DO NOT CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM

PROCLAMATION

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul … Some Jews … tried to invoke the name of The Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed.  They would say, ‘In the name of The Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.’  Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest, were doing this.  One day the evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know, 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.”  Acts 19:11-16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Luke records that while Paul was in Ephesus, he met twelve disciples of John, the baptizer, and baptized them in the name of The Lord Jesus.  He laid his hands of them and they received The Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:1-7)  The Lord God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.  Even the handkerchiefs that he had touched cured the sick. (Acts 19:11-12)  Certain Jewish exorcists tried to copy Paul and invoke the name of The Lord Jesus to call out the evil spirits from demon-possessed individuals.  However, the evil spirit turned on them, and beat them severely.  This became known all throughout Ephesus and the name of The Lord Jesus  feared and held in high honor. (Acts 19:11-20)

 

APPLICATION

If you do not know Jesus, The Christ, or The Lord God, it is not wise to call on His name.  If you are non-believer, you should only call on Him to confess your sins and to ask Him to come into your life as your personal savior.  Otherwise, you probably should not call upon his name.  The Lord God is not to be played with.  Unfortunately, today many people who do not have a relationship with Him use His name in their casual conversation and in profanity.  We are not to use the name of The Lord God in vain. (Exodus 20:7  If you are not going to reverence Him, then you should not talk about Him or try to invoke His powers.  These seven men learned that the hard way.  Hopefully, no one else will have to learn this lesson painfully.