Acts 19: Real Power, Real Repentance, Real Freedom

 In Acts of the Apostles 19 by Troy Dobbs, we encounter one of the most striking passages in the New Testament. It includes extraordinary miracles, demonic confrontation, public repentance, and a city transformed by the power of the gospel.

At first glance, the chapter feels dramatic and unusual. But beneath the extraordinary events lies a deeply practical message for every believer today.

Acts 19 teaches four enduring truths: spiritual darkness is real, Jesus has unmatched authority, repentance must be genuine, and Christ offers new life rather than better management of the old one.

Spiritual Darkness Is Real, But Do Not Obsess Over It

The early church had no trouble acknowledging spiritual warfare. In Ephesus, demonic activity, occult practices, and magic arts were woven into the culture. Luke records extraordinary miracles through Paul, including healings and deliverance from evil spirits.

Scripture is clear that spiritual darkness exists.

As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and spiritual forces of evil.”

But Christians must avoid two extremes.

First, we should not ignore spiritual reality. Evil exists. Satan is real. Spiritual deception happens.

Second, we should not become obsessed with darkness. Not every hardship, mistake, or inconvenience is demonic. Sometimes a problem is spiritual. Sometimes it is simply human weakness, poor judgment, or lack of competence.

Biblical maturity means balance.

Do not ignore darkness.
Do not glorify darkness.

Instead, fix your attention on Christ.

1 John 4:4 gives us confidence:

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

The Christian posture is awareness without fear.

The Name of Jesus Carries Real Authority

One of the most memorable scenes in Acts 19 involves the seven sons of Sceva.

These men were itinerant exorcists who observed Paul’s ministry and decided to imitate his methods. They attempted to cast out demons using the phrase:

“In the name of Jesus, whom Paul proclaims…”

But something went terribly wrong.

The demon answered:

“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

The possessed man then overpowered them, and they fled wounded and humiliated.

The lesson is profound.

Spiritual authority does not come from memorized words, religious performance, or borrowed faith. It comes from genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

You cannot outsource intimacy with God.

This story also warns against using Jesus for selfish gain.

Many still approach Jesus transactionally. They want blessing, influence, protection, status, or success. They want what Jesus gives more than Jesus Himself.

But Jesus is not:

• a lucky charm
• a religious formula
• a self-help strategy
• a brand-building tool

He is Lord.

Philippians 2:9–11 declares that God gave Jesus the name above every name, before whom every knee will bow.

The key question is simple:

Do we love Jesus for who He is, or mostly for what we hope to get from Him?

Genuine Repentance Produces Visible Change

After witnessing the power of Jesus, many in Ephesus came forward to confess their sins.

They did not merely feel emotional conviction. They acted.

Luke tells us they brought their expensive books of magic and publicly burned them. The total value was 50,000 pieces of silver, roughly 50,000 days of wages.

Repentance cost them something.

That is the nature of biblical repentance.

Repentance is more than guilt.
It is more than regret.
It is more than getting caught.

True repentance begins with godly sorrow.

2 Corinthians 7:10 says:

“Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.”

There is an important difference between regret and repentance.

Regret says:
“I hate the consequences.”

Repentance says:
“I hate the sin because it offends God.”

A genuine Christian may struggle with sin.

But a genuine Christian cannot comfortably make peace with sin.

Real repentance produces fruit:

• confession
• surrender
• changed behavior
• costly obedience

As Luke 3:8 says:

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Repentance is not proven by words alone. It becomes visible in transformed priorities and actions.

Our Culture Prefers Tolerance Over Repentance

One of the greatest spiritual tensions today is the cultural elevation of tolerance.

Modern culture often says:

• Accept yourself
• Validate yourself
• Never challenge identity or behavior

But the gospel offers something deeper.

The Bible does not call us to redefine sin. It calls us to confess sin and bring it into the light.

Tolerance can sometimes preserve comfort while leaving bondage untouched.

Repentance, though painful, leads to freedom.

This does not mean Christians should lack compassion. Jesus embodied both grace and truth.

But grace without truth becomes permission. Truth without grace becomes condemnation.

The gospel gives both.

1 John 1:9 promises:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.”

Freedom comes not through self-affirmation, but through surrender to Christ.

