Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, The Gospel of the Kingdom – Part 1.
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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We have been looking into the ministry Paul did on his missionary journeys. Last week, we saw the work he was doing in the city of Ephesus and the success he was having in that area. Many came to faith, but it also caused quite a commotion among the people. This commotion came from those who prospered through their work for the Temple of Artemis.
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In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. The temple to Artemis (also known as Diana) in Ephesus was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was supported by 127 pillars, each 60 feet high, and was decorated with great sculptures.
The epicenter of Artemis worship was a black meteorite that either resembled or had been fashioned into the image of a woman. The Temple of Artemis was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world, where merchants, kings, and even cities made deposits, and where their money could be kept safe under the protection of deity.
The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was indeed famous around the world. The trinkets and idols from it must have been a substantial trade, no matter how immoral the worship of the sex-goddess was.
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This was the setting Paul was in as he preached the gospel for two years in Ephesus.
Last week we saw how many gave their lives to Christ. Many of these individuals were sorcerers. As a result, they brought their scrolls to the public square and burned them. There was a great change in the city, but it brought with it great opposition.
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23 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!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
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32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “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? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
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When working in the spiritual realm, we are to…
1. Look to the root cause of the opposition we face (23-27)
Demetrius was a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis. He saw what was happening in Ephesus because of Paul’s teaching. So, he calls the other craftsmen together and pleads his case before them.
He said his concern was for the craftsmen, that their income would be affected, but so much more. His fear was that they would lose their good name as a result of Paul’s influence. More than that, he was concerned that the “great goddess Artemis” would be discredited and be “robbed of her divine majesty.”
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Even though he said these words, what do you think the opposition was all about? Was the opposition about the goddess Artemis? Was it about the temple being discredited? Did they rise up out of their fear of losing their good name? Or was it about money and greed?
In this case, their concern probably was around their loss of income. In general, people do not like change. If the change affects the pocketbook, then the change is more often fought against.
This is true for anyone who makes a decision for Christ. Many hesitate to make a decision for Christ because of the fears of what the change might bring. What might they have to give up? Are there things that they will have to start doing? Will they have to leave relationships? What will be required of them?
When someone balks at, or opposes what is presented, it will do us well to take some time to seek out the root cause of the fear and address it.
When working in the spiritual realm, we are to…
2. Understand the reason for any confusion (28-34)
When they heard Demetrius, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus and rushed into the theater together. This theater would have been able to accommodate around 20-30,000 people.
The assembly was in a state of confusion. Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd wanted to distance themselves from Paul. They sent Alexander to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
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Who is the author of confusion? We need to understand that where there is a great work of God, there will also be a great work of the enemy. The enemy will attempt to thwart any work of God. In this case, he brought anger and confusion.
For us today, we know that there is much confusion in our world. We no longer know what to believe in the media. Politicians and political parties are causing much confusion in our country and the world. Many are struggling with sexual orientation issues. There is so much confusion in all areas of life.
Because of this, we may attempt to do the “right” thing only to be chastised for it. We can stand up for what is right only to be ridiculed by others. The truth of the matter is that the world is confused. They do not know what they are doing.
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Think of what the world did to Jesus and other people of faith for their words and actions. Yet, when Jesus was on the cross and Stephen was being stoned to death, they understood this confusion. With their dying breath they proclaimed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
When we are faced with opposition and confusion, let us try to understand what is behind those things we face because of our faith in Christ.
When working in the spiritual realm, we are to…
3. Leave the results to God (35-41)
The city clerk, like a mayor, quieted the crowd and gave his recommendation. He encouraged the people by reminding them that they were the guardians of the temple of Artemis. Because of this, they should not do anything rash.
He explained how Paul and his companions came to the city and spent time sharing their message. They did not rob the temples nor did they blaspheme the goddess Artemis. Paul just shared the gospel of Jesus without insulting the people.
The city clerk told the people that if there were other issues to be addressed, they were to take it to court. Otherwise, there was the danger of being charged with rioting.
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This story is a great lesson for us. There is no need to tell people they are wrong. Paul did not tear down their beliefs, neither should we tear down the beliefs of others. All that Paul did, and all we need to do, is to show others the truth of the gospel through our words and actions. As we live out our faith, it will be God that brings about change.
As we serve God with our lives, we should always leave the results to Him. We cannot make things happen. Only God can open the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of people. We cannot bring peace in the midst of opposition and confusion. Only God can bring about peaceful resolutions. We cannot change people’s lives. Only God can bring about the lasting change that is needed.
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As we do the work before us, let us always take time to…
Check the heart behind any resistance we face.
Consider the cause of the chaos in regard to spiritual matters.
Commit the outcome of our efforts to the Lord.
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Have a Great Day!