INTRODUCTION:

        1.    Does it seem to you that God's Word is as powerful today as it once was?
                a.    In the lives of the lost?
                b.    In the lives of the saved?
                c.    In your life?
        2.    Great Problem: Today the Word is being robbed of its power by the lives of believers!
                a.    Accused of hypocrisy.
                b.    Lives inconsistent with the Word.
                c.    Not loving it and taking it seriously.
                       1)   Don't study it at home.
                       2)   Willingly absent selves from times of public declaration of it.
                       3)   Or, are "bored" with it or think we know all there is to know about it.
        3.    Vs. 20 says of the Word of God in Ephesus that it:
                a.    GREW = increase; enlarge. (Doesn't mean more books were added to it,
                       but speaks of its power.)
                b.    Grew mightily and prevailed.
                       1)    MIGHTILY = with powerful effect.
                       2)    PREVAILED = to be strong; have ability.
        4.    Vv. 11-19 -- Reveal to us some of the events that God used to magnify (enlarge)
               His Word in Ephesus.
        5.    Also suggests what we need in our lives if we, today, are to see the Word grow
               mightily and prevail. We see:

  I.    THE MIRACLES GOD WROUGHT -- VV. 11-12.

        A.    A Manifestation Of Power.
               1.    Paul had great power in his witness because he showed God's presence
                       in his life.
                       a.    Where did Paul get his power? How was he able to so live?
                       b.    Galatians 2:20.
               2.    What is the "key" to this power? "The life which I now live in the flesh I live
                       by the faith of the Son of God . . ."
                       a.    We are saved through faith, but after salvation, we are to live by faith.
                       b.    "We walk by faith, not by sight."
                       c.    Eph. 2:10 -- What is the purpose of this "faith life?"
                             1)   "We are his workmanship . . . "
                             2)   To be God's "epic poem" to the world of His ability to "save to the
                                    uttermost."
               3.    The main reason we are ineffective today -- we don't show great power.
                       a.    Why don't we show great power?
                       b.    We don't allow God to reveal His presence in and through us.

        B.   A Ministry Of Purpose.
                1.    Certainly, the things God did through Paul in Ephesus helped many people,
                       but what was His main purpose? To show that Paul was His man!
                2.    What is the purpose of God's power in our lives?
                        a.    To make us great? To cause us to feel superior to others? So people will
                               praise us?
                        b.    It is to get glory unto Himself through our lives -- Matt. 5:16 ; Eph. 1:6.
                        c.    Romans 8:29 -- It is to make us like Jesus.

 II.    THE METHODS SOME SOUGHT -- VV. 13-16.

        A.   The Exorcists' Approach -- Vv. 13-14.
               1.    Not the description of these:
                      a.    VAGABOND = wandering; going from place to place.
                      b.    EXORCIST = one who uses an oath; one who by adjuration professes
                              to expel demons.
               2.    These were non-believing Jews, willing to use any name (or oath) they must in
                      order to appear to cast out demons.
                      a.    Vs. 13 -- Used Christ's name in this manner.
                      b.    The name of Jesus is synonymous with God's name, and God's name is
                             special.
                             1)    Exodus 20:7 -- Not to be taken in vain.
                             2)    What about when we "wear" God's name but show little love for and
                                     obedience to Him?
               3.    This is false religion and modern televangelism at its fullest!
                      a.    Believe that just associating with Christ's name makes it legitimate.
                      b.    Many programs and church fads are nothing more than the world's business
                             philosophy cloaked in the Lord's name.
               4.    Isaiah 4:1 -- Seems appropriate. These say:
                      a.    "Let us do things our way but wear Your name." Why?
                      b.    "To take away our reproach" (shame).
               5.    False religion almost always operates with a shred of truth and a claim to
                      God's name.

