**Psalm 23:5 (NIV)**

> **"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."**

This verse reminds believers that God is not only our Shepherd but also our gracious Host. Even in difficult times, He provides, protects, honors, and blesses those who trust in Him.

### 1. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

A prepared table represents God's provision, peace, and care. David did not say God removed his enemies first. Instead, God gave him peace and blessing while they were still present.

**Encouragement:**
You may be surrounded by problems, criticism, or people who oppose you, but God is able to provide for you right in the middle of your circumstances. Your situation does not limit His faithfulness.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Romans 8:31 (NIV)**

> "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

* **Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)**

> "No weapon forged against you will prevail..."

* **John 16:33 (NIV)**

> "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

These verses remind us that God's presence is greater than any opposition we face.

---

### 2. "You anoint my head with oil."

In biblical times, oil symbolized blessing, honor, healing, refreshment, and God's favor. Shepherds also used oil to protect their sheep from insects and wounds, illustrating God's loving care.

**Encouragement:**
God knows your hurts, your fears, and your struggles. He refreshes weary hearts, heals broken spirits, and gives strength to continue.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)**

> "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning..."

* **James 1:17 (NIV)**

> "Every good and perfect gift is from above..."

* **2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV)**

> "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us..."

God's anointing points to His sustaining grace and His work in the lives of His people.

---

### 3. "My cup overflows."

An overflowing cup symbolizes abundant blessing. God's care is not merely enough to survive—it is abundant. His grace, mercy, and love exceed our deepest needs.

**Encouragement:**
Even when life feels empty, God can fill your heart with hope, peace, and joy. His blessings are not always material; they include His presence, forgiveness, strength, and eternal promises.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)**

> "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."

* **Philippians 4:19 (NIV)**

> "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

* **John 10:10 (NIV)**

> "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

God delights in giving His children what they truly need according to His wisdom.

---

## A Message of Encouragement

No matter what you're facing today, remember that God has not forgotten you. He can provide for you in the middle of your trials, strengthen you when you are weak, and fill your life with His peace and grace. Your enemies, difficulties, or fears do not have the final word—God does.

Trust the Good Shepherd. Stay faithful, keep praying, and continue walking with Christ. His presence is your greatest blessing, and His promises never fail.

> **"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."** — **Psalm 23:1 (NIV)**

May your heart rest in the assurance that the Shepherd who prepared David's table is the same God who faithfully cares for His people today.

#WordOfGod #encouragement Christian Worship #christianworship

**Psalm 23:5 (NIV)**

> **"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."**

This verse reminds believers that God is not only our Shepherd but also our gracious Host. Even in difficult times, He provides, protects, honors, and blesses those who trust in Him.

### 1. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

A prepared table represents God's provision, peace, and care. David did not say God removed his enemies first. Instead, God gave him peace and blessing while they were still present.

**Encouragement:**
You may be surrounded by problems, criticism, or people who oppose you, but God is able to provide for you right in the middle of your circumstances. Your situation does not limit His faithfulness.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Romans 8:31 (NIV)**

> "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

* **Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)**

> "No weapon forged against you will prevail..."

* **John 16:33 (NIV)**

> "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

These verses remind us that God's presence is greater than any opposition we face.

---

### 2. "You anoint my head with oil."

In biblical times, oil symbolized blessing, honor, healing, refreshment, and God's favor. Shepherds also used oil to protect their sheep from insects and wounds, illustrating God's loving care.

**Encouragement:**
God knows your hurts, your fears, and your struggles. He refreshes weary hearts, heals broken spirits, and gives strength to continue.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)**

> "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning..."

* **James 1:17 (NIV)**

> "Every good and perfect gift is from above..."

* **2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV)**

> "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us..."

God's anointing points to His sustaining grace and His work in the lives of His people.

---

### 3. "My cup overflows."

An overflowing cup symbolizes abundant blessing. God's care is not merely enough to survive—it is abundant. His grace, mercy, and love exceed our deepest needs.

**Encouragement:**
Even when life feels empty, God can fill your heart with hope, peace, and joy. His blessings are not always material; they include His presence, forgiveness, strength, and eternal promises.

**Supporting verses:**

* **Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)**

> "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..."

