Acts 19:21-41 “The Great Commotion at Ephesus"

Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City! Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 19. Acts 19:21-41 today.

We continue today in the city of Ephesus, where Paul ministered for some 2-3 years.

When Paul first arrived in Ephesus, he introduced the believers there to the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Then, Paul boldly spoke in the synagogue for 3 months… until some were hardened and spoke evil of The Way (an early term for Christians).

So, Paul changed venues and began to teach at the School of Tyrannus…

When most people took their afternoon siesta… the church at Ephesus gathered the hear the word… marvelous dedication.

And God moved through unusual miracles… handkerchiefs and aprons of Paul were taken to the sick and demon possessed and they were healed.

Just coming in contact with Paul’s work attire was enough for many people to have their faith activated.

ALL miracles are a bit unusual, but these were a special kind of extraordinary miracles.

And, travelling Jewish exorcist took notice of this practice, and thought to circumvent their incantations likely passed down from Solomon… and attempted to exorcise a demon calling on the name of Jesus.

To which the demon responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

They had NO power because they had NO relationship with Jesus.

And, the man whom the evil spirit was leaped on and overpowered all seven of them… ripping their clothes off and wounded them.

Wounded… Gk. traumatizō… he traumatized them.

After the Ephesians witnessed these seven sons of Sceva (See’-vah)… fleeing through town with their clothes stripped off of them…

Well…understandably… this had an impact on the city…

Ephesian believers repented of many things that were not of God… they burned their occult magic books… confessed sins… revival broke out.

V20 reads, “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

A great progress report!

And, when revival breaks out, and people turn from sinful ways… there is a financial hit to those industries that cater to sin…

This is characteristic and historically true when you read about revivals.

And this is true in our passage today. A riot breaks out… as sales decline on idolatrous statues of Diana.

The title of our message today is, “The Great Commotion at Ephesus.”

Let’s Pray!

Acts 19:21-22 “When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.”

After 2-3 years of ministry in Ephesus, Paul’s work was coming to a close… as Paul had ‘not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God’ to the Ephesians.

V10 says, “...all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

V21 says, “when these things were accomplished.” The mission to take the Gospel to the Gentiles was largely fulfilled.

Ephesians for years had been meeting daily with Paul to study the word up to 5 hours daily… and now Paul was purposed or resolved to visit a number of other cities.

Notice the word says Paul was “purposed in the Spirit” which could refer to Paul’s own human spirit.

But, it could also mean Paul was being directed by the Holy Spirit… to go back to regions where he formerly planted churches.

I prefer the second interpretation… and think Acts 23:11 confirms this… which I’ll read in a moment.

First though, let me caution you… If you are being led by anything other then the Holy Spirit, you’re in danger of being led astray.

Even if something feels good… or an opportunity is too good to resist… it still may not be of God.

In 2008, our family moved from Baltimore to Chicago for career advancement. I prayed several times if this was God’s will and God was silent.

So, I foolishly went. I checked the prayer box, and reasoned, “Well… God didn’t say ‘no.’”

I’ve since learned to wait when God is silent.

As I pursued my will… the next 2.5 years were terrible… dry spiritually… my flesh was out of control… and we did not prosper.

If you pray and God is silent… wait.

Back in Acts in V21… Paul had been in Ephesus 2-3 years, and was now released… and resolved to go to the regions of Macedonia and Achaia… then Jerusalem… and then to Rome.

And, let’s quickly pull up our map of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey…

The white Asterisk near the center of the map is Ephesus… the setting for our account today.

In Chapter 20 Paul travels to Macedonia at the top left of our map.

After the conclusion of Paul’s third missionary journey… he indeed makes it to Rome… probably not how he envisioned because he goes as a prisoner… but Paul will make it Rome… the largest city and the seat of government for the known world.

And this was the Lord’s will.

Not only by what we just read in V21, that Paul “purposed in the Spirit” but also confirmed in Acts 23:11 where the Lord said to Paul, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Keep this in mind as we progress through Acts… Paul heart is stirred for Rome.

And in Rom 1:11, Paul shares his desire to establish or strengthen the church in Rome. Paul wrote, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established...”

It’s encouraging when leaders come alongside a new work… to strengthen it. And, that was Paul’s heart for the church in Rome.

Now before Paul sets out himself… in V22… he sends two of his disciples ahead of him.

Timothy and Erastus.

Timothy’s name means “honoring God” and Erastus means “beloved.”

Timothy had been assisting Paul in missions… especially in Ephesus (according to 1 Tim 1:3).

