WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.819 Ephesians 1 verses 1 and 2. 00:00:02.819 --> 00:00:16.320 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:23.539 ! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:25.699 The word of God for the people of God. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:28.699 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.000 Amen. 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:40.340 Let's pray. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:46.980 Oh Lord, we praise you that you speak. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.700 We praise you that your word prevails. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:57.519 We praise you, Lord, that you minister your word still now in a powerful way. 00:00:57.520 --> 00:01:02.600 We pray, Lord, that you will do that through the preaching of the word. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:06.359 As we look back on this moment in redemptive history. 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:12.980 As Christ is risen, ruling from heaven, his spirit has been poured out. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:21.079 And these are the acts of Christ through his Holy Spirit carried out by earthen vessels on earth. 00:01:21.079 --> 00:01:24.659 Through the apostles and through the churches that you planted. 00:01:24.659 --> 00:01:27.799 We praise you for your glorious work, Lord. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.299 And we trust that we're not just reading history. 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:34.620 We are reading an account of how our God works still today. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:48.020 We pray that as we study Acts 19, getting insights into Ephesians, that you'll encourage us, Lord, that these are your words, not just for that church at that time and that place, but these are your words for your church today. 00:01:48.019 --> 00:02:04.679 Pray that your Holy Spirit will give us clarity, but even more, Lord, that your Holy Spirit will use your word to transform us, to topple over the idols of our hearts, to take hold of us, Father, and bind us to Christ more tightly. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:12.800 And through your church, that you will impact the place where you have planted us at this time in redemptive history as well. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:18.460 We ask all of this for your glory alone in the powerful name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:19.120 Amen. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:34.659 To take hold of something means to completely arrest its natural motion, to grab it with absolute authority. 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:44.020 To take hold means to grab a subject so thoroughly that it can serve no other master. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.879 That's what it means to take hold of something. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:03:03.400 In our flesh, and if God had left us on our own, we spend most of our energy and our thoughts trying to take hold of things, thinking that'll make our lives better, or sometimes even trying to take hold of other people. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:08.219 The gospel turns our tendency upside down. 00:03:09.540 --> 00:03:20.180 The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly good news, and it preaches to us that the best life is when your creator, your redeemer, takes hold of you. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:25.000 Ephesians is an amazing letter. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:32.640 Ephesians is written by a man whom Jesus Christ had taken hold of. 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:33.939 That's Paul. 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:42.739 Ephesians is a letter written to sinners whom Jesus Christ took hold of. 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:44.000 That's the church. 00:03:45.459 --> 00:03:51.779 And Ephesians is sent through a city that Jesus Christ took hold of, and that's Ephesus. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:53.780 Ephesians is sent through a city that Jesus Christ took hold of. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:57.259 We have evidence that Jesus Christ has complete dominion. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:04:02.620 He's taken hold of every aspect of ministry in this letter, just in these first two verses. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:06.020 And he lays out that sequence right there. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:06.539 It's Paul. 00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:07.520 It's the church. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:08.719 And it's in Ephesus. 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:14.879 And then just in the opening introduction, the name of Jesus Christ is front and center. 00:04:14.879 --> 00:04:19.779 Three different times Christ is exalted in this greeting. 00:04:21.159 --> 00:04:24.480 My question for you and me today is our sermon title. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:28.540 Has Jesus Christ taken hold of you? 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:32.600 Has Jesus Christ taken hold of you? 00:04:33.420 --> 00:04:40.719 I hope to walk through mostly Acts 19 with those three spheres of Christ's authority. 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:45.000 First of all, when Christ takes hold of a man, Paul. 00:04:45.380 --> 00:04:51.180 Second, when Christ takes hold of sinners, these men and women in this city. 00:04:51.640 --> 00:04:54.300 And third, when Christ takes hold of Ephesus. 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:56.740 This is our Lord working. 00:04:56.880 --> 00:04:58.060 He works still today. 00:04:59.640 --> 00:05:03.340 So first, when Jesus Christ takes hold of a man. 00:05:04.440 --> 00:05:06.700 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a man. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:13.599 In his greeting, Ephesians 1.1, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:15.560 By the will of God. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:19.240 God called Paul. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:21.039 God saved Paul. 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:25.180 God appointed Paul to be an apostle, a messenger. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:29.539 One who will speak on behalf of Jesus Christ. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:29.660 Christ. 00:05:31.580 --> 00:05:39.460 We hear about this commission from from Jesus Christ to Paul now being carried out in Acts 19, starting at verse 8. 00:05:40.200 --> 00:05:42.160 We read this earlier in our service. 00:05:42.840 --> 00:05:46.620 Notice what this apostle of Jesus Christ does by the will of God. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:50.700 He shows up in the city, the city of Ephesus. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:56.479 But where he goes first in verse 8 is to the synagogue of the city. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:03.339 The synagogue most likely were set up beginning in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:07.639 So that you would have little outposts of the tabernacle or outposts of the temple. 00:06:08.279 --> 00:06:12.800 It's a place where they would have copies of the word of God in the Old Testament. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:18.620 Where this the space was set apart for the reading of the word of God, for teaching the people of God the law. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:27.759 And now as the the Jewish people from Nashville, Israel, got scattered over all the world, even in cities like Ephesus within the Roman Empire, there are still synagogues. 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:35.079 Places for these Jews to go and hear the word and receive the instruction of the Lord as they live outside of Israel. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:41.840 It makes sense that this is where the ministry would begin, because in these synagogues, they have the word of God. 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:43.300 They already have the Old Testament. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:49.639 They're not confused by the the worship of demons in the pantheon in the Greco-Roman world. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:52.139 They know there is one true God, the creator. 00:06:52.840 --> 00:06:57.000 They know that this creator has promised to save a people for himself. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:07:02.519 They know that this is a God who is holy and just, but he's also full of mercy. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:06.160 And he's made a way for sinners to be forgiven their sins. 00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:12.640 What they don't know in these synagogues is that Jesus Christ is the one that God has promised all along. 00:07:13.260 --> 00:07:21.320 So this is the place where Paul goes as a missionary, beginning with the Jews and then to all the Gentiles who will hear the good news because it's for them as well. 00:07:22.280 --> 00:07:24.660 And what does he do in the synagogue in verse eight? 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.800 Paul spoke boldly. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:35.079 He stands up in the synagogue with the reading from the Old Testament and he preaches with boldness. 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:38.639 He does this for three months. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.759 Notice how he approaches this teaching in the synagogues. 00:07:43.900 --> 00:07:50.120 It's reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:08:04.879 Remember, Jesus Christ came announcing the kingdom of God and the expectations of the Jews in Israel were that Jesus could not be the Messiah because the way he is describing the kingdom did not match what they pictured. 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:08.980 They pictured him coming as a Lord triumphant and toppling over the Romans. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:13.199 And when the Romans crucified Jesus Christ, they mocked him. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:17.199 Look at this king of the Jews dying on a Roman cross. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:26.360 And Paul is now reasoning and persuading in this Jewish synagogue about the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:30.659 It's the ministry of Christ reigning from heaven, carried out through Paul. 00:08:32.659 --> 00:08:41.639 In these first three verses, eight through 10, I picked up on four insights into ministry that have greatly encouraged me this week. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:42.980 And maybe they will you as well. 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:44.819 And that's the first one. 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:48.340 Faithful ministry aims at the mind. 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.920 You notice what Paul does. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:56.340 He argues and reasons and persuades concerning the kingdom of God. 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:58.680 Faithful ministry aims at the mind. 00:08:59.640 --> 00:09:04.560 The light of the mind then brings the heat of the gospel and warms up the heart. 00:09:05.520 --> 00:09:08.980 But first, the Lord has to teach and has to clear up wrong doctrine. 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:14.279 And having you experienced that as well, it's through sound teaching and reasoning and argument through the mind. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:16.500 The Lord does a powerful work in the heart. 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:21.320 When you think of the structure of the letter to the Ephesians, that's exactly what he does. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:22.300 He reasons. 00:09:22.420 --> 00:09:23.019 He argues. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:31.120 And he shows the wonderful doctrine, the wonderful teaching about who God is and the glory of God to save sinners through Jesus Christ. 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:39.720 Literally, it says he was bold, arguing, persuading, reasoning. 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:41.960 How often did he do this? 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.120 Says daily. 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:45.360 Daily. 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.259 He's doing this. 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.240 To discourse. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:49.879 Logically. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:54.440 To try to move people and sway believers by clearly presenting the facts. 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:56.700 Here's a second insight. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:00.140 Faithful ministry is both public and private. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:02.860 That's what he has to shift to next. 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:09.020 He's here in a synagogue, a public place, but he has to make a shift because of what happens in verse nine. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:09.580 Look at that. 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:12.520 When some were hardened. 00:10:13.040 --> 00:10:18.640 So some within the synagogue, these Jews that are hearing Paul show the kingdom of God through the Old Testament, 00:10:19.280 --> 00:10:20.560 fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:24.500 Some in their hearts were hardened and did not believe. 00:10:25.399 --> 00:10:29.759 Instead, they spoke evil of the way before the multitude. 00:10:30.279 --> 00:10:35.559 All those who have gathered around and are hearing that Jesus Christ fulfills all that God promised. 00:10:36.619 --> 00:10:42.500 This multitude of people hearing Paul's arguments are now hearing Christians be mocked, 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:48.119 being spoken evil of by these very Jews in the synagogue of Ephesus. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:50.360 And so Paul departs from them. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:54.679 He goes to more private ministry, as our Lord often did. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.159 He withdrew the disciples, we're told. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:11:01.139 And he reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus. 00:11:02.460 --> 00:11:05.440 Some have described it as Paul setting up a seminary. 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:10.679 Here are here are disciples of Jesus, ones who have believed in Jesus Christ. 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:15.839 And they now likely at this batch is mostly through the synagogue teaching. 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:17.839 So many of them are are Jews. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:19.599 Now they're disciples of Jesus. 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:21.219 It wouldn't stop with them. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.579 It would go to the Greeks as well. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:25.259 And he's reasoning daily with them. 00:11:25.339 --> 00:11:28.199 He's continuing to teach and to prove and to show. 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:32.179 We don't know many details about the school of Tyrannus. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:35.379 We don't know necessarily who this person named is. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.740 It could have just been a meeting hall. 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:41.659 You know, it could have been a gym in a public school like this. 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:50.080 It's a place to meet, to open up the scripture, to teach, to reason, to persuade about the kingdom of God to the disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.960 It's a simple ministry. 00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.419 It's opening up the word. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:59.159 When it says he did this daily, some some versions say every day. 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:04.079 And the word for day refers to a specific time, like the hottest time of the day. 00:12:04.740 --> 00:12:07.839 And so it was the custom where Ephesus is in ancient Turkey. 