Godly Protection In An Idolatrous Civilization Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 30

Godly protection in an idolatrous civilization

Acts 19:21-41

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Last week, we unpacked what the bible teaches about Salvation and Revival

-- These are more than “church words”, but real responses to a very real God

-- It is what Paul focused on teaching, and what Acts continues to exemplify

- Today, we once again see an example of rebellion to God’s calling

-- What is critical here, is even during the rebellion – His grace is still evident

-- This is our focus – and must always be – as we grow in Him, even in 2024

- Read Acts 19:21-41 / Pray

- Let’s remember where Paul has focused his latest work: Ephesus

-- A major city in Asia from which the Gospel has continued to spread outward

-- Remember the Temple of Artemus: 7 wonders of the world (first photo)

-- Know this: everything manmade will fall to ruin one day! (next photo)

- The year is approx. 55 AD, and the church is expanding outward rapidly

-- It is very probable the 7 churches from Revelation were founded during this time

-- This is a fulfilment of Jesus’ calling in Acts 1:8, “… and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, Judea, and to the utter most parts of the world …”

- TR: Let’s level set our hearts this morning …

Point 1 – God’s ways will always disrupt our plans

- Paul’s strategy for evangelism is truly the focus: he is “compelled” to go

• His purpose really is twofold: To evangelize and to grow (the churches)

• How does he do this? He teaches, he cultivates, he encourages them

-- APP: His focus is purposeful: to give them the truth about God’s ways

- When the Word is going out, the response of humanity is often the opposite

• Clearly, we see a distinct response to God in Ephesus (trouble) (v23)

• Still, God’s message for them is clear: deny your false gods

• Do you see their response? It is greed based and self-focused!

- Take Demetrius for example … he’s only one example; could’ve been anyone

-- He chooses to use his love of things to motivate people to follow his rebellion

-- His argument is simple: These Christians are going to ruin our way of life!

- Proclaims: “Our wealth comes from this business” (v25)

-- And what is that business? Making trinkets to the goddess, Artemis!

-- SEE: The worry is that Artemis might lose its sway in their region (v27)

-- It is a plea to maintain the status quo, to not let “our” importance be minimized

- TRUTH: This is no different than what we experience right now!

-- EX: Vote for me or those other people will take away what you love …

-- Understand this: Greed is NOT a new motivator; still a sinful rebellion to God

- TR: So, did you catch the response to this?

Point 2 – Society’s usual response to God is persecution!

- Demetrius claimed that the Christians (first called followers of The Way) were:

1. Destroying their livelihood and small businesses

2. Destroying one of the most profitable business in the city

3. Destroying the tourist trade from Asia and the world

- Fact: Christianity does teach revolution – but it’s a spiritual one!

-- We are not to be violent, or even become cynics and backstabbers … but …

-- We are to proclaim freedom, to build up, to rise up leaders to teach Jesus!

-- The people of Ephesus had no reason to fear, and they were confused (v29)

- APP: Many straddle this same fence between the world and Christ today

-- We become fearful to say what we know because of the presumed response

-- Afterall, right here – in the Bible – we have tons of examples of it!

- However, God has given us a spirit of wisdom AND a spirit of courage!

-- Two of Paul’s friends, Gaius and Aristarchus, are dragged to the town square

-- Greek: theatron; a theater Greek: sunarpazo; to seize, carry away

-- Why? To answer for this … literally: to be the scapegoats for The Way

- Even Paul wanted to come to their aid – to defend the Truth (v30)

-- But, others kept him back (wisdom), but don’t miss his courage shown here

-- Challenge is: What would you do in this situation? Would you be so bold?

- Let’s make it personal: TJ and Michelle have been dragged to City Hall

-- We have been accused of creating an uprising, of forsaking the ways of Prattville

-- We are charged with diluting the profit-making mechanism of this city