CHILDREN STS LESSON 52 REVIVAL IN EPHESUS
Acts 19:1-41
Acts of the Apostles chapter 19 gives us a summary of the evangelistic work of Apostle Paul in the city called Ephesus. This city was the capital and business centre of the Roman province in Asia minor. It was also a prosperous and well populated community that was given to idol worship, black magic and occultic practice. They even had a temple for Diana, their goddess.
When Apostle Paul got to Ephesus in continuation of his missionary journey, he came in contact with a few believers. He fellowshipped with them and from his interaction he discovered that they were yet to receive the power of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, his first assignment was to lead them into that experience of the Holy Ghost baptism through the teaching of God’s word. The brethren were about twelve in number. After this important assignment, Apostle Paul went into the city to carry out his primary purpose of traveling to Ephesus.
Paul ministered in Ephesus for about three years (Acts 20:31). He did a great job in this city. From Ephesus, the gospel was preached and spread to every part of the empire known as Asia minor. Many souls were saved and the church was firmly established in the faith. It was a time of great revival.
The church today is in dire need of revival. Many boys and girls are no more showing interest in having deep knowledge of the word, neither are they interested in pursuing basic Christian experiences like salvation, sanctification and Holy Ghost baptism. Jesus is calling on us to awake out of our slumber, seek the Lord now through sincere and consistent prayer, reading, meditating on God’s word and obedience to the great commission.
1. REVIVAL IN EPHESUS
Acts 19:1-22, 8:4-40, Psalm 85:6-9
The gospel is the good news about the love of Jesus for the whole world, how He shed His blood and died on the cross to save sinners (Acts 4:12). The gospel has the power to do great and mighty things that is far beyond our human understanding. Through the preaching of the gospel at Ephesus, revival broke out and turned the city upside down for Christ:
- The first sign of the revival was the power of the Holy Ghost that came upon the twelve believers that apostle Paul met.
- Many sinners were converted and delivered from idolatry and occultic powers.
- Special miracles were wrought through Apostle Paul. Handkerchiefs that touched his body were placed on the sick and demon-possessed people, and they were healed and delivered.
- False prophets like the seven sons of Sceva were disgraced when they tried to imitate the Apostle.
- Those who believed brought all their idols with instruments of false worship and they were destroyed.
- Fear fell on all the people and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
The city of Ephesus witnessed a great transformation through this work of apostle Paul. The church that was established grew and became a great congregation of believers so much that many years after the death of the Apostle, Jesus in the book of Revelation, testified about their faith (Revelation 2:1-7).
God can use you to bring about revival in the church, like He did with Paul and many others even in this present time. You must first surrender your life to Jesus, by repenting and turning away from all sins. Accept Jesus as your Personal Saviour and Lord. Then consecrate your life to God and confess like prophet Isaiah that “here am I, send me”.
2. RENEWED OPPOSITION TO THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL
Acts 19:9; 23-41; 9:15,16; Matthew 24:9
Just like it happened in other cities, the effect of the gospel on converted sinners also led to opposition from those who do not want to believe in Ephesus. Paul preached the gospel in this city and many became born again. Here people from all over the world often come to worship the idol called Diana. The images of the idols were also on sale.
A man named Demetrius was one of the silversmiths. He opposed the preaching of Paul the apostle because he felt that:
- (a) they would lose money from their trade of making idols. They made lots of money from the business of selling idols (Acts 19:25,26).
- (b) Their business would fail and become discredited if Paul was allowed to continue preaching the gospel (Acts 19:27).
- (c) They would lose their god—Demetrius realised that if the preaching of the gospel was to continue, Diana may be despised and considered worthless by the people and her glory come to ruin (Acts 19:27).
Demetrius’ action made the people to start a riot where some of the companions of Paul were attacked. The whole city was in confusion. Finally, the city clerk was able to calm the crowd. He made them to realise that their opposition was wrong since Paul and his friends had not done anything that was against the law. After further warning, the crowd left peacefully.
Jesus said “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). No matter how great the persecution or opposition may be, Jesus will always give us the victory. As we preach the gospel, we must be ready to suffer as true followers of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-24) and obey the word of God.
3. REWARDS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD ENDURE TILL THE END
Acts 19:33-41; Matthew 10:22; 2 Timothy 4:7,8
There are great rewards awaiting all those who will serve God faithfully and endure to the end. These rewards include: promotion, presence of God, victory over Satan, peace of God, progress in the work of God and heaven at last. To partake of these rewards, you must:
- (a) become a friend of Jesus by turning away from your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.
- (b) live a daily victorious life over sin.
- (c) separate yourself from the bad things of this world.
- (d) give your time and money for the gospel (2 Corinthians 8:2-5).
- (e) love and forgive those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
- (f) endure to the end without compromising (Matthew 24:13).
As we do all these, great shall be the blessing of God upon us in Jesus’ name.
QUESTIONS
- Ephesus was one of the cities that experienced revival during apostle Paul’s missionary journey.
- Who stirred up an opposition against apostle Paul in Ephesus? Mention the reasons for the opposition.
- Mention four notable evidences of the revival in Ephesus.
- What should be the attitude of friends of Jesus when they are passing through persecution?
MEMORY VERSE: “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 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” (Acts 19:18,19).
LESSON: The present-day church needs revival.
THOUGHT: I will commit my life to pray for revival in the church.
ACTIVITY: Children are to spend time to pray for missionaries who are facing opposition in their missionary work.
HOMEWORK: Write in your homework book, two important things that the church must do to bring revival.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: 257 – JESUS SEND MORE LABOURERS.
CHORUSES: (1) Revival, Pentecostal revival. (2) Jesus conquered the world. (3) Lord send another Elijah.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Revival Reputation 3. Discredit 4. Silversmith 5. Endurance
