Acts 19:8-20
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Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers in the congregation. On this day we typically celebrate the gift of mothers—the joy and miracle of birth, the sacrificial nurture and unending demands that go with it, and the immeasurable and often under appreciated influence “mothers” have on our lives. On the other hand, we also acknowledge the pain of motherhood, as the Lord said to our first mother, “in pain you shall bring forth children” (Gen 3:16). The term connotes not only physical pain, but also the inner grieving and sorrow that comes from toilsome labor and loss that mothers experience in raising their children. We also acknowledge that the “pain” is compounded for those who long to be mothers, but have never had the opportunity because they were barren or never married. But the good news is that in God’s kingdom “pain” never has the last word.
When Israel was exiled in Babylon, Zion was described as a bereaved mother with no one to comfort her for the loss of her children. The nation’s loss was massive, profound and unspeakable. Israel’s prophets were not shy in acknowledging the pain and announced that days were coming out of the pain of exile and loss when God would pour out his Spirit, bringing new life and fertility at unprecedented levels. As Isaiah writes,
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun (“upright”), whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams. (Isa 44:2a–4 NIV)
Then you will say in your heart:
‘Who bore me these?
I was bereaved and barren,
I was exiled and rejected,
Who brought these up?
I was left all alone,
but these—where have they come from?’”
This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“See, I will beckon the nations,
I will lift up my banner to the peoples;
they will bring your sons in their arms,
and carry your daughters on their hips. (Isa 49:21–22 NIV)
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth of the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.” (Isa 60:5 NIV)
Two weeks ago we resumed our studies in the book of Acts and celebrated the gift of the Spirit poured out afresh on twelve disciples, as Paul began his ministry in Ephesus. Today we will witness the power of God’s Spirit as it is unleashed and confronts the magical, political and religious powers that made Ephesus the greatest commercial center west of the Taurus Mountains. This will be the climax of Paul’s public ministry and his most productive time, as he proclaims the gospel in Ephesus for almost three years.
I. The Failure of Direct Opposition (19:8–12)
A. Rejection leads to a wider door of opportunity (19:8–10)
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn (lit. “hardened themselves”) and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (19:8–10 ESV)
When Paul first visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey, the Jewish community received him well and, desiring to hear more of what he had to say, they asked him to stay longer (18:18–19). But Paul, was committed to paying his vows in Jerusalem to give public thanks for God’s faithfulness, and therefore declined. Now a year later, Paul returns to an eager audience and is able to speak boldly for three months “reasoning and persuading them” that the kingdom of God has arrived in
