Anatomy of a Movement
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· 3 viewsPaul and the disciples faced new challenges against the advancement of the church.
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Introduction
Introduction
Momentum…It can be a great thing or a scary thing, depending on what you’re riding.
Flipping Mountain bike vs Riding the road
Paul and the disciples were experiencing some momentum for the Kingdom, but the road got a little bumpy.
For the church, we can experience momentum! But, we realize that every road will have bumps.
How do we keep growing when life is filled with obstacles?
People Know Jesus
People Know Jesus
Paul was being used by God to bring about miraculous healings - both physical and spiritual.
“Sceva” - no known figure. Latin name. These were just charlatans. Impostors. Claimed a name, but no relationship.
Do you know Jesus or just know about Jesus?
Frank Lucas - US Congressman from my home town. George W. Bush - Decision Points
There is a difference between just reading the book about Jesus and actually knowing Him as your Savior and Lord.
The response in Ephesus was that people began to truly worship Him…and something else.
They turned away from their sinful behavior.
A relationship with Jesus necessitates repentance.
When we are following Jesus, we will identify areas of sin in our life and seek to turn away from it, experiencing conviction for those behaviors.
Not a popular idea in our culture where people just want to do whatever they want, casting off moral restraints. But a true believer will experience the Holy Spirit speaking to them to turn. Regardless of the cost (50,000 pieces of silver).
Don’t just know about Jesus…know Him. Receive Him as your Savior and Lord.
People Reject Jesus
People Reject Jesus
Demetrius - the silversmith. Began causing problems for Paul and the Disciples.
This should not surprise us! Consistently, wherever Paul goes, eventually he experiences hardship.
When God moves, Satan meddles.
This is true here as well. When we see people saved, people joining, people growing in their faith, inevitably we experience some form of Satan’s meddling. Some distraction, some conflict, some issue usually creep in and cause issues. We have to be on guard against his efforts and shut them down when we identify them.
Demetrius made accusations about Paul’s ministry, which was echoing the words of the prophets about idols.
But, his argument was based on his worldview. Why reject Jesus? Because this is Rome, this is Ephesus, I’m a silversmith.
People perceive Jesus through their political, religious, and economic lenses.
We have to realize personally, as Christians, that Jesus supersedes those things, and then help others to see that also.
He is our identity, not a political party, religious system, or economic preference.
People Don’t Care About Jesus
People Don’t Care About Jesus
A great crowd gathers and chants for TWO HOURS!! “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 24,000 people.
Humorous statement in v. 32.
Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
Why were they there? First, this is just the way that Satan works, going back to the statement about his meddling.
Confusion and Miscommunication are two primary tools of Satan.
But, why are people willing to be used by him in this way?
People just want to be heard.
They want to have a voice, to be acknowledged.
Riding horses with mom. I just wanted to be heard.
If we would just take the time to sincerely listen to people, to care, they might be more willing to listen to us about our Savior. To cut through the confusion and miscommunication.
The disciples were not trying to cause more chaos or division. They were intentional about listening and respecting the beliefs of others, but not being content for them to being outside of Jesus.
Paul’s companions (v. 29) are spoken of in v. 37.
For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.
Acts 19:
They did not feel the need to attack the beliefs of others in order to share Jesus.
Because Jesus is superior. If someone can really see the difference he makes in our lives, then that will draw them to the Gospel. We don’t have to tear their faith down in order to make Jesus look better. He is just simply better.
Jesus is superior.
If we will let Him be supreme in our lives and then live that faith so that others can see it, that will give us the standing to then speak of our faith.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Driving around MWC right now is a bit of a nightmare. Navigating is tricky when things are torn up.
Moving the Gospel forward in a broken world.
Navigating what to say and how to say it.
Just requires us to love authentically and live Spirit-filled lives.
And ultimately, we remember that Jesus is the divine warrior who is eternally victorious.
Be aware of schemes and keep moving forward.
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