Pastor Jann Braaksma
I don’t expect you to know this answer, but I want to ask the question anyway.
In the book of Acts, see I’ve already reduced the options from 66 to one, who said, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
While the older saints think about that. Josh, is the book of Acts New or Old Testament? Yes, New. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans)
Levi, who do we believe is the author? Yes, Luke. A doctor, a Greek, and Gentile Christian. Luke is the only known Gentile author in the New Testament. Luke was a close friend and companion of Paul. Acts is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Because Acts ends so abruptly, Luke may have planned to write a third book, continuing the story.
Jake, for the bonus point, what is Acts about? Yes, to give an accurate account of the birth and growth of the Christian church. Acts is the connecting link between Christ’s life and the life of the church, between the Gospels and the Letters.
OK older saints, any idea who said “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
Would it help if I said it was a slave girl?
OK, let’s hear Acts 16: 16-18
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
Any idea who the “we” in this verse is?
In chapter 15 and verses 39-40 we read that the contention between Barnabas and Paul became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took John called Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed.
In chapter 16 verse 1 we learn of Timothy and in verse 3 that Paul wanted to have Timothy go on with him. So I believe the “we” is Paul, Silas and Timothy at a minimum.
In whose name was this spirit cast out? Jesus.
Do you remember the sons of Sceva in Acts 19?
Let’s hear it again, Acts 19:13-16 –
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”
Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
Remember, Jesus has been crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, seen by his disciples and returned to heaven at this point. And yet the evil spirit says, “Jesus I know.”
In both these stories it’s the evil spirits who proclaim and acknowledge Jesus.
Are there any examples of this in the Gospels? Yes, of course.
Luke 4:40-41 please:
When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them.
Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Christ.
And Mark 1:21-26
They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching, because He taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
This is an aside: Because the temple in Jerusalem was too far for many Jews to travel to regularly for worship, many towns had synagogues serving both as places of worship and as schools.
Beginning in the days of Ezra, a group of ten Jewish families could start a synagogue. There, during the week, Jewish boys were taught the Old Testament law and Jewish religion. Girls could not attend.
Each Saturday, the Sabbath, the Jewish men would gather to listen to a rabbi teach from the Scriptures. Because there was no permanent rabbi or teacher, it was customary for the synagogue leader to ask visiting teachers to speak.
This is why Jesus often taught in the synagogues in the towns He visited. While the Jewish teachers often quoted from well-known rabbis to give their words more authority, Jesus didn’t have that need. Because Jesus is God, He knew exactly what the Scriptures said and meant. He was the ultimate authority.
And finally Matt. 8:28-32
When Jesus arrived at the other side two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met Him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
He said to the, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
Did you catch it? Where the demons said, “before the appointed time”?
What are they talking about and when will that time be?
The Bible tells us in Revelation 20:10 that at the end of the world the devil and his angels will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur. When the demons asked if Jesus had come to torment them “before the appointed time,” they showed they knew their ultimate fate.
There are many other stories like this in the Gospels, but this is enough for today.
Why didn’t Jesus want the demons to reveal who He was?
1) Jesus commanded them to remain silent to show His authority over them.
2) Jesus wanted His listeners to believe He was the Messiah because of
His words, not because of the demons’ words.
3) Jesus was going to reveal His identity according to God’s timetable, and
He would not be pushed by Satan’s evil plans.
The demons called Jesus “Son of God” or “the Holy One of God” because they knew He was the Christ. But Jesus was going to show Himself to be the suffering servant before He became the great King. To reveal His identity as King too soon would stir up the crowds with the wrong expectations of what He had come to do.
Demon-possessed people are under the control of one or more demons. Demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and are now evil spirits under Satan’s control. They help Satan tempt people to sin and have great destructive powers.
But whenever they are confronted by Jesus, they lose their power. Jesus didn’t have to conduct an elaborate exorcism ritual. His word was enough to send out the demons.
We close today with Mark 8:27-29
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” He asked, “Who do you say I am?”
Who do you say He is?
A good man? A prophet? A fable?
Or Lord,
Savior,
Redeemer,
Son of God,
Holy One of God,
King of Kings,
Friend,
Master,
Healer,
Chief Cornerstone,
Emmanuel,
Lamb of God,
Light of the world,
Author & finisher of our faith,
The Alpha & Omega,
The Bright & Morning Star, or
Jesus.
Let us pray …….
Resources: Life Application Study Bible
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