Sunday, April 26, 2015

Today´s Sermon Notes



2015.04.26                Acts 19:11-41
                       Paul in Ephesus part 2
Acts 19:10-12                           NKJV
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
Acts 19: 10-12                             slt 2000
10 Das geschah zwei Jahre lang, so daß alle, die in [der Provinz] Asia wohnten, das Wort des Herrn Jesus hörten, sowohl Juden als auch Griechen.
11 Und Gott wirkte ungewöhnliche Wunder durch die Hände des Paulus,
12 so daß sogar Schweißtücher oder Gürtel von seinem Leib zu den Kranken gebracht wurden und die Krankheiten von ihnen wichen und die bösen Geister von ihnen ausfuhren.

v11… Now God worked unusual miracles… Luke states that these were unusual miracles….. For example that Paul's handkerchiefs or aprons (literally, "sweat-bands") could be laid on a person even without Paul present…. that person would be healed or delivered from demonic possession…..   the phrase unusual miracles could be translated….. Miracles not of the ordinary kind….. Even in talking about miracles…… Luke said that these were of a very unexpected sort!
How did the handkerchiefs or aprons work? In the same way that the shadow of Peter healed in Acts 5: 12-15…..  or when the people touched the hem of Jesus' garment in  Matthew 14:36… Everyone of those who touched the hem of Jesus garment was healed…. These physical items became “points of contact”  through which a person reaching out in faith…. believed that the Lord would heal them….  These very unusual miracles had a purpose…. To confirm the Authority and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles….
Back to Acts 19….v11,12….
This text does not say that Paul did these unusual miracles….  He did not decide to send out pieces of cloth…. He certainly did not send them out for money as seed faith outreaches….  but The text says that God worked these miracles….
Remember that Luke said that these were unusual miracles… we should not expect God to continue to use this method to heal….
The total number of people who had the gift of healing in the scriptures is very small…. When we get past the founding of the church as recorded in the Acts and the letters to the early churches….. We do not see a continuation of unusual miracles….. But if you ask me if God still heals….. The answer is yes… I believe that God can and does heal today…. There is no proof that God does not heal today….. But the idea of Someone who has the gift of healing and can heal anyone anytime…. at will….. That clearly does not exist….. The key is the idea…. This kind of incredible instantaneous supernatural power has not existed since the establishment of the church….lets continue… Acts 19…v..13..
Acts 19:13-16                             NKJV
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered[b] them, and prevailed against them,[c] so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Acts 19:13-16                             slt 2000
13 Es versuchten aber etliche von den umherziehenden jüdischen Beschwörern1, über denen, die böse Geister hatten, den Namen des Herrn Jesus zu nennen, indem sie sagten: Wir beschwören euch bei dem Jesus, den Paulus verkündigt!
14 Es waren aber sieben Söhne eines jüdischen Hohenpriesters Skevas, die dies taten.
15 Aber der böse Geist antwortete und sprach: Jesus kenne ich, und von Paulus weiß ich; wer aber seid ihr?
16 Und der Mensch, in dem der böse Geist war, sprang auf sie los, und er überwältigte sie und zeigte ihnen dermaßen seine Kraft, daß sie entblößt und verwundet aus jenem Haus flohen.

v13a… Some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists….. At that time, there were Jewish exorcists who practiced their "trade" with a lot of superstition and ceremony….. Here, a group of Jewish exorcists try to imitate Paul's "formula" for success…..

v13b…. We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches…. The Jewish exorcists failed because they had no personal relationship with Jesus…. They only know Jesus is the God of Paul… not their own God…..
There are many religious people - many churchgoers - who will end up in Hell because they have not been transformed by the new birth…. They have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ….. They only know "the Jesus the pastor preaches" or of "the Jesus my spouse believes in" instead of the Jesus of their own salvation….
Application…..
Do you have the "right" to use the name of Jesus?
Is Jesus your Savior and redeemer….? These sons of Sceva   had no personal relationship with Jesus…..
v15… And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?....
The evil spirits knew exactly who Jesus was….. they knew exactly who Paul was…. But they didn't know who the seven sons of Sceva were…..  