* **Philippians 4:19 (NIV)**

> "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

* **John 10:10 (NIV)**

> "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

God delights in giving His children what they truly need according to His wisdom.

---

## A Message of Encouragement

No matter what you're facing today, remember that God has not forgotten you. He can provide for you in the middle of your trials, strengthen you when you are weak, and fill your life with His peace and grace. Your enemies, difficulties, or fears do not have the final word—God does.

Trust the Good Shepherd. Stay faithful, keep praying, and continue walking with Christ. His presence is your greatest blessing, and His promises never fail.

> **"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."** — **Psalm 23:1 (NIV)**

May your heart rest in the assurance that the Shepherd who prepared David's table is the same God who faithfully cares for His people today.

#WordOfGod #encouragement Christian Worship #christianworship

LOST IN THE CHURCH

[BEING LOST IN CHURCH]

Part Eight

The Name of Jesus

There are many things that are closely associated with the Lord Jesus, and some have even been given His great name. However, people need to understand that these things are not Jesus Himself. Therefore, building one's faith upon such things or worshipping them can be a great deception.

Being close to the Lord, or even being called by His great name, does not necessarily mean that something is worthy of our worship. This means that a person can become lost before the Lord—or even become lost in church.

Satan spent all his time in the presence of the Lord, enjoying His glory, beauty, and blessings; nevertheless, he fell. Judas Iscariot was privileged to eat at the Lord's table. He heard the profound wisdom and extraordinary words that the prophets of old longed to hear; yet he also perished. This happened because they gave created things the place that belonged to the Lord.

The name of Jesus is an extraordinary gift given to the true Church throughout the world for salvation. However, we must understand that Satan has also been permitted to use that very same name on earth for evil purposes and destruction.

Therefore, the Church must be extremely careful. Not everyone who mentions the name of Jesus Christ, or identifies themselves by that name, is from God.

Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is truly a Christian in their heart.

Not every institution that bears the name of the Lord has come from God.

One of the greatest things I have observed in this world is that the Lord Himself can bless an institution, a church, a person, or a thing without actually dwelling in it. And that is one of the saddest dangers!

Remember Ishmael, the son of Abraham. God blessed him even though he was not the one through whom God's covenant purpose would be fulfilled.

> Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!” Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.”
Genesis 17:18–20



And concerning Ishmael, Scripture clearly says that the son of the slave woman will never share the inheritance with the son of the free woman. Read Galatians 4:30.

The meaning here is that the Lord blessed a person who would nevertheless not inherit eternal life together with the children of God through the covenant represented by Isaac.

My brothers and sisters, among the most frightening forms of deception taking place in the Church in these last days is the misuse of the name of Jesus.

If a person cannot discern the spirit behind every minister who comes before them, then they are already in serious danger.

> “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”
Matthew 24:5



One of the difficult statements in the Bible that I thought I understood well—but which took me many years to understand properly—is this statement in Matthew 24:5.

For a long time, I thought those false ministers would come in His name claiming that they themselves were Christ. But that is not necessarily what the Lord meant.

The correct meaning is that these false ministers would come in His name while openly acknowledging that He—Jesus—is the Christ. They would not necessarily claim to be Christ themselves.

In simple terms, these false ministers would come into the world confessing that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and they would use the name of Jesus in their ministries, yet they would actually be agents of Satan.

Do you see how dangerous that is?

What makes it even worse is that we have often interpreted this Scripture incorrectly. But the Lord said, “many will come.”

He did not say a few would come. He said many.

And notice that He did not say these people would belong to only one particular category—such as prophets, apostles, or miracle workers. Therefore, we should understand that He was warning about many different kinds of ministers: prophets, apostles, teachers, pastors, evangelists, miracle workers and those who do not perform miracles; those leading large churches and those leading small churches, and so on.

I say this because there has been a deception among people who think they only need to fear miracle workers, false prophets, large-church leaders, or apostles.

But beloved, let me tell you something: in my experience, one of the greatest forms of deception I have seen in the Church is being under a false pastor.

And may God help me as I say this!

Deception does not exist in only one place. Everyone can be prepared for a particular kind of deception—according to what they believe, what they understand, and what they are looking for.