Jesus Offers New Life, Not Better Management of the Old

This may be the most important truth in Acts 19.

Jesus did not come merely to help people manage sin better.

He came to make people new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 declares:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

Christianity is not behavior optimization.

It is transformation.

Jesus offers:

• forgiveness for the past
• power for the present
• hope for the future

He replaces shame with grace.
He replaces bondage with freedom.
He replaces death with life.

The old life loses its grip when Christ becomes greater.

That is exactly what happened in Ephesus.

People willingly abandoned magic, power, money, and control because they had found Someone better.

They found Jesus.

Final Reflection

Acts 19 gives us a clear progression:

Spiritual reality leads us to recognize Jesus’ authority.
Jesus’ authority leads to real faith.
Real faith leads to repentance.
Repentance leads to transformation.
Transformation leads to gospel breakthrough.

Luke concludes with this powerful statement:

“So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”
— Acts 19:20

That same gospel still transforms lives today.

The invitation remains.

Ask yourself:

• Am I worshiping Jesus or using Him?
• Am I more fascinated by darkness than by Christ?
• Am I managing sin instead of repenting?
• Is my faith producing visible transformation?

Jesus offers more than improved coping mechanisms.

He offers a brand new life.

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Wickedness is democratized, everyone doing it their way (Judges 21:25)

 Judges 21:25

Elevating your version of the truth over God's truth is the epitome of arrogance. 

• Judges 19, gang rape then cut to pieces 
• Judges 20, lead to civil war and massacre 
• Judges 21, kidnapping

Deny God and dismiss his truth 

 - lack everything good in life

Disregard human life

Ignore God's commands moral lines are blurred and obliterated. 

 - self destruction 

 - adultry, inhospitable,disobedient,murder, kidnapping 

No one benefits without God

Don't lower your morality and live in the culture around us. 

 - trading the challenge with fitting in with the culture 

 - we need to rise up to God's standards 

 - we need one another to stay accountable and hear the truth

The only solution to depravity is the Gospel of Jesus Christ 

Gospel changes everything 

 - simplistic and true 

https://grace.church/messages/series/judges/

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Forgive yourself, because God has forgiven you

Alpha this past week had Who is Jesus (God, Man, Resurrection) and Why did Jesus die (Love, Forgiveness). My new friends Daniel and Jeremiah said it was easier to forgive others, but hard to forgive ourselves because we know better. We talked about what it means to forgive as being able to love someone inspire of their wrongdoing, to care for them. We agreed this was easy to see in forgiving our children. Yet more difficult when someone breaks our trust and to forgive means losing face. 

Then Sunday, pastor Troy had this great message on the series Adrift. Past series have been on THE CURRENT John 8:1-11, THE STORM Matthew 7:1-6, THE CALL Genesis 19:1-28, THE SWORD Matthew 10:34-39, THE ENEMY 2 Timothy 4:3-4

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. - James 5:19‭-‬20 NLT

Revival, not salvation. Salvation, justification happens once, sanctification occurs over time. 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. - Philippians 1:6 NLT

Encouragement for those who pursue the sinner. Not the sinner. 

God expects us to know why people wander from the truth.

- misguided compassion 

 - persecution for faith 

 - trials is evidence of God at work in you. Construction not destruction 

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You can't kill time without injury to eternity (1 Peter 4:1-6)

This year in SALT my co-chair Jim, wanted to change up and own SALT and Light today, where we talk about one verse and two questions with whoever comes. We started with the Fruit of Spirit Gal 5:28-29, now we have Phil 4:8 for our monthly topic, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" this month is Noble: "righteous before God and the world noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character."

I was just updating and migrating my bullet journal and growing in my own organizational skills. I realized that 1/3 of my day is ministry-related. So my index is now three pages with the first being the ministry index to track Alpha (Prayer, TC, Leadership, Mentoring). The SALT (Outrageous Justice, Unshakable Hope, Leadership, SALT and Light, Prayer), BSF (Dan & Ben, Leaders Meeting). The next index is project work (CDO database migration, Uplifting legacy systems, Tech evaluations) feeding into the Strategy index (DM, Arch, 1 x 1 coaching, Personal development, Reference Architecture).

