Pauls Fiery Furnace
Jay Haugh
Part of Sunday Notes
April 25, 2021

enews-header-ACTS.jpg

Pauls Fiery Furnace
Jay Haugh
April 25, 2021
Acts 19:23-41

Paul’s Travel Plans

Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. —Acts 19:21-22

All churches need discipleship

The Gospel Causes a Riot

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. —Acts 19:23

For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.” —Acts 19:24-25

“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.” —Acts 19:26

“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.” —Acts 19:27

They riot because of the economic fallout from the gospel

The Characteristics of the Riot

When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. —Acts 19:28-29

Anger often leads to violence

But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. —Acts 19:30

But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. —Acts 19:30-31

Confusion

Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. —Acts 19:32

Close-minded

Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” —Acts 19:33-34

He wants nothing to do with these Christians

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. —2 Corinthians 1:8

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. —2 Corinthians 1:9

But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. —2 Corinthians 1:9

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. —2 Corinthians 1:10

The Calming of the Riot

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? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.” —Acts 19:35-36

“For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.” —Acts 19:37

You can disagree without being disagreeable

“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.” —Acts 19:38

“But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 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.” —Acts 19:39-40

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. —Acts 19:41

BIG IDEA

The Gospel will enviably confront the culture but it will always stand secure

SMALL GROUP STUDY GUIDE

Pauls Fiery Furnace
Jay Haugh
April 25, 2021
Acts 19:23-41

Imaginative Prayer 3

This spiritual practice was created by St. Ignatius in the 1500s. His desire was to find a way to experience the presence of God and did so by entering the biblical narrative with his imagination. Imaginative prayer brings the Bible narrative to life in our mind and offers an opportunity to engage in a new experience with the Word. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as active and alive. There are occasions when coming to Scripture in a new way reveals something vibrant that we may have missed through our normative practices. Below you will find the steps to lead your group through this experience.

STEP ONE
Select one person to read Acts 19:23-41 or play an audio version from someone’s phone. During this reading find a comfortable position to sit and close your eyes. The process for listening will be given next. If you are reading the passage, do so slowly and carefully.

STEP TWO
As you listen to the Scripture, keep the following in mind:

  • Feel free to have a way to make notes - some people find it helpful to jot things down as they go.
  • Imagine yourself entering into biblical times. You may become a person or animal in the story or an object along the way.
  • Use all five of your senses to engage fully with what it would be like to be there. Notice what you see, smell, hear, touch and taste as you’re in the story. Notice sounds other than voices. What do you hear in the distance? Is there something you can taste, touch or smell? As the story is read, become a part of it as best you can.
  • Notice the facial expressions of people in the story. Notice who you are near and who is far away from you in the story. Notice who you are drawn to and who repels you. Notice tones of voices as you hear the voice, not of the person reading, but of the actual people in history.

STEP THREE
The reader should instruct everyone to open their eyes at the end of the story and note some things that affected them. Then processes these questions together:

  • Is there anything anyone would like to share with the group that happened as you became a part of the biblical story?
  • Who were you in story?
  • What did you see?
  • What did you touch?
  • Where did you find yourself in the story?
  • Who was close to you and who was far away?
  • Whose facial expressions did you see?

**If you did not get anything out of this practice or found it really challenging, that is ok. Some practices work better than others for different people.

NEXT
Process this experience as a group. Are there ways God is trying to activate you or your group? The “Activated” Group Process questions on page 6 may be a helpful guide as your group engages with this material and with God

ACTIVATED: GROUP PROCESS

How is God activating your group this week?

Share how you are sensing God’s call on your 2 life this week. Listen as others share with you.
Lean into the Holy Spirit and spur one another on. This may include encouragement or asking questions.

Pray over these specific activations in the lives of one another.

What did you enjoy about this group experience?

What was uncomfortable?

How do you think a regular practice of this could
benefit our group?

SELF-REFLECTION

How did God get your attention during your personal rhythms with Him this week?

What is one thing God brought to your attention while listening to the sermon this week?
How do you think a regular practice of this could
benefit our group?