How To Be A Christian When A Riot Breaks Out:
Notes
Transcript
INTRO: Brooksville Riot.
Our lives are filled with Chaos.
Paul is feeling led to Jerusalem first, then to Rome. Which happens. But he is going to thrown in prison and eventually killed. In fact, Paul most likely writes the book of Ephesians while in Prison (CHECK THAT)
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.”
The WAY - Christianity -
Tradesmen building idols were upset, because no one was buying their property!
Artemis or Diana to Romans - (SHOW PICTURE!)
But there real god was money - V27 first trade, then goddess.
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.
theater - one of the biggest amphitheaters in the word. It sat 25,000 people.
they took two of Paul’s friends - Gaius and Aristarchus
City in confusion - didn’t know why they were there - normal riot.
V.30 - Paul wanted to go in, no doubt to preach!
V.31 - Asiarchs - aristocrats,
Be prepared for Satan to Attack when God is working.
Be prepared for Satan to Attack when God is working.
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.
V. 35 - Apparently they built the temple because a meteorite struck there.
2. Know God will protect His people.
2. Know God will protect His people.
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Listen for your Calling - 20:22-23 - 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
The initial calling had already been put on his life awhile ago on the road to Damascus. But He continues to listen to God’s calling. You can't rely on a decision you made years ago. You have to daily listen to God.
He didn’t know what, but that something bad was going happen.
Paul felt called by God to go back to Jerusalem, despite the fact the Jewish leadership wanted to kill him. Acts 19:21 “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.”
Constrained (V22)- Not led or guided, but constrained.
Every other occurrence of this word is for imprisonment or shackles.
The Holy Spirit was leading him back to Jerusalem.
There is debate on whether Paul was supposed to go back at all, but looking at Acts 19:21 and what eventually happened to Paul, I believe it clear he was following God’s will.
Have you ever felt that God was leading to speak to someone or do something crazy and even though you might not desire to do it God kept bringing it to your mind. God was not letting Paul do anything else but go back to Jerusalem.
Paul didn’t know what was going to eventually happen, but the Spirit revealed that he would face imprisonment and afflictions.
(V23) - The word for testifies is used only here in the NT, ironically part of the word is where we get the martyr from. But it is a compound word that is used for emphasis of clarity. Paul knew exactly that hard times were ahead.
Closed doors - That clarity would have stopped most of us. Thought it was closed door. Which is why he doesn’t show us sometime.
We have a wrong mindset - we have boiled our Christian walk down to the path of least resistance.
Yes, God does open up doors. Like Israel at the Red Sea. But even then they first had to walk up to the Sea with an army chasing after them before the door opened up.
When something bad happens. “God must be closing the door. Better find a different path”
That’s not Jesus’ Christianity. - He said in Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 16:18 “ 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.
Gates are by definition closed doors. The church tears down closed doors attacks the gates!
Stand Firm Through Hardship.
Stand Firm Through Hardship.
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,
27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Hold to your Conviction-20:24-25 - 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
You need both conviction and calling. Calling without conviction means you won't do anything but feel guilty. Conviction without calling is being so busy doing good things but not making an impact. We need both.
Verse 24 is an awkwardly worded verse in English and Greek. There is also some play on words that is not picked up. In verse 23 it basically says “The Spirit testifies with words that imprisonments and afflictions away me.” Then in v24 it says “He doesn’t count these words against him, all he cares about is to fulfil the calling God gave him.”
Paul says, I don’t care what happens to me. Let persecution and afflictions come.
All He cared about was to finish the job God gave him to tell other of the Gospel or Good news of God’s grace.
His only goal is to finish the course God gave him: Paul lived out this principle of finishing with the end in mind.
Paul lived this principle out. His goal was not fame or riches, but simply faithful service.
2 Timothy 4:7 says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
V25 - is the most important verse in section, Paul’s whole reason for speaking was this: Because of his calling, he was not going to ever see them again.
Follow the Commands 20:26-30 - 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Because he will not see them again, he turns his attention to them. He never wastes an opportunity to advance the gospel.
(V26) “innocent of the blood of all,” - his Conscience is clear. He preached the whole gospel. If anyone is not saved, it because of their own unbelief and not because of false teaching.
Opposite is also true: If he didn’t preach full council. Blood would be on his Hands. James 3:1 not many should become teachers because they will be judged more harshly.