v16… Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them…. Because the seven sons of Sceva had no real relationship with Jesus…. they had no spiritual power against the evil spirit…. They left the encounter naked and wounded…. It was dangerous for them to take the reality of spiritual warfare lightly…. V17…
Acts 19:17-20                            NKJV
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Acts 19:17-20                            slt2000
17 Das aber wurde allen bekannt, die in Ephesus wohnten, sowohl Juden als auch Griechen. Und Furcht fiel auf sie alle, und der Name des Herrn Jesus wurde hoch gepriesen.
18 Und viele von denen, die gläubig geworden waren, kamen und bekannten und erzählten ihre Taten.
19 Viele aber von denen, die Zauberkünste getrieben hatten, trugen die Bücher zusammen und verbrannten sie vor allen; und sie berechneten ihren Wert und kamen auf 50 000 Silberlinge.
20 So breitete sich das Wort des Herrn mächtig aus und erwies sich als kräftig.
v17a…This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus….
v17b… and fear fell on them all…. The incident with the sons of Sceva impressed the people with the reality of the demonic realm….. It made them fear the Lord and the demonic….. both in healthy ways….. and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified….. Ephesus was a stronghold of Satan…. Here many evil things both superstitious and satanic were practiced…. Books containing formulas for sorcery and other ungodly arts were everywhere……
v18… Many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds…. Apparently, before the sons of Sceva incident….. many believers did not realize they were involved in the demonic…..  
v19… Many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all… The sons of Sceva incident also prompted Christians to renounce any remaining connection to the demonic. They renounced the demonic by confessing their sins….. Some repented and believed the Good News of the Gospel…. They were radically transformed…. They burned their magic books….  
These books and scrolls full of magic charms “amulets” were very valuable….. The drachma was a silver coin representing about a one-fourth a day's wage…. The value of these was perhaps a million Euro in today’s money…
v20… The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed….. The Good news of the Gospel was spreading out everywhere…… Here in this very important gateway to Asia Minor… The Word of the Lord was confirmed by these unusual miracles and the Awesome power of God that was demonstrated through Paul´s ministry…. Remember… Paul´s ministry was not about healing…. It was not about deliverance…. It was about proclaiming the Good News to a lost and dying city full of sin and wickedness…. You know…. Like Wiesbaden…
In the Gospel of Luke…. Jesus drew a clear picture of what world evangelism is all about….. He said: "For the Son of man has come to seek and to save the lost"…Luke 19:10…  Jesus did not come simply to save the lost…. He came to seek those who were lost….
Jesus is here today….. He has sought you out and Jesus himself has made sure that you are here this morning….. Jesus is ready to forgive you and save you from your sin and rebellion…. Today is the day…. Repent and turn away from your sin…. Turn to Jesus…. Today…. Tomorrow is promised to no man….  Look again at Luke 19…v10…
"For the Son of man has come to seek and to save the lost"…Luke 19:10…Jesus went about seeking the lost…..
What an example! He is telling us to do the same….. If we look at the lives of the apostles in the New Testament, we see this same pattern…..  Paul followed Jesus´ example… We should follow them…. As the church we need to get back to evangelism…. To get back to the teaching and proclamation of the Word of God…. We need to stop wasting our time on less important tasks….
Yesterday we had a street outreach again…. Salafists….Radical haters of the government in Egypt….. Jehovah’s witnesses….
Back to Acts 19… v20
v20… The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed….. That´s what happened in Ephesus…
v21,22…
Acts 19: 21,22       NKJV
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
Acts 19: 21,22                      slt2000
21 Nachdem aber diese Dinge ausgerichtet waren, nahm sich Paulus im Geist vor, zuerst durch Mazedonien und Achaja zu ziehen und dann nach Jerusalem zu reisen, indem er sprach: Wenn ich dort gewesen bin, muß ich auch Rom sehen!
22 Und er sandte zwei seiner Gehilfen, Timotheus und Erastus, nach Mazedonien und hielt sich noch eine Zeitlang in [der Provinz] Asia auf.

v21… Paul purposed in the Spirit…. Guided by the Holy Spirit…. Paul planned his travels… He would travel through Macedonia and Achaia…. then to Jerusalem…. then to Rome….. The Lord willing…
Luke doesn't mention it here…. but we know that one reason why Paul wanted to go through Macedonia and Achaia….. and then to go to Jerusalem…. was to collect and deliver money….  he had been collecting from other churches to help out the church in Jerusalem….Romans 15:25-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4…
v22a… So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus…. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus   to Macedonia….. while he stayed in Ephesus……

v22b… Who ministered to him…. Notice the job of Timothy and Erastus. They ministered to Paul; they were truly assistants to the apostle, helping Paul to maximize his ministry.
Acts 19: 23-28                   NKJV
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

