Acts: Go & Be Chapters 19-28Sample

What is this passage saying?

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus climaxes with a riot against him.

What is this passage teaching?

The gospel spread was so powerful in Ephesus that it disturbed the city's economic fabric. Silversmiths who made money from crafting idols to the goddess Artemis lost customer after customer as pagans were converted and began to worship Jesus. Scared of losing money and the great temple of Artemis “coming into disrepute,” the silversmiths incite a riot against Paul and the church. Putting the city into confusion, the riot is eventually settled by city officials who dismiss the rioters. We see in this scene that the gospel has profound ramifications for our culture. The gospel witness is neither quaint nor quiet. It stands against the edifice of worldly systems, inviting the most sinful and idolatrous to find hope and healing in Jesus.

How do I respond?

The riot in Ephesus was not a “culture war.” Paul did not politically align the church to achieve a specific goal or realign city priorities. Rather, the Holy Spirit’s transformation of God’s people dramatically changed how they lived their lives. The spiritual transformation of the church had political, economic, and cultural ramifications. In the same way, how we follow Jesus has political, economic, and cultural ramifications. We need not build political empires because Jesus Himself has all authority in heaven and on earth. We need not submit to systems of materialism or consumerism because God has called us to live generously, leveraging all our wealth to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom. A culture of individualism and relativism need not enslave us because the gospel frees us to love others and share the infallible gospel of an unshakeable Kingdom. Friends, pray today that the boldness of your witness would

tear at the very fabric of the kingdoms of men. Pray that your steadfast commitment to show and share the gospel would free others from the bondage of idolatry and sin.