The Gospel Encounters Idolatry Series

Introduction

In today’s text, Acts 19:21-41, we encounter a city in turmoil—a riot ignited by the powerful disruption of the gospel.

Ephesus, a hub of idolatry and cultural pride, was shaken not by force or political movements but by the transformative power of God’s truth.

Acts 19:21-14, however, is more than a historical account.

Our text for today is a vivid picture of how God’s sovereignty, the gospel’s power, and the church’s faithful witness collide with rebellion and idolatry.

However, this is not just the story of Ephesus in the first century.

It is our story too in the twenty-first century.

Today, we live in a world riddled with modern-day idols, cultural resistance to biblical truth, and challenges to faithful discipleship.

Yet, as our text teaches, God’s sovereign hand controls even opposition.

The gospel confronts the idols of our age, and the church has a unique calling to engage our culture with the truth of the gospel.

Through it all, we can trust that God is working for his glory and our good, no matter the opposition we may face.

Let’s learn how the gospel encounters idolatry.

Scripture

Let’s read Acts 19:21-41:

21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Lesson

Acts 19:21-41 shows us how God’s sovereign power confronts idolatry, calling his people to trust him and continue proclaiming the gospel boldly, even in the face of opposition.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Holy Spirit Guides the Plans of Attentive Believers (19:21-22)

2. The Gospel Exposes Idolatry (19:23-27)

3. Jesus Equips Believers to Endure the Cost of Faithful Discipleship (19:28-34)

4. God Restrains Evil Through Common Grace (19:35-41)

I. The Holy Spirit Guides the Plans of Attentive Believers (19:21-22)