Social Reform God's Way

Social Reform God’s Way

2014-05-11

Acts 19:24-29 (ESV)

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.

On his third missionary journey Paul was in Ephesus nearly 3 years, prepping to go Rome.

·      It was the tourism center for worship of Artemus (Diana): a multi-breasted fertility goddess.

o   Sometimes we create/embrace a “god” who controls the things we value highly: prosperity, victory in war, safety at sea, good crops, and a Pacifist will not worship war god.

§  Even Christians “make” Jesus Christ into what they want.

·      In Ephesus the temple was 4 times the size of the Parthenon. There were 127 marble columns each 62’ high.

o   It took 220 years to complete the building and was considered 1 of the 7 Wonders of Ancient World.

·      The Gospel was ignored until the sales of idols went down for the pagan merchants. Act 19:24-28

Demetrius led what would have been like a union meeting: because the felt the income, trade, religion & Artemis’ reputation was in danger.

·      Pseudo-religious materialism was at the heart of Demetrius’ appeal.

o   religious piety sometimes becomes a thin cloak for personal and economic interests.

·      Today we sanctify with Christian labels and secular methods/ideas.  Ie. Christian counseling without the Word?

Many were turning away from idols, and the preachers were denying the reality of gods made with hands so they were:

·      goaded by fear, greed & religious zeal: A riot began, leading to 2 hours of   screaming & chanting in the 25,000-40,000 seat amphitheater. Act 19:29-34

o   Demetrius appealed to the emotions through repetition: this method is even used in modern advertising

§  Ironically most of the mob did not know the purpose for rioting.

o   They felt it was enough if the majority believed something; though obviously their belief must be true.

§  The results of opinion polls are increasingly reported as if news/fact.

o   One lie multiplied by 20,000 voices never becomes truth!

§  Today, the “great” Artemis is virtually unknown, but millions of Christians who worship Jesus Christ know who she is from reading the Word of God.

The top civic official (mayor) defused the situation. Act 19:35-41

·      Christianity was again recognized by various officials as no threat to Rome.

o   The mayor told them to pursue a dispute with the Christians thru legal channels. (the court)

o   He said laws were being broken and Demetrius’ mob was guilty, out of control, and illegally assembling.

This is a simple historical narrative with not a lot of doctrine, but it does contain many lessons.

·      Trust God, He is sovereign over all for His glory, our good.

o   Again God protected the Paul thru pagans in positions of political power.

·      Focus on Gospel & the negative takes care of itself…IRS/$  Act 19:37, Mt 10:16

o   Paul evidently majored on positives of Jesus Christ and minored on the negatives of Artemis.

§  In Acts, we do not see “protest/against” but a “proclamation/for”

o   This applies personally as well…our identity in is Jesus.

·      The Gospel has the power to change lives, which should change society/culture. Rom 12:2, Eph 4:22-24, 2 Cor 5:17, 1 Tim 4:12, Col 4:5-6, 1 Pet 2:12

o   The riot proves how powerful & successful the preaching of the gospel had been.

§  Paul’s preaching & lifestyle of Christianity hit Ephesus economically, religiously, and socially.

·      The key to social reform: Christians were becoming serious about being Christians!

o   Following Christ should result in lifestyle changes.

§  It should effect our conversations, our choices, and what we do and don’t do.

o   If enough people turn to Christ & walk in Spirit, the repercussions can be felt all across society.