There is no weapon that is always used from a distance. Scripture says:

> “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
Matthew 10:36



If you fear today's miracles, false prophets, apostles of anointing oil, and similar things, you are certainly right to be cautious. But understand this: those may be weapons that are too distant for someone like you.

Satan, who is full of cunning and deception, a master of lies and the father of much deception, may never use such obvious weapons to trap someone like you.

Instead, he may send you a false pastor who performs no miracles at all, someone whose ministry perfectly matches your beliefs, so that you can trust him completely.

Then you may gradually be fed false teachings that have no life—teachings that have an outward appearance of godliness and reverence for God, yet are built upon false wisdom that contradicts the power and priorities of the Holy Spirit.

That, my brother and sister, is where you can truly become lost.

Also understand clearly that the false ministers I am speaking about can be of two kinds.

There are those who have consciously made an agreement with Satan and therefore know exactly what they are doing.

And there are those who do not even realize that they are false ministers. They themselves have been deceived by false teachings. They are also products of false teachers.

Many of these are the religious leaders of our time—the Pharisees of the Pharisees of this generation.

And these can be among the most dangerous people, because they were the very kind of religious leaders who even participated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Lord.

Therefore, submitting yourself blindly to such ministers is a truly frightening thing.

May Almighty God have mercy on us all.

Amen!

#ToBeContinued...

Mwl. Ernest Nyalula
+255752057664

#LostInTheChurch #Discernment #ChristianFaith #TruthOfTheGospel #JesusChrist #SpiritualDiscernment #BiblicalTruth #Christianity #FalseTeaching #KnowTheWord

Isaiah 10:27 KJV
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.

Aflame - Shared by Smith Wigglesworth
"Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. -Ezekiel 37:5
As we speak in the Spirit, we feel that the fire that burned in the hearts of the two men on their way to Emmaus, when Jesus walked with them, is burning in our hearts. (See Luke 24:13-32.) It is sure to come to pass that when we walk with Him, our hearts will burn; the same power of the Spirit is present today to make it happen. The two men on their way to Emmaus could not understand what was happening on the road, but a few hours later, they saw Jesus break the bread, and their eyes were opened.
But, beloved, our hearts always ought to burn. There is a place where we can live in the anointing and the clothing of the Spirit, where our words will be clothed with power. "Do not be drunk with wine ... but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18). Being filled with the Spirit is a wonderful privilege.
It was necessary for John to be in the Spirit on the Isle of Patmos so that the revelation could be made clear to him (Rev. 1:9- 10). What does it mean to this generation for us to be kept in the Spirit? All human reasoning and all human knowledge cannot be compared with the power of the life that is lived in the Spirit. In the Spirit, we have power to loose and power to bind (Matt.16:19). There is a place where the Holy Spirit can put us where we cannot be anywhere else but in the Spirit. But it is only in the Spirit.
Now, I read in Matthew 16:19 that Jesus says, in essence, "I will give you power to bind, and I will give you power to loose." This is a power that many of us have not yet claimed, and we will not be able to claim this manifestation of the Spirit unless we live in the Spirit. When are you able to bind and loose? It is only in the Spirit. You cannot bind things in human strength or with the natural mind. This power was never lacking in Jesus, but I feel that there is a great lack of it in most of us. God help us!
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me" (Luke4:18). Beloved, there was a great purpose in this Spirit being on Jesus, and there is a special purpose in your being baptized in the Spirit. We must not forget that we are members of His body, and by this wonderful baptismal power, we are partakers of His divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
The revelation came this way: I saw Adam and Eve driven out of the Garden and a flaming sword at every side to keep them from entering into the Garden. But I saw 'that all around me was a flaming sword keeping me from evil, and it seemed this would be true if I would claim it, so I said, "Lord, I will." The flaming sword was around me, delivering me from the power of hell. In this way, we are preserved from evil. God is like a wall of fire around us (Zech. 2:5); why should we fear? What a wonderful salvation! What a wonderful Deliverer!
Notice Ezekiel 37. The only need of Ezekiel was to be in the Spirit, and while he was in the Spirit, it came to him to prophesy to the dry bones and say, "O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD" (v. 4). And as he prophesied according to the Lord's command, he saw an "exceedingly great army" (v. 10) rising up about him. The prophet obeyed God's command, and all we have to do is exactly this: obey God. What is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke18:27).
I pray to God that your spirit, soul, and body may be preserved holy (1 Thess.5:23), and that you may be always on fire, always ready with the anointing on you. If this is not so, we are out of divine order, and we ought to cry to Him until the glory comes back upon us."
Read Smith Wigglesworth's other works at http://www.teleiosministries.com/Gifts-of-Healing.html
Free Downloads at www.teleiosministries.com