00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:14.199 And it was the custom in that part of the world when it's so hot outside, it's too hard to work hot to work outside. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.799 Everybody can come indoors and cool off. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:23.500 So while people are cooling off, maybe in that window of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., here's here's Paul's opportunity. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.559 You've got a break in work. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:26.799 I'm going to meet with you throughout the week as well. 00:12:27.099 --> 00:12:30.139 And I'm going to teach you about Jesus Christ and his kingdom. 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:34.279 This is what he set as an example. 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:39.159 Later, the pastor in Ephesus would be Timothy. 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:47.259 And Paul wrote to Timothy, commit these things, these doctrines, these glorious truths of our salvation to faithful men. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.299 Continue to disciple Timothy. 00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:53.659 Meet with him daily and trust these things to other men in the congregation. 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:59.379 Faithful ministry is both public and private. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:02.019 Number three, faithful ministry is persistent. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:09.360 I love verse 10, how it captures this for us now, summarizing the ministry of Paul in Ephesus. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.860 Look at verse 10 with me. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:15.659 This continued for two years. 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.340 Every single day. 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:20.039 Studying God's word together. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:26.679 Arguing, reasoning, making disciples, entrusting these glorious truths to faithful men. 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:32.679 The Holy Spirit in true believers, giving them a hunger, a desire for the word of God. 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:38.239 Setting apart other things that they could have been doing and saying, this is important for my soul. 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:40.539 I need to know Jesus through his word. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.639 Making it a priority. 00:13:43.099 --> 00:13:43.819 Coming together. 00:13:44.599 --> 00:13:46.419 And this they did for two years. 00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:50.740 Paul would later write to Timothy, preach the word. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:54.060 Be ready in season and out of season. 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:58.740 There are going to be seasons where you are rejected, where Christianity is mocked. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.560 Preach the word. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:05.320 There are going to be other times where faithful disciples, even if it's one or two, they will come. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.060 You open up the word. 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:09.960 You give a space to me and they will come. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:13.720 It's in season and you preach the word in those times as well. 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.720 The fourth insight into ministry is this. 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:23.120 The faithful ministry is measured by the message, not results. 00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:27.519 Faithful ministry is measured by the message, not results. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:32.060 This is how this little section finishes with the remainder of verse 10. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:32.600 Look at that. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:38.779 So all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus. 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:45.779 All who were in Asia, an entire region now hearing the message. 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:52.759 It doesn't say all in Asia believed and were baptized and joined the church, but they all heard the message. 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:55.940 Paul to this part of the world was faithful. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:59.800 Faithful ministry is measured by the message. 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:02.759 The message they heard was clear. 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:05.339 Jesus Christ and his kingdom. 00:15:06.219 --> 00:15:08.379 Now, the Lord has those that he purchased. 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:12.479 They will believe in his timing, but that's not the measure of success. 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.559 At least not how it's recorded right here. 00:15:16.359 --> 00:15:17.979 Now, we need a pause. 00:15:18.219 --> 00:15:22.319 If you're like me, one of the things this makes you wonder is how can such a statement be true? 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:32.440 How is it that a man can go and preach in a synagogue for three months, then go to this rented hall with just a smaller group of disciples for two years every single day? 00:15:32.760 --> 00:15:38.580 And by doing that simple labor, you can say all of Asia heard the gospel. 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:40.460 Is this hyperbole? 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:41.840 Did this really happen? 00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.960 And if so, how could it be? 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:48.720 Well, I want you to pretend like we get in an airplane together. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.639 This would be so fun if we actually could do it. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:52.720 We go to Denver International Airport. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:53.940 We fly. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:57.639 I don't know where you'd have to stop, but maybe you land in Istanbul and Turkey. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.320 And then we get on. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:04.759 We could probably all fit in one chartered bus, maybe two if we want a spot to put our things. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:08.519 And we go to the coast to this port city. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:10.700 You see the harbor of Ephesus. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.980 And we can see these ancient ruins. 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:21.319 We can have someone teach us about what it's like to be in Ephesus in the first century, the time when this church was planted. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:27.340 Ephesus was a commercial and cultural center of that ancient world. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:35.740 It was the the bridge between the Western world of the Roman Empire bridging all the way to the Eastern part of the world. 00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:37.240 And it was thriving. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:42.720 There approximately this is not going to sound like a big number, but approximately a quarter million people. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:45.259 But you have to look at the comparison. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:51.240 It was the third largest city, even at a quarter million of the entire Roman Empire. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:54.320 Number one, of course, was Rome, the capital. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:56.920 Number two is Alexandria in Egypt. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.680 Or yeah, North Africa. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:02.660 And then the third largest was Ephesus in Asia. 