Sermon: Acts 19:23-41; "Ephesus in an Uproar"
Date: August 28, 2016
Pastor: Michael Howard


Scriptures: Acts 19:23-41

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis,
brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.
25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades,
and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from
this business.
26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led
astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the
whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no
gods at all.
27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name,
but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be
discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the
province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is
Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and
Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them
rushed into the theater together.
30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not
let him.
31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him
a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some
another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.
33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted
instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense
before the people.
34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for
about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t
all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple
of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down
and not do anything rash.
37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed
temples nor blasphemed our goddess.
38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against
anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press
charges.
39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled
in a legal assembly.
40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of
what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for
this commotion, since there is no reason for it.”
41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.


Cowboy Church of Ennis Texas
A Church of the Western Heritage Culture
Committed to serving people with the Good News of Jesus Christ

website: http://www.cowboychurchofennis.com