Jesus and Paul, I Know... [Acts Alive - Chapter 18-19] - Pastor Dave Rajoon

Oct 04, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When Handkerchiefs Carry More Than Sweat

The early church saw God’s power flow through ordinary objects like Paul’s handkerchiefs. These weren’t magic items but vessels surrendered to divine purpose. True miracles happen when we release what we hold—our gifts, resources, even our weaknesses—into God’s hands. Healing isn’t about formulas but faithfulness. The same God who worked through cloth scraps still moves when we offer Him our “ordinary” with expectant hearts. [20:21]

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. (Acts 19:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What “ordinary” part of your daily life (work, relationships, routines) could become a channel for God’s power if fully surrendered to Him?

Day 2: “Jesus I Know, Paul I Know—Who Are You?”

Seven sons of Sceva learned the hard way: spiritual authority isn’t borrowed. Demons exposed their empty imitation, revealing the difference between using Jesus’ name and being known by Him. Our battles require more than reciting phrases—they demand a life anchored in intimate relationship with Christ. Power flows not from memorized words but from abiding connection. [20:51]

But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: When facing spiritual battles, do you rely more on religious routines or on the living relationship you maintain with Jesus daily?

Day 3: Burning Books Worth 50,000 Silver Pieces

True conversion costs. The Ephesians didn’t just add Jesus to their collection of spiritual practices—they torched their lucrative magic scrolls. Repentance means destroying what competes with Christ’s lordship, even profitable things. Like them, we’re called to audit our lives: what “valuable” things hinder wholehearted obedience? [50:10]

And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. (Acts 19:19, ESV)

Reflection: What profitable habit, relationship, or possession have you hesitated to release because it “cost too much”—and how does it rival Christ’s supremacy?

Day 4: The Anointing You Already Hold

Paul’s miracles came through hands that bore prison scars and shipwreck wounds. His authority was forged in surrendered suffering, not borrowed techniques. God works through our unique stories—the very hardships we resent become the tools He blesses. Your anointing isn’t in mimicking others but in offering Christ your unrepeatable journey. [46:36]

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific hardship or limitation in your life might God want to transform into a channel for His power rather than remove?

Day 5: When Fear Spreads Faster Than Flames

After the failed exorcism, holy fear gripped Ephesus—not terror of demons but awe of Christ’s unmatched authority. True revival begins when we stop managing darkness and start magnifying the One who shatters it. The church grows not by perfect strategies but by lifting high the name that makes hell itself tremble. [48:11]

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. (Acts 19:17, ESV)

Reflection: Does your daily life magnify Jesus’ name in a way that makes spiritual realities undeniable to those watching you?

Sermon Summary

Luke’s account in Acts 19 brings Paul into Ephesus, a deeply pagan city filled with the worship of Diana and spiritual darkness. God works unusual miracles by Paul’s hands, and the need is so great that handkerchiefs and aprons are carried to the sick. The text does not make Paul the source of the power. God works the miracles, and Paul’s hands are only the instrument God uses.

Jesus still has power to heal. The same Christ who healed the woman with the issue of blood, raised Jairus’ daughter, called Lazarus from the tomb, and opened blind eyes has not changed. Faith does not mean rejecting every medical treatment, but faith refuses to make sickness the final word. God remains Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, and His people can keep bringing chronic conditions, fear, depression, and every physical need before Him.

The name of Jesus cannot be used as a strategy, a gimmick, or somebody else’s formula. The sons of Sceva try to cast out demons “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches,” but the evil spirit knows Jesus and knows Paul while exposing that these men have no relationship with Christ. Spiritual warfare is no laughing matter. The armor of God, discernment, the blood of Jesus, and faith in Christ are necessary because the battle is not against flesh and blood.

God does not call believers to walk in another person’s anointing. Paul paid a price through suffering, submission, sacrifice, and years of ministry, and anointing cannot be borrowed simply because somebody sees another person operating in a gift. God has already placed something in each person’s hand. A stick in Moses’ hand, a gift for writing, cooking, praying, serving, or caring for people can become a tool for the glory of God when it is surrendered to Him.

