Acts 19:23-29 

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ Soon the whole city was in an uproar.

Peace on Earth

One of the major problems of any city is the peace and order. What is God’s plan on peace and order? Did Jesus come to earth to bring peace on earth? In Luke 2:14, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

God’s plan for peace was not intended for the whole earth. Peace on earth can only be experienced by those whom Christ has chosen. He told the disciples in John 14:27, ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Peace from the Lord Jesus would keep us from worries in this world. This world is full of greed and personal covetousness. We want to acquire what others have. We don’t want to be left behind the trend. We want to experience what others have experienced. What did Jesus mean when He said in Matthew 10:34, ³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— ³⁶a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

When He came into the world, the Lord Jesus did not intend to remove all problems on earth. Actually, because of Christ those who are devoted to the Lord and those who love this earthly life are divided. There are even Christians who care for their parents, children, siblings, relatives, career, or racket more than the Lord.

1.  Racket

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.

Before Christianity was introduced to them, the Ephesians worshipped different gods like many other Greeks. Religiosity became business opportunities.

Demetrius led other businessmen and craftsmen who were making paraphernalia or stuffs associated with their gods. They rallied against the Way. The church in Ephesus was named the Way. Paul was preaching that the Lord Jesus is the only Way to heaven. Demetrius interpret the message of Paul that others gods are false gods or not god at all. Therefore, it is implied that their business rackets were misleading people just to buy their products.

Get Out!

Here’s a reality: Using religion for personal interest, selfish agenda, or greedy business racket, the Lord Jesus surely does not ignore. In John 2:14-16, ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

The Lord Jesus may have endured torture but He cannot endure to see people using the temple courts as market place. If this church is the body of Christ, listen: Those who use this church for personal interest will be driven out by the Lord. Let’s learn from their mistakes. The Lord Jesus has many unique ways to get them out. Christ will remove those who would use His church for their personal interests or business rackets. It’s biblical! There a people like Demetrius who use religiosity to promote their personal interests and business rackets.

2.  Religiosity

²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” ²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ Soon the whole city was in an uproar.

Demetrius perceived that his business racket will eventually become slow. He implied that they need to protect the divine majesty of their goddess Artemis. He was actually protecting his personal interest. Like the other craftsmen, he was selling stuffs used to worship the goddess Artemis. The religious people usually bought their products to be offered to their goddess Artemis. Artemis is the Greek goddess associated with fertility, hunting, and moon. KJV used Diana instead of Artemis. Diana is the Roman counterpart of Artemis.

Demetrius gained the support of the other traders and craftsmen.

They perceived a possible business bankruptcy if the people stop worshipping Artemis. They aroused the people’s religiosity. They gave a perception that if the goddess Artemis was not given appropriate worship she might get angry. If they stop doing what they used to do to worship Artemis, Demetrius and the other traders presupposed that the great goddess Artemis might get angry. If Artemis gets angry, there will be no fertility not only among people but also among their livestock. Or it is also possible that Artemis might not let the moon shine at night or hunters catch nothing.

But the truth was that Demetrius and the other businessmen were just afraid that their business will come to an end if the people become Christians.

Can you sense the greediness among those traders? They were not afraid that Artemis would get angry. They were scared that nobody would support their business. It is not easy to establish a business. They would lose their investments.

Closing out Sale!

There are many ways to get the costumer’s attention to buy their product. “Closing out Sale” are not necessarily closing although there are those that are closing. “50% Discounts” are not actually 50% discount from the actual price. It’s the actual price and the “50% Discount” notice was just added later. Similar to “Buy 1 Take 1” or “Everyday Roll Back.”

Selling stuffs [cross, ring, necklace, or relics] associated with gods and saints is no secret venture. Solicitation for calamity victims has been more aggressive on taking advantage of the benevolent hearts of unsuspecting Christians.

Personally, what can we learn from our passage today?

Genuine Christianity is offensive to the enemy of the gospel. Genuine Christianity attracts counterfeit Christians to join the church for their business rackets. Personal interest will not thrive or prosper in the church. Selfish business rackets will be revealed in God’s right timing. Make sure that your personal intention of coming to church is genuinely focused on God. People can deceive others but not God. If this church is real church of God, His purpose will prevail.

No human personal interest or business racket can succeed in the church.

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