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:10.079 Politically, Ephesus functioned as the Roman capital for the Asian province. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:12.059 We get this insight when the riot breaks out. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:15.400 They say, hold on, we might get in trouble because we're having a riot. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.860 We're not allowed to do that here. 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.559 Well, who would they get in trouble by? 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.440 They're an outpost of the Roman Empire. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:24.079 It would be the Roman Empire saying you can't control your own people. 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:29.639 We're going to have to charge you more tax money and send more soldiers to enforce it for you. 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:36.799 Everybody's heard the expression that let's see if our middle schoolers and high schoolers can finish this sentence. 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.599 All roads lead to. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:41.059 Go ahead and say it out loud. 00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:42.019 All roads lead to. 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:44.039 Parents, help them out. 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.219 Rome. 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:45.779 There we go. 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.799 All roads lead to Rome. 00:17:48.459 --> 00:17:54.099 But what I learned in studying about Ephesus is there was an equally famous expression, at least in Asia. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.299 And it was this. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.439 All roads lead from Ephesus. 00:17:59.399 --> 00:18:10.619 This is why Paul could set up his ministry in Ephesus and make inroads and send messages and get the word out to all of Asia from this one hub. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:15.559 Culturally, it was a very advanced city. 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:23.139 In fact, if you were to look at those ruins as we walk around with our boots on, we try to hike and see what we can see and take pictures. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:30.500 We would come down a slope like this and we would see built into the bank of the hill a giant amphitheater. 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.700 You know what an amphitheater is? 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:40.259 It's like open seating, you know, made with stone where you can sit and look down at a stage or a focal point. 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:43.700 It's like our Red Rocks here is an open theater like that. 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:45.680 But this one was large. 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:48.640 It could hold up to 24,000 people. 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:55.380 Ephesus also had medical training school that trained some of the most famous physicians in the ancient world. 00:18:55.840 --> 00:19:00.940 It also had world-renowned public baths and gymnasiums. 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:04.140 Ephesus was the place to be. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:07.140 If you're traveling through Asia, this is the big city. 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:12.700 Asia hosted, on behalf of all of Asia, basically Olympic Games. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:17.680 It was called the Koina Azias, the Common Games of Asia. 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:27.400 Instead of going to, you know, to the Greek islands and being part of the Greek Olympics, you could go for Asia to Ephesus and be part of this every year. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:31.720 And so here from this strategic point, the Lord is ministry. 00:19:32.660 --> 00:19:34.559 Our Lord Jesus Christ grabbed hold of Paul. 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:41.339 Our Lord Jesus put Paul on a path to bring the gospel to all who have an ear to hear. 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:43.460 The Lord grabbed hold of this man. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:51.159 He put him there for however long it's going to take to make disciples and entrust these doctrines to my disciples in this city. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:54.480 Be faithful in the ministry of the word, Paul. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:20:02.920 I love how this little section saying that the gospel was heard by all in Asia. 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:05.299 Look closely there, verse 10. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:07.819 Both Jews and Greeks. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:13.799 The Lord's bringing to his discipleship, to this early church plant in Ephesus, 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:17.240 represented us from all of the nations in this region. 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:23.359 And this makes sense when Paul sends his greeting, which we read, Ephesians 1, verse 2. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.039 He writes to this church now, continuing that. 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:32.099 He says, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:37.160 This church now made up of Jews and Greeks with Jesus Christ as the head. 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.859 He's gotten a hold of all of them. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:41.519 He's bound them together under Christ the head. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.859 And he says, grace to you. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:48.959 And that phrase, charis, it sounds a lot like the ancient Greek greeting. 00:20:49.439 --> 00:20:53.599 We'd say, hello or hola, you know, oi, depending on the language. 00:20:53.699 --> 00:20:57.699 But if you're in the ancient Greek world, you would say this word that sounds a lot like grace. 00:20:58.159 --> 00:21:04.179 And if you're a Jew from thousands of years prior, when you see someone, you guys know what you would say, right? 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:05.759 Shalom. 00:21:05.959 --> 00:21:06.319 Very good. 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.979 So he's putting those two together. 00:21:08.479 --> 00:21:09.859 Grace to you, I'm greeting you. 00:21:10.919 --> 00:21:12.699 Referring to the Greek greeting in shalom. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:14.640 You know, the Jews and Greeks together. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:19.360 And it's only possible from God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:28.640 Well, just as when John wrote the letter called Revelation, and it's sent through these seven churches of Asia Minor. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:35.279 It follows that same circuit where a courier would get on a horse and they would carry it from one city to the next. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:41.460 Most likely this letter to the Ephesians was was for a broader circular audience as well. 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.740 We don't know of any occasion. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.600 There's not like a wrong teaching necessarily in Ephesus at the time. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:49.799 There's not a big fight or dispute or division among the church. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:55.640 He's writing them the glorious gospel that binds them together in Christ. 00:21:56.100 --> 00:22:01.380 Not only them, but all of Asia, we could say represented by these seven major cities. 00:22:01.380 --> 00:22:06.340 You see what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of a man. 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:15.300 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a man, the kingdom of God becomes his greatest concern. 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:23.779 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a man, the desire to obey Jesus Christ boldly. