THE LEGACY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

“THE BRETHREN AT EPHESUS” Acts 18:19 – 19:41 “THE PIT STOP BEFORE THE LAST LAP” CHARITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4079 BATTLEGROUND AVE GREENSBORO, NC 27410 Dr. Roland B. Shepley 1

“THE PIT STOP BEFORE THE FINISH LINE” Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” I – V 18 speaks of an Unfinished Product. II – V 19 speaks of an Unknown power. III – V 20 speaks of an Unethical people. Paul had run an amazing race for the Lord on this, his “Second Missionary Journey.” (Map) 1-He had been to Philippi. There he was beaten and thrown in jail. God set an earthquake and set him free and we see the Philippian jailer crying, “What must I do to be saved.” 2-Paul then went to Thessalonica and a great multitude was saved. 3-Onward Paul traveled to Berea. They were a very learned people. Multitudes were saved. 4-At Athens Paul was shocked at this city of the gods. 5- At Corinth, Paul saw a city given to debauchery. Yet great multitudes are saved. 6- In Act 18:18-22 we see Paul’s “Pit stop before the Finish Line.” Paul arrives in Ephesus at the end of his Second Missionary journey. He is in a hurry to get home for a main feast in Jerusalem, possibly Passover, where he can witness for Christ again. He heads home and will return to Ephesus in Acts 19:1-42 to begin of his Third Missionary Journey. PAUL’S PIT STOP Acts 18:19, “And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 2

Here is Paul’s heart. Just a few years earlier he said, “I’m done with my brethren, the Jews. I’m turning to the Gentiles. But now he enters the synagogue in Ephesus, again desiring to see his brethren saved. 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: … but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. When Paul walked through Ephesus, he saw the most beautiful city yet. The architecture designs of the buildings, the granite walk ways, the gold cover pillars, the hanging gardens. There was nothing like it. -It was called the light of Asia. --Its beauty was known around the world. --Within Ephesus was 1 of the 7 Wonders of the World. --They had one of the most beautiful harbors in the World. When you docked you would travel 3 miles on paved roads to the Magnificent City with a Coliseum that seated 25,000 people. As beautiful as this harbor and Coliseum was, that was not one of the Seven Wonders of the World. One of those Seven Wonders of the World was the Temple of Dianna. “The temple was 425 feet long, 220 feet wide and 60 feet high. It had great folding doors and 127 marble pillars covered with gold. The worship of Diana was ‘religious immorality’ at its worst. This temple was nothing more than a brothel with a 1000 employees. That is enough said for mixed company Paul leaves Ephesus and goes home to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast. He then heads to Antioch and there he reports to the church of Antioch of his journey. Deep down he senses an urge to get back to Ephesus. 3

In Acts 19 Paul returns and will spend 2 years here preaching, teaching and training. Three Thoughts in this Message: I – UNFINISHED PRODUCT - Acts 19:1-7 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

When Paul returned to Ephesus, he found 12 believers worshipping the Lord. Paul says,( v 2) “Have you received the Holy Ghost?” Their reply was, we have never heard of the Holy Ghost. Paul said, “Unto what then were ye baptized?” (v 3) They said, the John’s baptism of repentance. Paul said you should have been baptized unto Jesus Christ. So, let me ask you what was your baptism all about? John baptized said I baptize you unto repentance but Jesus will baptized you with the Holy Ghost and fire. Matt 3:11 When, you got baptized, did you understand why you were baptized? -Did you do it because mom and dad said do it? - Did you get baptized because the preacher said to? These men received a baptism of repentance from the world. Paul said, that is the wrong reason. You are to be baptized unto Jesus Christ. You see, Baptism is a picture of your salvation. 1) At salvation a person dies to self. He is buried with Christ. He surrenders to Christ. 2) He then rises up to 3) live a new life for the Lord. Our Baptism is a public testimony to this commitment to Christ. 4

