https://youtu.be/oU0dXyKggQ0
Turf War Acts 19:21-41
When we last left Paul, he was in Ephesus, God was doing unusual miracles through him, like handkerchiefs that could heal and cast out demons. (Confirming the message about Christ.)
The 7 sons of Sceva (“high priest”?) travelled around using incantations to heal and exorcise evil spirits. They attempt to use the authority of the Jesus name in their “spells” and paid the price.
The news of this encounter spread through Ephesus, and the Lord’s name was magnified.
Acts 19:19-20, Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. ($364,000)
- With that kind of value in books alone, the magic industry must have taken a hit.
- What is the impact on those who made money from the sale of these books?
Paul’s spread of the gospel is negatively affecting day to day business in “sin city.”
Example: What if Christians stopped going to R rated movies? U.S. 50% protestant, that’s 150 million people. 43 R rated movies in theaters 2018, at $42 million avg. take per film.
That’s 1.8 billion in sales, cut in half equals a $900 million dollar hit! (The industry might take notice of that!)
Other industries in Ephesus have taken notice of how Paul’s message is turning people away.
How hard are you fighting to hold on to the idols in your life?
Read Acts 19:21-28
Paul’s ministry is infringing on Demetrius’s turf. He saw what happened with the magic books, and his silver shrines are sure to be next.
Demetrious listed his top 3 concerns: He makes a lot of money in this job, he’s worried about the reputation/respect of the business, and their goddess will be discredited (whom currently “all the world” worships).
This is a literal story that actually happened, and often our actions reveal our heart condition.
Demetrious is defending his idol making business but revealing that it is an idol to him unto itself.
This reminded me of the sermon Pastor Butcher preached at the mini-men’s advance this summer about 4 idols we worship in our lives. It really convicted me!
Comfort: This is the hardest one for me!
Example: I know God has placed me in my job, but I struggle with fear of losing it. He has been growing my faith, season to season, and showing me that He is my hope for the future.
Demetrious has a good job with great pay. This is an idol because it represents his safety and security, his future. No need to trust God if all your needs are met by your job.
The answer: Deny your flesh, choose faith not fear. Understand, who is your provider?!
Matthew 6:31-34, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.
Significance: I especially see this in men. Their need to be viewed as important.
Looking for our identity from what we do, our job title, not whose we are.
Demetrious worried that he and his work will be viewed negatively. His job is his identity.
1 John 3:1, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Approval: If your goal is to be liked and accepted, it can stop you from following God’s calling.
If you are uncomfortable knowing that someone isn’t pleased with you. You agree with the group to keep the peace, even when you don’t agree.