Does The Devil Know Your Name?

Does The Devil Know Your Name?

July 13, 2003

Acts 19:11-16 Chester’s FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A New York City businessman moved to the country and bought a piece of land. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the proprietor about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks.

"That’s a lot of chicks," commented the proprietor. "I mean business," the man replied.

A week later the new farmer was back again. "I need another 100 chicks," he said. "Boy, you are serious about this chicken farming," the man told him.

"Yeah," the man replied. "If I can iron out a few problems." "Problems?" asked the proprietor. "Yeah," replied the man, "I think I planted that last batch too close together."

We cannot grow by burying ourselves and expecting sprouts.

[11] God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. [13] 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." [14] Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [15] One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" [16] 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. -Acts 19:11-16 NIV

A The devil knew exactly who the true believers were he had to watch out for. (ETS) The devil still knows who the true believers are. (ESS)

a We’ve looked at two traits that will bring you to the devils attention.

b (1) Believe in the Name of Jesus. (2) Live in the Name of Jesus

B I hope you will take on the traits of a life that ensures your name is known by the devil. (Objective)

a Believe: (Inside Job) Believing is the difference between facts/faith, head/heart.

b Live: (Outside Job) A personal relationship with Jesus that translates into a public lifestyle.

C What are you doing to ensure that your face is on the walls of Hell’s post office? (Probing Question)

I The devil will know your name if. . .YOU BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

A Paul was doing great & extraordinary miracles by the power of Jesus’ name.

(People w/ cancer were cured, leprosy, blood disease, mental disorders, blindness, crippled, deaf, mute, lame)

a Paul believed in Jesus.

*More than simple belief in facts about Jesus.

[19] You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.(Jms. 2:19)

*Paul had a life changing faith in Jesus. Jesus’ name meant something to Paul the believer.

b The Seven Sons of Sceva tried doing great & extraordinary miracles by the power of Jesus name. (What happened when they did?)

vv:13b "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out."

NOTICE what they did not say: "In the name of Jesus, whom we preach/believe. . ."

*The name of Jesus meant something to Paul. It meant little to the 7 Sons of Sceva. If Jesus name meant something to these seven guys, they could/would have cast demons like Paul did.

B How many people have you heard use "In Jesus Name" like a Christian Abracadabra?

a They claim things in Jesus name but. . .

They don’t get any better, not healed, they still get divorced, stay miserable.

*Sometimes God’s answer is simply "No." Other times I think folks just do not get the concept behind the whole "In Jesus Name" thing.!

b To the believer. . .Jesus is the sweetest name they know!!

(Print lyrics to "Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know" on PowerPoint. I’ll lead the congregation through this chorus during the sermon.)

*Power in Jesus name (Lk. 9:1, Jn. 13:3, 14:13, 14, 1 Cor. 5:4)

*Majesty in His name (Jude 25)

*Name above all names (Ps. 138:2, Eph. 1:21)

AC 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

The only name by which we are saved!! (Not Buddha, Allah, Works, Church Membership, Religion) It’s in a relationship with Jesus!

*Jesus names means something to those who believe/trust in Him.

*Jesus names means little to those who do not believe/trust in Him.

C A Basketball in my hands is worth $6, in the hands of Tim Duncan $70.9 Million

A football in my hands is worth $8, in the hands of Kurt Warner $5.3 Million