        B.    The Evil Spirits' Answer -- Vv. 15-16.
                1.    Vs. 15 -- Notice what the demon said: "I know Jesus; I know Paul;
                       but who are you?"
                       a.    He knew Paul & Jesus and recognized their authority.
                       b.    However, he didn't recognize the authority of these.
                2.    Demonic spirits have more reverence for God than some who profess to be His.
                       a.    Luke 8:28-29 (& others) -- Maniac of Gadara.
                       b.    James 2:19 -- Demons tremble at the thought of God and His judgment.
                3.    Vs. 16 -- See how the demonic spirit responded.
                       a.    "Leaped on them . . . overcame them . . . prevailed against them"
                               and left them naked and wounded.
                       b.    Any "religion" that denies Jesus is false religion, and we see how it will
                              leave those who follow it.
                4.    See in all of this how the Word of God, the man of God, and the Son of God
                       are vindicated?
                       a.    Demons saw false religion for what it was -- no godly authority in it.
                       b.    Demons know who God is!

  III.    THE MESSAGE PAUL BROUGHT -- VV. 17-19.

         A.    The Elevation Of The Savior -- Vs. 17.
                1.   Who had Paul been preaching?
                      a.    Vs. 8 -- Can't talk about the kingdom of God without talking about Jesus.
                      b.    Some read revelation and want to know what's coming. They need to see
                             Who is coming!
                2.    Vs. 17 -- "The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified."
                       MAGNIFIED = to make great; enlarge; praise.
                3.    Who should we seek to magnify today?
                       a.    "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus . . . "
                       b.    John 16:13-14 -- Who does the Holy Spirit magnify?
                       c.    John 12:32 -- "If I be lifted up . . . "
                              (LIFT UP = elevate; exalt.)
                4.    What is the one thing that need to be done in the Lord's churches today
                       above all else? Exalt Jesus!
                       a.    Ephesus -- had lost honeymoon love for Him.
                       b.    Pergamos -- allowed what He hates.
                       c.    Thyatira -- permitted Jezebel, His enemy, to teach.
                       d.    Sardis -- wore His name but was dead.
                       e.    Laodicea -- made Him sick.
                       f.    Smyrna -- stood boldly for Him.
                       g.    Philadelphia -- kept His Word & had not denied His name.
                5.    Instead, we exalt people, programs, prosperity, etc.
                6.    It is the name of Jesus that is "above every name" -- Phil. 2:9.

         B.    The Evidence Of The Saved -- Vv. 18-19.
                1.   Those who believed (were saved) "confessed."
                      a.    CONFESS = to speak out the same things with or as another;
                             confess fully.
                      b.    That is, they were not ashamed to be identified with Jesus and profess
                             Him publicly.
                2.   "And shewed their deeds" = openly confessed their former evil practices.
                      a.    Didn't just "invite Jesus into their hearts."
                      b.    Here is true confession and repentance toward God.
                      c.    Shows me that a person who is truly saved won't be ashamed to openly
                             admit his sin and accept Christ.
                3.   Not only did it affect their words, but it affected their works as well.
                      a.    Had used "curious arts" (involved in magic).
                      b.    Brought their books (of magic & incantations) and "burned them
                             before all men."
                      c.    Showed openly they were through with their former lifestyle. (Even
                             changed jobs/careers.)
                4.   Should be just as dramatic a change in the lives of the saved today.
                      a.    II Corinthians 5:17.
                      b.    Unfortunately, we want to hold on to some of the old ways "just in case."
                5.   The degree of their sacrifice -- "and they counted the price of them (the
                      books) and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."
                      a.    Know one way to tell if one is truly converted? It will affect his pocketbook.
                      b.    Matt. 6:21 -- Explains why some don't give.
                6.   One who is truly saved and serious about serving God understands all he has
                      belongs to the Father.
                      a.    First gives himself to God -- II Cor. 8:5.
                      b.    He does so willingly, cheerfully -- II Cor. 9:6-7.
                7.   So we see, their salvation was accompanied by a marked change in their
                     outlook and their attitude toward things of this life.

  CONCLUSION: