A City Turned Upside Down
Ephesians: The Mystery of God • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro
Self
Topic: The Gospel goes into every sphere of our lives and turns our world upside down
Text
Acts: A Conquest Narrative
Acts: A Conquest Narrative
Likened to Joshua and the conquest of the promised land
Missio Dei Series
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Acts 8:
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
suffering
trials tribulations
you are going into darkness
the gates of hell
do not be afraid, i will build me church
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The Kingdom of God started as a mustard seed and is growing, started as leven and is spreading throughout Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. Reaching now to people far from God. The Gentiles, the pagans in the promise land. Those who worship false Gods.
Conquest Narrative: Joshua and Acts , Promised Land and Ends of the Earth, Jerico walls come down
And Paul is the one called by Jesus to suffer much opposition as he brings the light of the kingdom of God into a new darkened gentile city.
Going into Philippi to plant the Philippian Church, Paul exercises a slave girl and her owners take him to court.
Irony of Paul being arrest: He once was trying to get everyone back to Jerusalem, keep from spreading to Judea and Samaria (damascus) now Paul is spreading to ends fo the earth and the opposition wants to have him bound to keep the gospel from going forth and the kingdom of God from spreading.
And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts 17:
:
Accusations of Paul
Accusations of Paul
Accusations
Gentiles accusing Paul of being a Jew teaching Romans to obey Jewish Law
Jews accusing Paul of being a Roman, teaching us to obey a greater King than Caesar, namely Jesus.
Philosophers accusing Paul of Preaching foreign divinities
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts
Socrates: 1.) Corrupting young boys minds and 2.) teaching foreign divinities
Faithful preaching of the good news of the Kingdom of God should turn everyones world upside down
Calling all people to obey a law greater than the law of the land
to obey a King greater than the highest authority of the land
and to worship Christ as the only divine authority over our lives, not to ascribe divinity nor authority to any worthless idol, for he alone was crucified & resurrected over the power of death
You can’t just add Jesus to your current life and live how you please, Jesus takes your current life and adds it to his kingdom and we live to please him
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
Go to war for their God
Primarily their business, their wealth
Go to war for At
Worlds are turned upside down
Worlds are turned upside down
Acts 18:24-
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Acts 19:1-
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.
The Jewish World
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
The Gentile World
The Gentile World
Preaching in Synagogues to Gentile Lecture Hall
Outline:
Disciples
Baptism
Baptism : New world, New Identity
Jewish World Sons of Sceva - Sons of Jewish High Priest
Jewish World Sons of Sceva - Sons of Jewish High Priest
magic
But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
magic
Greek World - Silver Smith
Gentile World - Silver Smith
Riots
Riots
Jewish World turned upside down
And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Id’s say that’s a pretty rough day on the job for all those in itinerant exorcist ministry
Acts 19:11-
And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Peoples worlds were being turned upside down, their lives were being transformed by the preaching and teach of the kingdom of God
And Jesus’ name was being lifted up, as rightful King, Savior, and God over all
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.
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Does preaching the Gospel ever create: Little Disturbance?
If preaching the gospel creates a little disturbance then its not the gospel you are preaching
Add Jesus to your life, without making him Lord over it.
For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19:24-
She was goddess of the moon and of hunting, and is generally portrayed as a huntress, wild dogs in attendance. Her temple at *EPHESUS was one of the seven wonders of the world, and here worship of the ‘virgin goddess’ appears to have been fused with some kind of fertility-cult of the mother-goddess of Asia Minor. The temple was supported on 100 massive columns, some of which were sculptured. Tradition claims that her image fell there from the sky (Acts 19:35), and is thought to refer to a meteorite;
Preaching of the Gospel Disturbs our wealth and our worship
They knew their whole form of business would have to change. If everyone would bow down to the new King, Savior, and God Jesus.
Jews did not see this. They saw Jesus as not disturbing anything that they were doing, only making it better! Claiming the names Jesus, I only have something to gain.
The gospel bids us come and die. take up our cross and follow him
this idea that you can come to Jesus as savior, to gain heaven, but give him nothing of your life, your family, your business, your time is a false gospel
He is not only your savior, but your king!
Which effects everything from your worship to your wallet,
from your sunday morning to your stock in wall street.
It not only affects your eternal destiny it affects your A-Z, your beginning and your end and everything in between!
The seven sons of sceva thought they they might just take the name of Jesus for more power in their exorcisms
Remain Jewish
Reject Jesus as King and Christ
Just take his name upon their lips so that things might go well with them
and instead, they are beaten naked and kicked out the house
They wanted fame and influence throughout the land and instead they left naked and ashamed and mocked throughout all of Asia Minor
They wanted power and they left weak and wounded
They needed their world turned upside down.
