https://youtu.be/_syXXNl_yt4
Magnify the LORD!
Acts 19:8-20
What’s happening?
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was similar to that in Corinth. Paul entered the synagogue where he was already known (18:19) and spoke boldly for 3 months about the kingdom of God. But as in Corinth, so in Ephesus, the Jewish people rejected the good news: some became obstinate, refusing to believe “the Way”. As a direct result of the stubborn opposition of the synagogue, Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and went and had discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Not much is known about him, other than he was a gentile, philosopher or lecturer of some kind and rented out his hall to Paul where he stayed for 2 years.
God did unique miracles through Paul- not just ordinary, but these were “extraordinary” or “special”. v.11 “God wrought special miracles”. These were not typical, even for a miracle. Paul used the handkerchiefs and aprons he used in tentmaking, these were just rags he used to tie around his head as a sweatband or his waste as an apron, prayed over them and people were healed and demonic spirits left.
A group of Jewish exorcist, thought it well to use Jesus’ name to cast out demons, and the result was disastrous.
Fear fell on all at the power of the Holy Spirit and deliverance came from the occult practices of that region.
What does it mean to you?
A scoffer- one who speaks to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.
2 Peter 3:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
Jude 17-19 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [a]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Paul had no time for scoffers. He had dealt time and time again with rebellious and hard-hearted people. He had no time to argue with people, he had a job to do. “You do not want my message?” I will take it to those who do. He just moved on.
To us: You cannot change anyone. Stop thinking that you can save people, you cannot save anyone. ONLY JESUS saves and only HE delivers. You are not the savior. Stop getting into needless arguments that are futile.
Sometimes, you just have to move on. People will reject the message of the cross. They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting Him. Just move on.
I don’t have time to argue with you about God’s Word. If you do not believe, I have to move on. I have a job to do.
A scoffer does not hear rebuke and does not like to be reproved- move on
A scoffer follows there own desires and interests- move on
Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride
“Whoever corrects a scoffer, gets to himself abuse”
A scoffer is divisive
MOVE ON
Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
There is a meme that says, “pay attention to who claps for you”, I say, I do not care if you clap for me. I do not live for you. I do not answer to you. I answer to ONE and I live for the audience of One.
Get thee behind me scoffer! I’m moving on.
The name of Jesus is not mechanical. It’s not an automatic mechanism that is to be lightly used. His name is not a magical charm that you use in order to get what you want.