Matthew 21:1-17

Now Jesus has determined to enter the final phase of his earthly ministry, elsewhere in Luke in the King James vernacular He “set His face toward Jerusalem”. It is here that in Matthew's own style to point to Jesus as the prophecied Messiah using the verse from Zechariah while describing Jesus's actions.

Zechariah 9:9
[9] Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah is writing a list of things to come while addressing the situation with the rebuilding of the walls and temple to replace the first destroyed Solomons temple. Don't forget that the first hearers and readers of Zechariah had no king.

Both the northern and southern kingdoms have been destroyed and there is no king in either. So when Zechariah says a King is coming, there is no doubt Zechariah anticipated this King to be the Messiah. The Jews understood this, so when Jesus rode that donkey into Jerusalem they clearly understood this to be the receiving of the Messiah.

Now here's the part where my ADHD brain begins asking, was there some supernatural knowledge that this colts owner was privy to regarding this or did he just faithfully accept, “The Lord has need of this” as a valid reason?
We will never know for sure but it is fun to think about.

The actions of the crowd are those of a city welcoming a king after a great victory or anointing. The laying out of cloaks, palm leaves and more were to not allow this arriving king to soil the feet of even the animal he's riding in on.

The children are calling out, “Hosanna” which means “God save us”. Let's make this clear, there was NO confusion about Jesus's claim here. The Jewish Leaders were well aware of the Messianic claim here. So when He dismounts in Jerusalem and begins what is considered the second cleansing of the temple there is no debate, Jesus is claiming to be the Messiah in no uncertain terms.

So when the leaders approach Him with the question, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 in response.

Psalm 8:2
[2] From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.

In the Hebrew, the word used means strength from the root word for stronghold. Here, Jesus is quoting the Septuagint or Greek version where the word ‘praise’ is used. It's this praise that acts as a source of strength against God's enemies.

Yes, Jesus is calling the Jewish leaders the enemies of God. And without even attempting a debate with them, Jesus turns his attention to healings amidst the destruction.

Some Jews believed He was there to act as King and they were ready and willing to go to war against Rome to have a king back. They were willing to die for this new king. But He didn't take a throne they could see, didn't receive a crown of a king and simply continued preaching. And this event took place roughly a week prior to the cross.

So the calls took a week to devolve from Hosanna to “Crucify Him” because the Kingdom Jesus ushered in was the Kingdom of Heaven, not Israel. How many times in our lives do we go from thanking and praising Him to neglecting Him, because the answer to our praise and prayers isn't the answer we expected? It doesn't take much to turn someone from God. A week? God, please give us the strength to continue in faith.



[1] When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, [2] saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to Me. [3] And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them on immediately.” [4] Now this took place so that what was spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: [5] “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold your King is coming to you, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” [6] The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, [7] and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks. [8] Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. [9] Now the crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” [10] When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” [11] And the crowds were saying, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” [12] And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. [13] And He *said to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a den of robbers.” [14] And those who were blind and those who limped came to Him in the temple area, and He healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, [16] and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” [17] And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

SERMON AS SON HAS SHOWN me, His servant &witness Reagan. testifying to what he shown/ spoke to me IN VISIONS l Saw after vanished. & share them to last age people As— Red 7 vision offering Two Edges,(one of judgement of correction & another destruction). And Green 7 vision for Sealing. Preaching it in Uganda, &unto living ones in this last age. Heb1:2, acts26:16, proverbs 29:18.



TITLE: RED 7 AND GREEN 7 — JUDGMENT OF TWO EDGES

Text: Hebrews 1:2, Acts 26:16, 1 Peter 4:17, Rev 14:1-5

INTRODUCTION: A WITNESS — NOT ONE OF THE TWO, BUT WITNESS OF WHAT SON HAS SHOWN ME

Acts 26:16 — “I have appeared to you to appoint you servant and witness to things you have seen.”
Heb 1:2 — In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son.

