SERMON OUTLINE:
The Uproar at Ephesus (vs 21-28)
The Turmoil in Ephesus (vs 29-34)
The Reprieve at Ephesus (vs 35-41)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Hello - English
• Bonjour - French
• Guten tag - German
• Namaste - greeting practiced most in the Indian Subcontinent.
• Ciao - Italian
• Olá - Portuguese
• Buna ziua - Romanian
• Howzit - traditional South African greeting
• Shalom – Hebrew (is the odd one out!)
• TRANSITION: Shalom (Hebrew) is much more than saying, “Hello”
• When two Jewish people greet one another this way, they are offering a blessing!
• They are saying, “Peace be with you”
• On a number of occasions, the apostle Paul and his companions.
• Literally caused a riot because of the message they preached.
• They faced persecution…and they also experienced unbelievable peace.
Ill:
• I am reminded of the words of F.B. Meyer,
• (he was a British Pastor and prolific author 1847 - 1929).
“If in an unknown country, I am informed that I must pass through a valley where the sun is hidden, or over a stony bit of road, to reach my abiding place – when I come to it, each moment of shadow or jolt of the carriage tells me that I am on the right road.”
• TRANSITION: Those words so describe the life of the apostle Paul,
• He was used to bumps in the roads and shadows hovering over him.
• Yet he also knew, ‘Shalom,’ the peace of God amidst the turmoil.
• We see another example of that in today’s study.
(1). The Uproar at Ephesus (vs 23-28)
“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!””
Two things about Ephesus:
FIRST: Ephesus was one the great cities of Asia Minor:
• In the First Century, Ephesus was the second largest city in the Roman Empire,
• And the second most important and influential city as well.
• It was also a great commercial and governmental and educational center,
• And it was a melting pot of many cultures, languages, races, religions and philosophies.
SECOND: Ephesus was renowned for its pagan religion:
• One Building dominated the skyline of the city,
• You could not miss it!
• It was the temple of the Greek goddess Artemis.
• The temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
• So, it was pretty impressive!
• (Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria and of course Temple of Artemis)
• It was 420 feet square.
• One of its features was its pillars, it contained one hundred and twenty-seven pillars,
• All were made of marble, and some were studded with jewels and overlaid with gold.
• The temple of the Greek goddess Artemis is also known by another name,
• In Roman mythology, Artemis was known as Diana.
• Both these names would be used by the various citizens who lived there.
Notice: The opposition:
• Or rather who the opposition is,
• Up to this point in the book of Acts.
• Most of the persecution and hostility the church had faced.
• Had been from religious leaders, particularly the Jewish leaders.
• But this time in Ephesus the opposition would come from a new source,
• The business community - the makers of idols in Ephesus.
Ill:
• I confess to buying tourist junk from my trips abroad,
• i.e., Holding up a model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy.
• i.e., Holding up a model of clay figure from Mexico.
• i.e., Holding up a clay model of the library at Ephesus.
• TRANSITION:
• In this city tourists and residents bought silver idols of Artemis.
• And displayed them in their homes.
• Or they purchased representations of her seated in the temple.
• Devotees bought these and presented them at the temple as an act of worship.
• Idolatry was a key factor in the worship of this city.
We noted earlier that the opposition to the apostle Paul and his team:
• Was not from the Jews in the synagogue,
• But from the business community - the makers of idols in Ephesus.
• They didn’t care about these missionaries and their message of salvation,
• Their only interest was making money,
• Verse 25: they were anxious about ‘their good living’.
• And as soon as they realised Christianity was starting to impact on their wallets.
• They took action!
ill:
• About 150 years ag in this country,
• Publicans who earned a living from selling alcohol,
• And from selling women, they allowed prostitution to go in their taverns.
• When William Booth and the Salvation Army,
• Started to impact our country with the gospel,
• The Publicans and those linked to them were not amused!
• They accused them of ruining their business.
• And they started using organised violence against the Salvation Army,
• They financed groups called, ‘Skeleton Army’ to oppose and persecute them.
• And local councils took the side of the publicans.
• e.g., In Whitechapel, Salvation Army women were roped together like cattle,
• And pelted with burning coals.
• e.g., At Gravesend, a drunken seaman sent ships’ rockets,
• Towards a group of singing women with fatal accuracy.