V22 is the first mention of Erastus, but he is also mentioned in 2 Tim 4:20.

Take note what V22 says about these men… they are described as “… those who ministered him.”

Paul was the leader, and these men ministered to him.

Ministered Gk diakŏnĕō means “attend upon or serve.” It’s root word is where we get “deacon.”

These men came alongside Paul as the office of the deacon should… allowing Paul to be focused on his calling “to declare the whole counsel of God.”

You may recall in Acts 6, there was a complaint about Grecian widows being neglected, and in Acts 6:2-4, the Twelve Apostles said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

And, if you are serving here at CC Lake City… you minister to me and everyone else here… but more importantly… you minister to God.

Paul wrote in Col 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Whatever your work is… however you serve… it’s all about Jesus.

Work unto the Lord. Eph 6:6 says, “… not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart...”

What a blessing Timothy and Erastus were to Paul… but truly… to Christ.

So, at this time when these men depart… there arose a great commotion at Ephesus.

Acts 19:23-27 “And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute [contempt], but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

V23 states there “…arose a great commotion about the Way.”

The Way was an early title for Christians that we discussed in depth last week… check out the message on our app or website.

And there was a commotion about the Way… as the message of the Gospel spreads… and as Paul proclaims that the little statues of idols of Greek gods were NOT TRULY GODS because they were made by human hands (v26)…

The message was ‘Jesus is truth… all other worship is a lie. Repent and turn to Jesus.’

Now, I don’t think that Paul and the disciples were picketing the Temple… or marching through the streets in protest of the false gods.

But, when you teach the whole counsel of God… and people just sit under the word… there’s going to be change.

Heb 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

In Jn 17:17 Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

This is why we are a bible-teaching church. We trust that teaching the word of God… and abiding in Christ… and being led by the Spirit… will change us… conforming us to the image of the Son.

I’m not sure if you are familiar with the Welsh Revival in Wales, 1904-05 Great Britain, but a revival broke out.

There was so much good happening in the lives of people, but this had a negative impact on certain industries.

There are many testimonies recorded about the impact of this revival…

Alcohol sales declined steeply, and the money formerly spent on alcohol was now used to care for the needs of one’s family, and for the church.

Profanity was silenced... theaters were deserted... courts were abandoned due to a lack of crime… the police experienced a reprieve… and it was commonplace for bars to shut down.

People who had quarrelled forgave each other and were reconciled. Loans were repayed.

In the mines, men were working harder, but production temporarily decreased as a result of the men not cursing.

You see, the ponies only understood harsh language and a rough touch, and now their masters were gentle… thus the ponies were confused.

As thousands of people were saved… the society of Wales changed to a God-fearing nation… sinful practices were on the decline… and the economy centered around sin… suffered.

This past week, praise God… there have been reports at Asbury University in KY of revival breaking out.

Students were called to move away from luke-warm Christianity and they’ve been responding in spirit-filled ways.

I pray that we would see revival here at Grace College… and in our town.

Imagine how much wonderful wreckage that could do to our industries that cater to vice and iniquity?

Well… back in Acts… in Ephesus… as the message of the Gospel spread… the economy of Ephesus was effected as well.

Sales are down on idols… temple worship through licentious practices are down… offerings to the temple were down… occult book sales were down… last week we read they burned their occult books (even though they had great financial value).

Paul and his message of Jesus Christ and salvation in Him is shaking things up.

And, so in V24… opposition… a Gentile silversmith named Demetrius decides to do something about it.

Let’s take a moment to understand the context.

Demetrius was a silversmith, lit. a “beater of silver.” He was a craftsman who made silver shrines of Diana… and this brought “no small profit to the craftsmen.” (plural… as in a guild of many craftsmen who profited from the sales of shrines.

I have a slide depicting Demetrius and other craftsmen… and you can notice a miniature shrine. Shrine literally means “temple.”

Tourists, merchants, and kings who came to Ephesus to offer gold, jewelry and valuables to Diana and participate in the lewd worship to Diana… they could also take home a mini-temple AND look at what Demetrius is holding in the slide… It’s a little statue of Diana.

These were not souvenirs like we might purchase a souvenir. I was recently at the Creation Museum and Ark, and purchased a mini-Ark as a keep-sake.

But, what I don’t do is worship my souvenir and burn incense to my little Ark.

In Ephesus, these little shrines and little Diana statues were idols. People would take them home to worship.

This false goddess Diana is the Latin name… the Roman version of the Greek goddess Artemis.

And, she was worshipped for a number of things… she was the supposed goddess of the hunt, wilderness and wild animals. And, the goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of girls prior to marriage.

