The Gospel is Powerful, But Upsets the World - Acts 19-20

Acts 19:23-27 (ESV)
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 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. 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. 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.”

As Paul began to interact with the world around him, he began to confront them about their false worship and undermine their security.   When he arrived in Ephesus, we see the town begin to react to his teaching.   A few verses earlier in this chapter of Acts, Paul’s teaching of the Gospel had inspired the entire town to burn their magic books and paraphernalia.  This caused a great uproar.    Demetrius, the voice of the mob that formed over the burning of books (and, probably the retailer that sold the books) led this mob to cause great harm to Paul and his team.   Demetrius was trying to protect his sense of security.  Paul was teaching the Gospel and it caused an undermining of what Demetrius and his fellow magicians trusted in for their living.  Note Demetrius’ argument:

1. If Paul keeps teaching we are going to lose money,

2. Without money we lose our power,

3. Without our power we lose our influence,

4. Without our influence no one can protect Diana,

5. Without Diana no one can make money ... 

The Gospel is the power that destroys the world’s way of living.   When we live it, teach it, administrate it or attempt to proclaim it, we are shut down.  Not because the Gospel is wrong, or based upon false claims (although that is what they say).  No, they attempt to shut it down because the Gospel threatens their way of living.  It is that powerful.