Wisdom for Living from the Word of God
Wisdom for Living from the Word of God
The Book of Acts - Part 70
Acts 19:23-41 (Initial reading: vs. 23-29)
Sermon by Rick Crandall
Grayson Baptist Church - January 18, 2015
BACKGROUND:
*In tonight's Scripture, Paul was on his third missionary journey. His team was reaching many people in the city of Ephesus. They saw the Hand of God at work in amazing ways. And Acts 19:10 tells us "this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks."
*By the time we get to vs. 20, the two years were just about up, and God was leading Paul to new places. Verse 21 shows us the plans that were coming together in Paul's heart. There, God's Word says, "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.'''
*Paul had great plans, but unexpected trouble was heading his way. With this background in mind, let's get started by reading Acts 19:23-29. And as we read, please think about how this 2,000-year-old story can give us some of the wisdom we need for life today.
INTRODUCTION:
*Two of the guiding principles in my preaching have always been that the Bible is completely true, and it is completely relevant. God's Word is not just some ancient document. It is totally relevant to life today.
*Of course, John 3:16 has a lot more meaning for us than Deuteronomy 3:16. But everything in the Word of God has something to say about the way we live today. With this truth in mind, let's look at this near-riot in Ephesus 2,000 years ago. We will surely find some wisdom that we need today.
1. First and foremost is that we should walk in the way of Christ.
*Walk in the way of the Lord. This is the "way" Luke mentioned in vs. 23, when he said, "About that time there arose a great commotion about the Way."
*Luke used this word "Way" to describe Christianity 3 other times in the Book of Acts, and I like this word, because Christianity IS a way of life. It's the way of faith and hope. It's the way of love. And it's the way of the cross.
*In John 14:6, on the night before Jesus died on the cross for us, He said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Christianity is the way of salvation. It's the way of grace. And it's the only way to true righteousness.
*In the late-2000s, our Becky was Director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at the University of Miami. Surely, I knew that Miami wasn't in the Bible Belt. But I was really surprised when Becky told me that 95 percent of the people in Miami do not go to church. -- 95 percent!
*My sister Leslie and I were talking about that, and I guessed their religion was the beach, or sports, or golf or partying. But Leslie said, "No it's all the same. It's all the 'Me' religion. It's all about me, and what I want to do."
*Leslie was right: It's all about me. How are we ever going to overcome the "Me" problem? There is only one way: The way of Jesus Christ. Christianity is the only way to righteousness. It's the only way to Heaven. And it's the only way to eternal happiness.
*David Jeremiah told the story of lonely woman who lived in London many years ago. She was 100 years old when a missionary stopped by to see her, and she trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Later she said: "How wonderful, and how good the Lord has been in sparing me these 100 years that I might learn the way of life!" When she died, they put these words on her gravestone: "Born 1825 -- Born Again 1925." (1)
*She found the way to Heaven and happiness, because she found Jesus Christ. She trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior!
2. And everybody should walk in the way of Christ. -- We also should observe our opposition.
*God's Church has always faced stiff opposition in the world, and we need to understand our opposition. It does no good to bury our heads in the sand. We need to seek information and understanding. We need to be aware and get informed about those who oppose the way of Jesus. God's Word helps us in vs. 23-29. So, what can we learn here about our opposition?
[1] First, they are often motivated by greed.
*We see this truth in vs. 23-27:
23. 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, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.''
*"This trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute." John Phillips gave great insight about this incident, and here's part of what he said: "Diana of the Ephesians was a monstrous obscenity, an image gross and repelling, whose rites were licentious in the extreme. She was really the goddess Artemis, the ancient mother goddess of Asia Minor.
*Her temple at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The ugly image of Artemis enthroned in that temple was supposed to have come down from heaven. And is believed to have been a meteorite roughly shaped to resemble a woman with many rows of breasts.
*She was served by troops of priestesses whose function was to pander to the carnal lusts of the image's worshippers. The Ephesian silversmiths were united by a guild whose patroness was the goddess. They had chosen to honor Artemis as their guardian and protector. One of their most profitable products was miniature silver statues of her image. . . The impact of Christianity at Ephesus was so great that sales of those useless statues had fallen drastically.
*No greater comment could be made on the wholesome nature of Christianity than the way it cleaned up this moral and religious sewer of the ancient world. No greater comment could be made on human greed and wickedness than the resulting fury of the silversmiths. Entrenched wickedness is always militant against the gospel, when the gospel begins to make an impact in cleaning up society." (2)
[2] Our opposition is motivated by greed, and they are holding on to false hope.
*As Demetrius the silversmith said in vs. 27, "Not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship." They were putting their hope in a lifeless piece of rock, when the only true hope for the world is the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ!
*That's why King David wrote these wise words in Psalm 62:5-8:
5. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
6. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
8. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
*The only true hope for the world is the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ! So, when Paul later wrote to the Christians at Ephesus about the days before their salvation, in Ephesians 2:12-13 Paul said:
12. . . At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having NO HOPE and without God in the world.
13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.
[3] The blood of Jesus Christ is the only real hope of the world, so our opposition is holding on to false hope. Sadly, they have very strong support.
*A mob of these misguided people was on the scene in vs. 27-28 as Demetrius finished his rant by saying:
27. "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.''
28. And when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!''
*Far left, Christ-rejecting, so-called progressives now have great power in our society and our government. They are strongly supported by a growing number of atheists in America and around the world.
*In late 2012, the Pew Research Center reported that "the number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public -- and a third of adults under 30 are religiously unaffiliated today, -- the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.
*In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15 percent to just under 20 percent of all U.S. adults. Their ranks now include more than 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics, nearly 6 percent of the U.S. public, as well as nearly 33 million people who say they have no particular religious affiliation." (3)
*They call these people "Nones". And that 20 percent number of non-religious Americans is up from 12 percent in 2007, and only 8 percent in 1987! This change appears to be generational in nature, with each new generation displaying lower levels of religious commitment than the preceding one.
