Did you hear about this?

   A man was getting rich making and selling things that actually were fakes. 

   He and others in the trade had a "good name," and customers believed in what they were buying. Some other men were telling customers a different story. 

   The tradesman was upset, in fear of losing his livelihood, and called together others in the business. He warned, "there is danger." 

   When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting. Soon, the whole city was in an uproar. There was a great disturbance. 

   They rushed to the amphitheater (capacity 25,000), in confusion. Some were shouting one thing, some another, for about two hours.

   Most of the people didn't know why they were there.

   The city official, unlike some mayors we've seen, quieted the crowd. He told them not to worry. If there was any grievance, it could be settled in a legal assembly.

   Concerned that his city (and he personally) was in danger of being charged with sedition and rioting, he told the crowd, "There is no reason for this commotion."  

Where was this: New York, Atlanta, Minneapolis?

   It was Ephesus, a Roman city on the Asian coast, east of Greece. The agitator was Demetrius, a silversmith who crafted and sold miniature shrines of the goddess Artemis (Diana). 

   Paul had been teaching there for almost three years. Sales of idols were down, and worship of the goddess was in decline. 

   Demetrius unwittingly confirmed the success of the gospel. Acts chapter 19 

          Jimmy