The Essential Question (Part 7): More Mission TripsSample

The Real Problem

Prepare: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). How might this verse apply to you today?

Read: Acts 19:1-41

Reflect: By this point, Paul and his companions were getting used to opposition. As we've discovered, it was usually driven by jealousy; the religious leaders didn't like anything that threatened their status in the community. But this passage uncovers the real problem: Luke tells us that some in Ephesus "refused to believe" (19:9). Today there are a growing number of authors and speakers making the case for unbelief, and the media seems to delight in promoting them. But no matter how free-thinking or insightful it may seem, willfully choosing to turn away from God is always a dangerous move.

But it wasn't just the religious leaders who wanted to thwart the growth of the church. In Ephesus the opposition took two other forms. The first was commercialism. Even though the idol makers seemed to understand their products were phony (19:26), they vehemently fought for the right to keep selling them. Throughout history, commercial interests have been the justification for all kinds of evil- for example, slavery. And while it's true that a growing economy is part of a healthy society, any business model out of alignment with God's priorities is a powerful force for evil. Perhaps Paul's experience in Ephesus was part of what motivated him to write, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10).

The second issue was spiritual opposition. In a sense, this could describe all the resistance Paul and his companions faced up to this point. But again, in Ephesus the real problem was clearly exposed; many had willingly given themselves over to the forces of evil. Fortunately, "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul" to defeat the evil (19:11), which cleared the way for the good news to be heard and accepted. Spiritual warfare is not just a topic for charismatic churches. Any time we are truly making a difference for God, truly expanding his kingdom, we are bound to meet with some kind of spiritual resistance. "In the name of Jesus" is not just a good way to end a mealtime prayer. For those on the frontlines of ministry, it is the power and protection of God.

In the end, the Ephesians realized there was no reason for their ridiculous riot, so all their opposition fizzled (19:35-41), like a party balloon losing its air. What's most amazing, however, is that in spite of jealousy, commercialism, spiritual warfare and even riots, Paul never stopped pursuing his mission. In fact, the opposition caused him to up his game. It was in Ephesus that he decided to take the fight to the stronghold of his opponents: Jerusalem (19:21). Paul's attitude was, "Let me at 'em," because he was convinced that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

Apply: What forms of opposition have you faced in the ministries you've been part of? How did you respond to them?