The name of the Lord Jesus is magnified when God receives the glory. True conversion in Ephesus produces belief, confession, repentance, and costly action. Those who practiced magic do not hold onto their old books because they paid money for them. They burn them publicly, showing that coming to Jesus costs something. Repentance means changing direction and refusing to go back down the old road.

Christ’s finished work establishes a new covenant through His blood. Communion therefore points to what Jesus has done, while kingdom life calls every believer to become active in faith, prayer, healing, service, and the growth of God’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Believe God for unusual miracles [28:37] Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. Faith brings real health struggles before God without pretending that pain is not real. Medical care can be received with gratitude, but God must remain the source and healer. Sickness does not get the final word over a life held by Christ. [28:37]
2. Do not borrow another’s anointing [42:03] The sons of Sceva wanted Paul’s results without Paul’s relationship with Jesus. Spiritual authority comes from knowing Christ, walking in obedience, and being formed through sacrifice. God does not need copied methods or borrowed personalities. The Holy Spirit gives each believer gifts for the benefit of the whole church. [42:03]
3. Use what God placed in hand [46:36] God asked Moses, “What do you have in your hand?” God still begins with ordinary abilities, available tools, and willing hearts. A gift that looks small can serve a hurting person and bring glory to Jesus. Neglecting what God has already given leaves little room for greater responsibility. [46:36]
4. True conversion requires costly repentance [55:51] Repentance is not feeling bad about the old road while continuing to travel it. Repentance turns around, changes course, and refuses to protect what once held a life captive. The Ephesian believers burned valuable magic books because Jesus was worth more than what they gave up. Grace is freely given, but following Christ calls for real surrender. [55:51]
5. Every believer can serve the kingdom [01:01:10] God does not reserve prayer, compassion, and ministry only for a few visible leaders. The anointing of the Holy One enables believers to pray for a neighbor, stand with someone in need, and carry Christ into everyday places. The kingdom grows when ordinary people become active in faith. God wants to use every available life.

## [61:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:47] - The Book of Acts Comes Alive
[15:21] - Unusual Miracles in Ephesus
[16:59] - Jesus I Know, Paul I Know
[20:21] - Reading Acts 19:11-20
[22:05] - Paul Preaches Jesus in Pagan Ephesus
[23:47] - Believing God for Healing
[29:58] - Prayer Cloths and God as Healer
[36:32] - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment
[40:57] - The Sons of Sceva
[42:56] - Do Not Walk in Another’s Anointing
[46:36] - What Is in Your Hand?
[48:36] - True Conversion and Kingdom Work
[55:51] - Repentance Changes Direction
[58:28] - Communion and the New Covenant
[60:29] - Every Believer Has an Anointing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 19:11-20
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims." Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” [20:21]

Exodus 4:2
“The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff.” [46:52]

Ephesians 6:12
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” [38:40]

Observation questions

In Acts 19, what details show that God—not Paul or the objects connected to him—was the one doing the unusual miracles? [46:17]
What words did the sons of Sceva use when they tried to cast out the evil spirit, and what happened as a result?
What actions did the Ephesian believers take after they believed and confessed their former practices? What did those actions cost them? [56:51]
In Exodus 4:2, Moses had only a staff in his hand. What examples of ordinary abilities or resources were identified as things God can use for His glory? [46:52]

Interpretation questions

Why is it important that Acts 19 says God worked miracles through Paul’s hands rather than saying Paul himself was the source of the power? How does that protect believers from giving people glory that belongs to God? [46:17]
The sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus as “the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” What does their failure reveal about the difference between knowing about Jesus and personally knowing and following Him? [42:25]
Ephesians 6:12 describes a spiritual battle that is not against people. How can this truth help believers respond differently to division, hatred, fear, or conflict without treating other people as the enemy? [40:21]
The Ephesian believers burned costly magic books instead of keeping them for their value. Why is costly action an important sign that repentance is more than simply feeling sorry for sin? [57:16]

