Idols Never Satisfy
Acts 19:23-41
Introduction
We are called to have a common purpose in what we do
-- The purpose is to worship, to love, and to celebrate Christ and share Him always
-- That is our challenge, mission, and it is STILL where we find ourselves today
Most will agree that Paul was a unique man; one who stood apart from others
-- He was not swayed by public opinion nor worried about what others thought
IMP: Paul understood that Grace was the key to life; for it had been shown to him
LAST WEEK: We saw that his journey took him to Ephesus to continue teaching
Jesus is not to be ‘used’ or consulted only when we need something
-- APP: It’s not right to want the blessings without the relationship/commitment
He is to be KNOWN. The real Jesus; not some fake image we have for Him
-- Are we making Him known … or are we living by our own preferences?
TODAY: Paul is still in Ephesus and we see how idols distract us from Christ
Let me give some background …
The dictionary definition of idol: “an object of excessive devotion or admiration”
-- Hebrew of the OT had several words: “a likeness; something carved or made”
-- Greek of the NT uses eidolon (adapted into English as “idol”)
Idolatry can take many forms:
-- Augustine (early Christian theologian) wrote: “Idolatry is worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that ought to be worshiped.”
A good working definition of idolatry is that it is the worship of the self
APP: “What I desire and want regardless of the actuality of the situation.”
Ephesus was an important city in the Roman Empire
-- It was a place of trade and commerce
-- So much so that it was known as “the treasure house of Asia Minor”
-- It was a place where the Roman governor of the area would come and hold court proceedings
Ephesus featured the Temple of Artemis (Diana) which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was 425 ft. long, 222 ft. wide, and 60 ft. high and contained 127 pillars
The practice of sorcery and magic was a very major part of Ephesian society
--There was a group of magical spells and instructions called the “Ephesian Letters” that were well known in the ancient world
It was also the home a many criminals
-- The Temple of Artemis possessed the “right of asylum”
-- Any criminal who could reach the temple area was considered “safe” from prosecution and therefore Ephesus became home to many of these criminals
We can see a good portrait of the stranglehold of idolatry in our scripture passage
-- No matter what the idol is, we’re shown why people get trapped in its grip.
Read Acts 19:23-41
Question: Why don’t idols satisfy?
Point 1 – Some have too much invested in it to give up (23-27)
Great numbers of people traveled to Ephesus to take part in these gatherings
-- Easy to see that these silversmiths were losing lots of money
-- People were turning away from the worship of Artemis to worship Christ
-- This means that their focus was changing; which affects their lives
-- APP: When our focus is on Christ we lose desire for worldly things
Money isn’t the only thing people hate to give up
-- They hate to give up their time: they spent too much time involved in idolatry
-- They hate to give up themselves: It cost too much of themselves to give up on it.
-- They hate to give up something that was important to others at one time
-- APP: Just like us, we hate to leave things we enjoy … favorite SIN for example
TRANS: Why do people follow idols?
Point 2 – Some have no explanation for why they’re involved (28-34)
There are a few reactions we need to examine here to understand our situation
Look at the mob’s reaction to what’s happening (28-31)
-- They were emotionally involved but didn't really know why
-- They were “unified” in their effort; they did it as “one man”; but why?
-- The theatre that’s mentioned was huge; seat 20,000 to 30,000 people
Look at Paul’s reaction (30-31)
Paul wanted to preach Jesus to a crowd that would hear!
-- “There’s 20-30,000 people in there so let me tell them about Jesus Christ!”
The result after getting in the theater … The mob was in confusion! (32-34)
-- They were there, didn't know why, but expected something to be done
-- They refused to listen to anything other than themselves shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”! TRANS: Great is what we want and what we like!
APP: There are people in churches who have no clue why they gather together
-- To some it makes them feel better
-- To others it gives them good business contacts
-- Some come because it makes their parents/spouse happy
-- Some come because their family has done it for years (membership by genetics)
-- Some do it because their supposed to (moral responsibility with no life change)
BIG APP: Your reason for being here is what you worship. Make sure it’s not trusting in something that’s false!!
Point 3 – Some have a desire to ONLY be comfortable (35-41)
The town clerk was afraid of the wrath of the Romans on this riotous city
-- That reflects on his personal character and leadership ability
-- He said whatever was necessary to quiet the crowd
First, he claimed that they hadn't robbed the pagan temples
He also claimed that they hadn't spoken against Artemis
-- Why else were the people giving up their old ways in great numbers?
He asked the crowd not to move too quickly on this thing
-- What he did was encourage them to think things over
-- APP: “Stop and pause” is always better than “over-react and apologize”
Big Ideas
1. We have to admit that have modern idols
-- To some it’s money, possessions, and material things
-- To others it’s some kind of system (whether it works or not)
-- It’s the thinking that says, “It’s the way we've always done things and it’s the way we’re going to continue to do things whether you like it or not and whether it
works anymore or not!” (It is exhausting to live false mottos!)
APP: It’s just like pretending to be saved and having grace …. EXHAUSTING!
2. We even have to admit that there are even “Christian” idols
-- Worship styles (If it ain't a hymn it ain't Godly)
-- Size of a congregation (small is the only way to be)
-- Scripture translations (KJV only for example)
-- Churches (this is MY church)
-- Preachers (I will only follow this person …)
-- My work in the church gives me value …
The effect of having idols is seen on this church finally in Revelation 2:4-5:
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp-stand from its place.”
2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth wholly God and wholly man.
-- He died on a cross for a lost and dying world but rose again from the grave
The challenge for us is: Are we living for Him or for ourselves?
Bottom line: False idols will always fail us!
Jesus Christ IS eternal!!
Pray
