April 19, 2009
Morning Worship
Text: Acts 19:11-20
Subject: Communicating with God
Title: Texting God
I want to begin this morning with a confession. Though I am quite capable on the computer, I am technologically challenged when it comes to cell phones, especially with text messaging or texting. I laugh to myself on Thursday evenings when we are at youth group because a large majority of our young people have cell phones and are busy texting their friends. One of the girls told me one time that she had I don’t know how many thousands of text messages the previous week. Now, those of you who are up to date with technology may think that what I am about to say I say because I am just old fashioned, but I think that there is a vast difference between text messaging and communicating.
Let me read an article I found on the Internet the other day. This is from Bella online.
Communication is such a hot word right now. Everyone wants to be communicating with everyone all the time through cell phones, chat rooms, email, texting and conversation. We are told that good communication is important and that no communication is almost as bad as bad communication. But what does it really mean? And how do we know it is happening?
Here are three things every teen should know about communication:
1. Human beings are driven to communicate practically from birth. An infant stares at its mother’s eyes and works to learn to coo, smile, laugh, burble and eventually talk. Kids who have a difficult time talking get very frustrated. Human beings want to be heard, understood and connect. It is something that is makes us very different from animals. Our relationships with other human beings are based on this need to connect through communication.
2. Good communication requires three things. First, someone sending a clear message. When you communicate with someone, you need to clearly state your message to the other person. No matter whether you are writing or speaking. Second, someone needs to be receiving your message. The person you are communicating with needs to be willing to listen and be communicated with. If they aren’t no communication is happening no matter how clear you are being. Third, the other person needs to let you know that they received your message.
3. Most communication doesn’t even happen with words. A larger percentage of communication actually happens through tone of voice, gestures and facial expressions. Reading each other’s body communication is something that is hardwired into our DNA across all continents. This is why texting, emailing and all written communication is the most easily misunderstood unless it is very clear. It is also the reason why we love to use smiley faces in our writing.
So, be careful with your words, realize you need to make contact with the other person for a communication to happen, and that all communication is more body language and tone than anything and you will successfully connect with others.
Now, I have said all that to say this – just as communication with others is lost through superficial transmissions of words alone, true communication with God is lost without seriously approaching the throne of Grace and seeking God’s face. I believe that is the primary reason that we are not seeing the works of God, signs and wonders, the way that we would like to see them.
Let’s turn over to Acts 19, and I am going to start reading in verse 11 and go through 20.
11God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12so 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.
13Some 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.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16Then 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.
17When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
I want you to take you into the presence of God today and to ask the question, “are you texting God?”
Lord, open my eyes to see and my ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
I. DISCONNECTED IN PRAYER. This is one of the great stories of the New Testament Church. We see that Paul had gone into Ephesus and found twelve disciples who were then baptized in the Holy Spirit. Paul stayed in Ephesus for about 2 ½ years and during that time he worked many miracles and healed many diseases not to mention that he established a great church there. Verse 13 tells us that Paul’s reputation had spread throughout the area, 13Some 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. Now it obvious to us what the problem was for these Jews. They knew about Jesus but they didn’t know Jesus. Obviously they had heard Paul preach about Him. They probably heard the stories of all the things that Jesus did while He was alive. They saw the things that Paul had done in the name of Jesus so it seemed like a no-brainer to them that, since they were in the business of casting out demons, their fame and fortune would be greatly enhanced if they would use the name of Jesus the same way Paul did. There was only one problem. They had no connection with Jesus – they were disconnected. Jesus had taught His disciples that when they prayed they were to be connected to God. 1 Chronicles 16:11, Look to the LORD and his strength; seek His face always. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray he started them out with, Matthew 6:9, “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” Before we ever pray we should enter into God’s presence by recognition of His very nature. 1) He is Father. 2) He is in heaven. 3) His name is hallowed (holy)… Jesus did that when He prayed, John 11, as He was praying outside the tomb of Lazarus, Verse 41, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me… John 17, 1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you… You see, when Jesus prayed He wasn’t just sending a text message. He was seeking a face-to-face encounter with the Father. Connecting with God is not just having mental ascent or agreement to God’s word. It is believing it in your heart and confessing it with your mouth before the living God. We can stand here all day and give God a message from His text, “By His stripes we are healed…” but unless we are actively pursuing that audience with the King of Kings and coming with awe into His presence, remembering how great and powerful He is, are we just sending a text message? But this is what Jesus says will happen when you are connected with God in prayer. Mark 11:24, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
II. DISCONNECTED IN SPIRIT 15And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”16Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Most of you know that Charlotte works at the Rural Electric Company. On the 20th of every month, those who have not met their financial responsibility for the previous month have their power disconnected. Everyone has the same time frame and the same opportunity. Some just can’t make their payments and some just wait till it’s too late. These seven sons of Sceva had the opportunity to get connected with power. Instead they chose to try to get their power by robbing someone else’s connection. Look at the problems caused from being spiritually disconnected. 1) The evil spirit has now taken control of the situation. He is the one doing the talking and asking questions. 2) He confronts them with their problem. “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 3) The demon exercises authority over them. I want you to look at two words in verse 16 – the words “overpowered” and “prevailed” The first means “to lord against, that is, control, subjugate:—exercise dominion over (lordship), be lord over, overcome. The second word, (prevailed) “to exercise force” . Because there was no spiritual connection between these spiritual imposters and the Father in heaven, they became the oppressed. When you are not entering into the presence of God when you pray – and I am talking about just going boldly before the throne and crying out “Abba, Father”, it may be that you are trying to make something happen just by invoking the name of Jesus, without being in the presence of God and standing on the authority that He has given you. Luke 10:19-20, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Don’t rejoice because of the authority given you, but don’t fail to exercise it. Do rejoice in your connectivity that you have with the Father through Jesus His Son.
