Title: The Power of The Name

Date: 2008-07-13

Reference: Acts 19: 13-20

""Recently my son, who wanted to begin reading more from his Bible asked me what my favorite book was. I told him I was very fond of the Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Acts. I mentioned today’s Scripture reading, from the Book of Acts, as a very exciting account in the history of the early church.

Some unbelievers started going around trying to force out evil spirits by using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They would say: “Come out in the name of that same Jesus Paul preaches about.” In that day and age, itinerant Jewish exorcists roamed the country offering to rid people of evil spirits. Their profession had become a source of revenue. The superstitious people in Ephesus attracted many of these would be healers.

When they saw the miracles of Paul’s ministry they tried to emulate his power by using the name of Jesus.

Seven men, sons of a Jewish Priest, sought to use Jesus’ name without a person belief in him. On one occasion they confronted a spirit in this way. The spirit said to them: “I know Jesus. I have heard about Paul. But who are you?” The man with the evil spirit jumped on them, beat them, and sent all seven of them running from the house naked and bruised.

When the neighbors heard about this they were so frightened that they praised the name of Jesus. Some of them who had been practicing magic brought in their books, worth about 50k silver coins, and burned them in public.

In this way, the Lord’s message spread and became even more powerful.

Paul’s ministry in the area was marked by many miracles, all done in the name of Jesus. The power at work through Paul was so great that many actually believed that the handkerchiefs and aprons he wore working at his trade would have his power. Paul’s sweat bands and aprons were not powerful in themselves. The people there had heard the Apostle’s message and witnessed the Lord’s miracles through him. They believed an apron he had worn at work would also have power.

The Holy Spirit was moving mightily in the area. Whenever the Power of the Name of Jesus is proclaimed, The Spirit can and will do wonderful things. It seems everyone knew what Paul was saying and doing. Even Paul’s distractors had to admit the word was spreading and the church was growing. At one point them complained about these men who had turned the whole world upside down.

In the midst of this great revival seven men with inadequate power sought to use Jesus’ name without having a personal relationship with him or a belief in him. Theirs was 2nd hand knowledge and faith. John Wesley used to warn against this reminding us how God has no grandchildren. God only has sons and daughters. We must all make our own decision for Christ and can never depend only on the faith of another.

Once again, the spirit responded: “I know Jesus and I know Paul but who in the world are you?” This spirit recognized self-serving exploitation. Only a person in whom Jesus lives has the power to use His name in prayer and in healing. Only a church in which Jesus lives and is welcomed will minister with any kind of power.

Had these seven men been successful they would have discredited the name of Jesus and the ministry of the church. God used this scheme to defeat envy and to bring conviction to those involved in the occult. The magic books they ended up destroying were very valuable but they did not count the cost.

There is absolutely no limit to what can happen when we base our entire ministry as a church, on the power of the name of Jesus and depend upon the power of His Holy Spirit. The name of Jesus carries with it authority, power, and strength. When we minister, preach, and pray in the name of Jesus we are assured he will be present to release the same wonders we witness in the Bible.

As I have said several times in this series on the Holy Spirit, we are in need of the power the Spirit brings us. That power is released when we ask and pray in the name of Jesus. As Jesus was preparing to leave the world he said to his disciples: “I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true. The world cannot accept the Spirit because they don’t see or know Him. But you know the Spirit who is with you and will keep on living in you.”

To make up for his physical absence Jesus promised three things.His own peace. The Holy Spirit or Helper.and prayer in His name. We are called not only to pray in Jesus’ name but also to live in his name. The name of Jesus is not a magical incantation or secret code that works some kind of magical spell when it’s invoked. The name of Jesus is not a tool with which to manipulate God, forcing God to do something for us. To pray in the name of Jesus means to pray by the authority of Jesus. To pray in harmony with Jesus.

Jesus is totally identified with his name and to recognize His name means to recognize fully who He is and what He has done. The clear preaching of the name brings confession, repentance, and a radical change of lifestyle.

On another occasion, the Apostles Peter and John healed a man at the Temple Gate. Peter said to him.”I don’t have any money to give you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise and walk.” This man who had never been able to walk went with them into the temple.walking, leaping, and praising God. A large crowd gathered and Peter said.”Why do you marvel at this as though by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? It was through faith in the name of Jesus this man was made strong.”

The Holy Spirit gives us power for ministry. That power is released at the name of Jesus. The Bible says: “God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed upon him the name which is above every other name. That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2: 9-11)

God empowers us and allows us to do significant things for him. God is seeking Christians who are willing to go beyond their comfort zones and follow God’s leading. God is searching for those who have a heart that passionately desires to change the world for Him. In order to be effective for God in this way, we must have the power God intended us to have for ministry. A recent survey indicated that the average pastor works 12 hours a day and prays only 3 minutes each day. So many of us settle for so little of God’s power in our lives and in our ministry.

We believe Jesus can change our lives but often are lives are no different. We say faith can bring us hope yet our lives are often filled with despair. We know Christ can give us peace and our lives continue to be wracked with turmoil. We believe prayer works but our lives are void of real prayer power. We know the Bible is God’s word but we are not transformed by it’s content. In order to be effective we must have the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

God has always used some highly unlikely people to make a difference in the world. The Bible contains the stories of unlikely folks who were radically transformed and used by God to make a difference.

We serve a sovereign God who remains in control. Jesus told us this God watches over us and cares for us. This God is anxious to hear from us and to give us power for life and ministry.

The seven men in today’s reading had witnessed the power of God expressed through Paul. They wanted to be as effective as Paul was in healing others. They had all the right words, but words are not enough. It’s never enough to talk about Jesus and to talk about people who love Jesus. That will never get us through. It can even be a dangerous thing.

When we pray in the name of Jesus the power of the Holy Spirit is released into the situation we are praying about. When we seek the power of The Spirit we receive forgiveness. The Bible reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us.” (I John 1:9) God also shares His wisdom. We are living in a complex and confused age.

Each and every day we are forced to make decisions for ourselves and for others we love. God promises to direct us if we call on Him to do so. As we read in the New Testament.”Does anyone of you lack wisdom? Let him ask God and it will be given.” (James) As we pray for the sick and suffering we know God answers our prayers according to His will. Again the Bible says. “With Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil.) God provides our needs. We pray to receive what we need from God. To prevent needless worry we keep in close touch with God.

There is power in the name proclaimed.""