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The city of Ephesus was the third largest in the Roman Empire. It was a major commercial port on the Aegean Sea and home to many artisans, beautiful architecture, as well as the capital and religious center of Asia Minor. At the center of life in Ephesus was the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It brought in much wealth, tourism, and renown for Ephesus. After three years of ministry there, Paul was about to move on when a chaotic event happened. The Gospel was having such a profound affect on people's lives that the greater culture of Ephesus was feeling it. As people began following Jesus, they naturally became less interested in Artemis, and the craftsmen who profited from the sale of shrines and other goods surrounding the worship of Artemis began to feel the effects in their pocketbooks. This lead to a near riot that required the mayor of Ephesus (a city of 250,000 at the time) to step in and calm things down. Curiously, he knew the followers of Jesus not for their antagonism toward Artemis, but evidently for their love of Jesus. We're sent out with good news that truly changes lives and must be known by who we're for, not what we're against.

Scripture References: Acts 19:21-41

From Series: Acts | More Messages from Josh Weiland | Download Audio

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