WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.280 That's Acts chapter 19. 00:00:01.400 --> 00:00:06.660 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. 00:00:07.660 --> 00:00:09.919 There he found some disciples and asked them, 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:12.679 Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:18.480 They answered, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:22.920 So Paul asked, Then what baptism did you receive? 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:25.839 John's baptism, they replied. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:31.100 Paul said, John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:36.500 He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:40.840 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:47.840 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 00:00:48.399 --> 00:00:50.359 There were about twelve men in all. 00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:55.039 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months. 00:00:55.039 --> 00:00:58.179 Paul was a priest, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 00:00:59.339 --> 00:01:00.960 And some of them became obstinate. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:04.700 They refused to believe and publicly maligned the way. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:06.900 So Paul left them. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:12.480 He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:20.039 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:32.640 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:40.480 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were deeply possessed. 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:47.020 They would say, in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:52.120 The seven sons of Sceva, the Jewish high priests, were doing this. 00:01:53.100 --> 00:01:55.680 One day, the evil spirit answered them, 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:00.400 Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, and who are you? 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:04.620 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on and overpowered Paul. 00:02:05.220 --> 00:02:08.740 He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and fleeing. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:14.879 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:17.640 The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:22.839 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 00:02:23.899 --> 00:02:28.539 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. 00:02:29.539 --> 00:02:34.639 When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to 50,000 brothels. 00:02:35.579 --> 00:02:39.699 In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:47.419 After all this happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. 00:02:48.399 --> 00:02:51.239 After I have been there, he said, I must visit Rome also. 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:56.539 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, 00:02:57.059 --> 00:03:00.019 while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. 00:03:03.119 --> 00:03:07.159 About that same time, there arose a great disturbance about the way. 00:03:08.199 --> 00:03:12.299 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines to Artemis, 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.039 brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 00:03:15.039 --> 00:03:19.699 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:23.379 Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:29.819 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus, 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:32.819 and in practically the whole province of Asia. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:36.500 He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:40.199 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:44.280 but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:48.799 and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:50.979 will be robbed of her divine majesty. 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:55.579 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting, 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:57.739 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:00.859 Soon the whole city wasn't enough for him. 00:04:01.579 --> 00:04:06.259 The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, 00:04:06.799 --> 00:04:08.780 and rushed just one path into the theater. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:14.159 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:18.339 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.639 sent him a message, begging him not to venture into the theater. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:24.259 The assembly was in confusion. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.160 Some were shouting one thing, some another. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:30.100 Most of the people didn't even know why they were there. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.180 Jews pushed Alexandra to the front, 00:04:33.699 --> 00:04:35.800 and some of the crowd shouted instructions to her. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:39.620 A motion for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 00:04:40.520 --> 00:04:41.980 But when they realized he was a Jew, 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:44.879 they all shouted in unison for about two hours, 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:47.100 Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! 00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:50.639 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said, 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:51.580 Men of Ephesus! 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:54.600 Doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:56.840 is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:59.100 and upper image, which fell from heaven? 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.500 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:05.259 you ought to be quiet, not to do anything rash. 00:05:05.800 --> 00:05:07.379 You brought these men here, 00:05:07.800 --> 00:05:10.579 though they've neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. 00:05:11.520 --> 00:05:13.900 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:15.360 have a grievance against anyone, 00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:18.460 the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:20.120 They can press charges. 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:24.180 If there's anything further you want to bring up, 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:26.580 it must be settled in the legal assembly. 00:05:27.259 --> 00:05:30.460 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting 00:05:30.460 --> 00:05:31.620 because of today's events. 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:35.600 In that case, we would not be able to account for this commotion 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:37.720 since there is no reason for it. 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:41.240 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:45.519 It's the passage that Daniel read for us, Acts chapter 19, 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:48.019 on page 1115. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:51.040 We're continuing to look at God's unstoppable mission, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:54.879 continuing to look at Paul's missionary journeys, 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:59.139 and here I want us to see the supremacy of Christ 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:02.300 in the city of Ephesus. 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:06.079 What we've seen as Paul has been traveling around 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:08.900 is that he is on a mission to declare to the world 00:06:08.900 --> 00:06:13.199 that Jesus and Jesus alone is Lord. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:15.460 And so he's continuing his ministry. 00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:18.620 He's been moving around different important cities 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:20.300 within the Roman Empire, 00:06:20.900 --> 00:06:24.519 cities that are full of many different gods, 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:26.439 many different shrines, 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:30.220 many different religions all mixed together, 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:32.620 and cities where the cult of the emperor 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:36.420 was also becoming increasingly significant. 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:42.720 And for us, I think, as we increasingly, I guess, 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:46.240 moved to a pre-Christian or post-Christian, 00:06:46.340 --> 00:06:48.660 they're pre-Christian, we're post-Christian society, 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:51.040 it's great for us to be reminded 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:53.440 of the supremacy of King Jesus 00:06:53.440 --> 00:06:55.220 and that we wouldn't be dispirited, 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:57.680 we wouldn't be discouraged, 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:59.860 we'd remember Jesus is on the throne, 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:02.240 he's still building his church. 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:05.579 And so what I want us to see tonight in Ephesus 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:07.560 is some of the unique features 00:07:07.560 --> 00:07:12.420 that Dr. Luke brings out when Paul visits Ephesus, 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:16.100 to see how Jesus continues to build his church, 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:18.460 to see some of the different backgrounds 00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:21.879 that people are called into the church from. 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:24.620 And I also hope that we'll have a few minutes 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.740 to pray for similar groups in our own day. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:29.759 So we'll kind of explore what's been happening 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:34.000 and then I hope we'll have a few minutes to pray at the end. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:38.060 So first, a unique feature when Paul arrives in Ephesus 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:39.439 are these baptisms. 00:07:39.540 --> 00:07:40.740 In the first seven verses, 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:46.800 we discover Paul meeting with 12 disciples. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:49.219 They're called disciples, 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:52.680 although as Paul begins to ask them questions, 00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:56.740 we discover that there are certain vital truths 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.820 that are missing. 00:07:59.260 --> 00:08:01.300 They're not yet Christians, 00:08:01.440 --> 00:08:02.280 they're sympathetic, 00:08:02.960 --> 00:08:04.640 they're open to God's word, 00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:06.080 they're listening to the truth, 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:07.760 but they're needing more truth 00:08:07.760 --> 00:08:09.620 and especially they need to understand 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:14.160 that Jesus is the center of the Christian faith. 00:08:15.240 --> 00:08:17.920 And I think we can say that they're not yet Christians 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:19.400 because in verse two, 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:21.180 Paul asks them, 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:23.660 did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:24.600 And they answered, no. