The followers of Jesus are sent.  Luke 10:1-3 17-20 [pg. 724]

• The disciples are sent as forerunners to where Jesus is going. (1)
• They go in pairs.
• People are ready to hear the gospel where they are going. (2)
• Jesus reveals to them that they are walking into hostile territory. (3b) 

Discovering the power of Jesus’ name.Luke 10:17-20

• They return amazed and excited. (17a)
• Mostly amazed that powerful demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name. (17b)
• Jesus celebrates the moment with seeing Satan’s kingdom crumbling. (18a)
• He gives them authority on earth to overcome darkness. (19)
• In Jesus name we have our names included in heaven! (20)

Others envy the power of Jesus’ name.  Acts 19:11-17[pg. 773]

• Power draws crowds.
  • People were taking notice of the power displayed by the apostles, and as a result many were coming to them to be healed. (11-12)

• Popularity of power appeals to pride.
  • Wanting to invoke the popularity and power for themselves, seven sons of the High Priest were effectively utilizing Jesus’ name to cast out demons. (13-14)

• Knowing about Jesus verses knowing Jesus matters.
  • However, they knew only of Jesus, but they did not know Jesus. So they utilized his name through a second person—Paul. (13b)

• Not all demons are equal.
  • In this moment, they experience firsthand that their varying levels of power in authority in the spiritual realms. They end up being defeated and humiliated by demons who knew they were imposters of Jesus. (16)

• Jesus’ name must be handled with great care.
  • Jesus’ name was now honored and feared by both believers and unbelievers. (17) 

The reality of the spiritual realm changes how we live and pray. 

• Our battle is not with the flesh and blood only.

Ephesians 6:12“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

• Pray with awareness enabled by the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:18“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

• Our prayers need to consider beyond the physical realm and acknowledge the spiritual battles that are being waged behind much of what is happening in the physical realm both great and small.
• With awareness, we can know and rely upon God’s strength.

2 Kings 6:15-17“When the servant of [Elisha] got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.  “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 

• Through God’s Spirit, Elisha was becoming a thorn in the side of the King of Aram.
• The threat of this King and his army (the physical realm) was horrifying to the servant of Elisha.
• Elisha walking by the Spirit calmly prays for God to open the eyes of his servant.
• The servant now can see that the greater army surrounding them and dwarfing the Aramean army was the Lord’s.

Take aways.

1. In Jesus’ name we have power to do his great work.
2. In Jesus’ name we have hope for eternity. 
3. In Jesus’ name we are surrounded by his army!