That is a heavy weight that I must carry.
It is easy to preach of his love, but I must also preach about his wrath and justice. I get to preach of how amazing he is, but also have to point to our own depravity. It is scary for the preacher that shrinks from the whole council.
(V28) Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock,
These were the elders, pastors or overseers of the church. - look who mentioned first. Themselves. Then to help the flock. Just like airplane oxygen mask. A lot of good you will do helping someone else breathe if you can’t breathe.
This is not to say to have a looking out for #1 mindset, but rather empty yourself at the throne of God and let him fill you before you pour yourself out or you will be useless in ministry.
(V28) Overseers/which he obtained with his own blood. - we are stewards of the flock. We are not the chief shepherd. This is not My church, or Pastor Danny’s church. Why? We didn’t pay for it. Christ did with his blood!
1 Cor. 6:20 “you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
CONCLUSION
I wish we could say this was all a test and Paul’s life ended well. That he retired in Bahamas in a big house.
But rarely does this happen for Men of God.
God was faithful to what he told Paul. Paul went to Jerusalem then to Rome, but it was in chains.
Spiritual constraint turned into physical chains.
He eventually died a martyr's death for his faith.
We started by talking about beginning with the end in mind. The question must then be what is the end?
A carnal man says today: Eat drink and be merry tomorrow we may die.
A mature man says death, we must save and work hard so we can really enjoy retirement.
A Christian man says never. We live in light of eternity.
B. Josh illustration: I take joy in his happiness, but I am more concerned about happiness as an adult. Why I train him to eat healthy and be nice.
God cares about our happiness, but it does not compare to our joy in Heaven.
If we are going to live for eternity, it means we are still in our first few breaths!
C. Which is why Paul kept saying the same thing to the churches he talked to:
To the Ephesians he said in Acts 20:24 “ But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
To the Colossians 3:2 he said “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
To the Philippians he said “Philippians 1:20-21 “ but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
To the young minister Timothy he said in 2 Timothy 2:10 “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
To the Romans he said Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
To the Corinthians he said in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
D. This is the end we are living for! We are to live in light of eternity!
Value God’s Mission Above All.
Value God’s Mission Above All.
PROPOSITION: HOW TO FINISH WELL (from Acts 20:22-28)
Context
This is in the middle of a farewell speech to the leaders of the Ephesus Church.
Paul was in a hurry to go to Jerusalem.
He did not want to be held up by going into the city so I sent a request for the leaders to come meet him out by sea.
On the way there he stopped at the shore of Ephesus. Met with the Pastors. This whole section is what he was telling them. The main purpose was to say goodbye, I don’t think I will ever see you again.
Listen for your Calling - 20:22-23 - 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
The initial calling had already been put on his life awhile ago on the road to Damascus. But He continues to listen to God’s calling. You can't rely on a decision you made years ago. You have to daily listen to God.
He didn’t know what, but that something bad was going happen.
Paul felt called by God to go back to Jerusalem, despite the fact the Jewish leadership wanted to kill him. Acts 19:21 “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.”
Constrained (V22)- Not led or guided, but constrained.
Every other occurrence of this word is for imprisonment or shackles.
The Holy Spirit was leading him back to Jerusalem.
There is debate on whether Paul was supposed to go back at all, but looking at Acts 19:21 and what eventually happened to Paul, I believe it clear he was following God’s will.
Have you ever felt that God was leading to speak to someone or do something crazy and even though you might not desire to do it God kept bringing it to your mind. God was not letting Paul do anything else but go back to Jerusalem.
Paul didn’t know what was going to eventually happen, but the Spirit revealed that he would face imprisonment and afflictions.
(V23) - The word for testifies is used only here in the NT, ironically part of the word is where we get the martyr from. But it is a compound word that is used for emphasis of clarity. Paul knew exactly that hard times were ahead.
Closed doors - That clarity would have stopped most of us. Thought it was closed door. Which is why he doesn’t show us sometime.
We have a wrong mindset - we have boiled our Christian walk down to the path of least resistance.
Yes, God does open up doors. Like Israel at the Red Sea. But even then they first had to walk up to the Sea with an army chasing after them before the door opened up.
When something bad happens. “God must be closing the door. Better find a different path”
That’s not Jesus’ Christianity. - He said in Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 16:18 “ 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.
Gates are by definition closed doors. The church tears down closed doors attacks the gates!