August 18, 2021 - Acts 19:9-20

The test of any ministry is what happens through the people to whom we minister. I often remember watching Billy Graham on television and observe the multitude of people that would walk down the aisle in response to the gospel. God’s powerful Spirit changes people’s lives and leaves no room for doubt that God is at work.

Paul had come to Ephesus and his ministry became one to all the people; to the Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor as well as the religious and the occultist. Paul’s ministry sought to include everyone he encountered, leading them to a decision to accept or reject Christ’s message. After three months of speaking boldly in the temple, the hardness of the Jews led Paul to move nearby from the temple to the school of Tyrannus (v. 9). From that location Paul ministered effectively for a period of two years.

At this time God worked in ways that demonstrated His power to a people that believed and gave great leverage to supernatural powers and acts. God is omnipotent and capable of accomplishing acts that defy nature and unable to be explained through natural means. It does appear that God chooses the times to exhibit these powers in the scriptures. I would say there are four periods of time throughout history and the future that God moves in supernatural and miraculous ways. Each phase is for a short period and had a specific purpose. The periods are 1) Times of Moses 2) Time of Elijah and Elisha 3) Time of Jesus and the Apostles 4) The Tribulation period. Miracles are performed so that God’s word may be proclaimed, to teach a spiritual truth and to demonstrate God’s power as greater than the adversary.

Ephesus was a city of oppression, opulence, and occultic activity in which God allowed Paul special power and position. Jewish exorcists tried to invoke both the names of Jesus and Paul in an expulsion of a demon. They were immediately beaten severely by the demon possessed man (v. 16). This incident became the catalyst for the unsaved in this city to recognize that God was mighty and effective against such powers of darkness.

What a lesson and a reminder for us as we combat the darkness of our world. Today, we have the power of God’s word to stand upon when the culture pummels us with inaccurate information. It may appear that darkness is overwhelming and powerful, but God’s word and work can penetrate and cause it to retreat as it is spoken boldly and lived out righteously. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). Take courage and stand strong, it is vital to be in God’s word daily.