The Sons of Sceva
A Sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13-16
Originally preached Jan. 31, 1960
Scripture
13¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the …
Sermon Description
Many in the modern church are like the seven sons of Sceva who know of Christianity, but they are not truly regenerate. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches in this sermon on the Sons of Sceva from Acts 19:13–16, they have yet to give up their worldly ways and believe in the truth of the gospel. Many associate themselves with the church for social or financial gain. They are self-deceived hypocrites who try to use Christianity for worldly gain and pleasures. Many of these people are simply humanists or socialists who use Christianity as a platform for their ideologies. This kind of association for gain has been prevalent whenever Christianity is viewed as socially expedient. But this has the terrible effect of creating false believers who have never truly believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ or repented of their sins. This is why there are so many Christians who resemble the world more than Christ. The answer to this is a call to true faith in the only gospel that can save. It is a call for all to turn from their sins and hypocrisy and be born again to a new life in Christ. The church must be clear that to be a Christian one must have been regenerated and given a new nature that comes from the work of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage describes the failure of the sons of Siva, Jewish exorcists, in casting out an evil spirit.
- Their failure is contrasted with the success of the Apostle Paul in performing miracles.
- The sons of Siva represent those with only a secondhand belief in Christianity. They have only heard of Jesus through others and have no direct knowledge or experience of him.
- The sons of Siva thought Christianity was something they could take up and put down as they chose. They picked and chose parts of Christianity that suited them.
- The sons of Siva tried to use Christianity to serve their own ends as exorcists. They were not truly interested in Christ or the faith.
- The attitude and approach of the sons of Siva led to their failure, ridicule and defeat. The devil mocked them.
- In contrast, Paul did not take up Christianity of his own accord but was apprehended by Christ.
- Paul came to have a true belief in Christ as the Son of God, the atonement, the resurrection and the Holy Spirit. This was not added to his Judaism but replaced it.
- Christ became Paul's Lord. Paul surrendered fully to Christ.
- Paul's belief in Christ, experience of the Spirit and surrender to Christ led to his success and the performance of miracles.
- The church and individuals today need to follow Paul's example, not the sons of Siva. They must repent, believe the gospel fully and surrender to Christ.
- If the church denies the truth about Christ, she will have no power or success. The devil will ridicule her.
- Individuals can know power, comfort, forgiveness, victory and new life by fully believing in Christ, confessing sin and surrendering to him.
Sermon Q&A
What Are the Lessons from the Sons of Sceva's Failure in Acts 19?
Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on Acts 19:13-16, here are key questions and answers about this remarkable biblical incident.
What was the main contrast presented in Acts 19:13-16?
The passage presents a stark contrast between the phenomenal success of the Apostle Paul, through whom "God wrought special miracles," and the lamentable failure of the sons of Sceva who attempted to cast out demons using Jesus' name but were overpowered and humiliated. This contrast illustrates the difference between genuine spiritual power and mere religious imitation.
Why does Lloyd-Jones see this story as relevant to the modern church?
Lloyd-Jones sees this story as a picture of the modern church confronting the problems of the world (like juvenile delinquency, breakdown of marriage, theft, violence, and international conflicts) but often failing like the sons of Sceva. He observes that instead of having spiritual authority, the church today is frequently on the defensive, retreating, and appearing weak against the world's problems.
What was the primary cause of the sons of Sceva's failure?
Their primary failure was having only a "secondhand belief." They were using the name of "Jesus whom Paul preacheth" rather than having a direct, personal knowledge of Christ. They were attempting to use Christian terminology without genuine faith or understanding - merely borrowing Paul's success formula without knowing Christ personally.
What incorrect approach to Christianity did the sons of Sceva demonstrate?
They demonstrated three fundamental errors: 1. They "took upon them" to use Jesus' name - viewing Christianity as something they could take up at will rather than something that takes hold of a person 2. They viewed Christianity as an add-on to their existing Judaism rather than a complete transformation 3. They tried to pick and choose elements of Christianity to serve their own ends as exorcists
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast Paul's experience with the sons of Sceva?
While the sons of Sceva "took upon themselves" to use Jesus' name, Paul was "called" and "apprehended" by Christ on the Damascus road. Paul didn't take up Christianity; Christ took hold of him. Paul abandoned his former Judaism completely rather than merely adding Christian terminology to it. Paul surrendered himself fully to Christ as Lord rather than trying to use Christianity for his own purposes.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as Paul's true belief that gave him power?
Paul believed in: - Jesus as the Son of God incarnate - The atonement - that Christ died for his sins - The resurrection - that Christ rose from the dead - Christ's ascension and reign at God's right hand - The Holy Spirit's power working through believers
This comprehensive faith transformed him completely, unlike the superficial approach of the sons of Sceva.
What practical application does Lloyd-Jones draw from this passage?
Lloyd-Jones calls both the church and individuals to: 1. Confess their wrong approach and incomplete surrender 2. Abandon philosophies and theories that contradict scripture 3. Come to Christ with childlike faith 4. Fully surrender to Christ as Lord 5. Receive the Holy Spirit's power for genuine transformation
He concludes: "Repent. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.