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:28.120 We've not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.740 Most likely they haven't heard 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:32.060 about either the Great Commission 00:08:32.060 --> 00:08:34.100 when Jesus told the disciples 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.379 to go into all the world 00:08:35.379 --> 00:08:38.300 and to baptize people in the name of the Father 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:39.139 and the Son and the Spirit. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.920 And they certainly haven't heard of Pentecost 00:08:42.560 --> 00:08:43.779 in Acts chapter two, 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:45.920 when the Spirit comes on the church as promised. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:46.439 It's promised. 00:08:47.979 --> 00:08:50.079 And after Pentecost, 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:50.699 it's interesting, 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:54.259 as Peter preaches that first sermon, 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:55.439 I guess, of the church, 00:08:55.839 --> 00:08:56.919 his message is, 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:58.139 here is Jesus. 00:08:58.679 --> 00:09:01.439 Here is Jesus as prophesied 00:09:01.439 --> 00:09:02.659 and predicted in the Old Testament. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:03.799 Here is the suffering, 00:09:03.979 --> 00:09:05.579 the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:06.719 And the people say, 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:07.659 what do we need to do? 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:10.240 And there is that call to repent from sin, 00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:11.839 to believe in Jesus. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.759 And they're told they'll receive 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:15.700 the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:16.920 And that's what happens 00:09:16.920 --> 00:09:18.639 in Acts chapter two 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.340 to the disciples, 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:22.240 to the first church. 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:23.920 And we'll see it happening 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:24.980 to these guys as well. 00:09:25.280 --> 00:09:26.700 But they don't have the Holy Spirit. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:27.580 And also, 00:09:28.180 --> 00:09:28.759 in verse three, 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:29.540 they're not baptized 00:09:29.540 --> 00:09:30.879 into the name of Jesus. 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:32.180 Paul asked them, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:34.440 then what baptism did you receive? 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:36.100 John's baptism, 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:36.680 they replied. 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:39.500 John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:40.840 He told the people to believe 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:42.919 in the one coming after him. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.779 John and his ministry 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:46.559 was preparing the way. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:48.419 But it's Jesus who brings the kingdom, 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:49.480 Paul is explaining. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:53.220 And so everybody needs to be in him. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.039 And so as Paul clarifies 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:59.340 to these 12 disciples, 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:02.299 the central place of the Lord Jesus, 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:04.240 what happens next 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.379 is that they are baptized, 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.019 verse five, 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:10.019 into the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.340 That's unusual. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.399 They're re-baptized 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:14.120 because their first baptism 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.279 wasn't into the name 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.539 of the Lord Jesus. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:19.819 And then we see 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.439 they have the same experience 00:10:21.439 --> 00:10:23.480 that the disciples had 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.799 at Pentecost. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.659 In Acts chapter two, 00:10:25.720 --> 00:10:27.059 the Holy Spirit came on them 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:28.419 and they spoke in tongues 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.379 and they prophesied. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:31.620 Just like when Jesus sent 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:32.740 the Spirit first of all, 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.139 and people are able to proclaim 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.360 in lots of different languages 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:38.180 the message of Jesus as Savior. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.899 And so now they are Christians 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.840 as they understand 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:44.940 the central place of Jesus. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.340 Now why does this matter 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:48.460 for us today? 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:50.519 Well it matters 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.740 because we want people 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.480 within church, 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:55.220 we want people who are sympathetic 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:57.220 to God and to the good news 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:59.379 to have clarity on the truth. 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:01.299 This story reminds us 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:03.580 that knowing certain things 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:06.159 about Christian faith, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:07.139 certain things about God 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.080 is not enough. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:10.740 People need to know Jesus. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.460 They need to know Jesus as Lord, 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.919 Jesus as Savior. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:19.220 We can think about it this way, 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:21.539 with our cars. 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.620 We have cars and we have sat-nav. 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:26.039 Our sat-nav is only as good 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:28.620 as the mapping systems 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.379 that we have downloaded 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:32.439 onto our GPS device. 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.860 So if our maps are out of date 00:11:33.860 --> 00:11:35.719 or if our maps are incomplete, 00:11:36.599 --> 00:11:37.719 we will find ourselves 00:11:37.719 --> 00:11:38.939 perhaps going off course, 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:39.860 we will find ourselves 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:41.159 perhaps unable to get 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:43.639 to our desired destination. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:46.019 And what Paul reveals 00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:46.699 to these guys 00:11:46.699 --> 00:11:47.579 is that it's the same 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:48.379 for the truth 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.679 about the way of salvation. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.779 We need to be clear 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.259 that it's through faith 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.299 within the Lord Jesus 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:56.439 that a person is saved. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:58.759 Jesus is the cornerstone 00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:00.139 of the church. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.500 The church is built 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.840 on his truth, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.580 who he is 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:05.080 as the Son of God 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.779 and the Son of Man 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.840 who comes to be 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.600 the suffering servant, 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.220 living for us 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:13.419 and then dying for our sin 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:15.620 and rising for our salvation. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:17.019 That he comes as 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.299 the Lamb of God, 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:20.080 that once-for-all sacrifice 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:22.480 to atone for our sin. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.600 The only way 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.039 for us to have peace 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.980 with God 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:27.820 is through Jesus. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.159 And so it was really important 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:31.320 for Paul to share that. 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.320 And so it's really important 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.379 for us 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:34.320 and one of the ways 00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:35.399 that we can share our faith 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.379 is by doing that 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:38.279 in church. 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:41.320 We live in a place 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.180 and we have a location 00:12:42.180 --> 00:12:42.820 in our city 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:43.659 where there's quite often 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:44.360 people coming 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.440 and going 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:46.899 in our church 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.680 for different reasons 00:12:47.680 --> 00:12:48.600 and we never know 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.920 what brings a person in. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:51.979 Some people are here 00:12:51.979 --> 00:12:52.559 on holiday. 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:54.360 Some people are looking 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:54.939 for a new church. