As you labour in the face of many adversaries, remember that Christ himself will overcome all opposition and will cause his work to prosper. He will build his church (Matthew 16:18), and neither the gates of hell nor the adversaries of the gospel will ever overcome him.

When you think of “a wide door for effective ministry,” what comes to mind? Rapid growth? Full financial provision? An encouraging community?

How about a riot and a city full of adversaries?

Like every pastor, I like ministry to be easy. I like my comfort. I like to serve on my own schedule. I want ministry to be like a swaying hammock on a sun-drenched day in a gentle ocean breeze. I like to be physically safe, financially well-compensated, and personally respected. But what happens when you’re physically threatened, financially destitute, or publicly slandered for the sake of Christ and his gospel? Does that mean you should leave? Pursue another calling? Has Christ withdrawn his blessing from your ministry?

Not according to Paul.

Paul’s ministry in the city of Ephesus bore much fruit. When he arrived, he “entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). Paul’s preaching among his fellow Jews divided the saved from the lost, and when “some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them” (Acts 19:9). Paul “took the disciples with him, reasoning daily” (Acts 19:9) in a rented lecture hall, teaching for two years, such that “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10). In fact, “the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20).

But eventually, Paul made plans to leave Ephesus:

Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while (Acts 19:21-22).

During this brief time in which Paul parted from Timothy and Erastus, a riot consumed Ephesus. The idolatrous worship of Artemis was a boon to the silversmiths, whose manufacture of idols “brought no little business to the craftsmen” (Acts 19:24). Paul’s preaching of Christ in public and in private for two years led so many idolators to become worshippers of Christ that the trade in silver idols suffered a financial and reputational hit (Acts 19:27). A silversmith named Demetrius instigated a riot, which terrorized Ephesus for hours (Acts 19:28-34). An unspecified period of time after the riot ended, Paul left for Macedonia (Acts 20:1) as he previously had planned (Acts 19:21).

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