Acts 19: 23-28                   slt 2000
23 Aber um jene Zeit entstand ein nicht unbedeutender Aufruhr um des Weges willen.
24 Denn ein gewisser Mann namens Demetrius, ein Silberschmied, verfertigte silberne Tempel der Diana2 und verschaffte den Künstlern beträchtlichen Gewinn.
25 Diese versammelte er samt den Arbeitern desselben Faches und sprach: Ihr Männer, ihr wißt, daß von diesem Gewerbe unser Wohlstand kommt.
26 Und ihr seht und hört, daß dieser Paulus nicht allein in Ephesus, sondern fast in ganz Asia eine große Menge überredet und umgestimmt hat, indem er sagt, daß es keine Götter gebe, die mit Händen gemacht werden.
27 Aber es besteht nicht nur die Gefahr, daß dieses unser Geschäft in Verruf kommt, sondern auch, daß der Tempel der großen Göttin Diana für nichts geachtet und zuletzt auch ihre Majestät gestürzt wird, die doch ganz Asia und der Erdkreis verehrt!
28 Als sie das hörten, wurden sie voll Zorn und schrieen: Groß ist die Diana der Epheser!
v26… This Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands…. The opposition of Demetrius and the other idol makers is a great compliment to the effectiveness of Paul's work in the region…. Paul was not on a "let's close down the temple of Diana" campaign,…. he was just doing the Lord's work….. As people came to Jesus…. they naturally stopped worshipping Diana and buying shrines associated with the temple…
 In verse 37…. the city clerk specifically says that Paul had not blasphemed the goddess Diana……. Paul proclaimed Jesus…. He did not waste his time saying bad things about Diana…. He preached Jesus to them…

v27a…. This trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed…. This tremendous temple to Diana (also known as Artemis) in Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world…..   It was not discovered until 1869…. its main altar was unearthed in 1965…..
v27b… Whom all Asia and the world worship… The temple of Diana in Ephesus was indeed famous around the world; and trinkets and idols from it must have been a substantial trade, no matter how immoral the worship of the sex-goddess was.


v29…
Acts 19: 29-34                        NKJV
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19: 29-34                                  slt 2000
29 Und die ganze Stadt kam in Verwirrung, und sie stürmten einmütig ins Theater und zerrten die Mazedonier Gajus und Aristarchus, die Reisegefährten des Paulus, mit sich.
30 Als aber Paulus unter die Volksmenge gehen wollte, ließen es ihm die Jünger nicht zu.
31 Auch etliche der Asiarchen3, die ihm wohlgesonnen waren, sandten zu ihm und baten ihn, sich nicht ins Theater zu begeben.
32 [Hier] schrie nun alles durcheinander; denn die Versammlung war in der größten Verwirrung, und die Mehrzahl wußte nicht, aus welchem Grund sie zusammengekommen waren.
33 Da zogen sie aus der Volksmenge den Alexander hervor, da die Juden ihn vorschoben. Und Alexander gab mit der Hand ein Zeichen und wollte sich vor dem Volk verantworten.
34 Als sie aber vernahmen, daß er ein Jude sei, schrieen sie alle wie aus einem Mund etwa zwei Stunden lang: Groß ist die Diana der Epheser!
v29… The whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord…. Chaos and anger grabbed hold of the crowd and the entire city was rapidly getting out of hand…..

v33… They drew Alexander out of the multitude…., the Jews putting him forward…. Alexander wanted to make sure that the mob knew that the Jews did not approve of Paul either…. but he accomplished nothing before the angry crowd…...

