Beyond the Weekend

October 13 | God Wants His Name at the Center

October 13, 2021

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. Acts 19:13

Read: Acts 19:13-16
Listen: 
Acts 19

TODAY’S MESSAGE

It doesn’t go as planned. The seven sons of the high priest want in on the local business of casting out evil spirits with a secret name. Using the name of Jesus seems like a good idea. But when they command the evil spirit out, it declares, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Recognizing the priest’s sons don’t know Jesus, the evil spirit overpowers them and gives them a humiliating beating.

God cares about his reputation and wants his name at the center of our lives, not just tacked on to get what we want. The sons of the chief priest are charlatan exorcists with no interest in believing in and following Jesus. Jews and Greeks in Ephesus hear what happens to them, are seized with fear and begin to honor the name of Jesus.

This incident gets the attention of the Ephesians, and it should get ours. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking we can sprinkle a Jesus-blessing into our business plans, job advancement or a test we didn’t study for. God wants us to follow him where he’s going, not to get us where we want to go. God wants us to honor his name and put him in the center of all parts of our lives.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Praise and thank God that following him to get where he is going is enough. Listen to the song “Do it Again” and focus on the lyrics “I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence.”


NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN

Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.

Today’s reading is Titus 3.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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