Scripture Reading: Acts 19:1-41, Isaiah 44:9-11, Ephesians 6:12
I recently attended a live worship concert for one of my favorite Christian artists (circa 1997). When we first sat down, the room buzzed with light chatter and friendly greetings. But the moment the music began, everything shifted. The atmosphere ignited with praise to the Lord, and you could see the joy of the gospel spreading like wildfire. People jumped to their feet, hands raised, worshiping as if the outside world no longer existed. Strangers near us instantly felt like family, united by the love of Christ.
As the night drew to a close, it was almost painful to think the joy filling that room would fade with the final song. But before the concert ended, the artist led us in prayer—asking God to send us out with that same joy, carrying the gospel into a world that often feels cold and resistant.
This is what I imagine Acts 19 looked like. The gospel of Christ was spreading like wildfire through Ephesus and beyond. Paul described a season filled with both revival and riots—a collision between deeply rooted cultural traditions and the unstoppable power of the Holy Spirit. God used Paul’s teaching and ministry to boldly proclaim the gospel in the synagogue, much to the dismay of the Jewish leadership. People—both Jews and Gentiles—were committing their lives to Jesus and instantly became a new church family. All across the region, people were being baptized in the name of Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, witnessing miracles, and prophesying.
While powerful conversions were taking place throughout Ephesus and Asia, the gospel also faced fierce resistance. This new movement of Christianity must have been both exciting and challenging for the early believers. Even today, though Christianity is well established, I still find it difficult to share the gospel with friends and neighbors when I sense their resistance to Christ.
But I believe that’s exactly how Acts 19 can be encouraging to us: The ministry of the gospel and the movement of the Holy Spirit through God’s people will always be more powerful. We do not need to be afraid. The reason there is resistance is because our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the evil and darkness present in this world (Ephesians 6:12). This spiritual warfare is no surprise to God.
These scriptures remind us that God has called us to share the gospel of Jesus with everyone, and the resistance to the gospel often reveals where great need is present. Even when we feel inadequate, we can take courage in knowing that God is with us.
Written by Lauren Eve