• e.g., At Hastings, the town’s most successful grocer,
• Offered rotten eggs free as Anti-Salvationist ammunition.
• e.g., One man who should have known better, a clergyman in Folkestone,
• Offered a cash prize to the first man capturing a Salvation Army banner.
• e.g., The Mayor of Folkestone, whipping up the frenzy of the mob, told them to
• “Drive them all into the harbour, or into Hell.”
• e.g., For one year alone, 1882, 668,
• Salvationists were knocked down or brutally assaulted,
• And sixty buildings were wrecked by bombs and missiles.
• And through it all,
• Britain’s police turned a blind eye to the illegal activities of the Anti-Salvationist mobs.
• (Source: 'In Darkest England and the Way Out' - William Booth's manifesto for social reform – Historical articles and illustrationsHistorical articles and illustrations | Look and Learn)
• https://www.lookandlearn.com/blog/16791/in-darkest-england-and-the-way-out-william-booths-manifesto-for-social-reform/
• TRANSITION: When businessmen in Victorian England or in ancient Ephesus,
• Found their finances being affected,
• They took whatever action was necessary to restore their fortunes.
• Paul’s message of the gospel was cutting into their profit margin,
• And they were sharp enough to realise that if Christianity continued to spread,
• Then these idol-makers would soon be out of work!
Notice: in the passage:
• The apostle Paul and these new Christians were not demonstrating against idolatry,
• They simply preached Jesus – the good news of the gospel.
• The result was salvation – people believed,
• And the new forced out the old.
• People who become temples of the Holy Spirit don’t need temples of Artemis/Diana!
But those whose living was exploiting the religious and superstitious community,
• The businessmen stir up the crowd
• They are wise and crafty, and they appeal to the crowd’s patriotism.
• Verse 27:
“There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
• You can imagine these businessmen stirring up the crowd by saying:
• “It’s not just about us – we are the tip of the ice-burg.
• They are going to destroy all our traditions and history and religion”.
• And they whip everyone up into an irrational rage, into an emotional frenzy.
• Verse 28: They soon have the crowd jeering “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
We know that the worship of Artemis/Diana:
• Was nothing but a smokescreen.
• The real motive of these craftsmen was financial.
• Demetrius the silversmith was shrewd,
• And this successful businessman made it look like the craftsmen.
• Were only concerned about the honour and worship of Artemis/Diana and the temple.
(2). The Turmoil In Ephesus (vs 29-34)
Ill:
• At one point in his life,
• The famous modern artist Pablo Picasso was robbed in his French home.
• He told the police he would be happy to paint them a picture of the robbers.
• And on the strength of that picture, the French police later reported,
• We are looking for a square headed man blue in colour,
• With four eyes on one side of the face and two triangles for ears!
• TRANSITION: Apologies to Pablo Picasso,
• Yep, I admit I don’t always understand his cubist abstract works,
• But he did leave behind an incredible number of paintings, sculptors and ceramics.
• The apostle Paul and his companions are about to experience violence,
• From a muddled and angry crowd.
FIRST: THEY ARE A CRUEL MOB:
• Because the angry crowd could not find the apostle Paul.
• Verse 29 tells us that they grabbed hold of two of his helpers,
• A man called Gaius and a man called Aristarcus.
• They forced these two Christians to go with them to an open arena.
• You can visit the ruins of that arena today at Selcuk in modern day Turkey.
• And for two hours they screamed and shouted and intimidated these two men.
• Some commentators suggest the crowd could have been as large as 25,000 people.
• Can you imagine how intimidating an angry crowd like that can be?
SECOND: THEY ARE A CONFUSED MOB:
• Verse 32:
• “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.”
• Now that is a typical mob?
• Everybody yelling their whole heads off for a variety of reasons.
• And I like Luke’s sense of humour in verse 32b:
• “Most of the people did not even know why they were there”
• This is mob mentality,
• Some start off with a purpose and like a snowball they pick up others along the way.
• Who joined in the screaming, the rioting, and the protesting?
• And notice that they kept it up for two hours,
• Don’t miss that! Not 2 minutes or 20 minutes but 2 hours.
• It was a situation completely out of control.
(3). The Reprieve at Ephesus (vs 35-41)
• The third main point in this story is the calming of the riot.
• There was a man present that day who was ‘sharp’.
• We might say, “He was on the ball”.
