Great Opposition

Introduction

Last week we concluded the book of 1 Corinthians. In the last part Paul tells his readers he is having great opportunities, and great opposition.

1 Corinthians 16:8–9 NIV84

8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

As we begin this morning, I want to ask you a question. How do you handle opposition?

Paul believed that opposition meant his ministry was being effective. So many times in our lives (ok I’ll just speak for me)—So many times when I face opposition I take it as a sign that I shouldn’t share the gospel.

So back to the question:

Question—How Do You Handle Opposition?

Let’s see the background story of . If you have your Bibles turn with me to , and we’ll begin reading with verse 23.

Acts 19:23–27 NIV84

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 no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know 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 man-made gods 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.”

Acts 19:23-

I. The Great Disturbance

A. Demetrius

This was a silversmith who made silver shrines to the goddess Artemis. There were actually two goddess named Artemis.

1. Goddess Artemis—of Greek culture.

1. Goddess Artemis

This goddess was also called “Dianna” (in Rome) and was known as the virgin goddess of the hunt.

2. Goddess Artemis of the Ephesians.

This was a goddess that had many breasts, and was known as the goddess of fertility. History suggests that the original statue was a meteorite that looked resembled a woman with many breasts.

B. The Problem

Because there were many converts to “the Way” the craftsmen’s business began to dwindle.

To put it another way—the craftsmen were losing money because of the ministry of Paul!

1. This fellow Paul has convinced and led astray a large number of people here in Ephesus & in practically the whole province of Asia.

2. Paul says man-made gods are not gods at all.

3. There is a danger our trade will lose its good name.

4. There is a danger that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited.

So Demetrius argues that the goddess will be robbed of her divine majesty.

The real problem was that the craftsmen were losing money!

C. The Response

Acts 19:28–34 NIV84

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 rushed as one man into the theater. 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. 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 pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd 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!”

Acts 16:28–31 NIV84

28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Acts 19:

Acts 16:28-

1. The people become furious and began shouting— “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

2. The whole city was in an uproar.

3. The crowd seized Gaius and Aristarchus and rushed them into the theater.

4. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd—but the city officials and friends of Paul begged him not to enter the theater.

E. Confusion Hits!

Acts 19:32–34 NIV84

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 pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd 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!”

1. Total confusion—some people didn’t even know why they were there.

2. Alexander (a Jew) tried to make a defense.

Acts 19:32-34

3. The people did not want to hear from a Jew—began chanting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

F. The City Clerk

Acts 19:35–41 NIV84

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, 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 be quiet 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 today’s events. 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.

Acts 19:35-

1. The world knows:

a. Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of Artemis.

b. Artemis and her image “fell from heave.

2. Don’t do anything rash.

3. These men did not rob the temple, nor blasphemed of the goddess.

4. If Demetrius or anyone else has a grievance, take it up in court.

5. If there’s anything else, bring it up in a “legal assembly.”

6. They were in danger of being charged with rioting—because there was no reason for the commotion.

If Rome had questioned the uproar, the people would not have been able to justify the uprising. That could have resulted in Rome sending additional troops into the city. That was something that NONE of them wanted!

So What?

Come back to the original question. How do you handle opposition?

Paul told the church at Corinth that the opposition was a sign that God was working.

Today, we have repeatedly been told we cannot share the gospel, because it is not politically correct. So many have accepted the fact that they are “not supposed to share the gospel” and so we don’t!

Here’s the fact! The world HATES Jesus. The world HATES the Message of Jesus. And the world HATES those who follow Jesus!

You see, the world crucified Jesus! Yes, it was the plan of God the Father. Nevertheless, Satan opposes everything Jesus stands for.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation” ( NASB). So we should not be surprised when problems come our way!

Jesus knew the world would not like our message, yet He gave us our marching orders.

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In more than 2,000 years the order has not changed.