Friday, October 25, 2024
Motives – Acts 19:13-17 Submitted by Kay Crumley
As I studied Acts 19, I was forced to ask myself why I do the things I do. What we do is important but more important is why we do it. People can do admirable things but sometimes for the wrong reasons. We may offer a helping hand or encouraging word that is beneficial. But if that is done so other people can see our generosity rather than our seeing a need that we have the means to help with, then we have the wrong motives. As Christ followers we are to have the heart of Jeus and see through His eyes. Paul had one purpose, as he stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Any motive we have for our words, actions, or attitude that does not align with the character of our Savior we must examine. Paul set an example for us to live a life that brings honor and glory to Him alone.
Acs 19 places Paul back in Ephesus to teach, encourage, and expand the Kingdom. The first 12 verses describe his challenges and achievements. He taught in the synagogue to the Jewish community but was rejected. He then turned to a Gentile lecture hall and became the teacher there for two years. He taught daily from 11 AM to 4 PM spreading the gospel and seeing many Gentiles being converted to the Christian faith. Verse 10 This went on for two years, so that all the resident of Asia, both Jews and Greeks heard the word of the Lord. Read that carefully, he taught for 5 hours daily for two years in the same place. The result was that ALL the people of both cultures heard the gospel. He must have drawn some big crowds. People came from all around to hear and then tell others about the gospel. God was moving in and around Ephesus because of Paul’s teaching. Don’t forget Paul’s motive was to know nothing to teach about except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. God blessed Paul in an amazing way by using him to heal people. He didn’t just heal by praying over or touching the sick people. God enabled the handkerchiefs and aprons that Paul wore to be used to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. The Holy Spirit was present and active in all Paul did. By the power of God illnesses were healed and evil spirits were driven out. 1 John 4:4 tells us why this was possible, because the one who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. However, as we would expect Paul was met with opposition.
13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.
