The Ephesian idol makers incite a riot, accusing Paul of impugning their pagan goddess Diana. “… They were full of wrath and cried out, saying, ‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians!’” So, the whole city was filled with confusion” (Acts 19:28-29 NKJV).
Once the uproar dies down, Paul continues his third missionary journey in Greece before departing back to Asia, where he stops to minister in Troas and Miletus on his way to Jerusalem. In Miletus, he meets with the church elders from Ephesus, whom he had called to meet him there and reminds them of his service and message. “…testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ…. the Holy Spirit testifies … that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me….” (Acts 29:21-24 NKJV).
We see that the church in Ephesus, which was at first so zealous for the gospel, became, a mere 40 years later, the church described in Revelation as having left their first love (Revelation 2:1-5). We also see parallels between the fevered, repetitive chanting of the ancient Ephesians, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:28 NKJV), and similar praises of those who worship false gods today. Pastor Kevin expounds on the extreme suffering and persecution that Paul experienced as a result of his uncompromising devotion to the Lord Jesus, about which the Apostle only says, “None of these things move” (Acts 20:24 NKJV).
On this Communion Sunday, Pastor Kevin exhorts us to examine ourselves, repent of anything that has caused us to leave our first love, and seek renewed power to be faithful witnesses of the gospel in our world today.
Maranatha!
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