Sermon Summary
Big Idea: We see Jesus by looking at the work of HIS hands.
This sermon examines Acts 19:21-41 from a context that many of us are familiar with but find it difficult to admit: How can we see Jesus when we literally cannot see Him? By going through the whole passage, we come to see that the seeming absence of Jesus is not His absence, but His presence and work among us, especially when opposition to the Gospel seems to win the day. The Hand that seems absent has been carrying and shielding us all along.
Sermon Outline
HIS Hand Rouses (vv. 21-22)
HIS Hand Reveals… (vv. 23-34)
…Idolatry and Greed (vv. 23-28)
…Violence and Chaos (vv. 29-34)
HIS Hand Rescues (vv. 35-41)
Sermon Text: Acts 19:21-41
Acts 19:21–41 (ESV)
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Application Questions:
Vv. 21-22: Where do you see God working in your life right now, even if you don’t clearly “see” or feel His presence?
What might His Spirit be doing beneath the surface?Vv. 21-22: The sermon says that our desires and the direction of our lives can reveal the Spirit’s work in us.
What are some things that currently “rouse” or motivate you each day? What do they reveal about what you value?Vv. 23-28: Demetrius claimed to be concerned about Artemis, but his deeper concern was losing money.
What are some modern-day “idols” that can disguise themselves as good or normal things? How can we recognize when something has begun to control our hearts?Vv. 29-34: The sermon says, “What would make us lash out if we lost it?”
How can our reactions to disappointment, loss, criticism, or not getting what we want expose hidden idols or areas of greed in our hearts?Vv. 35-41: The Ephesian mob looked chaotic and dangerous, yet God quietly rescued Paul and his companions through the city clerk.
Can you think of a time when God answered a difficult situation in an unexpected or seemingly ordinary way?Vv. 35-41: The sermon reminds us that Jesus is present even when His hand is difficult to see.
What would it look like for you this week to intentionally “look for His hand”—in your circumstances, your relationships, Scripture, or the ways He is shaping your heart?
