Lesson 346 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:  but he that endureth to the end shall be saved"  (Matthew 10:22).

Notes

 

For the Lord

If the Lord should tarry, the boys and girls in the Sunday School today will have work to do as citizens, and even now some may be thinking about their future work. It is possible to choose a trade, which can be used in the Lord's work. Many of the men and women who now give of their time for the Lord's work have been trained in their occupations. Some have made a living by that work. When the Lord called them to work for Him, many have been called to do that very same kind of work. Some give of their time, talent, and skill when there is an opportunity, but others have the privilege of giving all their time in the service of the Lord.

When young people consider their life work, is it not pleasing to the Lord that they choose an art or trade, which can be used in the service of God? When one seeks God, and serves Him, that person has a desire to do something for the Lord. When one loves God, he wants to give of his time, of his talent, and of his skill to the Lord.

A Silversmith

There were craftsmen in Ephesus who moulded and shaped different kinds of metal into ornamental and useful articles, but they did not live for the Lord nor work for Him. Rather, the work that they did was for Satan, because they were making idols. Demetrius was a silversmith of Ephesus. He could have made useful articles but he made idols, because by so doing he could make more money. He not only worked for Satan in that way but he also caused trouble for the Christians.

When Paul was preaching the Gospel in Ephesus, this Demetrius caused a stir. He called a meeting of all the silversmiths who were making idols. He talked to his fellow craftsmen, reminding them that they had received their wealth by making idols. Demetrius told them that they had seen and heard how Paul had preached to the people. Many people in Ephesus and other parts of Asia had believed the Gospel, and were no longer idol worshipers. Demetrius' chief complaint was that their work was endangered. If people quit worshiping idols there would be no need for idol makers. Demetrius had a selfish motive in stirring up the people. On second thought he appealed to them to be loyal to their religion lest the idol temple be despised and destroyed.

The Truth

In Demetrius' speech before the craftsmen, he gave testimony of Paul's work and preaching. Perhaps without meaning to do so, he admitted the spread of the Gospel in that "much people" were persuaded and turned into believers. According to Demetrius' words, Paul had said that "they be no gods, which are made with hands," Paul spoke the truth. Because he preached the truth, those who believed were set free from their false beliefs. It is the truth, which will set men free.

Jesus said to the Jews which believed on Him: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" [JHN:8:31-32]).

The people who heard Demetrius did not love the truth enough to forsake a religion of lies and deceit, and to quit their work of making idols. Who would want to worship a god who could not defend his temple?

Mob Action

The speech of Demetrius aroused the silversmiths. They left the meeting with shouts and in anger. Soon they had the whole town in confusion. A riot broke out and the mob seized two companions of Paul, Gaius and Aristarchus. With one accord the mob rushed to the theatre, the city gathering-place. What confusion! Some said one thing! Some said another! Most of the people did not know why the crowd had gathered. They did not know what was happening, but they came to look.

The angered mob, which had seized the two Christians were intent on punishing them. No doubt they hoped to frighten Jesus' followers so they would leave the city and would preach no more.

Love for Brethren

Paul wanted to work his way through the crowd to help his friends who were in trouble. The other disciples and some of the chief men of Asia, who were Paul's friends, would not let Paul go into the theatre lest the mob would turn on him, too. In the face of danger Paul was not afraid to let people know that he was a Christian. He was not afraid to go to the rescue of his brethren, because he loved them. Jesus said that to love the brethren was a proof that one was His disciple. He said: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" [JHN:13:35]).

Trying to defend the two captured disciples, Alexander stepped from the crowd. He raised his hand to silence the people that he might speak. We remember that the Ephesians were Gentiles. When they saw that Alexander was a Jew, they would not listen to him. They set up a clamour, and for two hours shouted praise to their idol, which could neither hear nor help.

A Way of Escape

God was watching the scene. He did not allow His disciples to be harmed by the mob. He permitted the persecution to go just so far; then He worked out a way of escape for His people. In contrast to the howling mob, which worshiped an idol, God's people stood in a quiet and orderly manner. They trusted God who always helps His people.

The town-clerk, who was probably not one of Jesus' disciples, addressed his fellow citizens. He said that everyone knew that the Ephesians worshiped the idol, which fell down from Jupiter (the superstition which they believed). He advised the mob to be quiet and "to do nothing rashly." The court of justice would judge any case that was put before them if there was a question of law. If Demetrius and the other silversmith had a matter against the disciples of Jesus, they should take it to the authorities. However, the town-clerk said that these men of Christ were neither church-robbers nor idol-blasphemers. They had done nothing unlawful. The mob had seized them unlawfully and was causing an uproar without any real cause. The town-clerk dismissed the crowd lest they would be called by the authorities to give account for this peace-disturbing scene.

Persecution

How do you suppose the disciples felt about this experience? Were they ready to give up their Christianity because they had suffered a little persecution? Undoubtedly it put more faith into their hearts. They had trusted God, and He had delivered them. They probably felt as the other disciples did who, being imprisoned for Christ's sake, "sang praises unto God" at midnight [ACT:16:25]), and as the Apostles who rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name" [ACT:5:41]). These men certainly did not turn back from following the Lord. We find their names mentioned throughout the writings of Paul.

Preparation

Jesus prepared His followers to suffer persecution. He warned them that as He had been hated so they as His followers would be hated; and if He was persecuted they would be persecuted. (See [JHN:15:18-20].)

Jesus' followers knew that they could expect persecution, but God had put such peace and love into their hearts that they could endure it. Yes, they even were thankful for it. Paul was forewarned that he would suffer a great deal at the hands of persecutors. Yet, as he suffered, these are his words: "if God be for us, who can be against us?" [ROM:8:31]). Paul said that nothing could separate him from the great love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. He felt that it was worth any suffering that he might "win Christ." He said: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" [PHL:3:10-11]). Paul wanted to be ready for the first resurrection, and in order to be a full overcomer he was willing to suffer.

Promises

There are many promises given to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The Lord has promised to be with them. The Holy Ghost will tell them what to testify when they are brought up before the authorities. "Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer."

Those who suffer for righteousness' sake shall also rule with Christ. "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us" [2TM:2:11-12]). The Beatitudes speak of persecution: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" [MAT:5:19-12]).

God's people today are sometimes called on to endure persecution. In our land it may come in the form of false accusations, separation from our families, or mistreatment. In some lands it may be a matter of life or death. In whatever way it comes, we are to take it patiently, knowing that we can prove true to Christ and His cause. We have started to live for Christ and we will be ushered into Heaven if we are faithful. "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" [MAT:10:22]). 

Questions

 

1. Who was Demetrius?

2. How did he use his talents?

3. Why was he concerned about the preaching of Paul?

4. Why were Paul's companions seized?

5. How were they released?

6. What is persecution?

7. In what ways can Christ's followers be persecuted today?

8. What can a person do when he is persecuted?

9. What are some promises to those who are persecuted?

10. What is promised to those who endure to the end?