*One Harvard scientist said, "More and more of what used to be the domain of religion has been ceded to science. It's the trend of modernity. I think this is a tide. . . This is the direction of history." (4)
*Ironically, the far-left atheists who favor the most immoral lifestyles also support and defend radical Muslims who passionately hate the things Hollywood loves. How can that be? It's because they are united in their opposition to Christ. They feed on each other's passionate rejection of Jesus.
[4] Our opposition has very strong support. They are also determined, hateful, and often violent.
*As we see in vs. 28-29:
28. . . 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.
*Today, thousands of Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ, while here in the USA the assault on anything Christian is relentless.
3. But we must observe our opposition. -- We also must find help from godly friends.
*This is what Paul was able to do in vs. 30-31:
30. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
*All of us need godly friends in our lives, Christians who will be concerned about our safety, try to keep us out of harm's way, steer us in the right direction, and give us good advice. One of the best things about being a Christian is being able to get all kinds of wisdom, help, and good advice from godly friends. And it's tragic when Christians make the mistake of dropping out of church.
*They are like the 3-year-old girl Ron Hutchcraft told about. Ron said: "Our good friends were visiting us with their precious, 3-year-old daughter Tanya. She has captivating dark eyes, a winsome smile, a high-energy personality, and a mind of her own.
*Her Dad was crossing a very busy street with his daughter and he said, "Now, hold Daddy's hand." Tanya didn't like that idea. She looked up at dad and said: "That's okay, Daddy. I'll hold my own hand." (5)
*That was not a good idea, but that's what Christians are trying to do when they drop out of church.
4. All of us should find help from godly friends. -- We also should remember the good that government can do.
*Right now, the many in the upper echelons of our federal government seem about as godless and corrupt as they could be. With all the corruption and over 55 million legalized abortions, it may seem like "good" and "government" can't go together anymore.
*But God intended government for good. We know this is true because in Romans 13:1-6, Paul said:
1. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
*God intended government for good, and there are godly people serving in all levels of our government. They are the salt and light where they work, keeping corruption from having even more control over our government.
*The officials here in Acts 19 certainly did some good for the Christians in Ephesus. Please listen to vs. 30-41:
30. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32. 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!''
35. 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?
36. Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, 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.
38. 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.
*Government can be a great blessing to the people. At its best, it can protect the innocent, give wise counsel, and do many other necessary things. But government cannot be at its best without godly leaders. We need to pray for godly leaders, and do all we can to support them.
*Governor Sonny Purdue of Georgia was a good example of a godly leader. Back in 2007, they were having a terrible drought in Georgia. And that fall, in spite of harsh criticism from progressives, Governor Purdue called for a statewide day of prayer. He asked Georgians to pray for rain. And at lunchtime he met with various leaders on the steps of the state Capitol to seek God's help in ending the months-long drought.
*Governor Perdue was a member of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. He was born in 1946, to a lifelong farmer and a classroom teacher. He earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1971 from the University of Georgia. And following his service as a Captain in the United States Air Force, he became a successful small business owner.
*Sonny was a respected leader in his church and his community when he decided to enter public service. And for all of his success in business and public service, Governor Perdue said he was proudest to serve as devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He and his wife also taught Sunday School in their church. They were teaching young couples the importance of faith in building a strong and lasting marriage.
*The Day of Prayer was held in downtown Atlanta on the steps of the state Capitol. Governor Perdue was joined by more than 250 ministers and lawmakers, landscapers and office workers in an interfaith prayer vigil for the state's historic drought. "We have come together, very simply, for one reason and one reason only: To very reverently and respectfully pray up a storm," said Perdue.
*Sonny later took the stage and asked the crowd to join in holding hands for prayer. During his prayer, the governor asked God to forgive them for their wastefulness and appealed to Him for a miracle. "It is Your power and Your miracles that we need," prayed Perdue. He later said, "I thought it was time to acknowledge that to the Creator, the Provider of water and land, and to tell Him that we will do better."
*By the way: Rain fell in parts of Georgia one day after Governor Perdue led that prayer service! Praise God! A cold front coming through the Southeast brought a half-inch to an inch of rain to northern parts of the state. "We're thankful for the rain and hopefully it's the beginning of more," said Perdue. "Frankly, it's great affirmation of what we asked for." (6)
CONCLUSION
*May God give us many more leaders like that! -- Men and women led by the wisdom of God's Word. May God also help us walk in the Way of Christ, observe our opposition, find help from godly friends, and remember the good that government can do. Let's ask for His help, as we go back to God in prayer.
(1) KERUX ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION - ID Number: 20482 - SOURCE: Baptist Press, http://www.baptistpress.org/ - TITLE: In Search of Jesus - At the Cross - AUTHOR: Rev. David Jeremiah - DATE: 3242005
(2) Adapted from EXPLORING ACTS by John Phillips, Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids - "The cause of the riot" - Acts 19:23-34
(3) http://www.pewforum.org/2012/10/09/nones-on-the-rise/
(4) Boston.com News 9162007 - Source: Church Leaders Intelligence Report - 11142007
(5) KERUX ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION - ID Number: 9537 - SOURCE: "A Word with You" by Ron Hutchcraft #3898 - TITLE: Changing Hands - AUTHOR: Ron Hutchcraft - DATE: 12192001
(6) Sources:
"Georgia Gets Rain Day after Gov. Leads Prayers to God" by Lawrence D. Jones - Christian Post Reporter - Nov 15, 2007
https://www.christianpost.com/news/georgia-gets-rain-day-after-gov-leads-prayers-to-god-30109/