Which seems hypocritical given the vast number of young temple prostitutes at the temple. Who protected them?

Criminals and outcasts were offered sanctuary at this temple, so you can imagine the danger that was present.

Since Diana was the goddess of childbirth, her idol was often portrayed as multi-breasted or eggs… symbolizing fertility… and these little idols and little temples were the trade of the silversmith guild… and they made great profit from the sales.

But now… the tradesmen are taking notice that there’s less activity for Diana in the city… and more activity for Christ.

Thus, a great commotion erupts… A commotion… meaning a “disturbance or trouble.”

The people are agitated about the change they are seeing in the city.

The world gets agitated when you seek holiness… and not sin.

We should ask, “What is at the heart of this uproar?” “What is the motive behind this commotion we see in this passage?”

Was this truly a defense of the goddess Diana? Or was there a different motive?

As we read through VSS 24-27… there is mention of protecting the temple and worship of Diana, but it feels like an afterthought… like “oh by the way… Diana is kind of important too.”

It seems that there is a greater idol in the hearts of the guilds-men as evidenced by what they want to defend first… their money… their livelihood.

Luke identifies in V24 that “no small profit”... meaning a large profit was made through the sale of shrines of Diana.

In V25, Demetrius gathers the other tradesmen together and starts the conversation addressing how prosperity or wealth comes because of their trade.

In V26, Paul’s message against idolatry is identified as a problem for this craftsmen.

There are only, I think two times, in the book of Acts about Gentiles coming against Paul and the message of the Gospel. Here in Acts 19, and back in Acts 16 when Paul cast out a demon of divination from a slave girl.

We read in that passage, “…when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas...” and took them to the authorities.

When Paul’s ministry interfered with the true god of the Gentiles (money)… they came against Paul.

Now money in and of itself is not an idol. And being rich does not mean one is a worshipper of money.

It’s fine to have a lot of money, and in fact if you do… I’d like to see you after service…

Just joking… It’s fine to have a lot of money… so long as money does not have you.

John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard Movement, said, “Show me where you spend your time, money, and energy and I’ll tell you what you worship.”

That which occupies the majority of our time, the theme of our bank account spending, and the energy of our thoughts and body… this defines our worship… this defines that which we love.

Paul clarified that money is not the issue. 1 Tim 6:10 states, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

You’ve heard that misquoted as “Money is THE root of all kinds of evil.” That’s wrong.

The problem with money is when it occupies your heart space more than God. And, we could say the same thing about sooo many things, couldn’t we?

How much time is spent staring at phones? Playing games where you build a great house or garden or defending your castle?

Or, how much time is spent cheering for sport teams?

Let me tread on really dangerous ground. How much time is devoted to family over God? ouch…

God has blessed us with many good things in this lifetime, but even good things when elevated above God become an idol in our lives.

It’s not an accident that God addresses this in the first two of the Ten Commandments...

Exo 20:3-6 [Commandment One...] “You shall have no other gods before Me. [Commandment Two…] 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

God will not share His worship… He is jealous for us to worship Him alone. And, we should… because He’s deserving.

We don’t even realize how deserving He is of our worship.

But, I’m confident when we see Him face-to-face… and behold His glory… and comprehend His authority… and the depths of His love, grace, and mercy.

When we behold the mansions He has in store for us… the perfection of eternity… then we will truly understand how deserving He is of our worship.

And, we will be remiss of the missed opportunities we had in this lifetime to worship Him with our time, our heart, our actions, our tithes, our prayers…

We don’t so much make the mistake of worshipping carved images of false gods in a literal sense, but are there not carved images in our culture?

Have you ever seen someone outside polishing their 8 cylinder god?

Or excessively landscape their god?

We can make a god out of anything. And, humans historically always have fashioned ‘golden calves’ of sorts.

It’s so easy in our human nature to lose sight of God. And, even in Ephesus… even the false goddess Diana was being cheated on by something that occupied the hearts of the tradesmen over her… the love of money. She wasn’t really their god… money was.

If anything they were exploiting Diana. And, you don’t have to feel bad for her… she was just a rock… truly a carved image.

It’s humorous to me that in VSS24-26, Demetrius builds up this case against Paul… because his trade and money was at risk.

And, then in V27… the Oh by the way… the temple of Diana may be despised (or regarded as worthless), and she… Diana will be dethroned.

In V27, it’s mentioned that “all Asia and the world worship” Diana, and that wasn’t an exaggeration.

Travelers from afar came to Ephesus from all over the Roman world and Asia (modern day Turkey) to worship Diana.

