Live: So The Devil Knows Your Name

Introduction

Acts 19:8-19

Acts 19:8–19 CSB

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples, and conducted discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord. 11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded. 17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. 18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Pray

Here we see Paul still in Ephesus. He likes it there, he spends a good deal of time there approximately 3 years. In this passage he is in the Synagogues, Arguing and persuading about the Kingdom of God. And he was received well, until people speaking against the way. This has been the trend in every town. This was however the longest he had stayed in any one synagogue.

But Paul does have to leave and minister at the Lecture hall of Tyrannus, Probably the hall of a local philosopher. Named Tyrannus or Tyrant. Paul might have rented the hall from him. It is also at this time that Paul wrote the letter to Corinth, Corinthians.

While here at Ephesus, Paul is open to God and God uses him Mightily. Using him to heal. And even so strongly that things he sweated and worked on were being used to heal and being carried off.

The Holy spirit was doing through Paul what their sacred deities could not.

In this city Magic is a big deals. Some Jewish exorcist come into contact with Paul and his preaching about Jesus, And they attempt to make magical use of this new name. They aren’t Believers just Jews wanting to use this new magic word. Because names are believed to have power.

Don’t we sometimes treat Gods name like that?

If I end may prayer in Christ Name and my magic prayer will be heard?

But as these men find out that if you are not friends with Jesus in relationship with Him than it is just another name. Because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, By the Blood of Jesus Christ, To The Father. But they found that the Demon didn’t know who they were and though Jesus is the key to salvation. It is not a weapon to be used. It is the Name of The Christ. The Messiah who saves us from the punishment of our sins.

But this event did spread and bring to light all those who were misusing the name of Jesus. And they openly renounce their magical ways. Which the Greek world put a lot of stock in magic. The gods brought it to man.

When they burnt their scrolls it was fifty thousand pieces of silver. That’s about Six Million dollars in today’s currency. That is a lot of magical scrolls. As the people realize that God is greater than anything that man can do.

As we look at this passage we see something, That demons and the devil are not all knowing. Now doesn’t that go up against so much of what we tend to believe.

God and devil are not equals. God and the devil don’t have opposing kingdoms and they are in an epic war.

1 John 1:5–6 LEB

5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.

Light and darkness are not equal. Darkness is the absence of light. Light always wins in a fight. Darkness always flees from light. God is light there is no darkness in him because light is not the opposite of darkness but the darkness is the absence of light. They are not equals so the devil doesn’t know who you are if you pose him no threat than he don’t care about you.

The world doesn’t care about those who don’t oppose it. But we are to be not of this world.

We should be so overflowing with the Love of Jesus that we should be loving others and chasing light so much. That the devil knows our name. I know I want the devil to rejoice when I have been called home to Jesus because I have cause to much trouble for him. I want to seek light so that darkness flees. That’s how you overcome sin. Can’t win against it. Not fill with life. Overcome anger practice peace. Overcome sex practice love current or future spouse.

I don’t want to be one who the devil doesn’t know my name cause that means I don’t mean anything

No the devil should no your name because you are filled with the power of the Holy spirit

Take up the power that has been given to you

Use your gifts

Live The Eternal Life that is now

Be a part of the kingdom

The devil knows your name. Does Jesus?

Must start there

Be empowered

Pray