1. How to Start and Stop a Riot
Acts 19: 23-41

2. How to Start and Stop a Riot - Acts 19: 23-41
Do ‘protesters’ always know what’s going on?
Luke described ‘the Way’, now new resistance
Demetrius and ‘silversmiths’ made very good living on replicas and idols of ‘Artemis’.
Look at example of their ‘trade’…

5. How to Start and Stop a Riot - Acts 19: 23-41
Demetrius concerned Paul was hurting business! (v. 25)
Threat: Paul ‘seducing’ Ephesus and Asia away from their ‘goddess’ (and profits).
‘To attack Artemis is to attack Ephesus!’
(Like preaching against horse racing/ gambling/drinking at the Kentucky Derby!)
Craftsmen & crowd started chanting…

6. How to Start and Stop a Riot - Acts 19: 23-41
Aristarchus of Thessalonica and Gaius were seized, they couldn’t find Paul…
Paul wanted to speak, ‘officials’ and others told him not to do it!
The mob rushed to the theatre, the largest public building in Ephesus
(take a look at it…)

9. How to Start and Stop a Riot - Acts 19: 23-41
Alexander (a Jew) pushed forward, they wouldn’t hear him!
Chanting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” went on for two hours!
Unnamed town clerk got their attention!
1. No real threat! (Wrong?)
2. Christians had done nothing wrong!(True!)
3. If any crime, it’s the Ephesians riot!(True!)

10. How to Start and Stop a Riot - Acts 19: 23-41
Take Christians to court if they do wrong!
Ephesians: danger of charges of Insurrection!
Notice: Christians were innocent of wrongdoing!
Paul never found guilty by any Roman!
Serving and trusting God, he will protect and provide!
Then and Now!