A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 3 NO. 9                                            April 23, 2006

“BUT WHO ARE YOU?”

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

Acts 19 tells of Paul and his work in Ephesus.  What a work it was and this whole chapter is full of exciting stories about that work.  One of those stories concerns seven sons of Sceva who was a Jewish priest.  These seven sons took it upon themselves to call the name of Jesus over some who had evil spirits.  They had witnessed the miracles that God had performed through Paul and it seems they wanted some of the attention that was being given to Paul.

Verse 15 tells us that the evil spirit which these seven sons of Sceva had been trying to cast out stated that he did not know them.  The evil spirit knew Jesus and Paul but did not know those who were professing to be able to cast him out.  In fact verse 16 tells us that evil spirit leaped on these seven sons and overpowered them and prevailed and they fled naked and wounded.

How embarrassing!  These seven sons talked a great game and fooled some but they could not fool the evil spirit.  What a lesson this is for us.  We can talk and even act like we are with Jesus and even fool some of our brethren.  Yet, Satan does not recognize us as one who is obedient to Christ.

It is beyond explanation of all the benefits we have in Jesus Christ.  Galatians 3:26-29 tells us about being heirs according to the promise if we have been baptized into Christ.  Yet, Matthew 7:21-23 states that some who talk about being with Jesus will not be recognized by Jesus and that will have a devastating effect on those that He does not recognize.

Does Satan recognize you as a follower of Jesus?  Does Jesus recognize you a follower of Him?  Who are you?