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.919 Some people are 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:57.379 maybe sad, 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.099 maybe anxious, 00:12:58.219 --> 00:12:58.699 maybe troubled 00:12:58.699 --> 00:12:59.579 coming into church 00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:00.519 and we need to be able 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.899 to talk to, 00:13:02.099 --> 00:13:03.059 welcome new people 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:03.539 and to be able 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:04.339 to talk to them 00:13:04.339 --> 00:13:05.419 to find out 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.079 what they know 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.939 so that we might be able 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:08.479 to share the truth 00:13:08.479 --> 00:13:09.559 with them. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:11.059 So one of the groups 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:12.099 that we'll pray for 00:13:12.099 --> 00:13:13.479 is we'll pray for people 00:13:13.479 --> 00:13:14.339 who come to church 00:13:14.339 --> 00:13:15.539 but who aren't yet Christian. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.319 We know that we have 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:17.839 some of them 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.420 and the churches 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.360 that we belong to 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.280 if we're not from this church 00:13:20.280 --> 00:13:23.139 will have people like that. 00:13:24.420 --> 00:13:25.920 The next unique thing 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:27.860 about Paul's visit 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.960 to Ephesus 00:13:29.960 --> 00:13:34.160 is this sort of surprising story 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:35.720 in verses 13 to 17, 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.740 the story of the beatings 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.960 and I will get to that 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.580 in a little minute. 00:13:39.780 --> 00:13:40.560 Verse 8, 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:43.960 when Paul enters the synagogue, 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:46.320 he speaks boldly there 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:47.019 for three months 00:13:47.019 --> 00:13:48.740 arguing persuasively 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.800 about the kingdom of God. 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.759 Now we've seen this 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.220 as we've looked at 00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:53.500 Paul's missionary journeys. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.360 His mission strategy is 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.300 let me find this synagogue, 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.400 let me find the place 00:13:58.400 --> 00:13:59.220 where the Jewish people 00:13:59.220 --> 00:13:59.759 are gathering 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.560 so that I can tell them 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:02.700 that the Messiah 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.720 that they're looking for 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:04.240 has come 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:06.100 and his name is Jesus. 00:14:06.780 --> 00:14:07.960 And so the Jews 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.980 and the God feeders, 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:10.139 they were hearing 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.019 that message. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:12.100 So he does that 00:14:12.100 --> 00:14:13.139 for three months 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.600 but then we discover 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.139 as in other cities, 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.939 some of the Jews 00:14:16.939 --> 00:14:17.799 become resistant, 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:18.779 they become obstinate, 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.879 they don't want to hear 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.120 the message. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.720 So Paul leaves 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:25.019 and in verses 9 and 10 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:25.639 we discover 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.259 that he takes his teaching, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.379 he takes his debating 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:30.299 to the lecture hall 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:31.360 of Tyrannus. 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.580 So it seems like 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.299 he hires this venue 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:36.220 where for two years 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.720 he can spend 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:39.620 a significant amount 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.819 of time every day. 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:42.299 Some of the scholars 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.120 reckon he may be 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.200 taught in two years 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:44.879 for over two, 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.659 maybe between two 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:46.840 and three thousand hours 00:14:46.840 --> 00:14:49.639 showing Jesus is Lord 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.379 and seeking to demonstrate 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:53.100 from the Old Testament 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.080 that Jesus is the Lord, 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.000 seeking to speak 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:58.259 about the historical realities 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:59.840 of Jesus in the world 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:03.179 that he is God's promised saviour. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.860 So that many in the province 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:07.700 are hearing the word 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:08.180 of the Lord, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.320 we're told in verse 10. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.759 And then again, 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.840 as we often see, 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.840 we see it in the life 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:13.299 of Jesus, 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.659 we see it with the apostles, 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.840 verse 11 and 12, 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.279 God brings word 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.439 and miracle together. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.319 So Paul is preaching 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:20.899 with power 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.220 and then we also get 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.019 these miracles 00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:23.759 that are happening. 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:25.200 It seems like 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:26.819 these handkerchiefs, 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:28.539 perhaps the sweat rags 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.279 for his job 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.120 as a tent maker, 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:31.080 perhaps the apron 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:32.740 of tent making, 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:33.939 when he takes them 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:34.720 off for the day, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.279 they're carried around town 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.279 and people that touch them 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.620 are being cured 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.679 of illness. 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:41.559 Here is God's way 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:43.360 of saying to the people, 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.459 you need to listen 00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:45.259 to this man 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.100 and his message. 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:46.799 It's a message 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.579 of power 00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:48.620 and authority 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.980 that comes from God 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.199 himself. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.779 But we've seen that 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.600 in other cities, 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.600 but what we haven't seen 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:58.159 is this story 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:00.199 in verse 13 to 17. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.279 It's very unusual. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:02.740 It's very dramatic. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.919 It strikes us perhaps 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:06.019 as mildly amusing, 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.159 but it's certainly 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:07.980 a very striking 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:09.500 public show 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:11.200 of the power 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.039 of Jesus, 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.620 a way of validating 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.840 the supremacy 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.500 of Jesus 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:16.759 and the authority 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.379 of Paul 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:19.180 as a messenger. 00:16:20.500 --> 00:16:21.460 So what happens 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.840 is there's a group 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.580 of these seven sons 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.120 of Sceva 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.299 who seems like 00:16:28.299 --> 00:16:29.180 they want to make 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:30.580 a name for themselves 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:32.399 as those who can drive 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.319 out evil spirits. 00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:34.019 They recognize 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.720 the power 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.500 of Paul's ministry 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:36.959 and they think, 00:16:37.079 --> 00:16:37.919 I want some 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:38.720 of that action. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.459 And so they try 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:42.620 and cast out 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.059 a demon 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:44.439 in the name 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.039 of Jesus 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.139 whom Paul 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.480 preaches. