Note for 20250805

Acts

Nineteen

Part 19 - Acts 19 - Motivation

Watch at:

Listen at: https://on.soundcloud.com/kjoTzMbG0nZ2f80FOm

The House of Bread · Note for 20250805 - Acts - Part 19 - Acts 19 - Motivation

Acts 19:1-41 KJV

[1] And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, [2] he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. [7] And all the men were about twelve. [8] And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. [9] But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. [10] And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. [11] And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: [12] so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. [13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. [14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. [15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? [16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. [17] And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. [18] And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. [19] Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20] So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. [21] After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. [22] So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. [23] And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. [24] For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; [25] whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. [26] Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: [27] so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. [28] And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. [29] And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. [30] And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. [31] And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. [32] Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. [33] And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. [34] But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. [35] And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? [36] Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. [37] For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. [38] Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. [39] But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. [40] For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. [41] And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.19.1-41.KJV

For those that go into deeper Bible studies, the study of who exactly this Diana was is quite insightful, tracing back to previous names being revered in the same practices, but by other names because of the people. So, Diana and Artemis, same deity and of course, Artemis the twin sister of another name you might know, Appolo. But, it goes back even further and some investigation can be done to Inanna and Astarte. Once the rituals and "benefits" are understood, then the pilgrimage by people to Ephesus can be understood. I will speak on it politely by referencing "fertility" and that is related to "eggs" too.

But, that is only half of the story, and it becomes complex once you understand that the Temple of Diana was once considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It is this fame that was the driving force behind Demetrius and the craftsmen's wealth. So yes, good old money, greed. You see, the real upset was that their businesses were affected by the conversion of the Ephesians to Christianity. It is questionable if these men even believed in the goddess of the Ephesians, which was borrowed from previous cultures in any way.

Now, while we might not be so familiar with the ancient versions of these gods of the people of those times and not even so much as it is presented in the world we live in today, the root of greed most of us can relate to, can't we? So often it is this greed you will ultimately find behind the instigators of war, being money and power. Wealth is a strong motivator for wickedness and commonly found at the root of the oppression of those who do not have it, namely the poor. The poor, of course, we see being considered by our Father in Heaven and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now that you have a brief overview of the complexity of Ephesus, maybe you can understand this big uproar that Demetrius and the Craftmen could stir up. But, do not miss the motivation for the uproar, because each of these moves by spirits of their own that will push on all the way to murder.

How do these "motivations" manifest in our daily lives? Who is oppressed by money? Who is affected by the love of money? Master and slave, manager and base worker, what is the common outcome, and what will people do to have money? I don't have to tell you, because you see it everyday. And strange enough, it is usually those that have been badly "burned" by finances that can see the danger of it.

Of course, our root for understanding it Biblically goes back to the encounter of Jesus and the young rich man and the famous saying of Christ that it is harder for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom than for a camel to pass through the eye of the Needle. Or, you cannot serve both GOD and Mammon.

What is the Motivation for the actions of mankind, in other words, what is "in it for them?" Does prosperity teaching not start with tithing? And who receives the tithes? You see, at the root, greed is often the reason for selling idols. And don't misunderstand me, tithing is proper according to our faith, but you may just often find a "Judas" or "Demetrius" type of person there, holding the money bags. It is not money itself, but the love of money that is evil, but money does carry with it imagery much like these idols they sold in Ephesus.

Now let me leave this off with a familiar verse:

1 John 4:1 KJV

[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1jn.4.1.KJV

Motivation can often be traced to the benefit, and the benefit may be linked to some form of greed or lust of the flesh. In the so-called civilized world, some form of false peace is pacified in a luxurious form of having what you want and need, and sold to the "have-nots" that you can have it, if you want it bad enough, through "hard work" which keeps the hamsters running on the wheel. Sadly though, in a financial system like the modern world, without money you will starve, right? Oh, friends, remember the Lord's prayer. The concept of "hard work" has been dressed up nicely with a mask of possibilities that leads to debt enslavement. That's the truth.

Now, say again, what is your motivation? What is it that you wish to have in life? Welcome to the lie that you have been sold. Oh! And it is a system...

Selah, Shalom

www.thehouseofbread.co.za

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Expanded from verse 9)

Galatians 6:9-10 KJV

[9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.6.9-10.KJV

Download

Listen online or download the entire “The Book of Acts” playlist at: https://on.soundcloud.com/o0oUcdDmJ6ibIHDkp1

The House of Bread · The Book of Acts

Now Live, The House of Bread Radio App with 24/7/365 music channel to enjoy scripture based (in-house produced) music for a tranquil environment at home. Also Available for a while already, the Stern Watch Radio App, with teachings and gospel music the rest of the time.

House of Bread Music Radio App

Download link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.houseofbreadmusic

The Stern Watch Radio App

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.sternwatch or scan the QR Code

Search This Blog

The House of Bread