Change is not always welcome

Acts 19

Paul is in Ephesus.

Jesus can change lives. When he changes lives cultures begin to change.

“On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[a] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

Paul preached, the people believed, then started living life in a new way. It started to change the culture, even shifting the economy.

“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.”’

What businesses will we change as Jesus becomes our master and our behavior becomes less selfish, more caring, more forgiving, more loving? Can we change divorce court? Can we share so much that we don’t need welfare? The goal is not to change the world but to share Jesus’ love with each person. As He changes hearts and lives our world and our culture will change.

Demetrius caused a riot because Christianity had changed the world around him and he didn’t like it or understand it. I wonder if anyone ever shared Jesus with him? Are there influential people in my life that I can talk to about how Jesus has changed me?

Jesus use me. Keep me clean. Help me tell the people around me about you.