Ephesus a city of great commerce and popularity. All roads seemed to lead to and from this great metropolis. Ephesus was also, unfortunately, a major center of Pagan worship, being the home base of Diana Worship. Diana, also known as Artimus, was a goddess whose image supposedly fell out of the sky and landed on the spot where her temple was constructed. This temple was an architectural wonder containing hundreds of pillars. The actual building was 110 feet wide and more than 200 feet long. But Ephesus didn't know what was about tho hit them. They would be impacted by one man and the army of the Lord ready for war.
The Diana cult was a fertility one, and the “worship” involved sex, and was popular. There was plenty of money being made from the sales of images of Diana, shipped from Ephesus to many other places. There was an actual guild of silversmiths built around this trade in idols. Demetrius, the silversmith, led the opposition to the apostles and to the Gospel in Ephesus, instigating a riot. Why the riot you ask? Paul had been preaching against the need for their idols and way of thinking. He was preaching about a different Kingdom. It was a kingdom that was founded on Jesus Christ.
As I begin a new series in Ephesians we come to a crossroads in our lives. One of being a saint or a faithful saint. As I was reading about being a saint the understanding became clear that it was one who was justified through Christ. The faithful saint was one who was justified, but also one who was full of faith and excercised his faith. Church the difference that Paul was trying to make was getting us to understand our position and authority in Christ. He wants us to become the faithful saints that he opens up this book of Ephesians with his greeting. Where will the fork in the road take you? The road of faithfulness, power, warfare and eventually victory? Let's step into excercising our faith together. There are other great cities to reach with the gospel. Ephesus would see a great change. Demetrius was upset because people didn't find a need for his silver idols anymore, they found a new God of power. This would change everything for this city. As you walk as the soldier God's called you to be your city can change too.
Blessings,
