There are two major encounters with the power of God in Acts 19. The first involves some of John the Baptist’s disciples who have heard about Jesus but haven’t experienced the fullness of His presence. Paul meets them, prays over them, and they get saved. The second involves some Jewish sorcerers who hear about Paul performing miracles and attempt to wield the power of God for their own gain. Their attempts fail, the real power of God prevails, and revival sweeps across Ephesus. Although we don’t live in a city as obsessed with magic and spirituality as Ephesus, we still need power today. And like the disciples of John and the Jewish sorcerers, most of us are missing something. We either neglect the presence of God altogether, or we try to manipulate the power of God for our own gain. But by naming the fears, distractions, and sins that separate us from God, we can experience His real presence and power in our lives today.