They thought they could just add jesus to what they were doing for their benefit. Life doesn’t change one bit.
Pagan silversmiths however saw Jesus and their business unable to coexist
Jesus is a threat not an asset to what we’re doing!
Jesus affects my job
Jesus affects my identity
Jesus affect my loyalty
Whom will I serve?
So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19:
This is the rejection of Darkness to the light of the gospel
This is the refusing to surrender to a greater God and King
This is the confusion of crowd that doesn’t even know that the power of the gospel is turning this city upside down
And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 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.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Why did they dispurse?
Fear of Greater Roman Authority, for Rioting … when cities riot it is their own army which comes to calm them
And They didn’t know why they were there?
Couldn’t come up with a reason for all the commotion
Pretty anti-climactic… I suppose we think that it would best if Gaius and Aristarchus would have fought a lion, like gladiator, or perhaps Paul would have said enough and gone and spoken Like Peter to captive audience, like Bible gram and had them all come to altar with Come as you are playing in the background.
But, that’s not how the Kingdom of God works. Instead, faithful preaching of the gospel is what unleashes the leven in the city, uhtil it levens the whole lump. The mustand seeds of the gospel had been spread for two years in the hall of Tyrannus and would one day overtake the entire garden of Ephesus.
As individuals repented and burned their books, surrendering to King Jesus
Marriages made whole
Parents raising their children in the fear and admonition of the lord
Those children growing and taking power
Those children becoming the next craftsmen
And their children planting more churches, until every knee bow and every tongue in Ephesus confess “GREAT IS JESUS the CHRIST”
not just that his name be on their lips, but at his name their knees bow, their lives changed to conform into his image
They were blind to the mystery of God, the power of the gospel
They were blind to the mystery of God, the power of the gospel
The leven is in the lump and is spreading, and only few are able to pick up on it’s affects!
We would expect then in Pauls letter to the Ephesians, he is going to open their eyes to the Power and the affect of the Gospel!
So that they can see how and why the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms entire cities.
Expect that in Ephesians that every aspect of your life is to be challenged and changed in submission to the King
Church. Relationships. Society. Business. Marriage. Parenting. From your Prayer Closet. Pocketbook.
And this morning, before we leave, we ought to ponder why we are gathered here today
Pagan silversmiths saw These two things don’t exist together
How do you view Jesus? Savior? King? or both!
How do you view Jesus? Savior? King? or both!
Only King: Self righteous, or that Jesus is an awful task master
Gentiles saw this as true
Only Savior: Would you have jesus added to your life to serve you?
Or would you have your life given in service to Him?
What areas in your life do you think Jesus has no claim?
What areas in your life do you think Jesus has no claim?
It’s a threat not an asset to what I’m already doing!
have you consulted scripture or those who know the bible well about your current/upcoming job?
Your upcoming move?
Demetrius: You can still buy little silver gods of Artemus
your parenting
Paul, waste of money
your marriage
Town Clerk and Gallio in ch. 18:12-15 and Gamelieo in Jerusalem
your calendar
Pagaganism perverts the power, joy, and beauty of creation
how much money and time you spend in hobbies and other things
Judaism to prepare us for the coming and person of Christ
Does Jesus have nothing to say about your calendar and finances?
Does your life look like Jesus has claim over it all?
Does your life look like Jesus has claim over it all?
Not just outright rejecting them, nor affirming them, but transforming them!
do you still look at porn
do you still disrespect your husband
do you still neglect to love your wife or speak to her in a loving way
Do you still dishonor your parents
Do you still complain and gossip and slander
Don’t just take Jesus on your lips, Ask Him to take your life and change you
Don’t just take Jesus on your lips, Ask Him to take your life and change you
Little by little even you will be completely leavened by the gospel, by the Spirit at work in you
Trust, that he is still at work in you
And that he will bring your salvation to completion in the day of Christ Jesus
The power of the gospel can break every chain, can undo any brokenness, forgive any sin, shine light into all dark places in your life, so that you might shine into this dark world
That you and I, and our church would be gospel leavenin in this city, and that by faithful gospel preaching and faithful gospel living, the kingdom of God will permeate every square inch of this city and this city through our state, and our state throughout our country, and our country throughout our world!
And the Gates of Hell will not be able to stop it! For Christ will build his church. And this is the mystery and power of God.
Let us pray…
Self… new territory in our lives
Ephesians… marriage, parenting, business, etc.
Community group leaders, elders, pastors.... lead and guide
Our church in our city… not a political force, or march down town, but faithful gospel preaching… faithful gospel living
What things in your life are inconsistant to your claim to follow Jesus as The Way
You can worship jesus and make a lot of money
But you cannot worship money and claim to know much about Jesus