I, Reagan, am not one of Two Witnesses Rev 11. I am witness of what Son has shown and spoken to me in visions — Green 7 and Red 7 — unto you of last days, including Uganda.



I. RED 7 FIRST EDGE — JUDGMENT OF CORRECTION — BEGAN AT HIS HOUSE — AT ME FIRST

1 Peter 4:17 — Judgment begins at household of God.
Prov 24:16 — Righteous falls seven times and rises again.

God showed me Red 7 first upon me:

I fell — righteous falls 7 times
He disciplined me — not condemnation — Rom 8:1 — No condemnation in Christ
Heb 12:6 — Whom Lord loves He chastens
He punished me and shaped me back with grace — Heb 12:11 — painful for moment, afterward yields peaceable fruit of righteousness

I repented.
1 John 1:7 — Blood of Jesus His Son cleansed me from all sin
Purified me from all sin.

Then GREEN 7 came:

Spirit set me apart — made me holy — 2 Cor 6:17 — Come out and be separate
Anointed me — 1 John 2:20 — anointing from Holy One
Separated from compromising world and its things — 1 John 2:15
Appointed as His servant witness by Himself Jesus — Gal 1:1 — not from man
Sealed and confirmed among 144,000 — Rev 7:3, Rev 14:1, Eph 1:13 — sealed with Holy Spirit

This is what blameless, faithful, virgin means — Rev 14:4-5 — no lie in mouth, follow Lamb wherever He goes. Purity = faithfulness.


II. SAME NATURE NOW TO YOU — BACKSLIDDEN CHURCH

As it was to me first, so to you backslidden church now. You have fallen.

Example before our eyes in Uganda:

CONSECRATION OF FEMALE BISHOP — not in alignment with 1 Tim 3:1-7 — bishop must be husband of one wife — Titus 1:6-9 — elder husband of one wife. Word is clear.
Collecting offerings, tithing while forgetting suffering churches — James 2:15-16, Acts 20:33-35
Doing after flesh desires, self interest, pride — 2 Tim 3:2-5, Phil 3:19

This is seen by God. Red 7 warning was given already.

God calls you same way He called me:

REPENT. OBEY WORD. PURSUE CLEAN LIFE BY WORD + PRAYER.

1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word of God and prayer
2 Chron 7:14 — If My people humble themselves and turn from wicked ways, I will heal their land.
Rev 14:12 — Endurance of saints who keep commandments and faith of Jesus

Then:

Blood will cleanse you as it cleansed me — Rev 1:5 — Washed us from sins in His own blood
Green 7 will set you apart, make holy
You will be sealed and confirmed among 144,000 — Rev 7:3



III. RED 7 SECOND EDGE — JUDGMENT OF DESTRUCTION — IN REFUSAL

If you refuse correction, Red 7 second edge comes.

Not only correction — also destruction — as you have seen:

Gen 11:4-8 — Tower of Babel — men made name for self against God — God scattered and destroyed their work.
Rev 9:20-21 — Men not killed by plagues still did NOT repent — so greater judgment.
Rev 16:8-11 — Bowls poured — men blasphemed and did not repent.
2 Thess 1:8-9 — In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who obey not gospel.

To you sinners, unbelievers, same word:

God’s judgment is upon you. Rom 6:23 — Wages of sin is death.
Repent. Go spiritual rebirth — John 3:3 — Must be born again — obey gospel and live.

Because failure to do so — life in sin is death. Ezek 18:23 — I have no pleasure in death of wicked, but that he turn and live.

If you repent, obey — His blood cleanses all sin and you live — Acts 2:38 — Repent and be baptized and you shall receive gift of Holy Spirit.

But in refusal — perish in sin by judgment of destruction — Rev 20:15 — Whosoever not found written in book of life was cast into lake of fire.

ALTER CALL:
Two edges set before you today -- as set before me.
1). choose Green 7 vision and Red 7 vision.
First edge: repent, be washed, be set apart, be sealed among 144000.

Or choose Red 7 vision,
Second edge:
Refuse, and perish -- tower of babel, was judgement of correction, rev9, rev16,
Deut 30:19-- l have set before you life and death-- therefore choose life. Repent, obey word, pursue clean life by word+ prayer, be clean before God in name of lamb who stands on mt. Zion with 144000.