Application questions

Is there a health need, chronic condition, fear, depression, or concern for a loved one that needs to be brought again before Jesus in prayer? How can the group stand in faith while also receiving medical care with gratitude when needed? [29:07]
Where might there be a temptation to copy another Christian’s personality, ministry style, gift, or “formula” instead of growing in the gifts and calling God has given personally? What would it look like to walk faithfully in that personal anointing? [42:25]
What has God already placed in hand—such as listening, praying, cooking, writing, encouraging, serving, or practical care—that could be used to bless someone this week? Name one simple, specific step that could be taken. [47:21]
Is there an old practice, relationship, habit, source of entertainment, or pattern of thinking that makes it easy to return to an old road? What would a genuine change of direction look like in that situation? [56:07]
When a difficult situation feels spiritually heavy, what can help a believer seek discernment, put on the armor of God, and respond in faith rather than fear or anger? [38:48]
Who is one person in the neighborhood, workplace, family, or church community who may need prayer and care? How can each group member become active in serving that person rather than waiting for someone else to do it? [01:02:04]

Sermon Clips

23s

#WalkInYourCalling

“And not everything in script here that is written means that we ought to replicate that. Right? Now you may be able to do it if God speaks to you and he says for you to do that. Right? But we don't do it simply because we see somebody else is doing it. In other words, you don't try to walk in somebody else's anointing. How many of you understand what I'm saying?”

25s

#PersonalAnointing

“Amen. How many of you know in the quiet hours at night when you're going through something, when the enemy comes and he whispers something, you can get down on your bedside and you can go to god and he can touch you. Amen? You don't really need to wake the pastor up for that at that point in the middle of the night. Right? Because you have anointing as well. We all have an anointing”

39s

#KingdomSacrifice

“So we must be willing to pay the price so that God can use us. Amen? And we must be willing to make the sacrifices. If we're not willing to make sacrifices for the kingdom of God, you know, it's not gonna happen. We feel God should do it for us simply because, maybe, we entitle. There's a there's a there's a sense of entitlement that the church has sometimes. Right? We're not willing to pay the price, but we want god to give us the blessing. No. It does not work that way. Let's pay the price, and you're gonna see how god will reward you with the blessing. Amen?”

43s

#GodUsesYou

“and let's not use gimmicks. But the truth is god worked miracles at the hands of Paul. And that's what I like about Luke's writing and in this thing. He gave the glory and the honor to God. He didn't say, and Paul worked miracles. He said, God worked miracles by the hands of Paul. So Paul's hands were simply the instrument that God used. Paul's hand was simply the tool that God used. And God has placed in our hands tools that we can use as well. You know, when Moses came before God and he was saying, well, what if I go to these people and they don't wanna listen to me? God said, do you have in your hand?”

31s

#GloryToGod

“You know, if I wanna operate an anointing that comes from the Holy Spirit simply because I wanna look good or I wanna put my face on a on a poster that says, you know, come to this church because pastor Dave has certain gifts and certain talents and things that he could cast out your demons or whatever it is. And I put my face up there, you know, that's... I'm drawing attention to myself. No. Ought to draw attention to the Holy Spirit and to God. Amen?”

36s

#BelieveInJesus

“And we see that as... We see true conversion taking place in this context here today. So number one, here's what happened. The first thing that it did is, the first thing that happened in that context, there were many who believed. They believe... What do they believe? They believe the teachings of Paul. And what are the teaching of Paul? Jesus. They believed in Jesus. They believed in Jesus, that he is the messiah that was spoken of in the Old Testament. And they believe, and and, you know, we have to have belief and faith in God.”

23s

#FaithAndConfession

“We know and we believe and we believe in Jesus. When we see the truth of the word, amen, we we hear the message and we believe. And we don't simply believe it simply because we heard it, we believe it because we realize that it is true. Amen. We believe it because it is true. And the second thing is there was confession.”

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