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.079 F.F. Bruce, 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:51.740 a Bible scholar, 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.179 says, 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.159 like a weapon 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:55.179 wrongly handled, 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.240 this exploded 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:59.259 in their hands. 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.460 We have in verse 15 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.059 evil spirits. 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.159 Jesus, I know, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.440 I know about Paul, 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.839 I know his power 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.319 and authority. 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:08.440 Who are you? 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.740 And he overpowers 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.660 and gives them 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.920 a beating. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.480 What's happening here 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:14.980 is they're trying 00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.539 to claim 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.759 the power of Jesus 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.859 without knowing 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.559 Jesus. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.200 They're trying 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:21.099 to act as if 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:21.940 they're in Jesus' team 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.440 but they're not 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.319 coming in 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.920 his name. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.660 And so 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:27.940 God acts 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.639 for the glory 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.180 of Jesus 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.379 through this beating 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:30.860 because what 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.120 happens in verse 17? 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.640 When this became 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.480 known to the Jews 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.900 and Greeks 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.660 living in Ephesus, 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:36.340 they were all 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:37.360 seized with fear 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.480 and the name 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.440 of the Lord Jesus 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.560 was held 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.580 in high honour. 00:17:42.300 --> 00:17:43.020 God uses 00:17:43.020 --> 00:17:43.820 this moment 00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:44.720 to further 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.700 display the 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.340 majesty 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:47.620 of Jesus 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.620 as Lord. 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:52.679 So we've got 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:53.119 some people 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.019 trying to exploit 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.899 the power of Jesus 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.919 and they are 00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:56.739 exposed 00:17:56.739 --> 00:17:58.179 so that the 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:58.899 true messenger 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.839 and the true 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.599 power of Jesus 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.779 is revealed. 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.739 We hear about this 00:18:03.739 --> 00:18:04.279 in the news 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:05.039 from time to time. 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.659 In the news 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.199 this week, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.479 the people that 00:18:07.479 --> 00:18:08.399 were crowdfunding 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:10.079 to apparently 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.000 help homelessness 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.599 but they were 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.219 pocketing 00:18:12.219 --> 00:18:13.079 somewhere in the 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:13.439 region of 00:18:13.439 --> 00:18:14.219 £300,000 00:18:14.219 --> 00:18:15.619 for themselves, 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:17.379 it seems like 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:18.139 these sons of 00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:18.939 Sceva are 00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:19.919 trying to exploit 00:18:19.919 --> 00:18:20.479 the name of 00:18:20.479 --> 00:18:21.179 Jesus in order 00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:21.839 to further 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.299 their own 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.279 career and 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.059 to pursue 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.439 their own 00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.439 glory. 00:18:27.599 --> 00:18:28.379 Claiming the 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.539 name of Jesus 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:31.559 but not being 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.619 with Jesus, 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.539 not knowing 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:33.959 Jesus, 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:35.119 personally submitting 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:35.679 to him as 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:36.199 Lord, 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:37.779 we discover here 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.679 it is a 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.859 dangerous thing. 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.500 There is a 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.039 warning here, 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.359 I think. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:43.859 There is a 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:44.759 warning about 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:47.019 ministries and 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:49.119 churches which 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:49.980 claim to be 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.579 Christian but 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.700 don't know or 00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.920 represent Jesus. 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:55.680 Places that 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.480 call themselves 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.539 Christian churches 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.259 but they don't 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.740 believe the 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.000 Bible. 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.339 They don't 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.039 believe Jesus 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.740 is the Son of 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.019 God. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:03.019 They don't 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.640 believe that he 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.579 died for sin or 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.599 that he truly 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.420 rose from the 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:07.539 dead for salvation. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.819 We see in this 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.680 part of town a 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:13.279 lot of Mormons 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:13.879 and Jehovah's 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.240 witnesses. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.160 Again, 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.000 claiming to be 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.559 Christian but 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.140 with a very 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:18.279 different message 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.940 about Jesus, 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.119 not representing 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.980 Jesus as the 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:23.680 Son of God 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:24.579 and the 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.299 Saviour of the 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:25.579 world. 00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:26.400 And so one of 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.039 the groups that 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.579 we will pray 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.079 for are to 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.819 pray for 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.319 churches in 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.839 our city, 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.839 in our cities 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:35.559 that are not 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.299 true churches, 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:39.059 to pray for 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.619 those who are 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:40.500 caught up in 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:41.039 cults, 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.420 for their true 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.039 conversion, 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:44.860 and so that 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.580 these places 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.160 would become 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:46.800 true places 00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:47.300 of worship 00:19:47.300 --> 00:19:47.640 where the 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.200 gospel is 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.580 shared, 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:49.960 and we'll 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.680 also pray 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.880 against their 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.580 influence so 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.019 that people 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.700 will see the 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.019 truth. 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.460 Because it's 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.380 so harmful 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.539 when somebody 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.259 is looking for 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.140 spiritual reality 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.920 to go to a 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:01.100 place that's 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.480 not presenting 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.480 it, when 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:03.860 they're not 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:04.840 presenting Jesus. 