The Gospel Establishes a Church in Ephesus

Deceptive portrayals by the opposition is not a 21stcentury creation.

Yesterday our own Bryson competed against himself in the Regional Cross Country meet. I’ve NEVER been a jogger or runner, but I’ve been told that every runner comes to a point where his or her mind tries to convince the body that they can’t go on. But to the runner who pushes through “the wall” he or she catches a second wind to persevere. Every football team from grade-school to the pros has a defense whose job it is to stop the offense from achieving yardage. For some of us the greatest opposition of our lives happened when a child was a two-year-old, for others it was when he became a teen. It seems like EVERY single commercial break and every other internet add is telling me what is good about one political candidate and how the opposition is misleading. I never thought I’d say this, but I’d almost welcome an add about my car’s extended warranty at this point.

Opposing forces influence us in many realms of life. Some opposition is easily overcome, other requires tenacity.

This deceptive opposition not only happens in the home, athletics and politics. It is also VERY REAL in the spiritual realm. Over the next two weeks you will encounter dark forces that masquerade as having more power than they possess. Physical harm will be threatened by costumed ghouls. Weak spirits will struggle to impress with knowledge of the future.

God himself was faced by misleading opposition in the form of a serpent. Jesus encountered misleading opposition when His kingdom threatened the power structure of religious leaders.

Even after defeating death and the grave, the Gospel message experienced opposition as the Kingdom of Jesus spread towards the North and West.

Transition: Today’ section of the book of Acts describes the opposition faced by Paul on the 2nd half of his 3rd Missionary Journey. Just as Jesus proved His authority over disaster, demons and death, Paul’s opposition takes on various forms.

The Power of God Informed Limited Spirituality (Acts 19:1-7)

Explanation

1. Paul and Apollos had complimentary skillsets.

a. Luke’s description of Apollos (18:24c-25) is positive.

b. Priscilla and Aquilla took him aside to correct him.

c. Paul spoke of Apollos’ contribution to the harvest.

1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV) — I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

2. Apollos remained teachable

The spread of the Gospel was not a well-refined set of beliefs and behaviors. It was a love for Jesus who resurrected from the dead. Once Jesus’ person and work were established so that people could repent and believe, THEN months or years of discipleship started, then Apollos was re-commissioned and endorsed for his growth (18:27)

3. Apollos did the best he knew how (baptism of John) (19:3), Paul filled in the gaps to the benefit of the disciples (19:6).

Illustration

· Believers don’t have to get everything correct to be useful.

My faith story through my high school years was very much one rooted in “we must be right and expose all that is wrong about others.” My freshman year in Bible college was marked by an awakening of how complete God’s Grace is to make one stand in Christ’s righteousness. My 2nd year is when I started learning the language used to record the New Testament originally. We used the book of Philippians as our translation practice. I still remember how shocked I was to learn that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that there was reason to rejoice even if others don’t get everything right.

Philippians 1:18 ESV:2016

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Application

1. John preached and baptized for repentance looking forward to a remedy for sin/brokenness.

2. [belief in] Jesus is the remedy for brokenness.

3. Repentance sets the stage for Belief

Acts 26:18 ESV:2016

18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

4. We must rely on the power of God to grant us forgiveness and sanctification.

Transition: God’s power working through Paul around Ephesus (as was true in Jerusalem through Peter & John earlier in Acts) led some to desire the power, without repentance, belief or forgiveness.

The Power of God Intrigued the Magicians (Acts 19:11–19)

Explanation

1. God was at work (Paul was merely the instrument)

2. Imposters tried to invoke the name of Jesus, without personalizing His work and call. The wanted power without sacrifice.

3. Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34 & Lk 9:23 all give the same 3 ingredient recipe for being a disciple of Jesus

Matthew 16:24 ESV:2016

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

4. These magicians wanted power without obedience, signs without surrender, miracles without the Master.

5. The magicians were exposed (19:16) as the frauds that they were, causing righteous fear to spread and dabblers to separate themselves from these practices.

Illustration

For years now psychics have been advertising on TV, and charlatans have used tarot cards, palms and crystal balls to milk money out of the naïve.

Until a psychic establishes a series of lottery wins, I’ll save my money. After all, as long as I separate myself from these activities, I can avoid being exposed like the 7 sons of Sceva.

