Miracles, Exorcism, And Changed Lives

Introduction

Ephesus was a major city with an unbelievable Satanic grip upon it. In that context, the Lord did some astonishing works to authenticate His name and His word.

I. The Powerful Miracles 11-12

A. The Sovereign 11

"God worked unusual miracles" - extraordinary works of power; word for miracles is dunamis, which means mighty works.

The great preacher and author W.W. Wiersbe states that God had 3 purposes in mind when he performed miracles in Ephesus.

To show His compassion and meet human needs

To teach a spiritual truth

To present His credentials as the Messiah

B. The Servant 11

"by the hands of Paul" - God chose to work directly through Paul; God used him (how I desire to be used by God!) Someone said, "God is everywhere looking for hands to use." We may not be able to work miracles with our hands, but without a doubt, we can give them to God so that He may work through them.

C. The Sick 12

The ability to do miracles was one of the proofs of apostolic ministry.

Hebrews 2:3-4, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?"

We read 2 Corinthians 12:12, "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."

Mark 16:19-20, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."

The miracles wrought by the Apostles are never presented as ends in themselves, but always as opportunities, assistance to faith and commitment.

Why these miracles here? Ephesus was a center for the occult. Paul was demonstrating God's power right in Satan's territory.

"diseases left them and evil spirits went out of them"

Dr. Luke distinguishes between diseases and evil spirits to make clear that not all illness stems from demonic causes.

1. Healings Of Jesus

Luke 8:43-46, "Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her  livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, 'Who touched Me?' When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, 'Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" But Jesus said, 'Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.'"

2. Healings Of Peter

Acts 5:15, "so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them."

II. The Powerless Exorcists 13-16

Whenever God's people minister the truth, Satan sends a counterfeit to oppose the work. Satan imitates whatever God's people are doing.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 we read, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."

Here we note a Problem

A. No Personal Relationship To The Savior 13-15

"we exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches" to link with an oath; ancient exorcists attempted to expel demons by invoking the name of a more powerful spirit being.

They are about to learn that the name of Jesus is no magical charm to be used by whoever wants to use it, as these exorcists soon learned the hard way.

Here we see another Problem - They did not know the Person they named.

Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

They were attempting to go through the Ritual without the Relationship.

Though they may have fooled the gullible Ephesians, these would-be exorcists could not fool the demon.

Acts 19:15, "And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?'"

"Jesus I know" - (ginosko), meaning to know by experience or by knowledge acquired; personally; to recognize

"Paul I know" - (epistamai); meaning to know by reason of proximity, or as the result of prolonged attention. This evil spirit had been hanging around Paul, watching, and studying him; acquainted with.

James 2:19, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!"

"Who are you?"

B. No Power To Prevail Over Satan 16

They did not have His power delegated to them. Remember, we are in the city of Ephesus. It was indeed "the city" of Spiritual warfare! (Eph. 6:10-18)

"leaped on them" - to spring upon like a panther

"overpowered" - mastered; to become lord or master; one who exercises power "prevailed" - indicates a more forceful strength or ability

III. The Prevailing Ministry 17-20

A. There Was Conviction 17

The name of the Lord Jesus was now treated with awe and respect. A reverent fear seized them. The name of the Lord Jesus was made great.

B. There Was Confession 18

"many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds." - these were Christians who had delved in the magical arts before their conversion who now came and openly confessed their former deeds. It served as a commitment to forsake such practices altogether.

The power of the gospel at Ephesus broke the shackles Satan had fastened on the people.

C. There Was Commitment 19

Note the Bonfire; it is a sound way of breaking the demonic, enslaving power some of them have. This is a picture of abandonment and it was not without some personal sacrifices.

"When some charlatans tried to use the name of Jesus the most alarming things happened. The result was that many of the quacks, and also many of those who were sincere, saw the error of their ways. Nothing can more definitely show the reality of the change than that in superstition-ridden Ephesus they were willing to burn the books and the charms which were so profitable to them. They are an example to us. They made the cleanest of clean cuts, even though it meant abandoning the things that were their livelihood. It is all too true that many of us hate our sins but either we cannot leave them at all or we do so with a lingering and backward look. There are times when only the clean and final break will suffice." William Barclay

Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed" - squeezed into the world's mold

D. There Was Change 20

The town changed. Kept on growing and gaining strength

Conclusion

Revelation 2:4, "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2:6, "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."

Nicolaitans - their teaching was an exaggeration of the doctrine of Christian liberty which attempted an ethical compromise with heathenism. They lived lives of unrestrained indulgence.