30 March 2013 by Rev Dr Steven Kau-
"I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul but who are you?" (Acts 19:15)
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was truly remarkable. I love reading about it in Acts 19. It always inspires me with what God can do through men filled with the Spirit who consecrate themselves to Christ, willing to live for Him and die for Him. Ephesus was notorious for pagan worship. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was there; the Temple of Diana and people came from far and wide to engage in pagan ritual. The city was large; having a population of around 330,000 and its sports stadium, built by Nero could seat twenty-five thousand. We know from both secular history and the biblical account in Acts 19 that Ephesus was overrun with demonic possession. Her sorcerers as Shakespeare wrote were "dark working sorcerers that change the mind, soul-killing witches that deform the body." (Comedy of Error, Acts 1, Scene 1)
In fact pagan and Jewish exorcist regularly plied their trade, seeking to deliver people from the terror of demons. Exorcists had developed a book of incantations they chanted when exorcizing demons, known in antiquity as the Ephesian writings. When the Holy Spirit began to convert large numbers of the people, some who were engaged in black magic, brought their books and burned them publicly. Luke tell us that they books were worth fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Acts 19:19) Today that would mean $ 25 million according to some estimates. Talk about a mighty societal impact!
Luke also tells us that Paul’s ministry was so powerful, accompanied by extraordinary miracles, that handkerchiefs and aprons were taken from Paul’s body and carried to the sick. Diseases and demons left the people. Apparently some of the Jewish exorcists were watching Paul and mimicked his words to the demons, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." (Acts 19:12-13) Then Luke reports that a Jewish chief priest (probably an apostate Jewish priest) named Sceva had seven sons who sought to cast out demons, invoking the name of Jesus and Paul. The chief demons spoke derisively to them, "I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul but who are you?" The man in whom the evil spirits resided jumped on the sons of Sceva, subduing and overpowering them, driving them from the house, both naked and wounded. (Acts 19:15-16)
It is clear that Jesus and Paul are known in Hell. The sons of Sceva were not. Are you known in Hell? In other words, are you a threat to the devil’s status quo? Is Satan concerned about your prayers that move the Spirit to action, your holiness that upgrades your family and church community, your evangelistic work that depopulates Hell; your preaching or teaching that humbles and debases men while exalting and praising Jesus?
Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk and Zechariah and many others were known in Hell. They all preached fearlessly, calling the people to repentance, suffering the rejection, ridicule and degradation thrown at them by the prince of darkness.
Are you known in Hell? Is Satan upset with you? Does he have his target painted on your mind, heart and will? Is Hell being adversely affected by your life and ministry? These are the questions that ought to be periodically addressed by each of us but especially by those of us who earn our living by preaching.
What characterizes those known in Hell? First, they know they are called by God to preach the Gospel. (Acts 16:16-20; Romans 1:16; 1 Cor. 9:16; 2 Timothy 4:1) Consequently a mantle of power and authority rests on them. They speak and live with a godly swagger, proclaiming the Word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:19-20) They are willing to be fools for Jesus sake. They do not count their lives as belonging to themselves. They spend and are spent for the sake of the Gospel.
They know they are to labor to the very end of their days, giving all they have – body, mind, spirit, money, time and energy. They are successful in their preaching and evangelistic ministry. That is, they see converts and people follow their lead. (Phil. 3:17) When they leave this world, there are more Christian than when they came in and it is because of their gospel labors. They speak they truth in love. They don’t water down application when preaching. They make soul-searching, man-debasing, hope-building application, moving people to Christ for salvation and sanctification.
Their ministries begin to erode and undermine the societal depravity that characterizes every community on earth. On the university campus, the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a point of discussion. The ethics of Jesus are taken seriously and people begin to jettison ungodliness. They inspire people to imitate Jesus, if not fully to live for Him. Their ministries experience serious opposition and attack from the world and often from the church. They weep for the lost. They grieve over their own sin. They are humble, contrite and tremble at God’s Word. They always are rejoicing, all the time and in every circumstance. They never give up. They live with heaven in full view. Their lives are rich with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Are you known in Hell? Seek God earnestly until the devil knows and fears you. Nothing else matters.
Rev. Dr. Steven Kau is the pastor of Faith Covenant Church. The church address is at 1-1 Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/5B, 47650 Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor. Sunday service in English starts at 10 am. His email contact – kausteven@gmail.com
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References for pictures:
http://ids.lib.harvard.edu/ids/view/20459883?width=560&height=560
http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/bible-images/hires/Acts-Chapter-19-Paul-at-Ephesus.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DGqy9aK2Wo/TgYlfzmUzhI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8J05odJRRTw/s400/holy-spirit-hand.jpg
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