2. Review: Acts 19: 17-20 The “fear of the Lord”
fills the Ephesian church
Christians (old & new) openly repent of their sins
Christians who still have ties to the occult burn their scrolls in a public bonfire worth $2.9 million

3. This sparks a riot within the town.
Acts 19: 23-41
The Christian resistance to idol worship in Ephesus impacts the local economy.
This sparks a riot within the town.

4. Just like with the Pharisee Gamaliel
in Acts 5, God works through the non-believing city clerk to calm the riot and provide protection to the Christians living within that city.

5. 1 Peter 3: 15-16 15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ
as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.”

6. It was very clear to the Ephesians, whether they were believers
in Jesus Christ or not, that believing
in His Gospel led to radical changes
in their values & their way of living.

7. “These men who have caused trouble all over
Acts 17:6
“These men who have caused trouble all over
the world 
have now
come here”

8. Temple of Artemis
in Ephesus

9. has practically vanished. Idolatry was totally defeated, right?
This one pillar is all that remains of the once marvelous “Temple of Artemis” in Ephesus.
Idol worship in
the civilized world
has practically vanished.
Idolatry was totally defeated, right?

11. In every place that Paul preached the Gospel, he discerned and exposed
the “idols”
of that area.
This led to great transformation and great resistance.

12. “[Paul] says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.”
Act 19:26b
“[Paul] says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.”
The Gospel’s challenge of the lordship of money & other gods produces violent feelings.

13. They’re good things that are turned into ultimate things.”
“An idol is anything other than God that is more fundamental to your happiness, meaning in life, or identity.
They’re not bad things.
They’re good things that are
turned into ultimate things.”
- Timothy Keller

14. Power Approval Comfort Control
Money
Power
Sex
Work/Career
Family/Children
Possessions
Independence
Lack of Stress
Freedom
Affirmation
Love
Beauty
Self-Discipline
Technology
Science
Success
Strength
Influence

15. Discerning Your “Idols”
1.) What is my greatest nightmare?
What do I worry about the most?
2.) What do I rely on for comfort?
3.) What makes me feel self-worth?
Of what am I the proudest?
4.) What do I really want and expect out
of life? What do I think would really
make me happy?

16. “Under every behavioral sin, is the sin of idolatry
and under every act of idolatry
is a disbelief in the Gospel.”
- Martin Luther

17. Idols are relentless “masters” in our life:
Excessive focus &
stress to get it
Crippling anxiety
over losing it
Devastating despair
in losing it
Recklessly trying
to replace it

18. Despite their “thrall” and violent claims on our heart & life,
our idols never come through for us…
We all chant,
“Great is Artemis!”
and get no response.

19. Misplacing
our happiness,
life’s purpose, and identity is the cause for the vast majority of these “disorders”:
Depression
Despair
Hopelessness
Suicide

20. is played out.” - H.G. Wells
“The cold-blooded massacres of the defenseless, the return of deliberate and organized torture, mental torment, and fear to a world from which such things had seemed well nigh banished—has come near to breaking my spirit altogether… ‘Homo sapiens’ as he has been pleased to call himself,
is played out.” - H.G. Wells

21. Two Jewish Philosophers discuss the “problem” with God and idolatry:
1.) God hates idols &
must punish idolatry
(viewing it as adultery)
2.) God loves people &
wants reconciliation

22. Destroying Your Idols 1.) Repent of your idolatry &
Renounce those “ways”
2.) Rejoice in Christ’s Sacrifice
Rest in His Provision for you

23. “Hope of the World” To know You forever our everything.
To love You forever
You are
our everything.
All we need is You.