• Verse 35 introduces us to a man who knew exactly how to handle the situation.
• We don’t know his name, but we do know his occupation: “The city clerk…”
• The city clerk was the secretary of the town council.
• When everyone else allowed themselves to be goaded by fear, greed and religious zeal,
• He was able to stay calm and collective.
• And he quieted the people and took control of this volatile situation.
Note: You have to be impressed with this man, he knew exactly what he was doing.
FIRST: HE CATERED TO THE MOBS PRIDE (VS 35)
“Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
• He feeds the mob’s arrogance.
• He reminded them that everyone knew about Ephesus and their worship of Artemis.
• These people are in the minority and are not going to alter that fact!
• In catering to their pride, he gained their ears,
• And they calmed down enough to hear his words.
SECOND: HE CHIDES THEIR CONDUCT (VS 36)
• He tells them that they ought not to act rashly and hastily.
• In other words, don’t let your emotions rule your head.
• He rebukes their actions and how over the top they are!
• We would say today, “Slow down and engage brain!”
THIRD: HE COUNSELS THEM ABOUT THE COURT (VS 38-39)
• If these men are guilty let the courts deal with them.
• That is why they are there.
• Take it to court. Follow due process of law.
• Verse 40 he reminds them of their real enemy – Rome.
• Rome allowed Ephesus to exist as a ‘free city’ with its own elected assembly,
• On one condition – there was no trouble – the city needed to be peaceful,
• If Rome heard of a riot going on in Ephesus, then that freedom could easily be removed.
Conclusion:
• The crowd was dismissed.
• And no doubt the people went home congratulating themselves.
• After all they had succeeded in defending their great city and their famous goddess.
The crowd may have won the battle, but they lost the war!
• Today Ephesus is gone, just the ruins left!
• And the worldwide worship of Artemis/Diana of the Ephesians has also disappeared!
• And the silversmith’s guild has gone.
• Ephesus is only visited today by archaeologists and tourists.
• It is a dead city!
In contrast…
• The gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ are still here!
• When we visited Ephesus (Selcuk) we went to a nearby Evangelical Church.
• And met and worshipped with the people of God.
• For over two thousand years people have been worshipping Jesus in that part of the world!
Three Applications to finish:
(1). Circumstances change but God does not.
• Verse 23:
• “About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.”
• We might say “What time”.
• The time the apostle Paul was about to wrap up his stay in Ephesus and move on.
• After three years of fulfilling and successful ministry.
• Unexpectedly circumstances change for the worse.
• And Paul finds himself caught up in a riot.
As sure as ‘eggs are eggs’ circumstances are always changing:
• If you are enjoying peace and quiet now:
• Well, as the song says; “there may be trouble ahead!”
• If you are experiencing hardship now:
• Well, times of refreshing may well be on their way.
Ill:
• You and I have been changing since the very moment we were conceived.
• Everyday something about us physically is changing,
• And often our minds, and our emotions are changing as well.
• But this is not so with God.
• He is not different today than he was yesterday.
• He is the unchanging God,
• He has been complete for all eternity, never adding attributes or losing a quality.
• Theologians call this “God’s Immutability”
• Meaning that he is perpetually and perfectly the same.
So, in a constantly changing world, God must be…
• The rock or foundation for our lives.
• The anchor for our souls.
• The Shepherd in who we find our safety!
(2). Value the advice of wise friends (vs 29-30)
“The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theatre together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him”
• The apostle Paul had some wise friends.
• And notice he listened to their advice!
• Paul could have seen their advice as either a lid or a covering.
• i.e., A lid will hold you down, but a covering will protect you.
• He saw their advice as protection and followed it!
• TRANSITION: In difficult times we don’t always think straight,
• We can become depressed and downhearted, and life goes out of focus.
• At times like that we need family or friends or fellow Christians,
• To help us make wise choices.
ill:
• A little girl was worried about a particular problem,
• And she shared her needs with her Sunday School teacher,
• Who told her that God was with her, and she needed to trust him?
• The little girl replied,
• “I know God is with me but sometimes you need someone with skin on!”
• TRANSITION: God has put us together a Church,
• Because at times others need, “people with skin on!”
Note:
• Paul did not just listen to anyone,
• It was his trusted friends and companions that he responded to.
• Trust comes out of friendship, fellowship, time spent together,
• So Christian, build some healthy friendships here at Church.
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