September 25, 2023 - Acts 19

In Ephesus, Paul taught and reasoned in the synagogue for three months, but when some became hardened and opposed him, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples. You see that with Jesus from time to when, that he simply turns away from those who will not listen. But always there were those who WOULD listen! And so, in Ephesus, Paul spent two years, “so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord” (19:10). The gospel on the march!

The seven sons of Sceva. They thought they had come upon a magical verbal formula, a powerful fetish of sorts, that is, the name of Jesus. They would pronounce the name over those who had evil spirits, apparently thinking that the mere articulation of the sounds would be effective. Nope. They did not know Jesus, and so, they had no business employing his name. Things did not work out well for them. Also, people all over the place began to confess their sinful magical practices, and “the Lord's message flourished and prevailed” (19:20). The gospel on the march! May it always be so!

God’s skies are full of Pentecosts,

For you, for me, for all;

Then let us humbly, boldly press,

Our heritage in Christ possess,

That power from heaven may fall.

Then quickly “back to Pentecost,”

That blessed upper room;

And pray the mighty Lord of Hosts

To send on us the Holy Ghost,

And tarry till He come. -- Mrs. C. H. Lelia Morris (1901)