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
-- Now … who is coming to speak on our behalf and be an aid to our plight?
-- Before you answer: It might mean your very life or freedom is at stake!
- RE: (emph) Have we not been given a spirit of courage?
-- 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Wise words for days just like today!
- The target was the people who disrupted their way of life – not the message
-- Even the Jews in Ephesus try to present Alexander (fellow Jew) to clarify things
-- Yet, they would have nothing of it – the crowd doesn’t want to know!
-- Their response is (for two hours) to shout “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians”
- It’s a temper tantrum! It’s not a rational discussion – it’s a shouting down
-- Why? Because they want their things – what all men want – to be in charge!
- May wonder: Why is violence or arguing the go-to response of the world?
-- Because the truth will always challenge us to accept & change how we behave!
- TR: It is common response, but now consider what God calls us to do …
Point 3 – God calls us to be faithful
- Note the reaction in Ephesus:
1. They forsake the truth once worldly pressure is applied (v34)
2. The are easily led and aroused by misinformation or by half-truths (v35)
3. Their greed motivates them to try to maintain their life with made-up stories
- EX: They worship Artemis because her “image” fell down from heaven
-- Greek: diopetés; fallen from the sky
- According to mythology, the father of Artemis was Zeus – chief deity, Greek god
-- Understand this: from the beginning they are worshiping a false god
- And what of this “fallen image” (v35)? It was a meteorite that fell from the sky!!
-- A rock, that might’ve had some shape to it, is now being worshiped as “godlike”
-- Get this: When you know the truth, it’s easy to see what is untrue!
- The mayor of Ephesus is eventually able to calm them down with reason (v36)
-- He proclaims honest truth: these men have done nothing to their temple
-- They haven’t stolen, looted, wrecked, spoken ill of – nothing!
-- If they have, the courts are open … raise the issue there (vv38-39)
-- Otherwise (KEY) they need to be mindful that Rome is watching
- Need us to see two pivotal (historical) truths here:
1. Rome is always watching – to displease Rome is a huge problem (v40)
2. Bigger: Do you catch the hand of God at work to deliver them? (v41)
Big Idea – What can we learn from this today?
- When we face persecution, if it is God’s will for us to be rescued He will
-- TRUTH: God always overrules the spirits of men – He is truly in charge
- Does God speak to this mayor’s heart? Absolutely! How?
-- He provides sound judgment, wisdom, and clarity to dismiss the mob/riot
- When all seems lost, when the world presses in beyond all escape, He is there!
-- God’s promise of protection is clear: Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
- CHALLENGE: Will we take an example like this and apply it to our own lives?
-- Will we live with the certainty that these men had? Knowing God is able?
-- Will be bold like this and share what we know with people who need it?
-- Will we come to the support of others who are attempting to share Jesus?
- Our fear: We can “what if” this to death if we are not careful …
- Pray
