The Power Of The Word

11 minutes ago

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As indicated, we are noting and observing how people responded to hearing the call of Jesus, the Living Word and how they followed Him, all the way. Our working Bible passage is Acts 19: 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.

Here is public evidence of a number of people who have been converted from working the magic works of the devil, to accepting the miracle works of God. Paul is in Ephesus and God is doing mighty miracles there through him. The Word of God has been preached. Many have heard the call of Jesus and have given their lives to Him. They have decided to be led by Jesus and no longer follow other ways. Jesus, the Living Word has been offered to them and this has changed the hearts and lives of many, including sorcerers.

These are people who believe in, live by, and ply the works of the devil, performing supernatural deeds through his powers. In many places, such as Ephesus, sorcery is practiced openly and publicly, for it is an accepted way of life, and livelihood. Magic is the order of the day.

Paul goes to Ephesus with his single mission to preach the Word of the Lord. God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, Acts 19: 11. People hear and see the Living Word, sorcerers included. Now take a look at these sorcerers or magicians, in this light.

They are believers of their way – Sorcery is their word.
They are promoters of their way – Sorcery is their will.
They are practitioners of their way – Sorcery is their wisdom.
They are reapers of their way – Sorcery is their work.

These sorcerers hear and see Paul speak and do things that have them so convicted in heart and mind, they give up sorcery and all magic and turn to Jesus, the Way. They have met a man who is doing as they do, but by a different Spirit. Is this not what they see before their human eyes?

Paul is a believer of the Way – Jesus is his Word.
Paul is a promoter of the Way – Jesus is his Will.
Paul is a practitioner of the Way – Jesus is his Wisdom.
Paul is a reaper of the Way – Jesus is his Work.

The Hand of the Lord has worked so mightily in these sorcerers that their change from sorcery is evidenced in this impressive public act. They bring together all their paraphernalia and burn it all in full, public view. All physical evidence, reminders and traces of their former ways have been burnt up, not to be seen in their position or that of anyone else’s.

What does that say to us as people who are believers of the Way? What does it say to us and of us, who have pledged to follow Jesus wherever He leads, and to follow Him all the Way? One notable and life-changing decision we will observe about these new concerts to Christianity, is how they followed Jesus all the way. They followed, even in obedience of permanently destroying all that was of their past ways.

Tomorrow, we look at the united work of converts to Jesus.