His Word Today

⁷ “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. ¹² And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.” (Acts 20:7-12)

As Paul preached to the believers in Troas, a young man named Eutychus, who was sitting at the window in the meeting room, sank into a deep sleep during Paul’s message. Remember, it was midnight and the apostle had preached for some time.

Aside from any stereotypical comments about preachers putting people to sleep during their messages, there may have been another reason for Eutychus’ slumber. Luke mentioned that there were many lamps in the upper room where the believers gathered. This is not surprising, given that that oil lamps were the primary source of lighting rooms at night during the first century. However, the lamps gave off fumes and these fumes may have contributed to Eutychus’ falling asleep.

Dr. John Walvoord writes that, “The presence of many lamps would contribute to a soporific, or sleep inducing, atmosphere because the lamps consumed oxygen. Probably crowded conditions exacerbated the condition.”

Luke states that, “And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.” Even today in the Middle East, it was normal for large meeting rooms to be on the top floor of buildings. Large groups would normally meet in the upper stories because the lower stories had smaller rooms in order for the walls to bear the weight of the upper stories.

Eutychus died from his fall. However, Paul went down to where the body was and taking him into his arms said, ““Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” The text goes on to say, “And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.”

The gathering continued until daybreak. Whereupon, Paul and his companions departed. Eutychus was alive and the church was greatly encouraged and comforted by the miracle. More than likely, following the events of the evening, neither was anyone sleepy.

It was at this time that scholars believe that the Apostle Paul wrote his magnum opus: the Epistle to the Romans. When next we meet we will examine this rich doctrinal epistle.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁷ “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. ¹² And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.” (Acts 20:7-12)

We continue Luke’s narrative when Paul, Luke and the other companions (Acts 20:4-5) ministered in the city of Troas while they journeyed back to Jerusalem. Noticing the personal pronouns Luke used, it is clear that he was with the apostle on this return journey.  

It was the Lord’s Day, Sunday, or the first day of the week. The believers in Christ gathered together for worship and the observance of Communion. Along with the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrificial death as a central element of worship, Paul preached and taught from God’s Word. Paul intended to depart from Troas on the following day, but he continued his preaching and teaching until midnight.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “It should be noted that Sunday was when the church gathered for worship, because it was the day of Christ’s resurrection. Cf. Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; 1 Cor. 16:2. The writings of the early church Fathers confirm that the church continued to meet on Sunday after the close of the NT period. Scripture does not require Christians to observe the Saturday Sabbath: 1) the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant (Ex. 31:16–17; Neh. 9:14; Ezek. 20:12), whereas Christians are under the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8); 2) there is no NT command to keep the Sabbath; 3) the first command to keep the Sabbath was not until the time of Moses (Ex. 20:8); 4) the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) did not order Gentile believers to keep the Sabbath; 5) Paul never cautioned Christians about breaking the Sabbath; and 6) the NT explicitly teaches that Sabbath keeping was not a requirement (Rom. 14:5; Gal. 4:10–11; Col. 2:16–17).”

What occurred during this worship service was unique. It did not happen every time the church met but it did occur at this occasion. We will examine what exactly happened when next we meet.

The responsibilities of the church have not changed in 2,000 years. When believers gather for corporate worship, two of the most crucial elements of the worship service is to be the observance of the Lord’s Supper and the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.

Soli deo Gloria!

Grieved by the Corinthians’ lack of loyalty to defend him, seeking to spare them further reproof (cf. 1:23), and perhaps hoping time would bring them to their senses, Paul returned to Ephesus. From Ephesus, Paul wrote what is known as the “severe letter” (2:4) and sent it with Titus to Corinth (7:5–16).

Leaving Ephesus after the riot sparked by Demetrius (Acts 19:23–20:1), Paul went to Troas to meet Titus (2 Cor. 2:12–13). But Paul was so anxious for news of how the Corinthians had responded to the “severe letter” that he could not minister there though the Lord had opened the door (2:12; cf. 7:5). So he left for Macedonia to look for Titus (2:13). To Paul’s immense relief and joy, Titus met him with the news that the majority of the Corinthians had repented of their rebellion against Paul (7:7).

