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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. FEARLESS v FEARFUL
A. “SHARE THE WORD”
>>1. DETERMINATION
Acts 19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to visit Macedonia and Achaia, then go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
(also I Cor 16:1-4)
>>2. DECISION
Acts 19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, Paul remained in Asia a while longer.
B. “HOARD THE WEALTH”
>>1. DISTURBANCE
Acts 19:23 About that time there arose ‘a major disturbance’ about the Way.
>>2. DEMETRIUS
Acts 19:24-25 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have amassed our wealth.
C. “BUT EVERYONE’S DOING IT”
>>1. DANGER
Acts 19:26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.
>>2. DEPOSED
Acts 19:27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
II. CONFUSION v CLARITY
A. “WE ARE LIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES”
>>1. DERANGED
Acts 19:28-29 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” So, the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius of Derbe and Aristarchus of Macedonia who were Paul’s companions in travel.
>>2. DESIRE
Acts 19:30-31 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some leaders from Asia who were friends of his, sent to him and urged him not to venture into the theater.
(also Eph 6:12)
B. “IGNORANCE IS BLISS”
>>1. DECEIVED
Acts 19:32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most didn’t know why they’d gathered.
>>2. DISCLAIMER
Acts 19:33-34 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for nearly two more hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
III. RIOT v REASON
A. “DON’T LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY”
>>1. DENIED
Acts 19:35-36 And when the city administrator finally quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
>>2. DEFENDANTS
Acts 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.
B. “DO IT BY THE BOOK”
>>1. DECORUM
Acts 19:38-39 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. If you seek to pursue this further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
>>2. DISMISSAL
Acts 19:40-41 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
(also Eph 2:19-22 )