God’s true Word always stirs things up.

“There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.”- Ann Voskamp

David Hume, the Scottish philosopher and skeptic, was once challenged as he was seen going to hear George Whitefield preach: “I thought you do not believe in the gospel.” Hume replied, “I don’t, but he does.”

Where are the preachers that still believe the Word.

One lesson that history teaches is the paradoxical truth that the church thrives under persecution. Effectiveness and persecution usually go hand in hand, since an effective church is a bold church, and a bold church is often a church made strong through suffering.

The early church faced persecution from its inception. In Jerusalem, that persecution came from organized religion (Acts 4:1–31; 8:1–4). In Antioch, it stemmed from prejudice and envy (Acts 13:44–52). In Lystra, it was the result of ignorant paganism (Acts 14:8–19). In Philippi, it was the reaction to a victory over the demonic realm (Acts 16:16–40). In Thessalonica, it came from an unruly mob, urged on by jealous religious leaders (Acts 17:1–9). In Athens, the gospel faced the opposition of worldly philosophy (Acts 17:16–34). In Corinth, as in Jerusalem, it came from Judaism, this time in a Roman court (Acts 18:5–17). Wherever the church boldly and faithfully proclaims the gospel it faces Satanic opposition. Persecution also arose in Ephesus, stemming from a pseudo-religious materialism. Hardened hearts, hypocrisy, and hatred energized the opposition to the gospel.

Paul on his third missionary journey, arrives at Ephesus, God has already done a marvelous work. We find that the groundwork had been laid by some friends that he had left there namely Aquila and Priscilla.

verse 10 says “that all that dwell in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

There’s always going to be flack because the system which is operated by Satan cannot tolerate the unadulterated presentation of the pure word. So that the prevailing of the Word has two result, progress for the gospel and persecution from Satan.

Paul is Preaching

Acts 19:8 And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

They spoke evil of the way

9But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way

Miracles accompanied the word, they verify it, the sick were healed

11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.

Evil spirits cast out

There is a fascination today in some Christian circles, they are exorcising demons without biblical support and dangerous. The assumption that a believer has authority to command demons and Satan, or to bind them, is fake. Even Michael the archangel would not be so bold (Jude 9). And reducing the Christian life to a demon hunt negates believers’ biblically mandated responsibility to pursue true sanctification by holiness and godly living.

Nowhere in the epistles is there any promise to Christians that they can deliver the unsaved from demons. Nor is there any command for believers to exorcise demons out of each other. Nowhere in Scripture are demons ever cast out of believers. Since there is no evidence in Scripture that demons reside in Christians, it is not surprising that there is no record of demons ever being cast out of believers. Indeed, the definitive New Testament passage on spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10–17) emphasizes the believer’s victory through the means of a righteous, holy life armed with the Word.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.aq 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace

The weapon Christians are to use in their personal battle with the forces of darkness is “the sword of the Spirit. It is through the power of the Word alone that the intellectual fortresses of Satan fall, so Christians by that truth can successfully battle Satan and his demon hosts.

The book of Acts, which records the apostles’ evangelistic ministry, emphasizes the preaching of the Word over signs, wonders, miracles, and exorcisms. Acts 6:4 the apostles defined the
priorities of their ministry in the church: “We will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

This text shows how powerfully the Word of God dominated the city of Ephesus. Verse 20 “So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.”

The Professional Exorcist

The key to successful exorcism was to be able to call upon a spiritual power stronger than that which was oppressing the sufferer. The formula used here was the regular one: ‘I adjure you by the name of; and the equivalent used by Paul in 16:18). The fact that the name of Jesus was used here indicates at once that Jesus was known to have been a highly successful exorcist in his time (again Luke 9:49): to be able to call on Jesus was to call on that power which had proved itself in earlier exorcisms.

Paul was successful as an exorcist because he was a disciple of Jesus, who could therefore call upon the name of Jesus legitimately and with effect (16:18). The seven sons of Sceva in contrast were trying simply to manipulate a formula, depending on technique and their impressive title. Only the one who follows in close discipleship upon Jesus and is led by his Spirit can act in his name.

Steeped in superstition and failing to understand that Paul was merely the human channel for God’s power, the Ephesians did some amazing things. The handkerchiefs, or sweatbands, and aprons Paul wore during his tentmaking labor were even carried from his body to the sick. The idea that healing power could be so magically transmitted was prevalent in the ancient world (Matt. 9:21; Acts 5:15). That the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out through those means does not commend that method (as some would-be healers would have people believe).

Instead it needs to be viewed as nothing more than God’s accommodation to the mentality of those people. And it further proved that Paul was from God and thus spoke for God. As a doctor, Luke carefully distinguishes between diseases and afflictions caused by evil spirits to make clear that not all illness stems from demonic causes.