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:29.059 That desire swallows up any fear of enemies. 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:32.299 Did you notice when Jason read this earlier? 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:37.659 There's a big riot in that amphitheater, potentially 24,000 people, the whole city in an uproar. 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:39.200 And Paul wants to get in there. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:44.140 His instinct is to go in the middle of that riot and preach Jesus publicly to them. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:47.440 He wants to obey Jesus boldly. 00:22:47.840 --> 00:22:50.100 And that swallowed up his fear of enemies. 00:22:51.120 --> 00:23:02.820 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a man, the disapproval and evil words of unbelievers do not stop you from continuing on in the ministry for the long haul. 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:12.679 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a man, your life is joyful and unstoppably his. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.659 You belong to the Lord. 00:23:16.179 --> 00:23:19.079 Has Jesus Christ taken hold of you? 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:25.539 Well, second, what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners? 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:30.379 What happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners? 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:33.380 That's what these people in Ephesus were, by the way. 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:38.900 See, the church is made up of saved sinners, as we say every single week. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:46.540 Many of the Christians in Ephesus had once been under the spell of this city's dark witchcraft. 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:49.580 This is what Ephesus was most famous for. 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:54.540 Ephesus was not only the political and cultural gateway of Asia. 00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:59.980 It was also the center of the ancient world for magical practices and witchcraft. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:01.900 One historian wrote, 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:13.160 Of all ancient Greco-Roman cities, Ephesus was by far most hospitable to magicians, sorcerers, and charlatans of all sorts. 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:16.480 That means there are people here really dappling with demons. 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:22.220 Having these religious transactions with Satan and fallen angels. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:26.440 We'll give those demons what they want, and maybe in turn they'll give us what we want. 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.420 That was really happening in Ephesus. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:33.559 And then a bunch of other people around that trying to just make money by faking it. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.039 Both were going on. 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:42.600 In fact, you could make a trek over to Ephesus now, and if you left one of those other cities of Asia Minor, 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:47.599 And you could buy what was called the Ephesia Gramata. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:51.259 And we would translate that as Ephesian letters. 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:55.759 It's amazing how some of the movies coming out now that are all about magic, 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:58.859 It's like letters and movement of letters forming words. 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:01.359 Well, that's what the Ephesia Gramata were. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.439 They were letters that you could buy. 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:11.699 You could actually take them and use them kind of like you would pieces on a board with separate letters trying to form words. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:18.580 And you could make them into charms and keep them on your person for good luck or to try to help you. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:26.720 These Ephesian letters, in some cases when it's a demonic influence, not just someone faking it to make money, 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:34.360 They would invoke for you the protection of evil spirits and help you in special circumstances. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:40.940 People would travel from all over Asia to Ephesus to buy these to make sure they were getting legitimate ones. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:52.160 The story goes in the history records at one of those Asian games that a wrestler was winning all of his matches undefeated, uncontestable. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:56.259 He was like the best jiu-jitsu fighter there was. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:26:01.400 But then the judges noticed that around his ankle there was a small parchment. 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:08.580 And when they opened it up and removed it, they saw on this parchment were some Ephesian letters on it. 00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:09.900 And they banned him. 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:11.980 You can't keep fighting with those on your ankle. 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:14.380 And he lost the very next match. 00:26:15.300 --> 00:26:20.860 You see why such an industry developed in the city of Ephesus around this practice. 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:31.459 But Jesus Christ, as we've read here, he demonstrates his power over the forces of darkness, over the principalities of the powers of the air. 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:34.299 It's what Ephesians 6 is telling them. 00:26:34.719 --> 00:26:36.619 This battle, this warfare is real. 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:40.639 But Jesus Christ is more powerful. 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:46.720 Jesus Christ calls his disciples out of a dark city just like that. 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:49.820 A city ruled by demons. 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:54.759 And not everyone involved with this stuff was faking it. 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:58.280 We read about how there is a man that was possessed by a demon. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:04.140 And then that demon attacks those Jews who were trying to cast him out and had no power because they didn't know Jesus. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:09.440 And the demon leaves them naked and beaten up and walking away wounded. 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.800 All seven of them. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:16.580 So you can ask them if demons are fake or if they have real power. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:23.040 Jesus Christ overpowers all forces of darkness. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.880 Look at Acts 19 verse 17. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:30.560 The power of the name of Jesus through the ministry of Paul. 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.580 Look at verse 17. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:37.899 It became known both to all the Jews and the Greeks dwelling in Ephesus. 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:44.619 It's a quarter of a million people that know the power of Jesus through the ministry of Paul here. 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:48.039 And fear fell on them all. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.539 The entire massive city now. 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.799 Fearing the name of Jesus. 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:55.839 And the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:05.779 What God did through this man that Christ took hold of Paul and his ministry of the word day after day with the disciples that God brought there. 