And, I use the word ‘worship’ loosely because it was truly licentious worship practices… another god in peoples lives.

Another draw for tourists was the architecture of Temple of Artemis… which I have is a slide of.

It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world.

Temple construction began in 550 B.C. and took 120 years to complete.

It was much larger then the Parthenon of Athens… measuring 425-450’ in length by 225-250’ width. It had some 127 columns that stood 60’ high and were 4’ in diameter.

This structure alone was a huge draw for people to come and see a building unlike any they had ever seen before.

So, it wasn’t an exaggeration when Demetrius said in V27… “all Asia and the world worship...”

Ephesus and the worship of Diana was a huge trade… until the true and living God… Jesus Christ was introduced.

One last quick observation about V27 before we move on… V27 is almost prophetic… everything Demetrius feared became a reality.

Diana worship… the Temple of Artemis… they did not stand the test of time.

Look at this next slide… the ruins of this temple.

Their trade did die…and Artemis has been regarded as worthless and has suffered the loss of her greatness.

And, yet, here we sit… some 2000 years after Christ… still worshipping Him. Worshiping the God “Who was and is and is to come!”

Be careful what you worship… will it stand the test of time… that stretches into eternity?

If your god is not eternal, you’re worshipping the wrong god.

The Ephesians wrongly think their worship of Diana will prevail against Christ… and they fight as hard as they can…

The city shouted passionately for Diana… but in time… none of that mattered.

Today, Diana is a myth and her temple is a archeological tourist attraction.

But, let’s observe their desperate fight to save their dying god and dying trade…

Acts 19:28-29 “Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.”

In V28, these craftsmen full of wrath… enraged… start to see red and begin screaming “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

The city erupts into confusion and people start to gather in the theatre that holds conservatively 24,000-25,000 people… some estimates are much higher.

But, you get the picture… a mob is forming and it’s never a good thing when you have this many people gathered part in confusion… and part enraged.

In V29 we encounter innocent victims of the mob… Paul’s travel companions from the North… Macedonians… modern day Greece.

Their only crime was being of The Way… being Christians and being linked to Paul.

I’m reminded of Jason in Acts 17 who lodged Paul. Jason’s house was attacked and he was dragged out of his house to the rulers of the city, with the accusation, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

Might I say, the world is already upside down… Christians turn it right-side up.

But, when you are affiliated with coming against sin… watch out. You become a target.

In 1884 England, the Salvation Army had this experience. They marched in army fashion playing music and offering hope in the roughest neighborhoods plagued with vice and sin.

They were labeled a “menace to sobriety” and opponents formed against them.

The “Bonfire Boys”… the “Skeleton Army”… these groups stood against the Christian message of hope.

As extreme poverty, disease, and hunger swept depressed Southern England… the Salvationists came with a mantra of “Soup”, “Soap” and “Salvation”.

The Skeleton Army had a counter mantra… “Beef”, “Beer” and “Bacca” (for tobacco)… mocking the Salvation Army.

Violence was expressed against the parades of Salvation Army… their opponents threw at them… sticks, stones, paint-filled eggs, burning coals, rotten fish, contents of bedpans… even dead animals… sometimes lit on fire.

Thousands of Salvationists were injured, some were killed… hundreds of their buildings were damaged. Mass brawls broke out in 67 towns and villages.

And, people of the Salvation Army were arrested and imprisoned and bans were attempted against "marching with music on a Sunday" on the grounds it attracted Skeleton troublemakers.

Praise God though… law shifted and it was ruled that marching lawfully was not unlawful… just because of the unlawful actions of others (such as the Skeleton Army rioting).

And, this legal victory shaped principles of freedom of expression today.

After a few difficult years, police shifted to arresting the Skeletons and the Skeleton Army would fade into history.

Just like we read about Diana and her temple in Acts… they did not last the test of time.

But, the Salvation Army… they continue to march on to this day.

Gaius and Aristarchus no doubt were also in harms way in V29.

They’ve been dragged into the theatre surrounded by a confused and angry mob… charged with “guilt by association” of being a companion to Paul… of being associated with The Way… Jesus who is changing the hearts of Ephesus… moving people away from sin… and rocking the economy.

That was their crime. And, now they are detained and in harm’s way.

I do wish we had some insight into what they were thinking or feeling in this moment.

Were they fearful and panicked?

Or did they have the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”? Did that peace guard their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus?

Peace, my brothers and sisters… peace amidst storms… that’s a fruit of abiding in the vine.

Be sure to abide in Jesus… keep your eyes on Jesus… not the storms of life… and you will experience His peace.