God is so good, yesterday was the second week in row of going to church with my brother and mom and then having a meal afterward. We got to talk about childhood memories and our thoughts on the sermon. I'm looking forward to next week where we'll cover my life verse 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Here are my notes from 1 Peter 4:1-6 by Troy Dobbs:
1 Peter 4:1-6) Suffering in flesh, as a way of thinking like Christ. Live in the Spirit.
1) arm yourself with the same way of thinking.
- get mentally prepared. How will I spend my time?
- 2) Resist sin. Militant attitudes toward sin. Make time to battle sin or sin will steal quality time from your life.
- Sin can ruin years of hard work
God's will discovered:
- Read the Bible and pray rather than looking for signs. Following the general revelation, leads us to specific, personal revelation.
- Be the new you, not the old you. Stop wasting time doing sinful things. Move on toward godliness.
4) Unbelievers don't understand when God changing people. So they criticize what God is doing. They malign God's will.
- 5) We know something they don't know. Judgement is coming
https://benlorence.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-is-it-determined-that-someone-will.html
6) reach lost people.
People need the Lord

Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

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George Floyd now stands for reformation (Let us be Romans 12 people)

The city I grew up in has burned, I was driving Friday morning to take my Big Data Specialty exam and saw the city burning. It reminded me of a vision I had when I was younger. It's a miracle I passed the exam and I'm glad many lives were spared in all the rioting. We need prayer fuel action to do God's will -  for me this is person to person and that's been my focus for so many years.  

The day after George Floyd was killed by cops, we had a long meeting at church on how we can open the church on May 31 (after months of closure from Covid 19). It's hard to believe what can happen in a week. Church opened on Sunday and we prayed for the oppressed: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. As we usually do we focused on a section of scripture rather than jump around and I was glad we landed on Romans 12, a great section "in view of God's mercy" on who we are in Christ.

A) Sincere LOVE is the root of what Christian's hate (never hating people)

Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], 

(As you state your position, remember your disposition)

 - give preference to one another in honor; 

 - never lagging behind in diligence; 

 - aglow in the Spirit,

 - enthusiastically serving the Lord; 

 - constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], 

 - steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 

 - contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

Romans 12:9‭-‬13 AMP

B) Let your response be directed by God's word, overcome evil with good

Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

 - Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine , I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for by doing this you will heap  burning coals on his head .” Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17‭-‬21 AMP

I studied this passage years ago and enjoyed seeing these lessons again as we prepare for the Genesis study in BSF next year:

Romans 12:2) 2) Not pattern world, transformed/renewing mind, able do God's will

Illustration: Cain (Look what I brought God) and Abel (look what you did God)

Cain couldn't see God's mercy and took LIFE into his own hands, killing his brother. God's mercy was then revealed in Cain, God protected Cain (Gen 4) - Lemech didn't get it (70 times 7 REVENGE). Jesus said 70 times 7 Forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).

Monday June1)

We had a great time in prayer last night for AlphaUSA, praying for our grandkids and kids, that we would give them a church strong in mercy, loving-kindness, and vibrantly alive. My friend had a vision of a life of prayer ahead - isn't that wonderful!  Lord, remove the spirit of fear -  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7

On Sunday my wife Kim's friend Jan gave her a book of "gleanings" from Kim's teaching of Acts. It has a picture of mature wheat in a field. Jan is a lay teacher taking groups to Isreal and leading Bible study. She told us that you can tell the wheat from the tares when they mature. When wheat is mature it bows down, when tares mature they stand up straight. Isn't that interesting? Inside this custom made book was my favorite Gospel message from Titus 3:3-7

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

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Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim 2:5)

Perceived arrogance that Jesus is the only way is solved with deference to God's word. The Bible is clear about Jesus. Deference is the humble submission to a superior.
Tolerance is allowing and affirming "separate realities" - your view is not wrong it's different and equally okay. However, Christianity affirms the spiritual reality of sin, righteousness, and judgment as gravity and the boiling point of water.
Relevance, there's only one way to God, Jesus Christ: "I am the way, the truth and the life - no one comes to the father but through me" John 14:6. Jesus cured our sin problem on the cross, he cured our hope problem in the resurrection, he cured our non-response/faithless problem by sending the Holy Spirit.