Amen

DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Knowing His Name Is Not the Same as Knowing Him!

Key Scripture — Acts 19:14–16 (KJV)
“And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

Thought Of The Day...
There is a tremendous difference between knowing about Jesus and actually knowing Jesus.
Acts 19 gives us a powerful and sobering picture of this truth. The seven sons of Sceva had heard about the miracles taking place through the Apostle Paul. They had witnessed or heard reports of demons being cast out and lives being transformed through the name of Jesus.
They saw the results, but they did not understand the relationship behind the results.
They wanted the authority Paul demonstrated without possessing the relationship Paul had.
They attempted to use the name of Jesus almost like a spiritual formula. Earlier in the passage they said:
“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
— Acts 19:13 (KJV)
Notice their language.
They did not say, “Jesus whom we know.”
They said, “Jesus whom Paul preacheth.”
Jesus was Paul's testimony, but He had not become their personal testimony.
And that raises a serious question for every believer:
Do you know Jesus for yourself?
It is possible to grow up in church and still only know about Jesus.
It is possible to know Scripture and still not truly surrender to Jesus.
It is possible to sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, teach about Jesus, shout about Jesus, and even use the name of Jesus—yet lack a genuine relationship with Him.
Christianity was never intended to be secondhand.
You cannot survive spiritually forever on your mother's relationship with God, your father's prayers, your pastor's anointing, your bishop's revelation, your spouse's faith, or your grandmother's testimony.
Eventually, you must know Him for yourself.
Paul could say:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
— Philippians 3:10 (KJV)
Paul wasn't satisfied merely knowing facts about Christ. His desire was, “That I may know Him.”
“JESUS I KNOW, AND PAUL I KNOW; BUT WHO ARE YE?”
These may be some of the most sobering words in Acts.
The evil spirit responded:
“Jesus I know.”
There was no confusion in the kingdom of darkness concerning Jesus.
The demons knew exactly who He was.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, an unclean spirit cried:
“I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.”
— Mark 1:24 (KJV)
James gives us another sobering reminder:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
— James 2:19 (KJV)
Simply acknowledging that Jesus exists is not the same as belonging to Him.
But then the spirit said something else:
“Paul I know.”
Why was Paul recognized?
Because Paul's life demonstrated that he belonged to Jesus.
Paul wasn't borrowing somebody else's faith. He had encountered Christ for himself. His authority did not come from merely repeating Jesus' name; it flowed from his relationship with and commission from Jesus.
Then came the devastating question:
“BUT WHO ARE YE?”
In other words, You are using the name, but where is your relationship with the One whose name you are using?
The sons of Sceva discovered that the name of Jesus is not a magical phrase.
There is power in the name of Jesus because of who Jesus is.
Jesus declared:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
— Matthew 28:18 (KJV)
His name represents His person, His authority, His victory, His lordship and His kingdom.
We must never reduce the name of Jesus to something we merely shout when we are in trouble. His name belongs to the Savior to whom we surrender our lives.
DO YOU KNOW THE JESUS YOU CALL ON?
Jesus is more than a name mentioned at the end of a prayer.
He is the Son of God.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
— Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
He is the Savior.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10 (KJV)
He is the Way to the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 (KJV)
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
— John 11:25 (KJV)
He is Lord.
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
— Philippians 2:11 (KJV)
The question is not merely, “Have you heard about Him?”
The question is:
Have you trusted Him?
Have you surrendered to Him?
Are you following Him?
Are you walking with Him?
Does your life belong to Him?
YOU CANNOT BORROW SOMEBODY ELSE'S ANOINTING
The sons of Sceva tried to imitate what they saw Paul doing.
But spiritual authority cannot be copied like a technique.
You can imitate someone's preaching style.
You can imitate someone's prayer language.
You can imitate someone's worship.
You can repeat someone's favorite Scriptures.
But you cannot imitate their relationship with God.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you… for without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:4–5 (KJV)
Our strength comes from abiding in Christ.
The greatest danger is not weakness that drives us toward Jesus. The greater danger is trying to operate spiritually while disconnected from Him.
The seven sons discovered this painfully.
The possessed man “overcame them, and prevailed against them.”
They entered believing they had authority they did not possess and left “naked and wounded.”
There is a warning here:
Never attempt to substitute religious activity for genuine relationship with Christ.
YOUR PRIVATE WALK MATTERS
Before Paul stood publicly in authority, he had privately surrendered his life to Jesus.
Our public Christianity must be supported by a private relationship with God.
Who are you when there is no microphone?
Who are you when there is no congregation?
Who are you when nobody sees you praying?
Who are you when temptation comes?
Who are you when life becomes difficult?
Do you still trust Jesus when there is nobody around to applaud your faith?
Jesus said:
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”
— John 8:31 (KJV)
Real discipleship is demonstrated through continued fellowship, obedience, faith and dependence upon Christ.
KNOW HIM BEFORE THE BATTLE COMES
Don't wait until trouble arrives to try to discover who Jesus is.
Know Him now.
Know Him in prayer.
Know Him through His Word.
Know Him in worship.
Know Him through obedience.
Know Him when everything is going well so that when everything begins falling apart, you already know where your help comes from.
David could face Goliath because David already knew God before Goliath appeared.
Daniel could face the lions because Daniel knew God before he entered the den.
The three Hebrew boys could face the fiery furnace because they knew God before Nebuchadnezzar heated it.
Paul could endure persecution because he knew the Christ for whom he suffered.
And when your day of testing comes, you need more than something somebody told you about Jesus.
You need to be able to declare:
I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
Job said:
“For I know that my redeemer liveth…”
— Job 19:25 (KJV)
There are some storms where somebody else's testimony will not be enough.
You need your own history with God.
You need memories of prayers He answered.
You need moments when His Word carried you.
You need times when you experienced His grace.
You need the confidence to declare:
I know who Jesus is because I have walked with Him for myself!
THE QUESTION STILL STANDS
Acts 19 leaves us with a question that should cause every believer to examine his or her heart:
DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?
Not just the Jesus your pastor preaches.
Not just the Jesus your parents taught you about.
Not just the Jesus you heard about in Sunday School.
But Jesus Christ for yourself.
And perhaps an even deeper question is:
DOES YOUR LIFE SHOW THAT YOU KNOW HIM?
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (KJV)
Knowing Jesus should produce following Jesus.
Following Jesus should produce obedience.
Obedience should produce transformation.
And transformation should cause our lives to testify that we have been with Jesus.

