The Growing and Prevailing Gospel

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Acts 19:20

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

1. This is a despatch from the seat of war announcing a glorious victory for the royal arms.

2. Past triumphs of the gospel may be use:! as encouragements.

3. We, too, shall see the Word of God grow and prevail, for —

(1)  The gospel is the same as ever.

(2)  The human race is unchanged at heart.

(3)  The sins to be overcome are the same.

(4)  The Holy Spirit is just as mighty to convince and renew.

4. The trophies of victory may be expected to be the same. Men, magic, books, and the love of money shall all be subdued. Let us turn aside to see —

I. THE WORD OF GOD PLANTED. Planted it was, or it could not have grown. The work proceeded in the following fashion:

1. Certain disciples were further enlightened, aroused, and led to seek a higher degree of grace. This was an admirable beginning, and revivals thus commenced are usually lasting.

2. These became obedient to an ordinance which had been overlooked (ver. 5), and also received the Holy Ghost, of whom they had heard nothing: two great helps to revival.

3. A bold ministry proclaimed and defended the truth.

4. Opposition was aroused. This is always a needful sign. God is not at work long without the devil working also.

5. Deceitful counterfeiting commenced, and was speedily ended in the most remarkable manner.

6. Paul preached, pleaded, made the gospel to sound forth, and on departing could say, "I am pure from the blood of all men." Read this and the following chapter, and see how three years were well spent in planting the Church at Ephesus.

II. THE WORD OF GOD GROWING. The measure of it was seen —

1. In a Church formed with many suitable elders.

2. In a neighbourhood fully aware of the presence of the gospel among them, for it touched them practically; so much so, that important trades were affected.

3. In a people converted, and openly confessing their conversion.

4. In a general respect paid to the faith. Even those who did not obey it yet yielded it homage and owned its power. Here we see Paul's work and God's work. Paul laboured diligently in planting, and God made it to grow: yet it was all of God. Is the Word of God growing among us? If not, why not? It is a living seed, and should grow. It is a living seed, and will grow unless we hinder it.

III. THE WORD OF GOD PREVAILING. Growth arouses opposition; but where the Word grows with inward vitality it prevails over outward opposition. The particular proof of prevalence here given is the burning of magical books.

1. Paul does not appear to have dwelt continually upon the evil habit of using magical arts; but gospel light showed the guilt of witchcraft, and Providence cast contempt on it.

2. The sin being exposed, it was confessed by those who had been guilty of it, and by those who had commenced its study.

3. Being confessed, it was renounced altogether, and, though there was no command to that effect, yet in a voluntary zeal of indignation the books were burned. This was right because —

(1)  If sold, they would do harm.

(2)  They were so detestable that they deserved burning.

(3)  Their public burning lighted up a testimony.

4. Their destruction involved expense, which was willingly incurred, and that expense gave weight to the testimony.Conclusion:

1. No other proof of power in our ministry will equal that which is seen in its practical effect upon our hearers' lives.

2. Will you who attend our preaching see to it that you purge yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit?

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