POWERLESS IMPOSTERS
Acts 19: 13-20


The events in this passage are certainly applicable to Christians today. We cannot be about playing "church" but must understand that without the help of God we are only powerless imposters. Ask yourself, do you want to play or do you want to get about the business of being the church in this lost and dying world?

The “Me” Mission

This trip to Ephesus is part of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. He knew that he was entering a city that practiced sorcery, witchcraft, and worshipped the goddess Artemis. Just before this passage there was an Ephesian Pentecost. Word spread of this event and with Paul speaking at the synagogue and performing miracles in Jesus’ name he was becoming important and popular. Enter the seven sons of Sceva. We don’t have any background or even names of these sons. All we know is that they are sons of a Jewish chief priest. It seemed simple what Paul was doing, and he even used the same “magic words” every time. Surely if they did it, people would begin to think they were like Paul! Even these sons of a religious leader were caught up in the mystical and magical world around them. Surely this was like any other incantation or spell they had seen so many times. And since they used Paul as a reference (see verse 13c) it would work. So, verse 13 tells us what happened. They TRIED to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon possessed. Did it work? Did they reach the outcome they expected? As we will see, something very unexpected would happen this time.

Back to Scooby Doo, the villains know that they can scare the people of the amusement park, the island, the camping grounds, etc. if they create a fake id. If they can fool the people into leaving then the land or other treasure will be theirs! The church can get caught up in this and we know many who are playing Christian. Some wear a uniform, some do not. Some come faithfully every week and sit in the pew like a Christian is “supposed to do”. Some do not. Some put on the face of a volunteer, when only seeking what they can get as payment for their time. Some put on the face of a leader, when only seeking the praise they will receive for accomplishments. Some put on the face of concern, only to hear the latest gossip to spread to the next person they see. Some are not as easy to spot nor are their motives easily uncovered. The same was true for these sons, we don’t know why or how they went from place to place putting on the performance, but their Me Mission was about to self destruct!

Unmasked Imposters

We left the sons confronting a demon possessed man with their secret weapon, the magical words they stole from Paul. Verse 15 continues the saga of the sons of Sceva. One day while doing their act, they were confronted with an evil spirit, “Who are you?” We know that even Satan believes in and knows Jesus, but he will not claim him as Lord. Paul’s name was known in the hellish realms because of the power of the Holy Spirit at work through him. They knew when Paul spoke they’d better cower in fear. But who were these guys? Who did they think they were kidding? So, obviously frustrated with the utter absurdity of the situation, the evil spirit had the man overpower all the sons. He not only overpowered them, but in verse 16 it says they received such a beating they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. These arrogant imposters were unmasked for the phonies they were, embarrassingly undressed, and bleeding for their misdeeds. These men were totally put in the spotlight. The word spread quickly. Verse 17 said every Jew and Greek in Ephesus knew what had happened. These sons would not be fooling anyone again!

These men remind me of our dog Sammy. When he sees a big dog he will bark and bark. If ever confronted by these dogs, he would surely run the other way or be terribly injured by them. But day after day he continues to threaten these much larger dogs. When someone is shady and fake, the truth will come out. It may be days, weeks, months, or even years. It may not happen until Christ returns. Pray He doesn’t wait to call you out in front of the world! It’s embarrassing and painful when the mask is ripped off and the truth is revealed. Don’t wait to change or come clean until Christ comes to judge. It will be even more embarrassing, and several times more painful to deal with it then. The forgiveness clock would have run out then, it’s sentencing time! God wants His church to be holy, upright, and righteous. Can we stand today without any reservations before His throne and know that he will not be ashamed to call us his children?

Conclusion

The people in Ephesus made a decision in the light of these events. They fell awestruck at the power of God and the name of Jesus. The saw themselves in the light of the Holy God and they began to confess their evil deeds. There were many who brought their garbage and sources of bondage and burnt them publicly. All in all, 50,000 days wages were consumed in the fire and people were brought to Christ. They didn’t stop there, the word of the Lord spread and grew in power. What will we do with this today? Will we think about someone and think about how they should have readd this today? Or will we be convicted of things we have done or are doing still today? Are we being authentic Holy Spirit empowered Christians or are we trying to pass off as a cheap imitation? You may be living the authentic Christian walk, praise God for that. But this is the time to pray his protection over you! Pray that he will guard your heart, that you can be a workman approved and not ashamed when you stand before Him. If you need cleansing this is the time too! Take off the mask and burn it! Don’t wait until it’s too late when he who can see your heart will call you out in front of everyone! Now is the time, this is the place. Don’t be a powerless imposter, be and empowered priesthood for His Glory and honor!