Only one Jesus, the Jesus proclaimed in God's word - 2 Cor 11:4

• Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. - Acts 4:12
• For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; - 1 Timothy 2:5
• He went on to say, "You neatly set aside the commandment of God to maintain your own tradition. - Mark 7:9
• For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" - Romans 8:15
• For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 3:11
• Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit - 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
• This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? - Galatians 3:2
• There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; - Ephesians 4:4,5

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

• In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. - John 1:4
• The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
• For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. - John 1:17
• I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. - John 10:9
• Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.  - John 11:25
• through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God. - Romans 5:2
• For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. - Ephesians 2:18

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God has built the Christian life with anticipation and hope

May 10, Mother's day beginning of week 10 of COVID 19 quarantine. Job 42
 - All women are "mothers" as they are life-givers, bearing physical and spiritual children.

The world says that "Hope is a tease that makes us dodge reality"
Everyday people are feeling hopeless but Christians have true hope as talked about in Hebrews 11:1 because it's anchored in faith in Jesus Christ and his eternal kingdom.

We have eager anticipation, we call this hope. God is a  "God of hope" - Romans 15:13 ESV

God brings resolution to our suffering and injustices - Job acknowledges God in confession and repentance (Job 42:1-6), lives another 140 years after all the evil/disaster/calamity, blessed more than his earlier days (Job 42:16-17, 10,12).

Job chose not to sin in his distress (Job 36:21), he realized better is a day with God than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:10). This is referenced in Hebrews 11:25 "choosing rather to be mistreated (by friends of the world) with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides" - 1 John 2:17

We have dual citizenship on earth. I'm a citizen of USA but also a citizen of heaven (Phil 3:20).

We enjoy the benefits here on earth because of our citizenship in heaven:

• Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:7
• As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. - 1 Corinthians 15:48
• Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God's household, - Ephesians 2:19
• Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. - Colossians 3:1
• Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2
• Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels - Hebrews 12:22

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Job's friends show the danger of a shallow theology (Job 2-31)

Job 3-31
From Job 2:8, Job was full of boils and pain. Job 2:9, his wife didn't help. His friends didn't recognize him because he was wrecked, they grieved with him 7 days and nights in silence (Job 2:11-13).

Job then laments about his existence (Job 3:1-19), questions why God gives light and life to the miserable (Job 3:20-26).

Job's friends confuse a cry of pain with a cry of rebellion (Job 4:). They haSuffering is a punishment for sin, prosperity is the reward for righteousness. This is suffering is because he is godly not ungodly.
Job 22:5 - they think his evil is abundant.

22-31 (friends speeches)
That you could be silent (Job 16:2)

Job 21:4 - how then will you comfort me with empty nothings and falsehood.
It's hard to help suffering people without trying to say something with half baked answers. It's because we are uncomfortable with suffering.
 - Let go let God, turn that frown upside down
 - don['t insiuat you know why this is happening.

No Christian can avoid theology. Do we have a sound theology or a shallow theology.

It's shallow to expect faith without lament. Be wary of any teaching that says faith sheds no tears, expresses no pain... our faith says we have to content with "why" questions, we sorrow. Jesus was called a man of sorrows, he looked upon them and had compassion. He cried on the cross.
 - let people emote, emotion is energy in motion
 - grief is frightening to those watching it, so we want grief to stop.
 - Bible answers, "trite answers", "shallow answers" end up attacking the person who is grieving.
 - Rather be the Bible answers, let your silence be your wisdom. "God needed an angel (when someone dies)". Your never more safe than when your in God's will. "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" (minimizes persons pain).
 - Imbrace there is a mystery, you don't have it all figured out.
 - There is knowing God and suffering. It's shallow to look at suffering through any lens but the cross.
Job 9:33 - needs a mediator.

You will never understand suffering unless you see it through the lens of Jesus on cross. The enemy wants us to give up in suffering.

Job points us to Jesus
From Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

• Job 13:1  “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. 
• What an interesting read. Job understands - alludes to Abel (Job 16:18), points to Jesus (Job 16:19,20) seeing death approach (Job 16:21)

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Jesus resurrection impacts our lives now

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

John 5:24 NLT

When we die we are present with the Lord. 