Paul was wise enough to know that some rebellious attitudes still smoldered under the surface, and could surface again, Paul wrote (possibly from Philippi, cf. 11:9 with Phil. 4:15; also, some early manuscripts list Philippi as the place of writing) 2 Corinthians. In this letter, though the apostle expressed his relief and joy at their repentance (2 Cor. 7:8–16), his main concern was to defend his apostleship (chs. 1–7), exhort the Corinthians to resume preparations for the collection for the poor at Jerusalem (chs. 8–9), and confront the false apostles head on (chs. 10–13). He then went to Corinth, as he had written (12:14; 13:1–2). The Corinthians’ participation in the Jerusalem offering (Rom. 15:26) implies that Paul’s third visit to that church was successful.

2 Corinthians contains several important theological themes. One of those themes is Paul’s teaching regarding the Trinity.

2 Corinthians portrays God the Father as a merciful comforter (1:3; 7:6), the Creator (4:6), the One who raised Jesus from the dead (4:14; cf. 13:4) and who will also raise believers (1:9).

The epistle also describes Jesus Christ as the One who suffered (1:5), who fulfilled God’s promises (1:20), who was the proclaimed Lord (4:5), who manifested God’s glory (4:6), and the One who in his incarnation became poor for believers (8:9; cf. Phil. 2:5–8).

The letter also depicts the Holy Spirit as God (2 Cor. 3:17–18) and the guarantee of believers’ salvation (1:22; 5:5).

2 Corinthians teaches that Satan is the “god of this world” (4:4; cf. 1 John 5:19), a deceiver (2 Cor. 11:14), and the leader of human and angelic deceivers (11:15).

The theme of the end times includes both the believer’s glorification (4:16–5:8) and his judgment (5:10).

The glorious truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is the theme of 5:14–21, while 7:9–10 sets forth man’s response to God’s offer of salvation—genuine repentance. 

2 Corinthians also pre­sents the clearest, most concise summary of the substitutionary atonement of Christ to be found anywhere in Scripture (5:21; cf. Isa. 53) and defines the mission of the church to proclaim reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18–20). Additionally, the nature of the New Covenant receives its fullest exposition along with the book of Hebrews (3:6–16).

The main challenge confronting the interpreter is the relationship of chs. 10–13 to chs. 1–9. The identity of Paul’s opponents at Corinth has produced various interpretations, as has the identity of the brother who accompanied Titus to Corinth (8:18, 22). Whether the offender mentioned in 2:5–8 is the incestuous man of 1 Cor. 5 is also uncertain. It is difficult to explain Paul’s vision (2 Cor. 12:1–5) and to identify specifically his “thorn in the flesh,” the “messenger of Satan [sent] to harass [him]” (12:7).

Take the opportunity to read 2 Corinthians in light of our brief survey.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter One: The Holy Scriptures. Part 4.

6. The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.^a Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word;^b and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.^c

a. Gal 1:8-9; 2 Thes 2:2; 2 Tim 3:15-17. • b. John 6:45; 1 Cor 2:9-12. • c. 1 Cor 11:13-14; 14:26, 40.

7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all;^a yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.^b

a. 2 Pet 3:16. • b. Psa 119:105, 130.

Soli deo Gloria!

The authorship of 2 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul is without question Extra-biblical sources indicate that July, A.D. 51 is the most likely date for the beginning of Gallio’s proconsulship (cf. Acts 18:12). Paul’s trial before him at Corinth (Acts 18:12–17) probably took place shortly after Gallio assumed office.

Leaving Corinth (probably in A.D. 52), Paul sailed for Syria (Acts 18:18), thus concluding his second missionary journey. Returning to Ephesus on his third missionary journey (probably in A.D. 52), Paul ministered there for about two and one-half years (Acts 19:8, 10). The apostle wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus toward the close of that period (1 Cor. 16:8), most likely in A.D. 55. Since Paul planned to stay in Ephesus until the following spring (cf. the reference to Pentecost in 1 Cor. 16:8), and 2 Corinthians was written after he left Ephesus. Therefore, the most likely date for 2 Corinthians is late A.D. 55 or very early A.D. 56.

