Acts 19:23-41, The Influence of the Gospel

Acts 19:23-41, The Influence of the Gospel

23-41
23. About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
24. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business.
26. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."
28. When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29. Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. 32. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33. The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
35. The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36. Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. 37. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.
38. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.
39. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41. After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

* The gospel (Jesus Christ) has a remarkable influence. Holistic healing and change (19:11), society changes (19:19,20,23). Let us see the amazing influence that happened in Ephesus with the preaching of Paul.

1. There is a great uproar (23-27)

   The Gospel is remarkable. The gospel Paul preached in Ephesus, It was led many people to believe in Jesus. Ephesians magically burned the magic books they used (50,000 drachma). The gospel made smiths of silver shrines difficult to make a lot of money in Ephesus. Demetrio, a representative of the silversmiths, instigated the craftsmen
* Do you cause a stir because of the money or the Gospel?

2. Look at the foolish crowd (28-34)

  Many of the people gathered at the scene of disturbance, but they could not catch Paul who preached Jesus. In stead of him they took Gaius and Aristarcus and all of them rushed into the theater together. But most of them did not know why they were there. It is a foolish gathering of crowd psychology (even when Jesus is executed). We should discern opinion and situation based on the Word of truth. Even if you lose, you must follow God's will.

3. Resemble the city clerk of the Peacemaker (35-41)

  The city clerk got up and calmed down this disturbance. He first praised Ephesus and his people. He asked them to follow the due process. If we continue this illegal rally, we have to take responsibility for Rome. To sue it, it is said that it can follow the proper procedure and dissolves it. The peaceful end of the war. Let's not forget that God protected his people here.

* The Gospel has a remarkable influence. The island Jungdo at S. Korea was 90% evangelized. This was due to evangelist JunKyung Moon's sacrifice and martyrdom.
* Let us praise Gospel Song, Mission (the way the Lord went alone)

Prayer / Lord, that I may fill my heart with substance and fill it with the Word of the gospel. Let us live in wisdom, not foolishness like the crowd, and be a man of the gospel and the word of the Peacemaker, like a clerk. Amen.