045-Acts 19
Acts:The Mission of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 48 viewsIt is that the core sin of man is IDOLATRY.
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It is that the core sin of man is IDOLATRY. God created us to love and worship him above all things; our sin consists
God
created us to love and worship him above all things; our sin consists
of the fact that we have chosen a bunch of things to love and worship more than God.
worship more than God.
is the story of the gospel going into Ephesus; it challenges the most cherished false gods of the city, and the people get violent as a result.
city, and the people get violent as a result.
It should mirror the story of God coming into your life: he challenges your most precious idols, and sometimes you resist violently.
your most precious idols, and sometimes you resist violently.
•You see, sometimes people read stories like this and they think, “Well, these are ancient people.. we don’t worship statues or temples like they did. They’re primitive.”
First, a little bit about Ephesus:
• You see, sometimes people read stories like this and they think,
“Well, these are ancient people… we don’t worship statues or
● Ephesus was the leading city in the richest region of the Roman empire (so, in that way, a little bit like Roxboro)
● It was a port city. It was a hub in the region where boats would dock and their products would be distributed into all of Asia minor;
temples like they did. They’re primitive.”
● Because of that it was cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic: people from all over the world came there to live; which created a lot of racial and religious tension as these people all lived beside each other.
● Ephesus was economically stratified; historians tell us you had the really rich, and the really poor living in close proximity (and you’ll see that as we study Ephesians)
● It was an extremely spiritual city as well. There were over 50 different gods who had temples in Ephesus.
There was lots of spiritualism, occult activity in Ephesus.
There was lots of spiritualism, occult activity in Ephesus.
○ They thought good and evil spirits were involved in just about every aspect of life. They had all kinds of tricks to keep the spirits and karma on your side—crystals, rituals, things to rub, smoke, etc.
○ They thought good and evil spirits were involved in just about every aspect of life. They had all kinds of tricks to keep the spirits and karma on your side—crystals, rituals, things to rub, smoke, etc.
11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.
Acts 19:11-14
Evidently there was this local ghostbusters squad in Ephesus called “the 7 sons of Sceva,” … and they think, “Well, this is
called “the 7 sons of Sceva,” from the firm Sceva, Sceva, Sceva,
Sceva, Sceva, Sceva, and Sceva… and they think, “Well, this is
pretty cool. This guy’s hanky casts out demons.” And so they start going up to demons and saying, “I command you to come out by the name of Jesus… whom Paul always talks about.”
going up to demons and saying, “I command you to come out by
the name of Jesus… whom Paul always talks about.”
• One of the demons responds to them,
15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?”
acts 19:15, “Uhh… Jesus I know,
, “Uhh… Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
o Talk about the ultimate diss: A demon says to you, “Bro, I don’t even know who you are.”
don’t even know who you are.”
o My question: How had they heard about Paul? the Hell Herald, business meeting.
They probably just use the NYT or CNN.
16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.
-16
Why have wounded there? It’s assumed right that if you get into a fight and you come out of that fight naked… You lost the fight and you are wounded… psychically, emotionally, spiritually.
If scheva’s dad was like mine… if you come home crying over that fight I’ll whop you and send you back there...
So look what happens next.
acts 19:17-
17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem.
18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.
18- they saw how real the occult was and they were honest about believing in Jesus but dabbing into that world. they realized that that was idolatry and serious and repented.
19- (A big business in Ephesus was collecting spiritual incantations in books and selling them—so they
collecting spiritual incantations in books and selling them—so they
brought all their Secrets of the Dark Arts and Harry Potter books) and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to 50,000 pieces of silver.” Which would have been about 7 million dollars. Big deal.
20 In this way the word of the Lord flourished and prevailed.
burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them
and found it came to 50,000 pieces of silver.” Which would have been
good news right… just wait… all of this started to get the attention of a business man (Demetrious)
about 7 million dollars. Big deal.
acts 19:21-
21 After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.” 22 After sending to Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way. 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.
He owned this chain of shops where they sold these little silver statues of Artemis, and he starts getting worried because people are turning to God and they’re not buying his little statues anymore… so he gets together all the businessmen from the city and says,
25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.
hotels, restaurants, clothes, t-shirts.
