The power of the gospel of Christ is evident as we read the book of Acts.  The work of the Holy Spirit is seen as the word of God is proclaimed, and people’s lives are dramatically changed.  People who were lame are not walking, some who were possessed by demons are now delivered and walking, working, going about in their own mind.  Sicknesses, and diseases have been healed.

Some unwise Jewish chaps who thought they had the power try and imitate the Holy Spirit and Paul, and find themselves overrun and overpowered by the spirits they supposed could be cast out by evil men (Acts 19:14-16).  Woe be to anyone today who thinks they can act for or do the work of the Spirit of God.

“And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:17-20 (KJV)

When these foolish Jews took on themselves to cast out demons, they did not know the Son of God Jesus Christ.  They did not have the Spirit of God within them, or upon them.  They even attempt to use the name of Paul, not the name of Jesus to do this empty deed.  Rather than overpowering the demons, the demons overpower them; and they run from the house “naked and wounded”.

I love that sentence, “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”  When things look dark and evil that is when the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ will shine the brightest, and the darkness is overcome.

“The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”  This is greatest of all.  To magnify the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest thing for a Christian to do.  If you are laboring to gain fame or fortune; you are laboring for the wrong thing.  You may get those things but you will find “leanness of soul” (Psalm 106:15) rather than fulfillment in the Lord.

The greatest thing the child of God can do is live to magnify the Lord Jesus, and worship, and glorify His name in all that we do.

O Christian let us decide today to live to be a blessing to His name.  If we do with a “Got to” attitude we fail.  When we do it with a “Get to” attitude, because we love Him and His word, then He is glorified.  And the word of God grows mightily and prevails.