As we previously noted in our survey of I Corinthians, Paul’s relationship with the city of Corinth began on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18), when he spent 18 months (Acts 18:11) ministering there. After leaving Corinth, Paul heard of immorality in the Corinthian church and wrote a letter (since lost) to confront that sin, referred to in 1 Cor. 5:9. During his ministry in Ephesus, he received further reports of trouble in the Corinthian church in the form of divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:11). In addition, the Corinthians wrote Paul a letter (1 Cor. 7:1) asking for clarification of some issues. Paul responded by writing the letter known as 1 Corinthians. Planning to remain at Ephesus a little longer (1 Cor. 16:8–9), Paul sent Timothy to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10–11). Disturbing news reached the apostle (possibly from Timothy) of further difficulties at Corinth, including the arrival of self-styled false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13).

To create the platform to teach their false gospel, the false apostles began assaulting Paul’s character. They had to convince the people to turn from Paul to them if they were to succeed in preaching demon doctrine. Temporarily abandoning the work at Ephesus, Paul went immediately to Corinth. The visit (known as the “painful visit,” 2:1) was not a successful one from Paul’s perspective; someone in the Corinthian church (possibly one of the false apostles) even openly insulted him (2:5–8, 10; 7:12).

More to follow in our brief survey of 2 Corinthians.

Soli deo Gloria!

“After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. ² When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. ³ There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. ⁴ Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. ⁵ These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, ⁶ but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.” (Acts 20:1–6)

After the riot in Ephesus was quelled, Paul spoke some encouraging words to the believers in Ephesus, said his farewells and departed once again for Macedonia. Today’s text begins to cover more than a year in the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul.

After the apostle traveled through Macedonia and encouraged the believers, Paul then arrived in Greece. Staying three months, he was all set to set sail for Syria but a plot by the unbelieving Jews against him compelled him to return to Syria, and ultimately Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1-3) by land through Macedonia.

It was at this point in his historical chronicle, that Luke mentions several of Paul’s traveling companions and fellows missionaries. These included Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, Aristarchus and Secundus who belonged to the Thessalonian church, Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, along with the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.

It is when Luke recorded Paul’s arrival at Troas, that he reinserted himself into the historical narrative. We know this by the change in the personal pronouns to “us” and “we.” He wrote, “These (referring to the previously mentioned companions of Paul) went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, ⁶ but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.”

Luke’s mention of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread indicated that the Passover Celebration was completed. It also means that the events Luke recorded occurred during the spring of the year. Probably A.D. 55.

It is at this time that Paul wrote his second canonical epistle to the church in Corinth. When next we meet, we will begin a survey examination of 2 Corinthians.

As Paul ministered with his beloved companions, take encouragement that so do you. None of us is an island but is in need of others to assist us and we to assist them in serving the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

^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.” (Acts 19:35–41)

The Ephesian town clerk was a non-Roman city official. He would be most likened to a city manager or mayor. This unnamed individual possessed real authority. The crowd recognized him and became quiet.

The clerk 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?” Like most politicians, the official sought to ingratiate himself to the crowd by affirming what he knew they wanted to hear.

He then said, “Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.” The clerk says that the so-called un-deniability of the legend of Artemis should cause no alarm among the citizens of the city. They have nothing to worry about and therefore should not act hastily.

While the facts concerning Artemis are disputable as fact, the seizing of Paul’s two companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, are not. The clerk states, “For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.” With well-chosen rhetoric, the city official warned the crowd that they have wronged two innocent men. The crowd, in fact, are the real lawbreakers.

The official then said, “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.” He stressed to the citizens the importance of following the rule of law. There is a correct way of handling legal disputes and rioting is not the correct way.

Finally, the clerk warned them when he said, “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.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.” Demetrius said that the Apostle Paul would cost the city its prestige among the ancient world. Ironically, it would be the behavior of the Ephesian citizens which would bring about that result. The official dismissed the crowd and apparently they complied.

Is it ever appropriate for Christians to riotously protest against society’s ills and injustice? 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV) says, “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.”  

Believers are to pray, intercede, and gives thanks on behalf of all kinds of people including those who serve in government. The purpose of this is so that believers in Christ may conduct their lives in a tranquil and well-ordered life which is devoted to God and respectful.

May each believer in Christ take this truth from I Timothy to heart, regardless of who serves in government positions on the federal, state, or local level.

Soli deo Gloria!  

⁷ “And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” ⁸ But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. ⁹ He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:7–9 (ESV)

^13 “The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, ¹⁵ calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, ¹⁷“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.” (Proverbs 9:13–18 (ESV)

The sin by Potiphar’s wife against Joseph began with her eyes. She began to desire Joseph in what she saw (Gen. 39:6; I John 2:15-17). She brazenly commanded him to lie with her, which is another way of saying she wanted to be physically intimate with the young Hebrew. Her demands towards him were relentless.

