September 7, 2024
“Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death.” Acts 12:18,19 KJV, emphasis added.
Herod Agripa 1 had arrested Peter in Jerusalem and intended to execute him the following day after the Jewish feast of Unleavened Bread. Peter was rescued by an angel even though he was chained between two guards. When God Almighty moves, there is “no small stir” as a result. The guards were killed, and no one could explain how this happened. Peter went forth to encourage others, proclaim the word of the living God, and save many souls. God had plans for Peter, and Herod was getting in the way. Does God have plans for you? I am pretty sure he does. May I recommend that you seek His face as to the plans God has for you.
“And many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them; and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” Acts 19:19. Early in this chapter is the account of Paul’s story about the seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, casting out a demon. The evil spirit responded and said, “Jesus, I know; Paul, I know, but who are you?” verse 15. And the same man who had the evil spirit leaped on them and overcame them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded, verse 16. The demon said he knew Jesus and Paul but did not know these others. When Christians are entirely devoted to Christ, even the demons fear their prayers. The story tells us that the value of those things burned was fifty thousand pieces of silver, a massive sum of money. And those who heard the truth were willing to burn all this up based on what they heard. That was a monumental event, one to be long remembered.
This became known to all those who lived in Ephesus, and fear fell on them all. Many believed and confessed their sins, and many others brought their ‘curious art’ and books to be burned, verse 19. The word of God spread mightily and prevailed among the people. God was clearly on the move, and “there arose no small stir”. The story continues.
“And at the same time, there arose no small stir about that way.” Acts 19:23 emphasis added.
The story unfolds about Demetrius, a silversmith, who earned his living by making shrines for the goddess Diana. He and others of similar occupation gather together to oppose Paul. Paul was teaching that these idols were no gods at all because human hands made them. Demetrius told them that if Paul isn’t stopped, he will destroy our business and ruin the great temple of the goddess Diana. When they heard these things, they were stirred up with wrath. The entire city was filled with confusion. Paul was warned to stay away.
Very often, the ‘no small stir’ is shown forth in the wrath of the unregenerate, especially the religious unregenerate. The preaching of the truth creates ‘no small stir’ wherever it is preached. You will recall that Paul, in preaching the truth to the Jews, often met with violence. Today, because we are so cowardly and compromised, there is very little opposition to what is being preached and what is not being challenged. That is how we know that something is wrong.
This makes me think of Megan Basham’s book about the Big Eva sellout to the progressive agenda. Her book, Shepherds for Sale, has created ‘no small stir.’ It also makes me think of Dr. Kenneth Wilson’s book about the foundation of Augustinian Calvinism. It too has created ‘no small stir’ among professional Calvinists like Dr. James White and others. While some Christians applaud both, others are filled with wrath. That is always the way it works when the truth comes out.
No small stir
When God moves miraculously to save a life or heal someone, expect ‘no small stir’. Lenoard Ravenhill was fond of saying that you do not need to advertise a fire. When God is really on the move, word spreads without the need for a man to advertise and promote it.
When the truth of God is spoken or written about confronting the sins of the culture and especially the sins of the institutional church, expect ‘no small stir’. Very often, the professional religionists will explode in wrath. For example, the apostle Paul was often persecuted for bringing the word of truth to lost Jews and Gentiles.
The truth of God will always produce ‘no small stir’. That stirring of the Holy Ghost may be inside or outside of yourself, but it will always bring ‘no small stir.’ The word of God declares that, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; behold old things are passed away and all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. A new creation is a radical change, as radical as it gets. A new creation is “no small stir.” Are you a ‘no small stir’? If we are not, we should ask ourselves why not?
To believe the Word of God is “no small stir.” How few Christians believe the word of God when it comes to things such as putting off sin. Many Christians can believe God for health and wealth but not holiness. To go against the errors of most Christians creates “no small stir.” Many of them will think you are a heretic or a false teacher, reject you, and refuse to hear you.
Sometimes when God moves, the ‘no small stir’ brings only blessings, joy, praise, and wonder. At other times, the ‘no small stir’ creates wrath and persecution. All of us want to participate in the former, and few of us are willing to become part of the latter group, which suffers as a result. Could it be that if we are not willing to receive the latter, God may never use us for the former?
May God use you and may you and your life be a ‘no small stir.’
