Acts 19:23-41
Reflect
The passage today throws us right in the middle of a mob situation. God had used Paul in big ways in the city of Ephesus. People were becoming disciples of Christ and lives were being changed. But not everyone was happy about that, particularly a man named Demetrius who was a silversmith. He made silver shrines of Artemis. She was considered the goddess of fertility and worshiped by many people in the city of Ephesus. If more people followed Jesus instead of Artemis, he wouldn’t make as much money! He stirred up trouble until the whole city was in an uproar, and they gathered in the theater shouting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” They were eventually calmed down by a wise city clerk.
This scene seems chaotic and confusing but if we look to the beginning of the chapter, we see that God is up to something. Many people were coming to believe in Jesus and a number who practiced sorcery were burning their scrolls! The Kingdom of God was advancing, and the enemy didn’t like that! When we understand this, the scene before us today is less surprising.
We can expect opposition too. When the Kingdom of God is being preached and advanced and we face opposition, we can persevere in knowing that God is up to something!
Erin Gibbard
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Young Adults Pastor, Nathanael Trinh, his ministry, and his family.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Melissa Chaffee and her family.
- Pray for our church Groups Assistant, Noah Okken.
- Pray for our Young Adults Ministry Assistant, Ethan Okken.
- Pray that God’s Spirit would work powerfully and effectively in all the various ministry groups in our church this week.