PRAYER...
Father, in the name of Jesus,
Thank You for revealing Your Son to us. Lord, forgive us for every time we have been satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus instead of developing a deeper relationship with Him.
We don't want secondhand faith. We don't want borrowed convictions. We don't want to depend solely upon somebody else's prayers, testimony or relationship with You.
Lord Jesus, we want to know You for ourselves.
Draw us closer to You. Give us a hunger for Your Word, a desire for prayer, a heart of worship and a spirit willing to obey Your voice.
Search our hearts and remove everything that has created distance between us and You.
Teach us not merely to speak Your name but to honor Your name with the way we live.
When temptation comes, remind us who You are.
When storms arise, remind us who You are.
When fear attacks, remind us who You are.
When the enemy challenges our faith, help us stand firmly upon the authority of Your Word.
May our lives testify that we belong to Jesus Christ.
And Lord, let our greatest desire always be the cry of Paul:
“That I may know him.”
We want to know You more deeply, love You more completely, trust You more confidently, obey You more faithfully, and represent You more boldly.
In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.

DECLARATION...
I DECLARE that I will not live on borrowed faith!
I know who Jesus is!
Jesus is my Savior.
Jesus is my Redeemer.
Jesus is my Lord.
Jesus is my Deliverer.
Jesus is my Rock.
Jesus is my Strength.
Jesus is my Hope.
Jesus is my King!
I will seek Him, follow Him, obey Him and grow deeper in my relationship with Him.
I refuse to merely know about Jesus.
I WILL KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
And when life asks me, “Do you know who Jesus is?”
My faith, my testimony, my obedience and my life will answer:
YES! I KNOW HIM FOR MYSELF!
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…” — Philippians 3:10 (KJV)

Enjoy your Sunday Church Services and God Bless!