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:07.459 after the 00:20:07.459 --> 00:20:08.119 beatings, another 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:09.279 unique thing 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.000 happens, we 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.079 see this 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.599 great bonfire 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:14.419 take place, 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.259 verses 18 to 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.799 20. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.379 One of the 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:18.859 things that 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.879 becomes clear 00:20:19.879 --> 00:20:21.439 about Ephesus, 00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:22.419 which is true 00:20:22.419 --> 00:20:22.919 of a lot of 00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:23.559 Roman cities, 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.599 is it's a 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.259 place where 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.359 idols and 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.119 statues and 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.899 pagan religion 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.899 was everywhere. 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:30.819 If you wanted 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.299 to go to the 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.939 butchers to get 00:20:31.939 --> 00:20:33.179 your meat, the 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:33.720 meat that you'd 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.399 be buying, we'd 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.160 most likely have 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.800 been sacrificed 00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:36.720 at a temple to 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.100 one of the 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.920 pagan gods and 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.740 then sold on. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.440 In Ephesus, if 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.100 you wanted a 00:20:41.100 --> 00:20:41.820 doctor or a 00:20:41.820 --> 00:20:43.200 hospital, the 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.960 only place that 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.540 you could go 00:20:44.540 --> 00:20:45.880 was to the 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:46.480 doctors who 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.060 were connected 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.860 to the pagan 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:48.680 god of health, 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.500 Asclepios. 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.680 So everything 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:52.140 about life was 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.360 connected to 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:54.759 pagan religion. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.400 Trade and 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.780 tourism in 00:20:56.780 --> 00:20:57.500 Ephesus was all 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.320 centred on the 00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:00.080 temple of 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:00.920 Artemis, one of 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.759 the seven wonders 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.080 of the ancient 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:03.480 world. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:05.160 So here is a 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.940 city that's 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:07.400 dominated by 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:09.200 other religions 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.160 and alternative 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.980 world views. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.599 Now let's see 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:14.160 what happens. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.819 Verse 18, 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.620 many of those 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:16.339 who believed 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.700 now came and 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:19.019 openly confessed 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.319 their evil 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.759 deeds. 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.059 A number who 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.539 practiced 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:24.099 sorcery brought 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.000 their scrolls 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.420 together and 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.120 burned them 00:21:27.120 --> 00:21:27.680 publicly. 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.740 When they 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.440 calculated the 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.140 value of the 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.779 scrolls, the 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.680 total came to 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:32.620 50,000 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.219 drachmas. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.399 In this way, 00:21:34.459 --> 00:21:34.939 the word of 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.259 the Lord 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:36.039 spread widely 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.619 and grew in 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.059 power. 00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:38.699 So you've got 00:21:38.699 --> 00:21:39.739 pagan religion, 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.419 but you've also 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.059 got another 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:42.199 group and 00:21:42.199 --> 00:21:42.879 they're practicing 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.919 sorcery, this 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.899 dark magic 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.079 attached to 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:47.039 evil powers. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.299 Practicing it 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.959 for themselves 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:50.199 or for others 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.339 in order to 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.179 bring health or 00:21:52.179 --> 00:21:52.859 safety or 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.399 wealth. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:53.540 people. 00:21:55.340 --> 00:21:57.000 But then, as 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.460 they hear the 00:21:58.460 --> 00:21:59.300 gospel, the 00:21:59.300 --> 00:21:59.940 good news of 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.060 Jesus, and as 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:01.820 they believe, 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:03.300 they're confessing 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:04.340 and they're also 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:05.600 confessing very 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:07.340 publicly that 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:07.980 they are going to 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.980 be trusting Jesus 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.620 with their lives. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.140 And they do 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:11.060 that with this 00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:12.259 great big public 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.440 bonfire. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:14.140 Here is their 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.780 way of saying, 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.480 I'm breaking 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.180 with this old 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.780 way of life. 00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:18.400 I'm living a 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.259 new life for 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.660 Jesus. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.800 I trust that 00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:21.580 his power is 00:22:21.580 --> 00:22:22.900 greater than 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.660 that dark 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.120 power. 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.420 I no longer 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.080 want anything 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:27.700 to do with 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.080 that. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.480 So here is a 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.300 group of people 00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:31.220 in the middle 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.720 of a very 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:33.160 pagan city 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:34.380 and they're 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.300 making a very 00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:37.800 radical change 00:22:37.800 --> 00:22:39.920 and only the 00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.840 superior power 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.420 of Jesus 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:43.100 explains this 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:44.100 kind of switch. 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.420 They're hearing 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.600 the gospel. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.019 They're hearing 00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.540 Paul. 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.660 day after 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:52.460 day teaching 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.580 and debating 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.900 and discussing. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.660 They're hearing 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.920 the gospel. 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:00.000 They're understanding 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.600 who God is. 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.560 They grew up 00:23:03.560 --> 00:23:04.240 perhaps in a 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.000 city that had 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:06.000 lots of little 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:07.360 gods and Paul 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.120 is telling them 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.500 there's only one 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.680 true God and 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.540 he's the creator 00:23:11.540 --> 00:23:12.259 of us all and 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.660 we're all 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.500 accountable to 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.700 him. 