Dr. Don Carson writes, “Remarkable beauty, either of men or women, often proves a dangerous snare both to themselves and others, which forbids pride in it and commands constant watchfulness against the temptation that attends it. We have great need to make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31:1), lest the eye infect the heart. Joseph’s mistress had a husband that ought to have been to her for a covering of the eyes from all others (Gen. 20:16).”

However, Joseph’s integrity shone brightly. He continually and fervently refused to have anything to do with her. He even continually told her why he would not give in to her advances. “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. ⁹ He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

Joseph logically told Potiphar’s wife that he could not sin against Potiphar in light of all the good he had done on Joseph’s behalf. However, the ultimate reason was he saw her sin in contrast to God’s holiness. What she wanted to do was great wickedness and sin against the LORD. It was depravity and it was wrong.

Dr. Carson adds, “She was daring and shameless in the sin. With an impudent face, and a harlot’s forehead, she said, Lie with me, having already, by her wanton looks and unchaste desires, committed adultery with him in her heart. Note, where the unclean spirit gets possession and dominion in a soul, it is as with the possessed of the devils (Lu. 8:27, 29), the clothes of modesty are thrown off and the bands and fetters of shame are broken in pieces. When lust has got head, it will stick at nothing, blush at nothing; decency, and reputation, and conscience, are all sacrificed to that Baal-peor.”

May each of us resolve to not sacrifice decency, reputation and conscience for the fleeting and deceptive desire of sin.

Soli deo Gloria!

^28 “When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. ³¹ And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. ³² 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. ³³ 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. ³⁴ 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 19:28–34)

Upon hearing the inflammatory statements against the Apostle Paul and the Gospel by Demetrius the Ephesian silversmith, his fellow tradesmen and craftsmen became totally furious with wrathful indignation and began to continually shout and scream ““Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Consequently, the city became filled with an emotional and uproarious tumult. Crowds of people converged upon the city’s open-air theater. In the process, the mob seized Gaius and Aristarchus, who Luke described as Paul’s traveling companions.

Paul, perhaps wishing to prevent any harm to his two companions and also to address the crowd, is prevented in doing so by the disciples of Jesus living in Ephesus. There were other Asians who were Paul friends who also earnestly and continually implored and begged him not to go into the theater.

The atmosphere within the theater was total chaos. Luke records that, “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.”

Some of the crowd prompted a Jew named Alexander to address the people. In his commentary on Acts, Dr. Simon Kistemaker writes, “The Jews wanted to clear themselves of any charge of opposing the worship of Artemis. At the same time they want to place Paul and his followers in a bad light.” Whatever the reason to have Alexander speak, upon hearing that he was a Jew, the mob began to shout and scream all the more “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” They di this for two solid hours.

As we have seen in our own day, riotous people do not conduct themselves with any rhyme or reason. Their intention is to destroy, to be heard and to shout down any opposition. Rational thought is seldom seen in such instances.

How was this situation resolved? We will see when next we meet.

Soli deo Gloria!

^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.” (Acts 19:23–27)

As we have previously seen throughout the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the preaching of the Gospel promotes not only repentance of sins and a reception of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but it also produces rejection and reviling. Such was the case in Ephesus spearheaded by a silversmith named Demetrius.

Demetrius made silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He had a thriving business and made a lucrative living in idolatry.

However, he became concerned that his business and profit bottom line would take a hit. This was because of the many people turning to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation through the preaching of the Gospel by Paul.

Demetrius gathered his fellow craftsmen 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.” It is apparent that Demetrius is not a worshipper of Artemis but rather a worshipper of his wealth. Money is what he holds in high esteem.

Demetrius continued by saying, “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.”

I think Demetrius actually believed what he said. He certainly wanted to convince his fellow tradesmen. How noble of him to want to guard and protect the reputation of Artemis when in reality he was mainly concerned about losing his income.

Today’s text illustrates that when individuals receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior their lives begin to change. When once people bought the shrines Demetrius made and sold, they no longer did so because they were now worshippers of the One, True God.

How has your life and lifestyle changed since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ? What changes still need to occur? Let us all praise the Lord for the work He has done in our lives, the work He is currently doing, and the work He will do in the future.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!