Sermon Tone Analysis

Context:

The Disciples of John (19:1–7).

When Paul first arrived in Ephesus he encountered twelve men who had been disciples of John the Baptist.

They had been baptized by John and knew John’s message of the coming Messiah but did not know that Jesus was the Messiah.

Neither did they know of the gift of the Spirit.

Paul convinced them that Jesus was the fulfillment of John’s preaching.

They were thereupon baptized.

With the laying on of Paul’s hands, they received an outward demonstration of the gift of the Spirit which confirmed that God had accepted them.

The Disciples of John (19:1–7).

When Paul first arrived in Ephesus he encountered twelve men who had been disciples of John the Baptist.

They had been baptized by John and knew John’s message of the coming Messiah but did not know that Jesus was the Messiah.

Neither did they know of the gift of the Spirit.

Paul convinced them that Jesus was the fulfillment of John’s preaching.

They were thereupon baptized.

With the laying on of Paul’s hands, they received an outward demonstration of the gift of the Spirit which confirmed that God had accepted them.

Preaching in Ephesus (19:8–12).

As always, Paul began his witness in the synagogue.

He witnessed there for three months until opposition forced him to move to a secular lecture hall.

For two years he continued testifying there to both Jews and Greeks.

He worked many miracles, so much so that people would bring items of cloth for him to touch in the hope that they could heal their sick with them.

False Religion in Ephesus (19:13–20).

Paul encountered two types of false religion in the city.

The first was embodied in seven self-styled Jewish exorcists who claimed to be sons of a high priest.

(There never was a high priest name Sceva.)

They observed Paul’s exorcisms in Jesus’ name and decided to exorcise a demoniac in Jesus’ name.

The demon would not acknowledge their power, fell upon them, and sent them away naked and humiliated.

They learned that there is no magic in the name of Jesus as such.

Jesus works only through those who are committed to Him.

A second sort of false religion was the magical scrolls for which Ephesus was famous.

These contained all sorts of strange words and spells.

Paul convinced the Ephesian Christians of the worthlessness of such things.

They brought their magic books and had a massive public burning.

Determination (19:21–22).

We know from Paul’s letters that he planned to take a collection from his Gentile churches to the Christians in Jerusalem.

After that he intended to go to Rome ().

Craftsmen of Ephesus (19:23–41).

The temple of Artemis (Diana) at Ephesus was one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world.

People came from all over the world to worship Artemis.

The goddess and her temple were the source of much pride and profit for the Ephesians.

Paul’s preaching against idolatry and superstition brought him into conflict with the economic interests who profited from the worship of Artemis.

A riot broke out - Riot: (Webster’s) “a wild or violent disorder, confusion, a violent public disturbance.”

According to Wikipedia in 2011 there were 105 riots worldwide.

In places like Uganda, Nigeria, Peru, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Somalia, Turkey, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq riots broke out and people were hurt, injured, wounded and even killed.

According to the reports 2,542 people were killed in riots in 2011.

3,428 people were injured and wounded in riots during 2011.

Half way through 2012, according to Wikipedia there were 28 riots worldwide thus far.

Those riots resulted in the death of 420 people and 1,166 people were been reported injured!

I.

2013 – Flatbush Riots, March 11, Riots in Brooklyn, New York after the death of Kimani Gray who was shot and killed by NYPD

2014 – Ferguson unrest, Ferguson and St. Louis, Missouri, August 10 and November 24.

Following the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, protests erupt in the streets.

2014 – St. Louis, Missouri - October 8. Police vehicle windows broken as rage at the killing of Vonderrit Myers Jr. Protests continued for days afterward, during the nearby and ongoing Ferguson Unrest.

2014 – New York, New York, and Berkeley, California – After prosecutors and a grand jury refused to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner, protests erupted in New York City and other cities.2014 Oakland riots, Nov. - Dec., A series of riots and civil disturbances that took place in Oakland and the surrounding area, in reaction to the events involving the Shooting of Michael Brown and later, the death of Eric Garner, Oakland, California2014 - Berkeley, Missouri, December 23-24.

Antonio Martin is shot to death by police in a St. Louis suburb nearby to Ferguson, leading to violent conflict with police, and looting.

2015 – 2015 Baltimore protests, April 25–28.

Days of protests break out following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.

2015 – St. Louis, Missouri, August 19.

Conflict with police following fatal shooting by St. Louis police officers of black teenager

People riot when they have been wronged, when supposedly injustice has taken place, when they feel that they have had enough!

People will riot against government tyranny, a unpopular ruling, a protest, a strike against a company, etc...

People will riot for almost anything!

Riots are dangerous and can and do result in the loss of life, health, property, and freedoms!

People that riot are out of control and are subject to any and all actions!

Luke declared the situation before the riot and the source that brought on the riot.

Christians making an impact in the world will often receive persecution in the world.

23 During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.

25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

26 You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods!

27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world adore.”

23 During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.

25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

26 You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods!

27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world adore.”

I.

The Time of the Riot.

(23a)

I.

The Time of the Riot.

(23a)

“And about that time there arose a great commotion” Luke tells us that when things were going well—when there was a great spiritual victory in Ephesus—there was about to be a great spiritual battle in Ephesus!

You can mark it down anytime that God is working in power through His people in a place the devil will counter that work with opposition and persecution.

The devil didn’t just stir up a little commotion—he didn’t just barely rock the boat!

Luke tells us that there arose a great commotion.

A great commotion (KJV: no small stir) Small: oligos ol-ee'-gos puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverb) somewhat, almost, brief [-ly], few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.

Stir: tarachos tar'-akh-os a disturbance, i.e. (popular) tumult-stir.

Luke reports about the great commotion that took place at Ephesus!

If the devil get cause a great commotion than he can do his most effective work.

II.

The Truth of the Riot

“....About The Way”

A silversmith named Demetrius profited greatly from replicas of the temple he made.

Realizing that Paul’s preaching against idolatry would hurt his business, he called together his fellow smiths.

23 During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.

25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said: “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

26 You both see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods!

27 So not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world adore.”

Prior to the fresh growth of the church, the local artisans had a good thing going—big business!