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:14.940 And that God 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.740 is both good 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.220 and loving but 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:18.500 he's also holy 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.920 and just. 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.099 And Paul would 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.700 have been speaking 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.299 to them not 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.859 just about who 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.359 God is but 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.140 also about who 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:27.240 they were as 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.799 people. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.359 Made in the 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:30.059 image of God 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.160 with value and 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.619 dignity. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.420 Made to know 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.519 and enjoy God. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.200 Made to be 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.200 worshippers of 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.500 God. 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.700 Made to love 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.799 God and to love 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.400 one another. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.400 Presenting the 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.259 idea of this is 00:23:42.259 --> 00:23:43.559 how we are made 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.279 to live. 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:45.700 But no doubt 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.440 Paul would have 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.440 spoken to them 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.960 about how we 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.000 actually live. 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.379 He would have 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.259 spoken to them 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.319 about the reality 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:54.379 of sin. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:56.159 That they have 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:57.619 failed to 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.159 worship. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.919 That they had 00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.940 failed to love 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.980 God and to 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.299 love others. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.139 That instead 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.940 they were being 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.759 held in slavery 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:07.200 to false gods 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.059 and slavery to 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:11.099 sin leading to 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.960 death. 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:15.539 But we know 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.340 that he also 00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:18.039 came proclaiming 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:19.920 Jesus as the 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.720 good news. 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.559 The saviour that 00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.279 we all need. 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.519 That whereas we 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.500 are unable to 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.240 meet God's 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.200 perfect standards 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.180 there is one who 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:29.460 did. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:31.039 Jesus, God's 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.279 son. 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.279 He lived a life 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.980 of perfect 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.680 obedience. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.019 Lived a life of 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.259 perfect love towards 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.500 God and towards 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.400 other people. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.579 And he came to 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.400 be a substitute 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.220 both in his 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.500 perfect life 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:44.140 satisfying God's 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.819 law that we 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.559 break and we 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.440 cannot fulfill 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.640 but also 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:49.660 satisfying the 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.900 justice of God 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:53.539 against God's 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.240 broken law. 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.920 Jesus comes to 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:57.019 be the sacrifice 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.559 paying the price 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.920 for our sin. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.480 In order that 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.319 through faith in 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.839 him we might be 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.940 forgiven. 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.299 That if we 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:08.059 respond in faith 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:09.139 and believe to 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:10.740 Jesus instead 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.200 of receiving 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.259 hell and 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.079 judgment as we 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.940 deserve we can 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.960 receive heaven and 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.639 eternal life with 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.619 him as a great 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.700 gift of God's 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.039 grain. 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.200 And as Paul 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:23.019 preached that 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.279 message there 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.039 were people who 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:26.240 were coming to 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.899 faith and they 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:28.240 were turning their 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.200 life around and 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.419 that's still the 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:31.460 gospel message 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:31.960 today. 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.799 That's still the 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.899 invitation to 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:35.139 respond and to 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.599 turn. 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.679 And we know 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.279 that God is 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:39.039 still rescuing 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.659 people from 00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:42.039 various backgrounds 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.740 and bringing them 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.599 into his kingdom. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.419 This week I was 00:25:45.419 --> 00:25:45.980 reading the 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:47.759 magazine of the 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.559 Open Doors 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.319 organization. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:51.039 They serve the 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.039 persecuted church 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.799 around the world 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.539 and they were 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.359 telling the story 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.839 of a pastor by 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.319 the name of 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.619 David in 00:25:57.619 --> 00:25:58.139 Syria. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.639 And Pastor 00:25:59.639 --> 00:26:00.339 David was 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.480 converted from a 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.399 branch of Islam 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.339 called Druze 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.779 Islam. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:05.139 A mixture of 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.899 Islam and 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.940 various eastern 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.000 religious ideas 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.259 like reincarnation. 00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.259 There's about 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.660 600,000 of them 00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:12.420 in Syria. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.799 Well he became 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.559 a follower of 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.980 Jesus and he 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.019 became a 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.279 Christian and he 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.359 began pastoring a 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.259 church in a war 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.399 zone and he 00:26:22.399 --> 00:26:23.079 said that last 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.359 month he 00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.839 baptized 16 new 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.960 Christians, all 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.980 converts from this 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:28.879 Druze Islam. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.899 And over the 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.559 last number of 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.079 years there's been 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.460 hundreds who've 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.139 been turning from 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.700 that way of 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.620 life to faith in 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.320 the Lord Jesus. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.520 Jesus is still 00:26:36.520 --> 00:26:37.120 building his 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.220 church in hard 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.759 places. 00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:40.220 Jesus is still 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:41.240 moving people from 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.220 spiritual darkness 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.620 into the kingdom 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.340 of light. 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:46.500 Just remind us 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.259 that Jesus is 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:48.700 supreme and we 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.380 get our confidence 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:49.980 as we pray. 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:50.800 So we'll pray 00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:53.000 for those in our 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.680 cities who are in 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.759 the grip of new 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.460 age spirituality, 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:56.580 for those who are 00:26:56.580 --> 00:26:57.600 desperate for 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.420 spiritual meaning 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.080 but don't know 00:26:59.080 --> 00:27:00.500 where to turn. 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.980 We'll pray for 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:02.740 those of other 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.200 faiths. 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.819 We'll pray for 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.500 those we know 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.160 who are sharing 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:06.099 Jesus across 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.400 cultures and 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.220 across different 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.120 faith backgrounds. 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.759 The last unique 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.900 thing that we see 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.700 in Ephesus is the 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.940 response of these 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.960 businessmen. 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.799 It's an interesting 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:20.059 response led by 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.900 Demetrius. 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:23.559 Verse 23, we read 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.460 about that time 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.519 there arose a great 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:27.400 disturbance about 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.039 the way. 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.680 Time and again as 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.940 Paul preaches, he 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:32.380 meets those who 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:34.519 believe, some 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.360 instantly, some 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.380 over time but we 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.680 also see time and 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.400 again that the way 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.460 of Jesus provokes 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.960 opposition and 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.680 hostility. 00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:43.600 And here in 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:45.820 Ephesus, the scene 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:47.200 is set for a power 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.799 contest between 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.160 Jesus and the 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.140 great goddess 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:54.519 Artemis or Diana. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.460 And what's 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.240 happening here is 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.779 that God is 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:58.599 clearly working to 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.379 show that Jesus 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.899 is the greater 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.920 power, authority 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:03.339 and glory, much 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:05.039 greater than their 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:07.059 man-made religion. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.139 Let's hear 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.879 Demetrius. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.680 Demetrius in 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.740 verse 24 is a 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.319 silversmith. 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.759 His job is to 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:16.099 make shrines of 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:18.639 Artemis and he's 00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:19.180 obviously doing 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:19.839 quite well 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.500 financially. 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:23.259 He calls the 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.240 other businessmen 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.399 together, the 00:28:25.399 --> 00:28:25.920 workmen and 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:26.860 related trades and 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.440 said, men, you 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.220 know we receive a 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.900 good income from 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:30.259 this business and 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.700 you see and hear 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.880 how this fellow 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.940 Paul has convinced 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.800 and led astray 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:36.039 large numbers of 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.279 people here in 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.759 Ephesus and 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.320 practically the 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:39.039 whole province of 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.320 Asia. 00:28:39.800 --> 00:28:40.460 He says that 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.779 man-made gods 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.840 are no gods at 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.220 all. 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.200 Paul has been 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:47.259 exposing the 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.840 folly of 00:28:47.840 --> 00:28:49.180 idolatry and 00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:50.279 many are being 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.900 persuaded. 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:53.160 Demetrius is not 00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.620 happy. 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:56.179 not happy. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.059 Verse 27, 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.819 there's danger 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.779 not only that our 00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.899 trade will lose 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.899 its good name 00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:02.500 but also that the 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.319 temple of the 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.159 great goddess 00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:05.279 Artemis will be 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:07.039 discredited and 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.019 towards the end of 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.619 verse 27 she'll be 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.719 robbed of her 00:29:10.719 --> 00:29:13.219 divine majesty. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.439 So see, Jesus as 00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:19.179 Lord is discrediting 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:20.519 Artemis. 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:22.519 people are comparing 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.700 the two and 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.779 they're recognizing 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.299 that Jesus is 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.440 greater. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.339 Perhaps Paul was 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.319 talking about Jesus 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.500 as the true temple, 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.559 the true meeting 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.099 place. 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:34.079 You want to know 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.379 God? 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.139 Don't go to the 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:36.019 temple of Artemis. 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:37.379 Come to King 00:29:37.379 --> 00:29:37.859 Jesus. 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.160 And of course, 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.700 while Demetrius 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:43.019 thinks that Artemis 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.960 is being robbed of 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.379 her divine majesty, 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.139 that's not what's 00:29:46.139 --> 00:29:47.019 happening at all. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.539 It's that Jesus is 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.720 receiving the glory 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.779 that's always due 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.579 him because he's 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:53.379 the only God. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:55.859 He's the only Lord. 00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.339 But as we've seen 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:58.279 in other places, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.460 mob mentality 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.099 kicks in. 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.859 Verse 28, 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:03.680 the crowds became 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.700 furious and began 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.319 shouting, 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.680 great as Artemis 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.599 of the Ephesians. 