Acts: The Gospel Unleahsed Part 33

Introduction:

Acts 19:21–41 ESV

21 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.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 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. 27 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.” 28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 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. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 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. 33 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. 34 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!” 35 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? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 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. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 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.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Spreading the gospel is spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The gospel is a threat to the gods of this world.

Who was Artemis AKA Aphrodite - She was the goddess of Love.

Her Temple - Artemis’ temple was located in Ephesus. It was one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” as it was the biggest building in existence at the time. Made of marble, the structure stood approximately 425 feet (130m) long, 220 feet (67m) wide, and 60 feet (18m) tall, supported by 127 marble columns. It was engineered by precisely cut marble blocks that perfectly fit together.

The book of Acts is a chronicle of the assault of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the gods of this world.

Demonic strongholds is a biblical concept. We aren’t given a full description of demonic zones or turf boundaries, or even a spiritual pecking order for the dark side. We are told, however, that the unseen powers see earth as their domain. We’re told those powers resist God’s kingdom and don’t want people to become part of God’s plan to spread his good rule everywhere. That means we should expect resistance we can’t explain with logic or empirical evidence and we can’t defeat it on our own. God has given us his Spirit and unseen agents of his own to help us further his mission.

They will not go quietly!

The gospel poses an economic threat to this world’s system.

The gospel cannot peacefully coexist with a system that is diametrically opposed to a biblical ethic.

The blow Back from the potential economic loss will not be viewed kindly.

Don’t be surprised when the abortion industry rages against the financial threat of the gospel.

You can call the abortion industry pro-cash rather than pro-choice.

It is not about equality. It is not about fairness. It is about the financials.

The gospel poses a clear and present danger to capitalistic interest of that industry and you can take that to the bank.

The pornography industry generates 12 Billion dollars annually.

Don’t be surprised when the culture rages against the threat of the gospel.

Don’t seek conflict with the culture but don’t fear it either.