Real Power | On a Mission | Pastor Brandon Woodard
45m | Aug 25, 2026Not everything that uses the name of Jesus actually belongs to Jesus. There is a difference between authentic faith and counterfeit faith. One surrenders to the power of God; the other tries to use the power of God. One is transformed by Jesus; the other borrows His name for personal gain, reputation, or control.
In this message, Pastor Brandon Woodard continues our On a Mission series by looking at Acts 19:11–20 and the move of God in Ephesus. The name of Jesus was moving with undeniable power. Miracles were happening. Evil spirits were being driven out. The gospel was confronting darkness in a way no one could ignore.
But when some traveling exorcists tried to copy Paul and use the name of Jesus like a magic charm, they were violently exposed. They knew the language, but they did not know the Lord. They wanted the results without the relationship. They wanted spiritual authority without surrender. And the demonic realm recognized the difference.
When the church saw what happened, fear fell on them, and real repentance broke out. Believers began bringing their sorcery scrolls into the open and burning them publicly, even though they were worth a fortune. They did not just feel bad about their past; they cut ties with it. They burned the bridges to the life Jesus had rescued them from.
This is what real power does. It exposes what is counterfeit. It confronts what is hidden. It calls us out of compromise and into surrender. You cannot play games with the power of God or mix Jesus with the world. True faith does not keep a backup plan for sin. It burns the ship.
Burn the ship.
In This Message:
► Real Power: How the name of Jesus moved with undeniable authority in Ephesus.
► Counterfeit Faith: Why using the language of Jesus is not the same as surrendering to Jesus.
► Exposed by the Darkness: What the sons of Sceva reveal about spiritual authority without relationship.
► Burn the Ship: Why true repentance means cutting ties with the sin, practices, and compromises Jesus has called us to leave behind.
Next Steps:
► New to New Post? We’d love to connect with you: https://www.newpost.church/contact-10
► Need Prayer? If you’re ready to tear down an altar today, our team would love to stand with you: https://www.newpost.church/care
► Give: Support the mission of making disciples by visiting: https://www.newpost.church/give
► Join a Group: Don't swing the axe alone. Find a community to walk with:
https://www.newpost.church/life-groups
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