What was your understanding of Baptism? It is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. So is Salvation. All who truly believe have been baptized but they have received only the earnest of God’s Spirit (2 Cor 1:22). “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” The word “earnest” means a partial advanced payment. The final payment will come later. How much later? That is up to you. Before the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, in John 20:22 Jesus breathed on the disciples and said receive ye the Holy Spirit. They received the earnest of the Spirit. On Pentecost, they received the fullness of the Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4). Peter made a lot of mistakes before he was filled with God’s Spirit. And only as we are filled with God’s Spirit will we be able to practice the Christian life we should practice. And only as we are walking in God’s Spirit are we the proper witness for our Lord, to everyone around us. The question I would like you to consider is “Do you have the earnest of the Spirit or do you have the fullness of the Spirit. There’s one of two things wrong in our churches today. Will you take the time to consider these two things and seek to make the right correction in your life. 1) Either many people are not saved or 2) many people do not have the fullness of the Spirit. Both come from loving the Lord Jesus Christ. So, let’s paint a picture: Here is a place where people live. It is Ephesus. This is the hotbed of filthy living and false religion. People here enjoy a religion that says enjoy all the pleasures of your flesh. Live as you please. “God will accept you.” In reality, hell awaits everyone in that religion. 5

Here comes Paul and says, “Your religion is wrong. Let me tell you about Jesus Christ. He loves you. He died for you. He rose again. He wants to take you out of this wicked family and adopt you in His family. Will you believe and surrender your life to Him? Will you walk now as part of the family of God? Those that said, “Yes” were baptized with that understanding. Think, what were you baptized unto? I sense there is an unfinished work in most Christians and in the lives of most believers --And let me say and Baptist please understand, we need to learn to speak in tongues. Now, listen before you get upset and walk out. We need to learn to talk in the Spirit. Our speech needs to be loving and kind. We need to speak to our mates and children in gentleness and patiently. We need to speak gracious words. Our words need to be seasoned with salt. We need to speak words that edify our families. **You, see the unsaved world doesn’t believe we belong to God, if our language is just like their language, if our angry voices are just like their angry voices, if our criticism is just like their criticism. I have never spoken in an unknown tongue, but I have spoke in Latin, Greek, Italian and English. What I truly need to speak in is in the fullness of the Spirit of God. Do you have some unfinished business? The fullness of the Spirit will change your speech! It will change your life. That brings us to the second thought: II – THE UNKNOWN POWER – Acts 19:8-20 8 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. 9 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. 10 And this continued by 6

the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 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.

What you are going to hear in this text is the reason why people don’t get saved today and why miracles don’t happen as they use to. (8) Paul went to the Synagogue as normal and taught truth for 3 months but the Jews hardened their necks and “spoke evil” or reviled Paul of the teaching of Jesus Christ. --When the Pastor preaches, what do you do when the Holy Spirit pricks your heart? Do you harden it or do you yield to obedience? There is a great power for those who obey! --Paul separated himself from the hard-hearted Jews. He went to the School of Tyrannus and taught here for 2 years. Every Jew and Greek in Asia heard the gospel. How? --- What Paul taught, the faithful followers and believer went out and told their friends and family about Jesus Christ. The knowledge of God’s Word plus the fullness of the Spirit is an unbeatable combination to an unsaved world. Walking in God’s Spirit brings great power: 1) One of those miracles was pieces of Paul’s robe was torn from his clothing and laid upon the sick and demon possessed and they were healed. When Paul laid the handkerchiefs on the demon possessed, he would say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, come out of this person. And the demons would flee. Christian, there is power for those who will pay the price. Let me illustrate: When I was 15, I was skinny. I was so skinny I had to run around in the shower to get wet. I started a muscle building program. I worked out with weights. I began bench pressing 35 pounds. My goal was to bench press 100 pounds. When I reached that I wanted to bench press 200 pounds. That took me nearly 18 months to accomplishment. Then I wanted to hit 250 pounds and then 300 and then 350. I did not reach 350 till I was 26 years old. And that is without any supplements or drugs. 7

Spiritually speaking, God does not give you the fullness of His Spirit without you surrendering to Him. He does not give you and me power without us laboring in the Scriptures to know more about Him. There is a price to pay: It may be fasting, surrenderance, falling in love. Now, Paul was becoming known all over Asia. Some of the religious but spiritually dead Jew became envious of Paul so they decide they will show the world their power. The seven sons of Sceva find a demon possessed man and they say to him, “We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preached to come out.” The demon inside this man said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? (15) And the man who had the demon spirit jumped on these seven men and beat the tar out of them. The sons of Sceva ran out of this house down the road naked and wounded. Spiritual application: The reason some folks can’t live the Christian life is because they are like the seven sons of Sceva. They have never become true believers. 13 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. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 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.

