Ephesians: Introduction (4)
Pray Psalm 2.1, 2.
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed…
Sing Psalm 2.1, 2.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their couns’lers stand against the LORD and His Right Hand.
Read Acts 19.21-41; meditate on verses 26, 27.
Preparation
1. Who became upset about Paul’s work? Why?
2. What do we learn about Paul’s work from his remarks?
Meditation
Ephesus was the world center of Diana worship. A lavish temple and an impressive arena featured large in her adoration. As well as the day-by-day sale of Diana images, just right for your mantle, bedside, lounge, or anywhere you needed to experience a bit of that hunter instinct the goddess represented.
So along comes Paul, ineloquent but bold and clear, and big bunches of people reject their long-time religion and its accompanying culture. Including the little dime-store images Demetrius and his pals hawked to anyone and everyone. The culture at Ephesus was changing, and for many people, that wasn’t a good thing.
Cultural change comes by persuasion, not coercion. For the Christian, that persuasion must be grounded in the Gospel, in what pleases God and is according to His will. As we reason with people about the Gospel, we must be clear that coming to Christ has moral, cultural, and social implications, and we must follow the Lord in these matters and not the world.
This is a longer route to cultural change, but it promises more lasting results. Even then, however, as people’s hearts and desires change, and culture change begins to occur, there will still be those, wedded to the existing culture, who will resist and perhaps even threaten those who believe the Good News.
Ephesus exploded into a riot, and the people boosted their beliefs and culture—represented by Diana and the rites, rituals, and lifestyle she promoted—over Jesus and the culture of the Kingdom, which required turning from old and useless things to new and lasting beliefs, views, and practices.
And Demetrius was the cheerleader of it all. Remember that name: Demetrius.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Paul’s method for cultural change was to change people’s hearts.
When their hearts were changed, they no longer desired the same things.
Their purchasing power reflected their heart’s new desires.
Jesus Christ makes all things new—what we think, what we buy, how we live and love, and Whom we serve.
“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
but such as keep the law contend with them” (Prov. 28.4).
The Christian folk of Ephesus were not carrying signs against the goddess Diana, nor were they rioting, or pillaging Diana trinkets from Walmart. Theirs was not a negative response, by only reacting to their surrounding culture; they were establishing their own godly culture and simply no longer needed the same things.
Theirs was such a positive move—so powerful, in fact—that the opposing culture reacted against them.
Today’s Christian folk need to observe carefully how this transpired in Ephesus. Positively.
For sadly, there are ministries today dedicated to merely waiting for the next godless behavior to arise, and then boom, they pounce and react vociferously against it. Wait…listen…react. Negativity on steroids.
How much more appealing it is, to live one’s life according to the Law, and behave accordingly.
That is contending with evil.
Yes, they may react violently to us; but that is ultimately their problem and judgment (Heb. 10.30).
If they have been piqued and irritated by righteousness, like the Demetrius crowd was, then so be it.
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1.7).
And yes, of course, we speak against evil. We are, after all, God’s people; and God’s people have been
speaking against evil since the beginning. We are not silent. We take a stand for righteousness. Like the prophets. Like Jesus. Like the disciples. Like Paul. With our lives and our voices.
“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31.8, 9).
Our message will be consistent with other believer’s message. We speak as one against sin.
In the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. That is power. That is our uproar against evil.
We must never appear like those in Ephesus: “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together” (Acts 19.32).
We know why we worship. We know why we stand for righteousness. We know why we love our neighbor.
“For the love of Christ compels us…He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him Who died for them and rose again…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5.14, 15, 17).
So new, that we like Paul, will persuade and turn many away from false gods, and turn them to the true God, not one made with hands (Acts 19.26); but the One Who made all things.
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
‘I AM the First and I AM the Last; besides Me there is no God’” (Is. 44.6).
Reflection
1. How do we know when some aspect of culture is no longer what God intends?
2. How should we as Christians regard such elements of culture?
3. Why is the culture promoted by Christ and His Kingdom so much more to be desired?
The whole city was full of confusion, the common and natural effect of zeal for false religion. Zeal for the honor of Christ, and love to the brethren, encourage zealous believers to venture into danger. Friends will often be raised up among those who are strangers to true religion, but have observed the honest and consistent behavior of Christians. Matthew Henry (1662-1714) Commentary on Acts 19.21-32
Pray Psalm 2.4-12.
Pray that, as Jesus leads us out each day to advance His Kingdom on earth, we will be filled with love for Him and power in the Holy Spirit. Call on Him to make you a fragrance of Himself today.
Sing Psalm 2.4-12.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
The LORD in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”
I will declare the LORD’s decree. He said, “My Son I have begotten Thee.
Ask Me, and I will give every land for You to rule as I have planned.”
Be wise, O kings, O judges, hear, and tremble with joy, serve the LORD with fear.
Embrace the Son, keep His wrath at bay, or you shall perish in the way.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” continues our look at the work we’ve been given to do. In our Read Moore column this week, we will finish up the book, Understanding the Times. Our Corsfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds him sailing westward over the Atlantic in a leather boat. Lots to learn there. Click the Articles tab on the home page to see all the selections available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