00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:10.579 It brings glory to the name of Jesus in the entire city. 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:13.199 Verse 18. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:18.539 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:23.559 And many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together. 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:29.559 We only know the little scraps of information of what these books might have been. 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.340 But you can imagine. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:34.559 These are books with which you dapple with demons. 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:37.000 And what did they do with these books? 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.740 They burned them. 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.240 Imagine the church coming together. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.000 Confessing sin. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.939 Trusting in forgiveness through Jesus Christ. 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:47.819 Who topples over these idols. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:51.099 And then they go out there and make a big bonfire together. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:55.720 They burned those books in the sight of all. 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:58.700 We worship as a family. 00:28:58.839 --> 00:29:00.439 We're disciples here in private. 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:03.539 But our witness is in the world and it's unashamed. 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.659 It's public. 00:29:06.159 --> 00:29:08.939 They counted up the value of what they burned. 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:13.279 And it totaled 50,000 pieces of silver. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:19.299 I looked up the buying power of that much silver at that time. 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:24.099 And one estimate was $30,000 in today's currency. 00:29:25.559 --> 00:29:33.539 And how was it that Jesus Christ took hold of these magic practicing demon manipulating sinners in Ephesus? 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:35.799 Who he called and said, you're my children now. 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:37.079 You belong to me. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.099 Verse 20. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.740 Look at that. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.299 It was by his word. 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:45.200 It's by the ministry of his word. 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:49.379 The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:53.779 Forces of darkness could not stop it. 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:57.399 Could not overthrow God ministering through his word. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:07.819 The church is made up of saved sinners that were and still would be lost, confused, and angry like this mob in Ephesus. 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:12.000 But Jesus Christ takes hold of each one of them. 00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:16.460 He snatches you and me just like them also away from the clutches of Satan. 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:21.059 He writes to them in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.299 You once, church. 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:24.159 You once, church. 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:27.339 You once walked according to the course of this world. 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:29.339 He means that world. 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:32.299 That dark pagan world in Ephesus. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:36.440 According to the prince of the power of the air. 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:40.860 The spirit who is at work in the sons of disobedience. 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.939 Among whom. 00:30:42.679 --> 00:30:47.000 Also, we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our own flesh. 00:30:47.219 --> 00:30:50.179 Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:54.019 And were by nature children of wrath just as others. 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.619 That's who you were, church. 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:57.119 You and me. 00:30:57.119 --> 00:31:10.659 But God, who is rich in mercy because of his great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:13.099 He saved us by his grace. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:19.739 He raised us up and made us sit together in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:22.140 Jesus, that's who you are now, church. 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:32.700 When Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners, he overpowers any other influence in our lives, doesn't he? 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:40.700 When Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners, we come to see him with eyes of faith for the first time. 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:43.920 And his glory is magnified to us. 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:54.300 When Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners, many who believe come to the church, confessing their sins, telling their evil deeds that they had been part of. 00:31:54.300 --> 00:32:00.279 And they do this to make it right and to be assured of their pardon by Christ's powerful blood. 00:32:01.560 --> 00:32:13.800 When Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners, they confess their sin and they forsake their idols and they destroy those things that keep them from enjoying peace with God. 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:21.920 When Jesus Christ takes hold of sinners, his word grows mightily in them. 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:26.580 And his word prevails in his church. 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:30.440 His word keeps his people close to him. 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:35.640 Has Jesus Christ taken hold of you? 00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:46.080 Well, third and finally for today, what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of a city? 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:50.620 We've seen what happens when he takes hold of one man, Paul. 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:57.000 And what happens when he takes hold of sinners, the church that he now calls saints? 00:32:58.060 --> 00:33:01.460 What happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of a city? 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:13.400 We read in Acts 19, starting at verse 23, that about that time there arose a great commotion about the way. 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:15.579 Jesus said, I am the way. 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:19.220 This refers to being a follower of Christ. 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:24.920 Being a follower of Christ causes a great commotion in a pagan city. 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:37.180 And then he tells what happened in Ephesus specifically in verse 24, a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Diana. 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:41.700 And this brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:50.360 This man worked with silver and a bunch of other craftsmen apparently worked with him as well. 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:54.039 They most likely had some kind of union or guild. 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:57.080 And this was a massive threat. 00:33:57.380 --> 00:34:04.500 If they're to do a SWOT analysis of their business and five-year forecast of revenue, this is devastating. 00:34:04.600 --> 00:34:05.779 This is not going to be good. 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:15.960 Because Ephesus was not only an incredible commercial and cultural center, it was also the religious center of all of Asia. 