III. DISCONNECTED FROM THE WORLD Verses 11-12, God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12so 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. This is not some magic formula for you to send your money into a TV evangelist for an anointed handkerchief that will cure all diseases. Let me take a short side bar here. I do believe in anointing personal items of individuals and praying over them as a way to impart spiritual power into the lives of unbelievers. Paul was so visibly disconnected from the world and connected with God that anything that had been around him became a point of contact for faith for others. In verse 11 Luke makes it perfectly clear (I’m sure that is the way Paul wanted it) that God was the one who was doing the extraordinary miracles and He was doing them through Paul. Why? Because he was connected! Because he was doing more than sending text messages; he was seeking a face-to-face audience with the miracle working God. 17When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. Take notice of what is happening here. First, with the power of God being displayed supernaturally through the ministry of Paul, those practicing sorcery and the magical arts knew that they were no match against that power. Second, They repented of their dead works. Third, their understanding of what had value changed. They gave up all the magic books. I want to look very closely at verse 20 now. 20In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. What is translated “spread widely” literally means “to grow in intensity”. What made the word spread and grow in power? It was Paul’s connection through the heavenly realms with God and God’s power working through him because of it.
As I was preparing this sermon I sensed the Lord speaking to me concerning another passage. In Luke 9 There is the story of a man who brought his son to the disciples to cast out a demon. Jesus, along with Peter, James and John were up on the mount of transfiguration. When they came down there was a great commotion. The man brought his son to Jesus who cast out the demon. Starting with verse 26, The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Or KJV says, prayer and fasting).
Don’t get caught up here in the argument as to which translation of the Bible is right, because the message here is that the only way this demon was going to come out was by having a direct connection with the Father, whether it is by prayer, fasting or both. Jesus had it on a daily basis – the disciples didn’t.
You all know me well. You know that I am a word of faith preacher. If the word says it, then by faith I am going to accept it. But now I am adding a dimension that perhaps we have taken too lightly in the past. It is the spiritual dimension that requires that you go into the very presence of God when you are asking according to His word or His will.
We all long to see the Lord begin to undertake healing in the church. To work miracles in the lives of those who need miracles. We must go before the Lord and ask. There is not a one in this place that doesn’t believe that when Troy receives his healing that the power of God will be manifest like never before and this body of believers will erupt in worship and praise of our holy God.
In the presence of a holy God
There’s new meaning now to grace
You took all my sins upon Yourself
I can only stand amazed
In the presence of Your infinite might
I’m so small and frail and weak
When I see Your pow’r and wisdom Lord
I have no words left to speak
And I cry holy holy holy God
How awesome is Your name
Holy holy holy God
How majestic is Your reign
And I am changed
In the presence of a holy God
In Daniel chapter 10 Daniel prayed and fasted for 21 days before he received the answer to his prayer, because there was a great spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms. Yet he prevailed and God sent Michael to help the other angel break through the stronghold of the prince of Persia.
Today I am calling this church to a month of prayer and fasting for healing in the church body. Fasting may simply mean that you are going to go without TV or sweets or soda or something else. It may be more or less. The point is that you do something where you know you are going to have to rely on God to help you get through it. In doing so you draw closer in trusting Him. And then pray for the church. Pray for all the promises. Four weeks from today, on May 17 we are going to come together expecting God to manifest His power in lives all over the congregation.
Will you join with me?
Let’s stop sending text messages to God telling Him what we.
Let’s enter into His presence and trust Him as our Father.
