Is Your Church Changing Culture or Copying It?

What happens when Christians are so transformed by the Gospel that their changed lives actually impact the economy and culture of their city? In this powerful sermon through Acts 19:21-41, we explore one of the most dramatic events in the early church—a riot of 25,000 people that erupted because Christianity was literally changing the business landscape of Ephesus.

The Apostle Paul had been preaching and teaching in Ephesus for over two years, and the results were stunning. People were turning from idolatry, burning their occult books, and experiencing genuine life transformation. But this spiritual revival had an unexpected side effect: the idol-making industry began to collapse. When silversmith Demetrius realized his profits were plummeting, he ignited a riot that nearly killed Paul's companions. This historical account raises a challenging question for the modern American church: Are we actually transforming our culture, or have we become so timid that we're simply trying to blend in and be accepted? Too many churches today are more concerned with entertaining their audience and avoiding offense than boldly proclaiming the exclusive truth of Jesus Christ.