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:21.840 Just like any other Roman city, there would be a pantheon of gods. 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:23.579 There would be a number of different temples. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:26.719 And you can say that any of them might help you. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:32.239 Go to any one of these different pagan gods and they're all okay with you worshiping a bunch of different gods. 00:34:32.239 --> 00:34:36.299 You might have your favorites, but you see what you can get back from each one. 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:43.259 But in Ephesus, there was one primary goddess, one primary temple. 00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:46.399 It was the religion of Ephesus. 00:34:46.959 --> 00:34:50.719 It was called the worship of Artemis. 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:54.959 Artemis was her Greek name, Artemis of Ephesia. 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:57.839 But the Roman name was Diana. 00:34:58.799 --> 00:35:00.439 Diana of Ephesus. 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:06.700 And this worship of Diana, it was a manipulation of demonic powers. 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:10.900 They used her as the face or the front of this false worship. 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:16.820 And it was associated with a myth about the founding of the city of Ephesus. 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:27.679 Their myth goes that these Greek goddesses called Amazons, which were giant warrior women, founded the city. 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:39.879 And if you were to go to the temple of Diana, you would be able to minister through now someone who had the power of the demon behind this temple. 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:46.140 To bring out the blessings and the help or the curses on your enemies that you need. 00:35:46.720 --> 00:35:48.460 She was like the goddess of fertility. 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:53.860 And it was a place to go if you want whatever you're doing to prosper and multiply. 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:56.920 It was a place of cult prostitution. 00:35:56.920 --> 00:36:03.039 Some of the worst sins you could imagine all around this temple of Diana. 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:09.920 Throughout the Roman Empire, people would travel to Ephesus specifically to go to this temple. 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:14.420 It was famous not only in Asia, but in all the world. 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:25.180 And if you couldn't go all the way to Ephesus, you could still buy at any one of these other Roman cities a little statue or amulets with Diana on it. 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:31.219 So this was a international silversmith business that they had with their statues. 00:36:31.719 --> 00:36:41.460 So this man, Demetrius, he in verse 25 calls all these people in this industry together with the workers of similar occupation. 00:36:41.919 --> 00:36:43.279 Make this as big as he can. 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:48.480 And he said, men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:59.500 Moreover, you see in here that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, there's witness right there from an unbeliever that the word of God, the gospel spread to all of Asia. 00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.699 This Paul has persuaded. 00:37:02.400 --> 00:37:04.659 See, that was how Paul's ministry was described. 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:06.039 He's reasoning and persuading. 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:07.760 Demetrius said it worked. 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:13.280 And he's turned away many people saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:18.219 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute. 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:26.179 But also the temple of the great goddess of Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed. 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:28.639 Don't you see the implications of this? 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:32.719 Whom all Asia and the world worship. 00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:39.420 Now, when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out. 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:42.360 Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:45.619 Crying this out over and over for two hours. 00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:51.380 What is the name of this temple that he's worried about protecting? 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:55.839 The magnificence of Diana being despised. 00:37:56.619 --> 00:38:00.900 People will stop traveling here to her temple and buying what we have to sell. 00:38:01.599 --> 00:38:07.259 This temple was called the Artemision with her Greek name, Artemis. 00:38:07.819 --> 00:38:08.639 The Artemision. 00:38:08.639 --> 00:38:13.139 It was the temple that housed this horrible image. 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:23.779 They claimed with the founding of this this temple and this worship in Ephesus that the the Amazon warriors had this this image fall from the sky. 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:26.319 And it was a symbol of fertility. 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:33.240 It was a figure of Artemis that was supposed to be worshipped and venerated. 00:38:33.660 --> 00:38:39.720 And if you could get close to it, then you are having direct contact with the power of the forces of the air. 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:41.120 It fell from the sky. 00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:45.620 This temple around this image of Artemis. 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:47.720 This temple was massive. 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:52.259 It was the largest structure in all of the ancient world. 00:38:52.480 --> 00:38:54.699 And it was made entirely out of marble. 00:38:55.559 --> 00:39:03.379 If you go to a very fancy, you know, like hotel or restaurant or something like that, you can see a marble countertop. 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:05.059 That's just a slab of marble. 00:39:05.419 --> 00:39:11.480 But can you imagine the largest building built in the ancient world made entirely out of marble? 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:15.439 That's what it would be like to go to the temple of Diana in Ephesus. 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:28.980 It was 220 feet wide, 420 feet deep, and it stood with 127 marble columns that each reached 60 feet high. 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:33.260 127 marble columns. 00:39:33.579 --> 00:39:35.960 There's the Greek influence, the Greco-Roman influence. 00:39:36.720 --> 00:39:38.360 Each of those 60 feet high. 00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:40.079 A basketball hoop is how high? 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:41.559 10 feet. 00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:45.059 Someone told me these are maybe nine, but basically 10 feet. 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:47.599 So stack up that 60 feet high. 00:39:47.779 --> 00:39:52.599 And there's 127 of those columns around this temple of Diana. 00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:58.619 It was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 00:39:59.460 --> 00:40:02.679 And the Ephesian pride in their temple was so great. 00:40:03.299 --> 00:40:08.480 One historian noted that when Alexander the Great went on one of his campaigns, he said, 00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:20.639 Everything we conquered, all the spoils of war in the east, I will give to the city of Ephesus in exchange for you allowing me to put my name, Alexander the Great, on the temple of Artemis. 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:22.619 Do you think the Ephesians went for it? 00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:23.820 No way. 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.699 This is our temple. 