New Plan

Acts 19:21-22 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.
 
THESE verses mark a change in Acts that points Paul to Rome. But first Paul hears the Spirit’s call to Jerusalem: Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” He will first visit Macedonia to meet with the Philippi church. He sent Timohty and Erastus to prepare for his arrival. Perhaps he should have gone with them. The peace in Ephesus suddenly ended.
 
Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
 
Threats to money and power motivate us more than any other influence. Recently in our U.S. election, the economy was the number one concern. There was little or no talk about the millions of unborn babies killed each year. That may tell us more about the state of Christianity in America than any other measure.
   The craftsmen wanted their business back. They claimed to protect the worship of Artemis. They really wanted people to buy Artemis art work and idols. Instead of submitting to the Lord Jesus and opening their minds to use their gifts for him, they formed a loud, aggressive and dangerous assembly to denounce Jesus’ influence in Ephesus.
   The opposition gets very loud when the truth threatens. We must be loud, too, to stand firm, to denounce evil and to pray that people will know the truth. After all, it is only the truth that will set them free. (from John 8:32)