v34… The chant Great Diana of the Ephesians!.... must have sent a chill up the spines of the Christians….  
The noise must have been deafening….. The acoustics of the theater are excellent….
Acts 19: 35-41                         NKJV  
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 19: 35-41                           slt 2000
35 Da beruhigte der Stadtschreiber4 die Menge und sprach: Ihr Männer von Ephesus, wo ist denn ein Mensch, der nicht wüßte, daß die Stadt Ephesus die Tempelpflegerin der großen Göttin Diana und des vom Himmel gefallenen [Bildes] ist?
36 Da nun dies unwidersprechlich ist, so solltet ihr euch ruhig verhalten und nichts Übereiltes tun.
37 Denn ihr habt diese Männer hergeführt, die weder Tempelräuber sind, noch eure Göttin gelästert haben.
38 Wenn aber Demetrius und die Künstler, die mit ihm sind, gegen jemand eine Klage haben, so werden Gerichtstage gehalten, und es sind Statthalter da; sie mögen einander verklagen!
39 Habt ihr aber ein Begehren wegen anderer Angelegenheiten, so wird es in der gesetzlichen Versammlung5 erledigt werden.
40 Denn wir stehen in Gefahr, daß wir wegen des heutigen Tages des Aufruhrs angeklagt werden, weil kein Grund vorliegt, womit wir diese Zusammenrottung entschuldigen könnten!
41 Und als er das gesagt hatte, entließ er die Versammlung.
v36… Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly…. The city clerk speaks wise words… Luke is trying to show that rational people have nothing to fear in Christianity….
The city clerk was actually what we would consider the "mayor" of the city…..
The hatred and anger at the believers was irrational and crazy…. They were trying to stop the work of God in their city….. Just like today…. Turn with me to 2 tim…3…v1…
2 Timothy 3:1- 5                     NKJV  
3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1- 5                        slt 2000
1 Das aber sollst du wissen, daß in den letzten Tagen schlimme Zeiten eintreten werden.
2 Denn die Menschen werden sich selbst lieben1, geldgierig sein, prahlerisch, überheblich, Lästerer, den Eltern ungehorsam, undankbar, unheilig,
3 lieblos, unversöhnlich, verleumderisch, unbeherrscht, gewalttätig, dem Guten feind,
4 Verräter, leichtsinnig, aufgeblasen; sie lieben das Vergnügen mehr als Gott;
5 dabei haben sie den äußeren Schein von Gottesfurcht2, deren Kraft aber verleugnen sie. Von solchen wende dich ab!


41… He dismissed the assembly… God used the city clerk to calm the mob….   God had preserved His work, and His people, again…..
The word “Assembly” in Acts 19:41 is the Greek word ekklesia….. It was a   term used to describe any gathering or association of people….. It is also the same word used that is often translated "church…..

Communion
Warning! Danger!  Search your hearts….
1 Corinthians 11: 27-32                           NKJV
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11: 27-32   slt 2000
27 Wer also unwürdig dieses Brot ißt oder den Kelch des Herrn trinkt, der ist schuldig am Leib und Blut des Herrn.
28 Der Mensch prüfe aber sich selbst, und so soll er von dem Brot essen und aus dem Kelch trinken;
29 denn wer unwürdig ißt und trinkt, der ißt und trinkt sich selbst ein Gericht, weil er den Leib des Herrn nicht unterscheidet.
30 Deshalb sind unter euch viele Schwache und Kranke, und eine beträchtliche Zahl sind entschlafen.
31 Denn wenn wir uns selbst richteten, würden wir nicht gerichtet werden;
32 wenn wir aber gerichtet werden, so werden wir vom Herrn gezüchtigt, damit wir nicht samt der Welt verurteilt werden.

Every time that we take communion…. We take in our hands the proof that God loves us….. We see hIs unfailing love in Jesus sacrifice for our sins….. Jesus purchased our redemption…

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26                      NKJV
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26                                 slt 2000
23 Denn ich habe von dem Herrn empfangen, was ich auch euch überliefert habe, nämlich daß der Herr Jesus in der Nacht, als er verraten wurde, Brot nahm,
24 und dankte, es brach und sprach: Nehmt, eßt! Das ist mein Leib, der für euch gebrochen wird; dies tut zu meinem Gedächtnis!
25 Desgleichen auch den Kelch, nach dem Mahl, indem er sprach: Dieser Kelch ist der neue Bund in meinem Blut; dies tut, so oft ihr ihn trinkt, zu meinem Gedächtnis!
26 Denn so oft ihr dieses Brot eßt und diesen Kelch trinkt, verkündigt ihr den Tod des Herrn, bis er kommt.
The Lord´s Supper has a past reference to The Passover and of course….. Jesus´ sacrificial death on the cross….
It has a present reference to the fact that we belong to one another here in the Body of Christ… It also has a future reference…. Because it points us to our future Gathering together at the end of time… He will return for us….. We will be with the Lord forever…..  We will celebrate with Him….
Let´s pray….

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