Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-08-19
LESSON FOR AUGUST 20
RIOT AT EPHEsus.

LESSON TEXTActs 1s:zs-u
GOLDEN TExTThe love of money is
the root OF all kinds of evil Tim s:l0
Teachers ought to have good maps
and keep before the minds of their
classes both the ancient and modern
names of the places Paul visited. Paul
resided at Ephesus nearly three years,
A D. 50 to Sc. The events of this les
son occurred about three years after
our last lesson in Acts
]. The Missionary Work Of Paul
wv. 1-10). How long Paul remained at
Antioch after his second journey we
do not know, but having passed
through the upper coast he came to
this city of Ephesus, which was an
important city and a great mission
field In Revelations and is a list
OF the churches which he evangelical
from this center. 1t was a great and
eHectual door for him q Cor SO;
read also Acts 20 1T: 2 :35). In this
city Paul found a religious guild of II
members (see w. 2-O, whose relig-
ious experience needed the enrichment
OF the Holy Spirit like need is ever
before the Christian church.
III. The Miracles Wrought by Paul
CIV. 11-2O). Ephesus was center OF
magic and witchcraft, and special
power was given Paul to work mira
cles which COMPOUNDED the magicians
in this, their stronghold. The Gospel
proves its power most and best by
Transforming the characters of men.
Deeds of love and service are the best
proofs of Christianity, and these are
the things which awaken heather ma
lions to seek after the Christian relig-
ion- But such deeds are often imi-
tated as in this case. (See v. 13)t
However, only the real spirit of Christ
can work the true workil-g of the
Gospel, and thus the name of the Lord
Jesus was magnified in Ephesus Imi-
tation is often the sincerest form of
fiattery.
III. The Mob's Attack Upon Paups
Work (vv. 21-41). The first result of
Paul's work was the burning of the
books of magic (vv. 1920. Many who
had been dupes of the magicians
ceased their secret practices and de-
clared their wrongdoings in this pub
lie manner. Literally, book after book
was thrown into the fire, much the
same as in Florence Savonarola had
his bonfire of vanities.' Paul's won
derful success had to have it's testing
before he left. The Gospel ''way," the
way of salvation, of true living, is
sure to create stir sooner or later.
Preach the Gospel faithfully and fully,
and it will stir up any community. 1T
is not necessarily bad sign when
things begin to be disturbed. 1t may
simply indicate that the fire is get
ting hot. The good results of reviv-
ais do not hurt business, but they do
hrTv-f I,a
was intensely stirred up in the city
Of Ephesus. Demetrius, their leader, |
uttered a striking and truthful COM
mendation of Paul w. 26), although |
1t was entirely unintentional (See |
I Thess. 1 :9-1O). Demetrius does not
seem to seek to controvert the preach
ing of Paul, or that it did not square |
with the word of God, but rather that |
1T would interfere with financial con-
siderations. The modern world is full
of descendants of the Ephesian silver
and business in
terests which defend the saloon. and
fairly respectable citizens who receive
rents from such business, or from i'm
moral or unsanitary properties, and
who cry out against any reform which
interferes with trade and money max
ing There are many today who are
very enthusiastic religionists if they
can coin money out of it or get into
an office.
AT this theater meeting paul was
not present. w. 20. 81 Demetrius ap-
pealed ID to wealth, (2) to religion,
CD to the honor and fame of the city,
and (4) he also made an esthetic ap-
peal, wv. 25. %. 2O. The Jews put
one of their number, Alexan-
lex to make a defense unto the peo-
pie, and to show that they were not
n sympathy with Paul and his COM
'anions in their preaching against the
of Diana or that as Jewish
Christians they did not maliciously
nope to destroy the worship of Diana
md the business interests of that city.
Their effort, however, only stirred the
mob to larger shout "Great is Diana
# the Ephesians,'' which lasted for
wo hours.
Those who yell the loudest think
hey are sure to prove their point.
hough in such way the point does
lot stay proved P4ul combines fear
ess courage and humble common
ense, and. while he fain would an
eal to the mob ". BOZ, he refrained.
he mob must soon awaken to the
1anliness and spirit of Paul's soul.
was the town clerk who fnterfered |
V. S5-41) and by skil1ful management
uelled the excited mob. He was the