Ephesus, the capital city of Asia, held the title of “the first and greatest metropolis of Asia.” The open-air theater, the largest in the world, was capable of containing 50,000 spectators who often entertained themselves with the fights of wild beasts and of men with beasts. The city prided itself on its designation “Temple Warden” of Artemis and on the fact that the cult of the great goddess had spread out into the world.
The temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was the main attraction to tourists from around the world. The structure of 425 feet in length, 225 in width was all marble with 127 marble columns 60 feet high.
Resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.
Acts 9 – Appointed the head of the precaution against the Way followers, he embraced his job with the enthusiasm, self-assurance, and fortitude of an accomplished, self-made man in his early thirties. In a moment, everything changed.
Acts 13 – Cyprus – He witnessed to Sergius Paulus but was withstood by Elymas.
Pisidian Antioch – Acts 13:50 and 51 What kind of man is so stout and durable?
Acts 14 – Iconium – Gentiles and the Jews wanted to stone them.
Acts 14:21 – Lystra – He was worshipped as a god, and then they stoned him.
15 – Jerusalem – he was proving to them the legitimacy of his ministry. Barnabas and Paul split.
16:24 – They beat him and threw him into prison.
2Corinthians 11:23-29 From where did his resilience, toughness, and courage come?
The man who entered into Ephesus possibly at 55 or 57 was a horrid sight if disrobed, weary from life’s journey, travel-fatigued from the current itinerary. Possibly, his stride was slower, more deliberate. This seasoned warrior with many battle scars entered this pagan metropolis without knowing or fearing what was before him. He was by no means disheartened or daunted but rather robust, energetic, optimistic, and filled with faith and hope. He commenced a new adventure that in less than 2 1/2 years would break the stronghold of Artemis’ worship and spread the gospel of the Kingdom throughout all Asia-Minor.
Acts 19:1-20 – One man’s persistence caused the change of a community.
Ehesians6:18-20 He did one day at a time with the help of God.
2Timothy 1:15 – This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
In 90 AD, John wrote the churches in Asia including Ephesus.
One man awake awakens another,
The second man wakens his next door neighbor,And three awake can rouse the town,
and turn the whole place upside down.And many awake can raise such a fuss,
That it finally awakens the rest of us.One man up with dawn in his eyes – multiplies.
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