Aug 13, 2023 “Experiencing the True Power of Knowing Jesus” (Acts 19:11-20)

In the book of Acts we read about many miracles. Today Christians experience similar miracles, but we tend to overlook them. Much like the Israelites, we become forgetful and ungrateful.  
 
The biggest miracle in our life is to be saved from sin by Jesus. Yet, we take it for granted that we have salvation.  
 
God used Paul to do great things and perform miracles. Jesus knew Paul personally and Paul was using the power for Jesus. 
 
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 
Acts 19:11 ESV 
 
The name of Jesus invoked great power. However, people did not know Jesus. 
 
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.” 
Acts 19:13 ESV 
 
It does not go well for them because the power they were using not commissioned for them to use. They were mimicking Paul and did not know Jesus. Their power was fake and the results were humiliating. 
 
Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 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. 
Acts 19:14‭-‬16 ESV 
 
This can be the same with us. If we do not know Jesus, we can pretend to be a Christian and go through the motions, but what will be the result. We will eventually be found to be fake Christians and suffer. 
 
Understanding that God is the creator of all things and is to be worshipped and obeyed will bring honour and successes. This is what happened with those who used Jesus’ name in the right way. 
 
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. 
Acts 19:17 ESV 
 
We need to know God, then know ourselves and finally experience God. Job went through this.  
 
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” 
Job 42:5‭-‬6 ESV 
 
We first need to know God. Then we can confess our sins. Finally we can Experience God. This will then spill over to others. 
 
Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 
Acts 19:18 ESV 

• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) 나 같은 죄인 살리신
• Hosanna 호산나
• Lord I Lift Your Name On High 주의 이름 높이며