26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods.
Which seems to me to be kind of self-evident.
Which seems to me to be kind of self‐evident. A god you concoct with
your mind or shape with your hands is not really a god who could
have created you. But I think the same thing whenever I talk to
people who start to redefine God to be someone they like: “My God
A god you concoct with your mind or shape with your hands is not really a god who could have created you. But I think the same thing whenever I talk to people who start to redefine God to be someone they like: “My God would never do that…” If you concoct a god in your mind he’s not worthy of worship; the real God should be able to challenge you and offend you and make you mad and explode your categories. Otherwise, your “god” is merely a projection of yourself!
would never do that…” If you concoct a god in your mind he’s not worthy of worship; the real God should be able to challenge you and offend you and make you mad and explode your categories. Otherwise, your “god” is merely a projection of yourself!
27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”
worthy of worship; the real God should be able to challenge you and
Demetrius whips everybody up into a frenzy and they flash mob in the amphitheater… which was one of the biggest in the ancient world.
offend you and make you mad and explode your categories.
Still exists today; holds 25,000 people. For 2 hours it is filled with people crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”
the amphitheater… which was one of the biggest in the ancient
Otherwise, your “god” is merely a projection of yourself!
32 Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
world. Still exists today; holds 25,000 people. For 2 hours it is filled
The sin of the people get’s exposed… their idolatry gets exposed.
with people crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”
tim keller says this:
the idols of the people’s hearts. Therefore, you can’t really minister the gospel in a life changing way unless you also, like Paul always did, discern, and expose, and challenge the idols of your place.
changing way unless you also, like Paul always did, discern, and expose, and challenge the
Paul, in his preaching of the gospel, always took on and challenged the idols of the culture, the idols of the people’s hearts. Therefore, you can’t really minister the gospel in a life changing way unless you also, like Paul always did, discern, and expose, and challenge the idols of your place.
idols of your place.
1. What is an idol?
1. What is an idol?
An idol is anything in your life that is so central to your life that you can’t have a meaningful life without it.
life without it.
If you have it, then you feel that your life has meaning and value.
If you have it, then you feel that your life has meaning and value.
If you don’t have it, then you feel that you can’t go on.
An idol is not necessarily a bad thing.
An idol is not necessarily a bad thing.
When a good thing, becomes an ultimate thing, that’s a bad thing.
A ‘fantastic’ woman took her own life after struggling with the fact she was unmarried and had no children by the age of 30, an inquest heard. Hospital administrator Rachel Gow, 29, of Haslingden, Lancashire, thought she was not where she should be in life and felt other members of her family were ‘doing better than her’.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2015/02/11/woman-commits-suicide-because-she-was-unmarried-and-had-no-children-by-30-5058139/?ito=cbshare
When a good thing, becomes an ultimate thing, that’s a bad thing.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
Girl in florida commited suicide because she was single with no kids before 30.
Top athletes take steroids in order to perform at a higher level. Only to be found out, lose their reputation and records.
Is it bad to want a family? Is it bad to want to be the best?
Not at all. But these stories point to a common mistake people make when they hear about the biblical concept of idolatry. We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life. Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods . Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.” There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship to something, but perhaps the best one is worship.
Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods . Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2. What is my idol?
2. What is my idol?
Idols engage the deepest emotions in our hearts
Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods . Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
As you can see from this story(we just read), when you threaten idolatry, people get violent.
get violent. Their idols are their lifeblood. They are the “protectors of
Their idols are their lifeblood. They are the “protectors of the city.” They are what keep things moving.
the city.”
What is that in your life? What is the protector of your city? What is that thing that the idea of losing it, or never gaining it, makes you despair?
What is that in your life? What is the protector of your city? What is
that thing that the idea of losing it, or never gaining it, makes you
despair?
If you lose a good thing, you’re sad.Now! Lose a god thing; you’ll be devastated.
be devastated.
Common idols:
Personal idols
Money:
When a guy cheats at his business… and sacrifices his integrity, it typically is not because he is a compulsive liar;
integrity, it typically is not because he is a compulsive liar;
be just needs to sacrifice his integrity to get the money he wants.
wants.
Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Root idol.
Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Root idol.
When you don’t tithe because it’s your money and you may need it. Or you won’t change your spending habits in order to give.
idol.
When I say God loves a cheerful giver. You are mad at me for talking about money. You know who else got angry when it came to their money? Demetrius!
Romance
I can only find happiness and joy if I’m with someone.
Churches we have not made this better by making “women specially” to feel less than if they never marry. Christians the way we talk at times we make it seem like singleness is a disease. Like that something is wrong with you f you don’t marry.
dependent spouse.
If you depend on marriage, you become a terrible, co‐dependent spouse.
If you depend on marriage, you become a terrible, co‐dependent spouse.
Idols demand sacrifices to keep them happy
•The whole system in Ephesus was built on appeasing Artemis. Making sure she was not displeased. Idols are always like that. They say, “If you want me, you have to sacrifice for me.”
They say, “If you want me, you have to sacrifice for me.”
Pastor ask this question: What’s a difference between a slave-master and a boss?
There is a limit to what a boss can do with you. A slave master can beat you, can belittle you, can rape you, neglect you, can even kill you.
If you depend on family, you become really controlling. You go from sweet, loving mother, to dominating, obsessive, controlling mother. ‘Am I like that?’ Ask your kids.
An idol is a slave master that always demands more. So you make your husband an idol. You allow him to belittle you, abuse you, control ever aspect of your life. Why? because that is the most import thing in your life.
So you won’t go to church anymore, you will stop serving God because you don’t want to lose that relationship or you are afraid of other people might think of you.
from sweet, loving mother, to dominating, obsessive, controlling
Remember an idol will always demand more.
mother. ‘Am I like that?’ Ask your kids.
Many girls who are dating a non‐Christian, aren’t doing it because they want to tie themselves to a non‐Christian guy and have that guy raise their kids… I ASK THEM… they simply can’t stand the idea of being alone, and so if they have to circumvent God’s will to get a man, so be it. Same with a lot of girls right now living in immorality with their boyfriends… aren’t doing it because they have sex drives they can’t control; but because they need the god of affection and love and this is the means to that end.
because they want to tie themselves to a non‐Christian guy
and have that guy raise their kids… I ASK THEM… they
simply can’t stand the idea of being alone, and so if they
have to circumvent God’s will to get a man, so be it. Same
with a lot of girls right now living in immorality with their
boyfriends… aren’t doing it because they have sex drives
they can’t control; but because they need the god of
affection and love and this is the means to that end.
3. How to destroy your idols?
3. How to destroy your idols?
When idols are exposed it is dangerous.
28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
When idols are exposed it is dangerous.
Acts 19:
Through idols, the powers of darkness control us.
Through idols, the powers of darkness control us.
Idols are not just psychological forces; they are demonic ones as well.
ones as well.
• We see that fully on display in Ephesus. Wherever idolatry is rampant, so are demons.
rampant, so are demons.
•A tragedy is that we fail to recognize spiritual forces at work because in our day Satan has figured out he can do more
because in our day Satan has figured out he can do more
damage by keeping himself cloaked than by overt terror.
The good news!
The good news!
Jesus died for this – to defeat the powers of darkness that are behind our idols
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame,
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.
Jesus overcame the powers of darkness.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame,
by triumphing over them in him.
(NIV)
8 The one who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s works.
31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he was about to die.
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—
Objectively
(NIV)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (NIV)
(ESV)
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (ESV)
Jesus overcame the powers of darkness.
Jesus took the punishment for our spiritual adultery.
Jesus took the punishment for our spiritual adultery.
How do you overcome your idols? By surrendering to Jesus. By giving your life to him and seeking Him only. By joining the light of Christ that defeated satan.
Subjectively
But here is the reality.
“We worshipped our way into this mess and we’re going to have to worship our way out.” (Paul Tripp)
way out.” (Paul Tripp)
I must worship and pray and sing and read and think the gospel deep into my heart.
I must worship and pray and sing and read and think the gospel deep into my
heart.