City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him.

31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Acts 19:30-31

Reflection

As Christians we like to talk about effecting change, and that is as it should be. The kingdom of God is an administration whose purpose it is to reconcile all things, things in the heavens and things on the earth, to God in King Jesus. Ephesians 1:9-10. The kingdom of God exists to bring change to the earth, and we are its change agents.

As a young Christian, I was always taught that real change happens from the bottom up, and while I think that is still true, I don’t believe it is the exclusive way that change happens or even should happen. Grassroots change tend to be more comprehensive and lasting, but it also takes longer to achieve. It should be the goal, but it should not be the exclusive means of change we seek on behalf of the Kingdom. The reality is that change happens from the bottom up, the top down, from outside in, and inside out, and we should be alert as to which type of change is most effectual in which situation.

Acts 19 recounts the Apostle Paul’s three year stay in Ephesus. In response to his ministry there, a riot spilled over into the 25,000 seat theater, and Paul in all his boldness wanted to use the opportunity to preach the gospel to the crowd, but the disciples “and some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his” talked him out of it. Acts 19:31. The Asiarchs were wealthy, high ranking elected leaders from the province who were responsible for financing and holding the public games in honor of the pagan gods and the imperial cult. They were influential people. And apparently, during his three years in Ephesus, Paul had built relationships with them. Paul was strategic. He knew change came from the top down as well.

Paul led the Roman governor of Cyprus, Lucius Sergius Paulus, to the Lord. See Acts 13:6-12. Paul sought out opportunities to speak to leaders about Jesus, taking the opportunity while in prison in Caesarea to preach to governor Felix, governor Festus, and King Agrippa. See Acts 24-25. And then, rather than being turned over to the Jewish leaders, Paul sought an appeal to Caesar in Rome and would ultimately stand before him and, presumably, preach the gospel to him. Acts 27:24.

Application

Paul was strategic about who he built relationships with and in using opportunities to share the gospel with influential people. He was always thinking about how he could advance the Kingdom. This doesn’t mean he was transactional with people or that his relationships were not genuine. It does mean he put the purpose of the Kingdom ahead of his own desires. We should do the same.

Prayer

Lord, guide me in building relationships with others so that I am not guided strictly by my own desires but by Your leading. Amen.