Mission to Ephesus: The Critique of All Temples

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Acts 19.26 “he says man-made gods are no gods at all...There is danger...that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited.” Throughout history there has been a long succession of temple building. Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of many. Hollywood enjoys making adventure movies about some of them. As we follow Paul in his third missionary journey, he now arrives in Ephesus - a city dominated by the goddess Artemis and her influential temple. When Paul preached Jesus, he challenged the entire religious enterprise and people were personally affronted and angry. What we forget is that it is not just the ancient peoples who build temples - we do, too. Today in the Word we will consider how the gospel actually challenges all temples and how the powers of hell try to divert us from discovering freedom and life in the one true God.