 - We are souls with bodies 

 - Soul is the essence of who we are

Resurection give great confidence 

 - But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:24 NLT

 - God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36 NLT

 - We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. Romans 6:9 NLT

When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10‭-‬11 NLT

The resurection should keep us from "playing it safe"

 - when do I risk my life?

 - fearlessness 

When you put your faith in Jesus you will never be put to shame. 

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Restoration of a wayward believer, focus on the finish line (James 5:19-20)

AIM: People help bring back the wayward

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. James 5:19-20

What is God saying to us:

•  - Let's be ready to be our brother's keeper, Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
•  - Be mindful that we can be strayed away: stay humble and close to Jesus, turn your heart toward him, stay in God's word.
•  - Be sure to tell those who have strayed that God will receive them back. He gives second chances:

Wayward people come to their senses

• When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, - Luke 15:17-18,  context: Luke 15:11-32
• And God pursues them: “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. - Luke 15:20

God is the one who wins back the wayward heart by a focus on the Day of Christ

• being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  - Philippians 1:6

Yet we have the role of obedience

• so that you can discern what is best, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, - Philippians 1:10
• Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. - Philippians 2:12
• The LORD will fulfill His purpose in me.  Psalm 138:8
• He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:8

Why do people wander away from the truth?
 - fear of pain, threat of pain
 - suffering
 - The reality of Christianity doesn't align with the expectation of Christianity. Trials, pain, suffering, and disappointment is part of Christianity - understand this is our "fallen world"
 - prosperity can blind us "deceitfulness of wealth"
 - offense can make agape love grow cold in our hearts (11 tactics the devil uses to keep people from God

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Understanding prayer, enables confidence in healing

James 5:13-18

Our faith is in the person of God. We call on the name of the Lord. We affirm him as Holy, Creator, and Lord. We draw near to God and the wonderful truth is he draws near to us. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

 - Yourself: 

Pray in hardship, praise when happy, and call on elders when sick they will anoint with oil and pray for you.

 - Results:

Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. - James 5:15 NLT

 - Honesty:

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. - James 5:16 NLT

Healing is a gift, not a reward. 

Alphausa.org 

Does God Heal today?

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Wisdom is understanding God's ways (James 3:13)

God's wisdom (truth, from above, pure)

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom... But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:13‭, ‬17‭-‬18 NLT

We receive God's wisdom and put it "in the ground" of our lives:

The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Matthew 13:23 NLT

Human wisdom (folly, bitterness, selfishness)

But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James 3:14‭-‬16 NLT

Just ask for God's wisdom (James 1:5) and submit to his plan. Jesus gives skills for living here and now. (Matthew 7:7-12)

Choosing wisdom has a major impact on our lives and the lives of people around us.

 - Wisdom of God leads to revolution positive life change, i.e. salvation, harmony, peace, and joy.

 - Wisdom of world leads to jealousy and selfishness, disorder, evil of every kind i.e. destruction, discord, anxiety, and depression. 

God's wisdom transforms our character and affections from the inside out by the power of the Holy Spirit available for every believer in Jesus Christ. Will you ask God for this wisdom?

How does God answer this prayer?

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Misunderstanding faith, it's about Jesus not me

It's not about sincerity. It's about fruit. The natural outgrowth of your faith. 

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

James 2:26 NLT

Faith without works is a faith that doesn't work.

A tree is recognized by it's fruit. 

The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), not of the flesh. 

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit...  A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Luke 6:43‭, ‬45 NLT

Faith is not just something you say, feel or believe. 

 - Not easy believing. 

How do we know our faith is real? Its about the order. God saved by grace, by the gift of faith. Saved for good works he's prepared for us.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:8‭-‬10 NLT

True faith results in life change. You'll love God, appreciate the work of Jesus and walk in the Spirit. This is being led in truth. Guided by God into good works.

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Misunderstanding temptations source being our desire, rather than God

Temptation is meant to harm, pollute and destroy your faith in God.

 - Fisherman hides hook in bait 

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

James 1:13‭-‬14 NLT

Trials and temptation go together. Trial at work can bring a temptation to respond in an ungodly response. Why James discussed trials in v1-12 and temptation in v13-18.

