Farewell Ephesus!

For the span of three years…

Paul labored in Ephesus…

day and night…

with many tears!

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  Acts 20:17-19

His preaching was bold…

     aggressive…

and purposeful…

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:20-21

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  Acts 20:26-27

He labored with his hands…

and with his heart…

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.  Acts 20:33

Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.  Acts 20:34

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Acts 20:35

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  Acts 20:31

He faced many difficulties…

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  Acts 20:19

And would face many more…

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  Acts 20:22-23

He was steadfast…

devoted…

and resolute…

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24

He was vigilant…

careful…

and attentive…

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  Acts 20:28

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Acts 20:29

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Acts 20:30

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.  Acts 20:31

Nevertheless…

it was time for Paul to depart…

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  Acts 20:25

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.  Acts 20:32

And when he had thus spoken…

he kneeled down…

and prayed with them all. 

And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.

Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more.  And they accompanied him unto the ship.  Acts 20:36-38

Paul…

Valiant preacher of the gospel.

Fervent defender of the faith.

Zealous for the testimony of Christ.

Vigilant overseer of the church.

Beloved of the Saints.

An excellent example of Valiant Christianity!

Effectiveness!

Paul remained in Ephesus for a season…

teaching and preaching…

the word of God.

Around that time…

strong opposition arose against Paul…

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;  Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.   

Moreover ye see and hear…

that not alone at Ephesus…

but almost throughout all Asia…

                                               

this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people,

saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.  

Acts 19:24-27 

So potent was Paul’s preaching…

it threatened to annihilate the market for idols.

For this, they were very upset…

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.  Acts 19:28 

Agitation. Chaos. Pandemonium.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.  Acts 19:29 

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.   

Acts 19:32

Chaos and confusion reigned…

for nearly 2 hours…

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.  But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.  Acts 19:33-34 

Until the voice of reason…

subdued the riot…

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.  Acts 19:35-36 

And cleared up the trouble…

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.  Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.  But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.  For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.  Acts 19:37-41 

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. Acts 20:1

For more than 2 years Paul had a profound effect on the city of Ephesus…

It would never be the same.

Exceptional preaching.

Bountiful conversions.

Intense opposition.

Impassioned upheaval.

They would not soon forget all that God accomplished in their streets…

How about the streets of  YOUR city?

Are you in the game…or sitting on the bench?

Ephesus, a City Transformed!

And so Paul traveled to Ephesus…

with boldness, he began to preach…

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

 Acts 19:8 

And  opposition arose against the gospel…

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Acts 19:9  

This continued on…

until all of Asia heard the gospel…

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.  Acts 19:10 

And God mightily confirmed his ministry…

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:11-12 

Dynamic. Almighty. Restoration.

Soon after,

certain  Jews arose…

and sought to overthrow devils…

having not the authority to do so…

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. Acts 19:13-14  

The results were disastrous…

and revealing…

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:15 -16

The incident was noised abroad…

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus;  Acts 19:17

And God mightily confirmed His Truth…

in the hearts of many…

and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

 Acts 19:17-18

Compelling. Effective. Transforming.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.  Acts 19:19-20 

A great Victory!

The city of Ephesus…

once a stronghold of darkness…

now a beacon of LIGHT!

His Truth…

Boldly proclaimed.

His name …

Greatly magnified.

His message…

Mightily prevailed.