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:09.980 We see it in verse 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:11.920 34, again shouting 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.819 in unison for about 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.660 two hours, 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.920 great as Artemis 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:17.860 of the Ephesians. 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.660 We're like with a 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.120 sad picture of 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:21.240 angry people trying 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.140 to uphold the 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.860 honour of their 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.779 so-called God, 00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.500 the God who could 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.880 do nothing to 00:30:25.880 --> 00:30:26.759 defend herself 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.779 because she is 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:29.500 no God at all, 00:30:29.900 --> 00:30:30.880 as Paul had been 00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:31.640 saying to them. 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:33.420 Clearly part of 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.140 Paul's mission 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:35.800 strategy was to 00:30:35.800 --> 00:30:37.539 expose the idols 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.300 of the day, 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.400 to show the 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:41.200 weakness of 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.980 false religion 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.900 compared to the 00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:45.220 reality of 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.140 knowing Jesus 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.900 as God 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.740 and as 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.400 saviour. 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.160 It's important 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.940 for us 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:54.500 to be able 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.519 to recognise 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.819 that though we 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.460 don't have 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.140 shrines and 00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.640 though we don't 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.559 have idols 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.079 in our culture, 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.740 there are still 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.440 things that we 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.500 live for, 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.059 there are still 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.640 things that we 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.259 would consider 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.519 of ultimate 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.240 value in our 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.559 lives, 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:10.460 there are things 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.240 that people 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:12.440 could not imagine 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.660 living without 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.680 and it's our 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.799 job as 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.460 Christians to 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.460 seek to show 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:17.920 people that 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.480 Jesus is 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:18.980 greater, 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.539 to show people 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:20.980 that those 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.559 longings that 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.100 they have, 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.860 the hopes that 00:31:23.860 --> 00:31:24.440 they place in 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.140 a relationship 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.799 or a career 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.400 ultimately will 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.380 only be met 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.799 through faith 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:30.960 in Jesus 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.840 because when 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.480 people follow 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.180 a God that 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.880 they can put 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.539 in their pocket 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.920 or when people 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.779 follow a God 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.680 who can fail, 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.940 one who can 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.620 be lost, 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.400 our God is 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:43.000 too small and 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.700 so we present 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.320 people with 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:46.320 supremacy of 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:46.800 Jesus. 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.500 We also see 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:48.840 from the 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.340 mission of 00:31:49.340 --> 00:31:49.780 Paul that 00:31:49.780 --> 00:31:50.100 it's really 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.820 important to 00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.400 resist the 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:51.840 spirit of 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:53.200 the age and 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.420 they would 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.140 say to us 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:56.519 that all 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.140 beliefs are 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.040 equally valid, 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.120 that all 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:00.840 roads ultimately 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.580 lead to God. 00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.180 We hear it a 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.460 lot and it 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.240 can seem rude 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.759 or intolerant 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.580 to have an 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:09.960 alternative but 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.700 we discover from 00:32:10.700 --> 00:32:11.380 the ministry of 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:11.740 Paul, we 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.260 discovered it 00:32:12.260 --> 00:32:12.780 from Jesus 00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.380 this morning, 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.540 who and what 00:32:14.540 --> 00:32:15.460 we believe in 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.320 is of crucial 00:32:16.320 --> 00:32:16.860 importance, 00:32:18.040 --> 00:32:18.780 that Jesus is 00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:19.280 the way, 00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:19.840 the truth, 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:21.240 the life and 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.440 so we are 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:24.080 compelled to 00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:25.400 invite people to 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.720 believe in 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.540 Jesus. 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.640 But one of the 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.380 things that we'll 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.100 pray about in 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:31.660 just a couple of 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.180 minutes is we'll 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:34.200 pray for places 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.120 where Christianity 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:36.140 finds itself under 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.600 a tank, 00:32:37.400 --> 00:32:38.280 where there are 00:32:38.280 --> 00:32:39.060 those in power 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.740 who would seek 00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.639 to discredit 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:42.139 the good name 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:43.960 of Jesus and 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.240 the church of 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.720 Jesus. 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:48.399 But as we have 00:32:48.399 --> 00:32:49.259 looked very 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:50.700 briefly at 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.659 Paul in 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:52.279 Ephesus, 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:53.539 again we have 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:54.819 reason as 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.579 Christians to 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.339 take heart. 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:58.059 We have reason 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:59.000 as Christians to 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:01.220 worship God for 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.799 the way that we 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.740 see him build 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.319 his church in 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:05.899 a hard situation. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.359 We have called 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:09.720 to pray as we 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.460 look around and 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.240 we see that we 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:12.679 live in the same 00:33:12.679 --> 00:33:13.819 kind of setting 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:15.379 and we too are 00:33:15.379 --> 00:33:17.000 called to speak, 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.480 to speak for 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.619 Jesus as Lord 00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:22.639 and to work with 00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.639 him as he works 00:33:23.639 --> 00:33:24.720 in our city and 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.659 our communities to 00:33:25.659 --> 00:33:27.599 bring people to 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:28.740 himself, to bring 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:30.500 glory to himself.