People tried to copy Paul, the result was not good

Ancient magicians were syncretists and would borrow terms from any religion that sounded sufficiently strange to be deemed effective. These Jewish exorcists of Ephesus were only plying their trade. Paul’s “spell” in Jesus’ name seemed effective for him, so they gave it a try.

The name of Jesus is no magical charm to be used by whoever wants to use it, as these exorcists soon learned the hard way. “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” They did not know the Person they named nor have His power delegated to them.

The exorcists, of course, had neither the right to use the name of Jesus nor the power to command demons, so the demon attacked them viciously.

This story illustrates the danger for any who assume messianic or apostolic power over demons and Satan and thus carelessly meddle in the supernatural realm.

It seems Satan would have wished these sons of Sceva to succeed, so that the domain of darkness could compete with God, as Pharaoh’s magicians did with Moses (Ex. 7:22). But the attempt to provide competition for the Word was thwarted. It backfired and brought greater conviction among the Ephesians of the power of Jesus’ name and the truth of Paul’s preaching.

The miracles God performed through Paul were essential to convince the Ephesians that he was from God. Impressed with him as the messenger of God, their hearts were prepared to hear his message of salvation.

Fear came and God was magnified

Many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; it was given to indicate Ephesus’s widespread involvement in the magic arts.

Paul’s preaching caused a Riot

23And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way

Demetrius raises the mob,

24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen; 25whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said,

Demetrius was the head of the union and he saw that they money was falling off.

28And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre

In Ephesus the opposition is basically of a pseudo-religious materialism.

Satan tried to sneak into the Christian community and just become one of them.

Demetrius said, “This Paul Has persuaded and turned away many people. Saying that they are no gods which are made with hands.” Demetrius appeals to their pocketbooks. He says in verse 25 “we make our wealth by this craft.” we make our livelihood; we earn our living by this.

Our god is being defamed. They needed to defend their goddess. It was a big deal, it was constantly being embellished one of the seven wonders of the world. These Christians are challenging the majesty of Artemus.
verse 27 he says, “And her magnificence should be destroyed whom all Asia and the world worships.”
Demetrius is saying this is a question of our own reputation in the world. Ephesus stands in the world in the place it stands because of this temple. This is our claim to fame.

So their trade was in danger, their religion was in danger and their reputation in the world was in danger

Can you believe the depth of Paganism that believes that you take a pile of silver and form it into a God?

Why does God take up all this 20 verses to tell us about a riot?

Mabe it is because it’s exciting to see the successes of Christianity put in the mouths of the pagans.

The reason the spirit puts it here is probably because the rioters are so frustrated because there’s nothing they can really do because there’s no-one to blame and there’s nothing evil that Christians have done.

God lets the pagans state the case that Christianity is successful.

This riot provides an understanding for mob psychology.

The basic cause of the riot was Christianity’s tremendous spread.

verse 28, “And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath.” They just started yelling “great Artemus of the Ephesians.” They started yelling to their God, do something.

Mob action one

The first characteristic of the riot is anger. They’re mad, it’s just anger run wild, and typical of a riot. Then the world does get angry with Christianity.

These people just lost their cool, they were in a frenzy screaming, rioting, yelling the name of their goddess.

The second thing a mob has is confusion.

So they all are screaming their heads off, And the whole city was filled with confusion. In their confusion, they grab two guys by the name of Gaius and Aristarchus.

So the disciples restrained Paul from going in.

There’s a certain sense in which you got to use your head. It is faith to be in danger and believe God will deliver you. It is presumption to put yourself in danger and then expect God to deliver you. If the danger comes around you, believe God will take care of you. But use your head.

That’s what Satan tried to get Jesus to do. He said, dive off the temple,

“For the assembly was in confusion.” And the greater part knew not for what reason they would come together. They had no idea what was even going on.

They’re all screaming, I guess if you have no guns or matches of windows to break, all you can do, is just yell for two hours.

The Riot is Calmed

There was one sharp guy there who handled the situation. He was the chief citizen of the town, he was the chairman of the town assembly

He was the guy who called the convening of the town meetings which occurred three times a month. He was the very important citizen. He finally quieted the people after two hours of standing in the middle of that place screaming their heads off.

“You men of Ephesus, what man is there that does not know that the city of Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana?” And that the image which fell down from Jupiter.

He knows that the Romans are going to hold him responsible for all the trouble.

If Artemus came from heaven from Jupiter, and if we are the great temple warden of this great goddess, then nothing can be done against them. You ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly

He said, if it isn’t legal, if it’s a social matter, “it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.” Verse 40. “For we are in danger to be called and questioned for this day’s uproar.”

Verse 41. “When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.” After several hours of mass confusion, mob hysterics, everybody went home.

The town clerk did a great favor for the Ephesians. He did no favor for the church.

The moment the church passed under the protection of the town clerk, they were in more danger than they were when the riot was going on. The church always is in more danger when it is protected by the system then it is when it has to fight for its existence.

Do our lives ever cause a riot in any sense because we believe the Word and we share it?