Introduction:

1. This section could run in a host of directions, but the two key events demonstrate the gospel’s illuminating power.

2. The divergent responses of those who recognized the miracles (vv. 17-20), and the idol-making frauds show the inescapabilty of His light.

Discussion:

I. The Power of Christ’s Light (John 3:18-21)

A. Exposure to Jesus’ light forces people to make a choice (Matthew 6:24).

B. The chosen response flows from the heart of the individual on whom the light lands (John 1:9-11; 3:18-21; 7:7; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6).

II. Shining Christ’s Light (20:11-16; Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:7-17)

A. At Ephesus, God confirmed Paul’s message through “extraordinary miracles” (vv. 11-12; Mark 16:19-20; Acts 2:22).

B. Some Jewish exorcists attempted to leverage Jesus’ name to cast out a demon, but it did not end well for them (vv. 13-16).

III. Exposed by Christ’s Light (20:17-41)

A. The responses at Ephesus demonstrate the polarizing power of the exposure the gospel brings.

B. Seeing the miracles God did through Paul and the humbling of the sons of Sceva, Jews and Gentiles alike embraced the Lord (vv. 17-20).

C. This large-scale conversion proved costly to the local idol makers, so Demetrius the silversmith whipped up a mob against Paul (vv. 23-34).

D. Demetrius was aghast that Paul was convincing people that their trinkets were lifeless images and not gods (vs. 26).

E. Though he framed his case as a plea for the honor of their goddess Diana, profit was his true motivation (vv. 24-25, 27).

F. Only with the pragmatic rationalization of the city clerk was the mob quieted, and the uproar ended.

1. This episode proves the power of the gospel to expose our true nature.

2. It also proves the power of minds blinded by the god of this world.

3. Again, right attitudes must meet right understanding to save souls.