V15) desire gets together with temptation, they conceive sin. Keep desire away from temptation. Change desire and affection by delighting yourself in the Lord (Psalm 34)

Vulnerability to temptation comes when we misunderstand the power of God's word.

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls... do what it says...look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 1:21‭-‬22‭, ‬25 NLT

Vulnerability comes when we misunderstand God's consistently good character (James 1:17). The sun is consistent, the stars are dependable and so James uses them as a metaphor. 

If we are not experiencing God's goodness we have moved away from him. We can draw near to God and we can turn to him and receive forgiveness. 

Remember who you are and what God says about you. See yourself in God's word (v24). Renounce the lies you've believed about God, knowing the devil is the father of lies. Renounce the devil.

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

1 Timothy 4:1 NLT

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Misunderstanding trials threatens our faith

Misunderstanding who God is or how God works. 

2 lies, 

1. "If God really loved me..."

 - pain, heart aches would be gone

 - conditional love, rather than covenant love. 

Truth: God's love is based on the cross.

2. "If I really loved God..."

 - if my performance was better than I would feel better 

Truth: God's love is tied to his person, not our performance 

Why trials and struggles?

Consider (count, take logical account) it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2‭-‬3 NIV

 - Don't let your emotions overwhelm you. Emotions focus on why. Logic looks at what. What is happening? Faith is being built, producing perseverance (steadfastness,  resistance training exercises faith muscles). 

 - What is a trial? A divine appointment with someone who is adversarial. When someone curses you, bless them.

 - Form fitted trail. Tailor made grace for every trial you face. Sickness, loneliness, relationships. These aren't caused by God but God uses trials to get us in "spiritual shape" Romans 8:28

 - steadfastness means remaining under. Go the extra mile.  

Trials are a scalpel wound by a physician rather than a knife wound from an enemy (Heb 4:12).

...for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (mature, able to finish the race)

James 1:3‭-‬4 ESV

Misunderstanding: Life of joy is free from life of trials. Hand of God is beating me down rather than building me up. Your faith is on trial, not you. 

You know this (intelligence, Biblical understanding). If you know who God is and how God works you can count it pure joy when in a trial. Knowledge matters when were in a trial. 

 - God is always good, in control, all powerful, all knowing, pure/holy.

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Trusting in God brings courage and freedom (Proverbs 29:25, Heb 13:5-6)

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 NIV

How do we trust God more? Corporate worship, brings to memory God's greatness and superiority. 

Fear of man traps us, holds us back from being authentic and true. 

What does a snare look like? Dominating others, speaking to only people who believe as you do. Staying quiet at the expense of others who would benefit from your viewpoint. 

Trusting God is going to high ground. Speaking truth in love and humility. Jesus is our example. 

Matthew 10:28, don't fear man who kill the body, God's authority and power is unlimited. 

Acts 5:29, courage to obey even when your scared. Deuteronomy 31:6, God is with you. Joshua 1:9, Heb 13:5,6, the Lord is my helper.

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How do we "Test Spirits" to understand truth from falsehood? (1 John 4)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1 NIV

Spirit of truth exalts Jesus Christ. 

There's a spirit behind every idea and teaching. Devine or demonic. 

Many are drowning in demonic lies about Jesus. 

Unto us a child is born Isaiah 9:6, Jesus has come in the flesh 1John 4:2-3, 2:22-23

 - God the Father and God the son are interconnected. 

 - False teachings take people further from God, deeper loss, emptiness and despair. 

 - False prophets promise never comes true. The good news of Jesus Christ always comes true to everyone who believes. Tangible, experiential true. Forgiveness and peace of God, peace with God. New life, changed affections. False prophets add to sorrow while Jesus Christ takes away the sorrow. All the guilt and shame is taken away. 

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. - 1 John 4:4 NIV

 - The Holy Spirit, lives in me, protects me and guides me in all truth. 

Be a student of God's word, serious and skeptical of what you hear. Bring everything back to Jesus and the Bible. In Jesus name, the Bible will keep you out of the ditch.

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Sin defined, what Jesus did and how we can know (1 John 3)

You sin because you are a sinner, not a sinner because you sin. Make sure your in the family by understanding your sin and God's expectation. God demands perfection and only Jesus is perfect. Our sin is against God (see Psalm 51:4) and only Jesus came to take away sin (1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21)

 - sin is a pass/fail not a 70% mark. 

