Living Faith in a Combat Culture: Acts 19

We live in an age where people are sharply divided, don’t we?

There was a time we didn’t have 24 hour cable news or social media. We weren’t so tribal in our thinking. Neighbors were neighborly, and most of us grew up minding our own business.

But in an age of FB, Twitter and TikTok, many of us spend a lot of time these days consuming what others think.

In the 2020 documentary The Social Dilemma, former execs from many of the social media giants were interviewed. And what they shared is that the algorithms of these platforms recognize our biases and grievances. They are built to display content that keeps us scrolling and it divides us further and further.

We have become a culture raised in combat. From cable news to social media, and sadly, even in the church, all you see is arguing.

Arguing about domestic politics, public health, immigration, voting rights, foreign policy, racial justice, gay marriage, guns, culture, sports, doctrine, and the very nature of truth itself.

Nowadays, if you share a thought of any kind online or even in a social setting, someone is likely to take offense.

So if our mission is to make disciples; how do we do that with so much division in our culture? How do we share our faith with a hostile world that argues everything?

We will explore this subject in Acts 19.

Turn in your bibles to Acts 19.

After returning to his home base of Antioch in Acts 18:22, Paul embarked on his third missionary journey.

In the opening verses of Ch 19 we find that Paul made his way back to Ephesus.

While his earlier visit was a very brief one; he promised in Acts 18:21 that he would return “if God wills.” So here we are, and Paul has returned.

Now Ephesus was the 2nd biggest city in the Roman empire. In size, it was to Rome what LA is to NYC.

Located on the western shores of Turkey, Ephesus was a port city and a hub of commerce in the Ancient World.

Within the city was the Temple of Artemis, one of 7 wonders of the ancient world.

Timothy was later assigned to lead the church in Ephesus. Three of Paul’s epistles were written to this church: 1 Tim, 2 Tim and Ephesians.

And there was something notable about this city’s culture. It was full of commotion. This commotion is evidence in the three separate scenes of this chapter.

And we can learn from Paul’s example of how to carry ourselves in the midst of commotion and unrest.

The first scene is Paul’s teaching. Let’s look at v8-10.

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

During his first 3 months in Ephesus, Paul spoke with Jews in the synagogue. He reasoned boldly and persuasively.

But a commotion rose. There was unrest. How?

Well some in the synagogue refused to believe. They refused. And instead, they spoke evil of the Way to those who gathered.

This was the debate club. They came ready to quarrel. But did Paul quarrel? No. Instead he withdrew.

He took the disciples from the synagogue, and reasoned in the hall of Tyrannus for 2 years.

Withdrew? You mean he left? Yep. He left.

He gave us some insight why in 2 Tim. Let’s turn there…

2 Tim: 2:14-17

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.

And a few verses later…

2 Tim 2:23-25

23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth…

POINT 1: Our words can be received when we’re gracious, not quarrelsome

Col 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Prov 16:21

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

If you want to have influence, if you want to persuade others, be gracious. Don’t quarrel. Be kind. Be patient. Be gentle. To everyone, especially toward outsiders.

Paul said quarreling does. no. good. In fact, he said it ONLY ruins the hearers.

So Paul withdrew from the synagogue rather than quarrel, instead he taught somewhere else, and v 10 says that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

So if you want your words to be received and bear more fruit, be gracious, not quarrelsome.

You want to change the world brothers and sisters? Put the picket signs and poster boards away. Engage in the gentle and patient effort of persuasion.

The second scene of Acts 19 where we can learn from Paul’s example of how to carry ourselves in the midst of commotion is in v11-20.

Let’s read:

11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Discussion

Paul withdrew rather than quarrel. When is leaving the argument the faithful move, and when is it cowardice?
“Quarreling does no good. It ONLY ruins the hearers.” Where have you seen that proved true?
“Put the picket signs and poster boards away.” What is your version of the picket sign?

POINT 2: Our impact can be extraordinary when we are real, not fake

Paul’s ministry was extraordinary (v11). Diseases left. Demons fled. Paul was the real deal.

But Jewish exorcists wanted the same power. So they began invoking the name of Jesus “whom Paul proclaims.”

They didn’t have faith. They didn’t care about those who were afflicted with disease and demons. They weren’t motivated by love.

They just wanted supernatural power.

And how did the demons respond? See v15.

“Jesus I know. Paul I recognize. But who are you?”

Then these imposters got a Chuck Norris beating and were chased away, naked and wounded.

Just a touch of authenticity from Paul had extraordinary power.

But invoking Jesus name without having truly experienced him … it can backfire. Can’t it.

1 Tim 1:3-7

…remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Sincere faith is not based on myths, speculations, or esoteric fallacies. Sincere faith makes love as our aim. And most people know it when they see it.

Paul was real. His faith was real. His relationship with Jesus was real. And his love for others was real.

V17 says “it became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jew and Greek… and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.”

v20 also says, “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.”

Just a touch of authentic faith and love can do extraordinary things.

If you want to make disciples in a combat culture, you’ve got to be real.

Real with others, and real in your relationship with Jesus. Seek him. Spend time with him. And you will see him work through you.

And that brings us to our third scene: Paul’s example of how to carry ourselves in the midst of commotion. A riot that begins in v.21.

23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” …

Drop to v 35

35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

First observation, this disturbance was concerning The Way (v23).

Second, v26, Paul’s ministry had persuaded “a great many people” across Asia, not just Ephesus. And it was having an economic impact on the idolmakers.

Third, v28, the idolmakers worshipped Artemis in a state of “rage.”

Let me ask you something, are worship and rage compatible?

That is what described the worshippers of Artemis. Enraged. Enraged.

When we are enraged, we look more like the worshippers of Artemis; and less like the worshippers of Jesus.

Our words become the words of warfare and rebellion; and have nothing to do with the gospel mission. Do they.

Rage mixed with religion led to the march on the Capital on Jan 6, with John 3:16 signs, weapons and a hangman’s noose. Let me be blunt. That’s not Jesus. Nothing about that is Jesus.

In contrast, let’s look at what Paul said in 1 Tim 2.

1 Tim 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

First of all. First of all. Not picketing, but prayers. Quiet and dignified.

Discussion

The sons of Sceva wanted the power without the relationship. Where are you tempted to do the same?
“Jesus I know. Paul I recognize. But who are you?” What makes a faith recognizable?
Are worship and rage compatible? What does your answer cost you?

POINT 3: Our love can persuade when it comes first, not just an afterthought

Turn to Eph 3:14-19

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph 4:29-31

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Are you bitter and angry at a neighbor over a lawn sign or a bumper sticker? Put that away. Put it away. That’s not why we’re here.

We are here to demonstrate love, and to persuade others to follow Jesus. When love comes first, it can turn the world upside down.

Eph 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Before we close, I want us to turn to Revelation 2. Jesus had to remind the church in this city of something important.

Rev 2 : 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Before all our works; our endurance; our purity; our doctrine. Love comes first. Don’t abandon the love you had at first.

Discussion

“Are you bitter and angry at a neighbor over a lawn sign or a bumper sticker?” Name the neighbor.
Ephesus had works, toil, patient endurance and sound testing, and still got a rebuke. Why was that not enough?
“Love comes first.” First of what, in your week?

Something to Sit With

Want to have a living faith that impacts the world in a combat culture?

Then remember:

Our words can be received when we’re gracious, not quarrelsome
Our impact can be extraordinary when we are real, not fake
Our love can persuade when it comes first, not just an afterthought

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened in Ephesus in Acts 19?

Acts 19 records Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Three major events unfold: Paul withdraws from the synagogue after stubborn opposition and teaches for two years in the hall of Tyrannus, the sons of Sceva are overpowered after falsely invoking Jesus’ name, and a riot breaks out among silversmiths whose idol-making business was threatened by the spread of the gospel.

What does the Bible say about quarreling?

Paul is clear. In 2 Timothy 2:14, he says quarreling about words “does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” In 2 Timothy 2:24, he says the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind, patient, and gentle. Colossians 4:6 calls believers to speech that is “always gracious, seasoned with salt.”

The consistent teaching is that grace persuades where argument fails.

Who were the sons of Sceva in Acts 19?

The sons of Sceva were itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to cast out demons by invoking “the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” They had no personal relationship with Jesus.

The evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” and overpowered them. The incident became known throughout Ephesus and led many to genuine faith.

What does “first love” mean in Revelation 2?

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus tells the church in Ephesus that they had “abandoned the love you had at first.” Despite having sound doctrine, endurance, and hard work, they had let love slip from its primary position. Jesus calls them to repent and return to the works they did when love was their driving motivation.

How should Christians engage in a divided culture?

Scripture calls believers to lead with grace, not volume. Be kind, patient, and gentle. Avoid foolish controversies. Pray for those in authority. Speak truth in love. And above all, don’t let bitterness, wrath, or slander take root.

Paul showed that withdrawing from a quarrel and teaching with grace had a far greater impact than any debate.