(Read Acts 19:8-12)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After leading the followers of John to Jesus in Ephesus, Paul went to the local synagogue and preached for the next three months. Paul preached the Kingdom of God with boldness and power, but some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against him and the message. Instead of getting into a confrontation with them, Paul chose to leave the synagogue and he moved his ministry to the lecture hall of Tyrannus. The believers followed Paul and he had successful ministry in the lecture hall for the next two years.
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was so impactful that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord. This impact came because Paul was not merely preaching words. Paul would later write, “I didn’t try to impress with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else” (1 Cor 2:2-5 MSG). Paul was not some superhuman giant of a man. No, he was an average guy, seeking to be used of God to do what he was called to do, not always sure of how to do it, but relying on God and His power the entire time.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Power trumps words. God knew that there were already a plethora of philosophers in the earth, attempting to convince people to follow them by using fancy words. Paul did not use fancy words or mind tricks. He simply relied on God’s power. The Bible says “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.” When handkerchiefs that had merely touched Paul’s skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
2. Supernatural power flows from God by Grace. Paul was so submitted to God and that God could freely flow through Paul. Paul merely touched handkerchiefs and sent them to sick or demon possessed people and the handkerchiefs released the power of God for the sick to get healed and the demons to flee. Once again, this was not about Paul, but rather about God. Paul was submitted, and he had the faith to believe God for the supernatural, but at the end of the day it was God who was performing the miracles through Paul, by His Grace, and He can do the same through you.
3. Supernatural power is accessed by faith. While supernatural power comes from God and it freely flows from Him by Grace, for that power to be manifested in the earth, through a human, the Lord is looking for us to access the Grace by faith. God gives us everything He gives us by Grace, because we cannot earn it. However, for humanity to tap into the supernatural we must do it by faith. We exercise faith and when we do, we are able to tap into the Grace of God to do what is humanly impossible. Jesus said, “All things are possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23). Do you believe? Do you have the faith that will access God’s Grace to perform the supernatural in and through your life?
Closing Confession: Father, Jesus did not walk the earth attempting to convince people with mere words. Jesus was able to tap into supernatural power. People were able to see miracles, signs and wonders through Jesus’ ministry. Jesus said that we would be able to do what He did, and even greater works. Paul is an example of an average man who submitted to Your power. You used Paul in supernatural ways. You performed supernatural miracles through Paul’s ministry. Like Jesus, Paul did not have to attempt to convince people with words alone. People were able to see lives changed through his ministry. Paul never took the credit and he deflected all the glory back to You. Paul had faith and his faith was able to tap into Your Grace for the supernatural. Like Paul, I too have faith and by faith I seek to tap into Your Grace for the supernatural. By faith I ask You to flow through me daily. I submit myself to be used of You, for Your glory. I will be Your mouth to talk, Your legs to walk, and Your hands to touch every person You want to touch through me. Father, I want You to be glorified through my life. For You to get the maximum glory, I ask You to manifest miracles, signs and wonders through me. When You do, I will give You all the glory, because I know the power did not come from me. I believe the impossible and I will see the supernatural happen through me! Not because I am so good, but because You want to reach the lost. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