 - Jesus was not a martyr, he died for our sin 2 Cor 5:21

What is sin?

Missing the mark Romans 3:23, fallen short of the glory of God. 

 - all of our lives fall short 

Sin causes us to have an inward focus. 

Sin is shrinking back from what should have been a 100% effort. Whenever you shrink back or don't follow through on what is right you sin.

Sin is slipping up. Unintentional sin or "I didn't mean too"

Ignorance of sin doesn't excuse because you should know and find out.

Sin is a passive refusal to accept God's word. A quiet subversive rebellion. 

Sin is also a willful, intentional act of doing your own will knowing it's wrong. A blatant, willful act of doing wrong.

You can sin with your heart, mind emotions as well as you body and words. 

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1 John 3:19‭-‬24 NIV

That Christ had to die to take away our sins tells us:

1. Sin must be horrendous 

2. God's grace and love are amazing 

 - God giving us what we deserve is justice,  but grace is found in Jesus.

3. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 5)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5&version=NLT

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Make sure your love is right (1 John 2:17)

I have set my heart on you

Your name is a strong and mighty tower

Don't love the world  - 1 John 2:15-17

 - Desire of physical pleasure, eyes that crave, and pride of achievement. These come from the world, not the Father. 

Rather, desire what pleases God. 1 John 2:17

What does my activity say about my life? Am I set apart for God? 

Four truths to prevent us from being seduced by the world

1. Loving God and the world can't co-exist. 

2. Ungodly desires trip us up

 - Flesh wants pleasure, sensuality 

 - Our eyes start looking for it. We consume with our eyes. Desire for more, bigger. Sin begins in the eyes. She saw the fruit was...

 - Pride of life, self sufficiency and self exultation. "I don't need help"

3. Loving the world is spiritual suicide 

 - it's passing away along with it's desire 1 John 2:17

 - like buying stock in a bankrupt company,  falling for identity theft 

 - if you marry the world now you'll end up a widow 

4. Obedience confirms your future 

 - 1 John 2:17, who ever does the will of God lives forever 

 - a Christian is captivated by God's will and his desire for us.

How?

 - Believe Jesus Christ concurred sin and death. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

 - Battle, fight against sin in your life. Earnestly pursuing righteousness in my life. 

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Make sure you are honest with yourself

Assurance brings confidence. Jesus is our only hope. God has made a way, his light shines and dispels the darkness, brings clarity to the way, the truth and the life.

Seven tests whether or not you know Jesus 

1. How do I know? Saved people listen to the words of the apostles. Can a person believe in Jesus but not the Bible? No.

2. Saved people live like saved people. Consistency not perfection. What we believe and how we live matters. Lifestyle confirms my confession. 

3. Saved people accepts the truth about themselves. Saved people agree with God, all of his assessments. 

4. Saved people confess their sins and depend on Christ for forgiveness.  Confession of sin in the door to salvation.  Confession after salvation reveals salvation and God's grace.  Confession is the tangible step that we take in agreeing with God. Hope follows confession. Our confession welcomes the cleansing of God.

5. Saved people never call God a liar with their lives or their words.

6. Saved people stay away from sin. Struggling against sin, not comfortable with "living with sin"

7. Saved people, when they sin trust in Jesus for forgiveness. The hope of the Gospel is broken people can be restored. 

Application: be honest with yourself and God. Come clean.  Psalm 51:7. 

John 1:4,8:12. Now 1 John 1:4

God is light...we start with God. Nothing can live without God. 

 - light gives life

 - exposes and reveals things we may not have seen before 

 - light reveals what is true, no darkness (no untruths) - righteous, pure, holy. 

Life of sin is dishonest when our words claim fellowship with God

Lying if fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 1 John 1:6 NLT

Claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 1 John 1:8 NLT

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

Jesus is our advocate 1John 2:1

Jesus is truly righteous 1 John 2:1

Jesus is the sacrifice, atoned for our sin and everyone who sins against us. 1 John 2:2

1. God

2. Our sin

 - we either confess or argue we aren't sinners

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