We may not know what Gaius and Aristarchus were thinking and feeling, but we do have a pretty good idea what Paul was thinking.

Acts 19:30-31 “And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia [the Roman province… not the continent today], who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

You gotta love Paul… his boldness. “There’s a crowd… let’s tell them about Jesus!”

Paul doesn’t see people as an obstacle… he sees them as an opportunity.

At risk of personal peril, Paul wished to address the Ephesian mob. No doubt to defend the Gospel… and to share the Gospel.

In Acts 22, we will see Paul address the Jerusalem Mob… great chapter… Paul almost starts a riot.

But, here in Ephesus, Paul’s friends, who include city officials, repeatedly urge him not to enter the theater… and he yields.

Those of us who have a mentality of running towards fire… we need people like this in our lives.

In Matt 5:10, the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Make sure if you run towards fire… that it’s truly for His name’s sake, and not for some other cause or motivation not of Him.

Continuing on…

Acts 19:32-34 “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

Alexander was a Jew, and had nothing to do with Jesus.

Yet, Jews were monotheists and strongly opposed to idols, like Christians… and Anti-Semitism was a reality in the Roman world.

As he tries to defend himself… the Ephesians don’t care to hear his words and drown him out with TWO HOURS of shouting “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

Can you imagine?

Two hours of shouting how great their false god was.

You don’t really need to imagine this… just go to an NFL Football game and you can witness people shouting for two hours to their idol.

Let me ask you, are we this passionate about God? Can you study the word passionately for two hours? Or, pray for two hours?

We need to be this passionate towards God.

Two hours of repetitive shouting reminds me of a warning in Matt 6:7 from Jesus, “And when you pray, do not use vain [or meaningless] repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

Pray from the heart… pray to God, not to man… praise God and present your requests… and pray often and repeatedly…

But, don’t think repeating a phrase… even passionately and in a frenzy will get you further with God then an honest and quiet request.

Diana was just a rock… their shouts fell on deaf ears.

Wrapping up we observe how the city clerk/ the leader of the city… a crafty politician… quiets and appeases the crowd with some smooth talk, a few lies, and the reality of the threat of Rome.

Acts 19:35-41 “And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

There are articles that suggest the statue of Artemis was a meteor that fell from heaven to earth.

Which makes sense… I wouldn’t want that grotesque statue in heaven either.

Heaven took out the trash.

And, today… you can visit the Vatican Museum in Rome to see many historic statues… and you turn a corner… and who do you see?

Artemis! Diana of the Ephesians! (with a strategically placed arrow by your Pastor to make this picture more PG). You’re welcome parents.

It’s surprising that this statue is at the Vatican, but not surprising.

Why on earth does that need to be at the Vatican Museum? Why not at a secular museum? Or, better yet, destroyed?

“But, it’s historical.”

What was that second commandment again? “You shall not make for yourself a carved image...”

Anyhow… back in Acts… you can see this City Clerk is just buttering up the crowd… “The whole world knows our statue is not made with human hands… it fell from the sky by Zeus himself.”

V36 “Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, [sure they can] you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.”

I’m not sure Gaius and Aristarchus didn’t speak against Diana, BUT they certainly didn’t have a reputation of this as seen in V36.

And, this reminds me of something one of my Pastors once said… “Be known for who you stand for, not what you stand against.”

There are so many things that we can choose to fight against that you can get lost in the fight.

Let me put it to you like this… what’s the best way to dispel darkness?

Turn on the light. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”

I want to be known for who I stand for, not the vastness of what I stand against.

Don’t get me wrong… I love that some people have a calling to fight… but there’s also a danger… if people don’t know who you stand for… that’s a problem.

I heard a story about a time Billy Graham visited India, and reporters asked him if he was there to tear down Hinduism and the Muslim faith.

Billy said, ‘I’m not here to tear down. I’m here to lift up.”

Are you known more as a proclaimer… or as a defamer?

Well wrapping up… the city clerk comes to his conclusion…

V38 “Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.”

The City Clerk appeals to the reality that there were courts of law and legal proceedings.

There was a process for justice. If the craftsmen have an issue, file legal charges.

And, he reminds them that Ephesus is in danger of violating the Pax Romana… the peace of Rome.

Rome was serious about upholding order, and they came down swift and harshly against disorderly uprisings.

And, with that reminder… the crowd disperses.

And, Gaius and Aristarchus… are free to go home… unscathed…

Let’s Pray!

Numbers 6:22-26 reads, “22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’

May God give you His peace… as you enter into this week.