Acts 19 chronicles Paul's ministry in Ephesus. It is attended by great
miracles, imitators, many converts, and strong opposition. The great
number of miracles and the nature of those miracles is quite unique. Notice
that Paul's ministry looked different in every city. We tend to lock in on
methods and assume that ministry should look the same everywhere. That's a mistake.
Ministry is not about method as much as it is about understanding what and how
God is working in each individual situation.
We don't know the motives of the imitators. They could have seen casting
out demons as a potentially lucrative business. They could have been looking
for attention and a sense of significance. They may have truly had a desire to
help people. Whatever their motive, they failed because they didn't understand
that ministry is not a profession, it's a calling that is powerless apart from
the power of God.
There were many converts in Ephesus. The message Paul preached in
Ephesus was no different than that which he preached in Athens but the response
was much greater. Again we see that this is about God. In Ephesus, God chose to
work powerfully in the hearts and lives of people. In Athens, not so much. Why?
I have no idea except to say that it wasn't about Paul. It was about God. It
wasn't that Paul finally figured out how to reach people or how to effectively
evangelize. In some ways, Paul was just along for the ride. In fact, Paul's
ministry in Ephesus was built on the previous ministry of others. When he
arrived in Ephesus he found believers who simply needed further instruction.
Had it not been for the foundation of ministry that had already been laid, it
is possible that the results of Paul's ministry may have been quite different.
Do we recognize the value of seeds sown when we don't see immediate responses?
I'm beginning to see a pattern here. We have not been called to produce
successful ministry. We have been called to faithful ministry resting in the
power, leading and sovereignty of God.
Father, by your grace, may I rest and minister in that truth.
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