Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Today we get to read about a riot, a noisy, violent public disorder caused by a group or crowd of persons.

I have never been in a large riot.

I have never been in a riot that was for a cause.

I do remember this time in junior high.

Annoying little punks we were.

A riot started in a hall way in protest of nothing accept the desire for anarchy.

Now me being the good student I was I was just caught in it on my way to class but.

Still it was a dangerous place.

People were hurt.

Property was damaged.

Fires were set.

Mob mentality took over.

Which means people are not thinking they are just going along.

And that wasn’t even a “real” riot.

I can’t imagine being in a large one like the riots that we see on the news or even the one we are talking about today.

On to the Riot in Ephesus

Acts 19:23-40

Pray

Now Luke here gives us a very mild reading of what happens.

In 1 Corinthians 15:32 Paul said that he “fought wild beast in Ephesus”.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 Paul said that had despaired even of life in the face of a deadly peril in Asia.

Romans 16:4 states that Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him which very well might have been the case here.

Artemis of Ephesus

Artemis of Ephesus was not the fair and chaste huntress of Greek mythology for those of you who follow Greek Myth.

The Near Eastern, grotesque, multi-breast, Mother-goddess.

Her image is believed to have been fashioned in heaven and have fallen from the sky.

In all probability the Ephesian Artemis was originally a meteorite that resembled a multi-breasted woman and became the object of worship.

Because we like to raise objects to the place of worship.

Other meteorites have been worshiped as well: Troy, Pessinus, Enna, Emesa

And there in Ephesus there was the main temple of Artemis though it was only one of the 33 temples to her.

But it held the holy stone.

And then we come to the real reason there is a problem.

The Temple of Artemis became the primary basis for Ephesus’s wealth and continued prosperity.

It was and still is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Thousands of pilgrims and tourists came to it from far and near.

And all around it swarmed all sorts of tradesmen and con-artist who made their living by supplying visitors with food, lodging, dedicatory offerings, and souvenirs.

The temple was also a major treasury and bank of the ancient world.

Where merchants, kings and even cities made deposits and money could be kept safe under the protection of the deity.

And Paul’s preaching had turned many away from the idolatry of the Artemis cult.

Affecting Prophet, And this is what causes the problem.

Demetrius instigated a disturbance so that the people would turn against he missionaries and stir up greater devotion for the goddess.

And greater profits for them.

The blacksmith used religion as an afterthought a lot of people who are “Christians” do this as well –.

push a political, traditional, economical etc point and they use religion of Christianity as a tool – one of the reason that people turn from the truth – don’t trust the people who claim the truth – wars, bombings, disrespect anger all in the name of religion, but in fact religion is an after thought.

The mob grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus friends of Paul.

And Paul went into the theater despite the begging of others.

In order to face the crowd and the charges.

But once there before the people there were no claims that could be brought before Paul.

And the city clerk dismissed the crowd.

Calmed them first.

There is a big Picture here.

We here in the United States live in a word where there are many different beliefs

Skeptics

Atheist

Humanist

Buddhist

Hindu

Islam

Wicca

Christians

Christians that don’t act like Christians - Which is the group I have the most problems with

And the list goes on

Like in Ephesus not everyone is going to be happy that we are here.

And the danger is to respond in a rash, angry, even violent fashion.

Christians bombing Abortion clinics.

That’s not right.

But instead we are to live Peacefully with those around us so that they can bring no claim against us.

Doesn’t mean have to agree with them.

Even accept their teaching but live in such a way that they cannot bring claim against you.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

What does that look like?

Does it look like a bunch of rules?

No

Does it look like and anti whatever campaign?

No

What it means is love God and Love your neighbor?

And in that you will follow rules?

You will be honest

You will be free from claims against you

Not that you will never sin, But that you are not a hypocrite, But instead you are a retentive redeemed person.

Don’t let things become an argument.

Discuss, Bring your arguments.

But don’t let it become that argument in which people are just angry and not listening.

14Remind them of these things, and(A) charge them before God[a](B) not to quarrel about words,(C) which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

14Do all things(A) without grumbling or(B) questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent,(C) children of God(D) without blemish(E) in the midst of(F) a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine(G) as lights in the world, 16holding fast to(H) the word of life, so that in(I) the day of Christ(J) I may be proud that(K) I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Next Steps

Let Them Have No Claim Against You

Pray