Application

1. imitation only gets one so far

2. Timothy, who became pastor of the church here in Ephesus, was told:

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV:2016)

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will … [have] the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

3. Never exchange the genuine for a shiny artifact

Transition: From the exposure of men doing the right thing for the wrong reason, we look ahead and see the result of those committed to doing the wrong thing.

The Power of God INFURIATED Religious Profiteers (Acts 19:23–41)

Explanation

1. Demetrius was committed to his own wealth achieved through the status quo.

2. “The Way” (one of the earliest names for Christianity). Jesus spoke of 2 ways, and the Christ way was not Demetrius’ way.

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV:2016

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

3. The way of Jesus was never focused on monetary wealth, but following Jesus creates a loss for “business as usual”

Illustration

I had 2 classes, Chemistry in High School and Apologetics in College, with teachers who told us that they wrote difficult exams that would challenge the most advanced learner in the class, then they each would apply a liberal curve to the grading scale. I was not the curve buster in either class. However, in 1 situation I felt very much like Demetrius. If nobody did anything about Lynette, my own path would be exposed for what it was—laziness.

Demetrius had settled into a profitable career of making silver statues that people believed would earn favor with the gods.

I had settled into a mindset where I thought Chemistry was not part of my career path and learning elements and compounds would not add any value to my life. As long as Lynette didn’t raise the grading scale. But her desire for excellence (she ended up studying medicine as Johns Hopkins University) exposed my path to status quo as deficient.

Rather than change his path, Demetrius tried to undermine Paul by creating a public outrage.

Vv.27-29 describe how a true statement (gods made with hands are not gods) and an irrational fear of their own identity being taken away led to and outraged mob.

Application

1. Any mob enraged by a false pretense will be revealed for what it is.

2. Truth eclipses Illusion

At our “manly discussions” Bible study on Wednesday we studied how de-escalating conflict is a mark of godly maturity. We looked at examples of how Jesus endured mistreatment but refused to demand His rights. We identified times that Paul was mistreated yet refused to assert his rights. Sometimes the wisest thing a person can do is walk away from an enraged person/crowd and trust truth to prevail.

3. If an uproar is unjust, it will eventually be revealed for what it is.

Acts 19:40 ESV:2016

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.”

Transition: From one group who attempts a good thing for a wrong reason, and a group that insists on a false thing with no reason, I can’t end this sermon without mentioning the events in the middle of chapter 20.

The Power of God INVIGORATED Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12)

Explanation

1. I like this story because it is so easy to see ourselves in the story.

a. I couldn’t possibly be Paul in this narrative, because Paul used many words and preached for hours.

b. I’ve never died in church, but I can neither confirm nor deny if I’ve ever fallen asleep when a preacher talked too long.

c. I don’t want to be too critical of young Eutychus.

· Afterall even though Paul had prolonged his speech until midnight, he talked even longer.

· The mention of many lamps could indicate warmth and possible low oxygen levels.

· Even though Eut tried to mediate his sleepiness by sitting close to a window, that strategy backfired!

d. Paul raised him as if it is no big deal, grabs a snack, then resumed preaching for the next 6 hours.

2. I may preach longer than some of you are used to, but I have never stopped for a snack, then carried on after re-nourishing!

2. Even though the events didn’t seem to faze Paul (v.11), the event made a lasting, significant impact on the crowd (v.12).

Application

Eut’s nap did not contribute to his maturity and was not an indictment of his worldiness.

Jesus’ own disciples fell asleep as He was praying in the Garden. Jesus understood the time of the day and their limits of energy and attention.

Even though a napping young man was not Paul’s desire, the event provided an indication of the Power of God to overcome the messes that we get ourselves into, which is not little comfort!

Conclusion:

We all face choices today. When we encounter opposing options will we choose the path of least resistance or will we choose to pursue the truth of God which introduces the Power of God into our situation?

Some think the path out of a quandary is through dark forces or spooky spirits. Today’s text has shown us that the Gospel of Jesus that is accompanied by the Power of God is a better option when we:

1) Are uniformed

2) Try to do good in the wrong way

3) Are challenged by those who hold wrong beliefs; and

4) Get ourselves into unnecessary messes.

As we prepare to leave this room, I want to remind you of the song that called us to worship. We started with “My God is so Big” and we will leave with our ears replaying…

Song of Response “What a Mighty God we Serve”

Benediction: Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV) — The Lord bless you and keep you; 25the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26the Lordlift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.