A city proud of its gods does not change quietly. We walk the streets of Ephesus where spiritual hunger, civic pride, and booming commerce collide—and watch what happens when Paul’s preaching lifts Jesus above every idol. From a small group of disciples discovering the Holy Spirit’s power to a public bonfire of sorcery books, the story surges toward a riot that exposes the real stakes when faith confronts profit and prestige.

We unpack the difference between copying spiritual language and living under Christ’s authority through the unforgettable moment with the seven sons of Sceva. Their failure isn’t a party trick gone wrong; it’s a warning that the name of Jesus carries weight only where there’s surrender to the Lord himself. As news spreads, many turn from occult practices and count the cost, showing that repentance is not sentimental—it is concrete, costly, and freeing. God uses even “unusual miracles” to draw attention to Jesus, not to superstition, and the word reaches across Asia through steady, daily teaching.

Then the pressure shifts. Demetrius the silversmith rallies a crowd by blending piety with profit anxiety, and Ephesus erupts. We trace how economic systems can shield cultural idols, why the gospel often feels offensive to hardened hearts, and how courage and prudence meet when Paul is held back from the amphitheater for his safety. The city clerk’s cool intervention reminds us that God can work through civic structures to preserve space for witness. Along the way, we ask hard questions: Which “Artemis industries” shape our lives today? Where are we tempted to use Jesus’ name without walking in his way?

If you’re hungry for a faith that changes not just feelings but neighborhoods, wallets, and public squares, this conversation will fuel your courage. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves Acts, and leave a review to help more people find the show. What idol is the gospel challenging in your world right now?

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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT).
Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.