When this happened, Jesus was magnified and multitudes believed on Jesus Christ. The spontaneous reaction of the multitudes was to get rid of their dirty books that dealt in witchcraft and sensuality. They also got rid of their statues of Dianna. They burned them all. The value was worth 50,000 pieces of silver. If the silver was equal to one ounce a piece. That would equal about $850,000 today. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 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.

What happened when they did this? 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. When people really get saved, they change. They give up their fleshly gods. They get rid of those sinful things. 8

I wished the story ended here but you must know when God works and when God is glorified, the devil gets mad. He stirs up an unethical people. Unfinished Product / Unknown Power: III – THE UNETHICAL PEOPLE – Acts 19:23-41 23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;” Wolves travel in packs but there is always a lead wolf. He is called the Alpha male. In Ephesus there is a lead wolf called Demetrius. He is a silversmith. His job is to make and sell silver shrines of Diana. He has made good money for a long time selling images of the goddess Dianna. Paul after two years of preaching that there was one God and He was not worshipped by a graven image made by the hands of man, but He is worshipped in our hearts, people got saved and rejected their idols. Thousands had been converted. Well, due to the conversions of so many, and the people burning their books and images of Diana, Demetrius’ stocks have dropped quite a bit and he doesn’t like it. He calls his fellow colleagues together and tells them, “We have a problem. We are losing money. Here is what Demetrius told is colleagues. Acts 19: 26 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: 27 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. Rather than these men seeking to see if what Paul taught was true, they simply became very angry and began to cry, “GREAT is DIANA of the Ephesians.” They marched down the streets of Ephesus and caused more confusion. What they said was a confusing statement. 9

They ushered all the people they could into the theatre of 25,000. Most of the people did not know why they had gathered there. Alexander, a Jewish leader in the town tried to calm the crowd. The Greeks knew that Alexander was a Jew that condemned their belief of Diana, so they begin to chant for two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” Now, folks the worship of Artemis or Diana was filthy, licentious and immoral, but this was the life of an Ephesians. Paul was going to go inside and try to calm the people, but his friends stopped him as well, knowing things would only get worse, because Paul was a Jew. The town clerk of Ephesus shows up and eyes Demetrius and tells the people. “Our law states when you have a difference with someone, you take it before the courts. On that day, neither Paul, nor his fellow believers were in the wrong. On that day, Demetrius was in the wrong and the government of Ephesus acknowledges that. Spiritual Application:, 1) In America, yea in our culture and in our churches there are people who call themselves Christians that live like those who worshipped Diana, who live to satisfy their fleshly cravings. It is wrong. It is sin. 2) In this past month in America, the demonstrations in New York and Missouri have been unethical and un-Christian. You don’t parade in the streets and assemble yourselves together and stir up trouble. 3) In our fair land, there are laws to abide by and if a person does not like the laws of the land, there is the law of God to abide by. 4) Sadly, there are Alpha wolves in our government and so called “reverends” that stir up the crowds to cause trouble. They are evil. Christian, don’t ever become part of a demonstration, whether you agree with what happens or not. It is wrong. Do right! Live right! Act right! Let your light shine for God now that we have liberty in America. 10

And when the day comes that we might be imprisoned, beaten and put to death for our faith in Christ, let us stand for our Lord as He stood for us. . 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 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: 27 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. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 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. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 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. 34 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. 35 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? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. 38 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. 39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. 40 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. 41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. Acts 19:1-41 (KJV)

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