, no social media, no newspapers, no TV!

through this shocking and dramatic failure, the Ephesians learned that Jesus was more than a magic name and and that His Gospel could not be manipulated and controlled like a lucky charm!

They saw that the name of Jesus was great and powerful and could only be used by those who knew Him, loved Him and served Him.

Paul was one of them

the result: Jesus’ name was highly exalted and Paul and his message honoured

The Word Extolled

Among Unbelievers

Acts 19:17 ESV

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.

the kind of fear that makes you want to run

The people were afraid because this was a power, a magic in their minds, that they had never encountered before and that they could not control!

not only did Jesus’ name have the power to heal and cast out demons whom they feared but those who tried to fraudulently use it for their own ends were completely overpowered by those dreaded evil spirits!

the name of Jesus was held in high honour paving the way for them hear the Gospel and for some to believe and be saved

Among Believers

Acts 19:18–19 ESV

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.

the original Greek indicates these believers as having been Christians for some time.

we’re not told what their practices were, just that they were both confessing and divulging what they had been doing

on top of those who confessed general sins there were some who had been practicing magic arts

the word “books” is in the original, scroll

Ephesus was famous for it’s “Ephesian letters”

magic letters, symbols, numbers or phrases which were written on these scrolls, deposited into silk bags and then carried about with them to ward off evil and bring good to them

would be taken out and recited or chanted as needed

so famous were these “Ephesian letters” that they circulated throughout the Roman world and were very costly

When they became believers they did not completely turn away from their old way of life.

perhaps they kept them as insurance just in case the promises of Christianity did not work for them

when these sinning believers witnessed the astonishing miracles of Paul and the power of Jesus’ name on his lips to cast out demons and how the demons quickly recognized the Jewish exorcists as frauds overpowered them, they were convinced of the Power of the Word and convicted of the worthlessness of the things they had been clinging to

they brought them out publicly, calculated their value and cast them into the fire

a demonstration of their renewed faith in Jesus and His power to preserve, protect and provide

the value of the scrolls: 50,000 pieces of silver

an indicator of the size of the Ephesian Christian population given than the majority of them would have been poor

also a sign of true repentance

no matter what the cost they were willing to give them up

that they burned them shows how seriously the considered the evil of the scrolls

since selling them for profit would have harmed the buyers they ensured they were completely destroyed

Luke says they did this “in the sight of all”

another sign of true repentance!

first, didn’t matter how much it cost

second, it didn’t matter who knew about their sins

remember, the power of sin lies in its secrecy

When sin is brought out into the open it loses its power!

James 5:16 ESV

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

imagine the testimony of this public act!

to other believers who had not given up their old ways

to unbelievers watching what they considered so valuable going up in smoke!

The Word Prevailing

Acts 19:20 ESV

20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

the Apostle Paul came to Ephesus and for 3 months reasoned with the Jews, proselytes and God fearers who had gathered in the synagogue trying to persuade them to embrace Jesus as their Messiah and walk in obedience to Him

when they hardened their hearts, refusing to believe and became abusive Paul left them for the school of Tyrannus

as a result the Word spread widely from Ephesus into the surrounding towns and cities

the power of the Word prospered in spite of wicked unbelief and sinful opposition

then as Paul continued preaching the Word God enabled him to do astonishing miracles and cast out demons

even the clothing that touched him carried supernatural healing power to those who were sick, diseased and demon possessed

when some tried to fraudulently use the name of Jesus for their own ends they were overpowered by a demon, beaten and humiliated and made a spectacle for all to see

the news of this astonishing event spread like wildfire so that all who heard were filled with fear and awe and the name of Jesus and the power of His Word were held in high esteem by all

sinners held the name of Christ in high honour

believers confessed their sins and publicly demonstrated their commitment to Christ by burning their magic scrolls

nothing could stand against Power of the Word

Do I believe in the life transforming power of the Word?

this is where all powerful Gospel ministry begins and ends and it starts with each of us individually

nothing of great spiritual significance will happen in your life without a love for God which creates a hunger and thirst for His Word

“sin will keep you from this book but this book will keep you from sin”

Does my own daily life reflect this?

are you letting the powerful Word dwell richly in you? (Col 3:16)

hiding God’s Word in your heart so that you will not sin against him? (Ps 119:11)

is the encouragement of the scriptures giving you hope? (Rom 15:4)

as you read and study the scriptures are they giving you greater and great assurance of your standing in Christ (1 Thess 1:5)

is the understanding of the Word giving you greater and greater freedom from all of the error coming at you from the world? (Jn 8:31)

perhaps you are an unbeliever and God has opened your mind and heart to the power of His Word and for the first time you have seen the name of Christ not as something to be taken in vain but to be exalted and feared?

if that is you, I call you to turn from your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord and Master