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:26.619 This is what we are known for. 00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:29.579 They declined his offer. 00:40:30.299 --> 00:40:31.859 They would not give him that honor. 00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:39.359 And they said that none but the name of Ephesus would appear on this temple to Diana. 00:40:40.059 --> 00:40:41.839 And so here's the great crowd. 00:40:41.839 --> 00:40:51.219 So big they have to go to that amphitheater that holds 24,000 people all shouting, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:55.480 Look at verse 29 of Acts 19. 00:40:56.539 --> 00:41:07.779 So the whole city was filled with confusion and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized these travel companions of Paul. 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.419 Look at verse 32. 00:41:09.619 --> 00:41:14.059 Some therefore cried one thing and some another for the assembly was confused. 00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:17.379 Most of them did not even know why they had come together. 00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.699 We just know we're angry. 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.959 Verse 34. 00:41:21.219 --> 00:41:24.059 All with one voice cried out for about two hours. 00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:27.399 Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 00:41:28.559 --> 00:41:32.480 Do you see what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of a city? 00:41:34.139 --> 00:41:36.539 The powers of the city are exposed. 00:41:38.099 --> 00:41:41.119 The forces of darkness are shown to be nothing. 00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:46.659 Christianity is the most reasonable faith. 00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:50.159 Paul reasoned with them from the scriptures. 00:41:50.159 --> 00:41:53.379 And it turns a whole city upside down. 00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:57.940 In Ephesians chapters 4, 5 and 6. 00:41:58.059 --> 00:42:03.640 Paul is going to preach to the church in the city of Ephesus that Christ is your head. 00:42:04.640 --> 00:42:05.760 He is your savior. 00:42:06.599 --> 00:42:07.519 You are his body. 00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:10.380 Paul's going to write to the church. 00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:12.960 I am a prisoner of the Lord. 00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:16.619 He's writing this letter to them now from imprisonment in Rome. 00:42:16.619 --> 00:42:17.880 And he tells them. 00:42:17.880 --> 00:42:23.639 I beseech you to walk in a way worthy of the calling with which you were called. 00:42:23.639 --> 00:42:27.099 With all lowliness and gentleness. 00:42:27.099 --> 00:42:29.319 With long suffering. 00:42:30.319 --> 00:42:32.559 Bearing with one another in love. 00:42:33.519 --> 00:42:38.179 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit by the bond of peace. 00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:42.119 That's what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of a city. 00:42:42.599 --> 00:42:44.379 He has a city within a city. 00:42:45.299 --> 00:42:46.599 He has his church. 00:42:46.739 --> 00:42:47.440 His disciples. 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:48.739 His people. 00:42:49.359 --> 00:42:52.399 And they look the opposite of the world in these ways. 00:42:52.400 --> 00:42:54.920 He tells them. 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:56.559 Be strong in the Lord. 00:42:57.300 --> 00:42:59.539 And in the power of his might. 00:43:00.860 --> 00:43:03.380 Put on the whole armor of God. 00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:08.000 That you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.880 You see it all around you. 00:43:11.340 --> 00:43:13.940 But you'll be strong in the Lord. 00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:17.320 When Jesus Christ takes hold of the city. 00:43:17.320 --> 00:43:22.740 The monetizing of demonic influence dries up. 00:43:24.140 --> 00:43:27.380 There's no more profit to transacting with demons. 00:43:28.580 --> 00:43:30.539 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a city. 00:43:30.960 --> 00:43:33.940 Those who had most to gain from Satan's rule. 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:36.200 Become infuriated. 00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:38.880 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a city. 00:43:39.019 --> 00:43:42.940 The servants of Christ are often the ones who will suffer. 00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:44.660 And their suffering. 00:43:44.800 --> 00:43:46.860 Their punishment will often be unjust. 00:43:47.320 --> 00:43:49.860 When Jesus Christ takes hold of a city. 00:43:50.260 --> 00:43:53.519 His church is invading enemy territory. 00:43:54.539 --> 00:43:58.180 The advancement of the kingdom of God through his church. 00:43:58.440 --> 00:44:00.720 Christ rule from heaven through his church. 00:44:01.600 --> 00:44:04.580 It's an advancement of a real battle. 00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:06.140 With real casualties. 00:44:07.519 --> 00:44:09.539 But King Jesus reminds his church. 00:44:09.760 --> 00:44:11.100 That he is their head. 00:44:12.160 --> 00:44:13.780 King Jesus reminds you and me. 00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:16.460 His church that he is with us. 00:44:16.460 --> 00:44:18.280 He is washing us. 00:44:18.780 --> 00:44:21.340 And he will clad us with his armor. 00:44:21.920 --> 00:44:23.079 The armor of the gospel. 00:44:23.780 --> 00:44:25.159 With him as our head. 00:44:25.360 --> 00:44:26.260 With us. 00:44:26.679 --> 00:44:27.559 Upholding us. 00:44:28.039 --> 00:44:28.820 Armoring us. 00:44:29.300 --> 00:44:31.280 The church will stand. 00:44:31.940 --> 00:44:33.760 Even in a dark city like Ephesus. 00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:36.320 Or where God has planted us right here at this time. 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:42.900 You see what happens when Jesus Christ takes hold of people like you and me. 00:44:44.559 --> 00:44:45.740 It's the best life. 00:44:46.480 --> 00:44:47.660 It's a short life. 00:44:48.200 --> 00:44:49.920 And it's preparation for the life to come. 00:44:51.220 --> 00:44:54.039 My encouragement to you and to me and teach one of us today. 00:44:54.140 --> 00:44:57.740 Is make sure that Jesus Christ has taken hold of you today. 00:44:58.419 --> 00:44:59.059 Let's pray. 00:44:59.059 --> 00:44:59.079 Let's pray. 00:45:00.639 --> 00:45:01.839 Lord we praise you. 00:45:02.139 --> 00:45:03.019 That you are powerful. 00:45:03.679 --> 00:45:05.059 Above every other force. 00:45:05.619 --> 00:45:06.779 You're at work Lord. 00:45:07.879 --> 00:45:09.719 We thank you that you speak to us. 00:45:09.759 --> 00:45:11.559 And you show us your glory. 00:45:12.139 --> 00:45:13.599 How you're not done working. 00:45:14.239 --> 00:45:16.179 How there are those who are lost. 00:45:16.519 --> 00:45:17.199 Who are sinners. 00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:20.119 But you purchase them with your precious blood. 00:45:20.219 --> 00:45:22.299 And you will call them to yourself. 00:45:22.419 --> 00:45:23.839 You will rule over them Lord. 00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:28.559 There are strongholds of the enemy that you will topple over. 00:45:29.140 --> 00:45:31.519 There are demons that you will cast away. 00:45:32.140 --> 00:45:34.900 There are idols that you will throw down and shatter on the ground. 00:45:35.460 --> 00:45:37.079 We pray that you will do that Lord. 00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:37.840 In our lives. 00:45:38.500 --> 00:45:39.640 Within our households. 00:45:40.320 --> 00:45:41.100 Within this church. 00:45:41.200 --> 00:45:42.860 And within this city. 00:45:42.940 --> 00:45:43.519 In this state. 00:45:43.840 --> 00:45:44.780 Where you've planted us. 00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:47.920 Help us to bear witness to the power of Jesus Christ. 00:45:48.700 --> 00:45:52.120 We pray that your spirit will keep us united in him. 00:45:52.119 --> 00:45:54.259 That you'll teach us to live. 00:45:54.559 --> 00:45:55.719 As faithful disciples. 00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:58.000 Right here where you've put us for this time. 00:45:58.619 --> 00:46:00.359 We trust that you will for your glory. 00:46:00.819 --> 00:46:01.059 Amen.