“But Who Are You?”

Acts 19:8,    Cor. 2 11:

“A great door and effectual is open unto me.” The difficulties of the situation created the Greatness of the Opportunity.

I: The City of Ephesus was A Challenge:
1. A great trade center.
2. A religious city of immoral religious practices.
3. The practice of Magic cast its dark shadows.
4. Here was the Center of Worship of Dian.
5. Wealthy, Profoundly Religious, and Rotten to its core.

II: “We Wrestle not against Flesh and Blood…”
1. Here Paul came up against Satan in his Strong Hold.
2. Paul dared not take Financial Aid from the Christians. (No Seller of Magic).
Financial gain was the inspiration of all religions of Ephasus.
3. He taught for 2 yrs. in the School of Tyrannies.
4. “God wrought Special Miracles!”

III: “Who Are You?”
1. Sons of Sceva tried to use Paul’s Method.
a. “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches.”
b. No power without Personal Acquaintance.
c. Danger in calling on God for Personal Gain without Personal Committal.
2. “Fear fell on them all.”
3. A time of soul searching for the Christians. Boas and Curious burned worth about 50,000 pieces of Silver.
4. “So mighty grew the Word of God.”

“But Who Are You?”
Acts 19:8-41,    Cor. I 16:8-9
“A great door and effectual is spaned unto me.” The difficulties of the situation created the Greatness of the opportunity.

I: An open Door to A Wicked City.
1. Paul saw beyond her glitter and gold.
2. This proud wicked city needed the Gospel.
3. Here was the center of the Worship of Diana.
4. The practice of Magic, had cast its dark shadow.
5. Profoundly Religious, wealthy, and rotten to the core.

II: “We Wrestle not against Flesh and Blood.”
1. Here Paul met the powers of darkness.
2. Here in a city of easy wealth, Paul made tents.
3. Financial gain was the inspiration of the Religion of Epheasus.
4. Paul taught for 2 yrs. in the house of Tyrannous.

III: “Who are You?”
1. The Devils knew Paul and Jesus, but wouldn’t give way to black magic.
2. “In the name of Jesus who Paul preaches.”
a. No power without personal committal.
b. Dangerous to use the name of Jesus for personal gain.
3. “Fear fell on them all.” This was not the magic of man.
4. The Church had a book and curious burning — 50,000 pieces of silver. Hindrance to the Gospel removed.

IV: Demetrius and His Kin:
1. “Which made shrines — no small gain.”
2. “By this craft we have made our wealth.”
3. Not so much their love for Diana as for their wealth, (Tobacco and Alcohol).
4. The Gospel will separate men from Idols.
5. The cost was great but the victory greater.