God Opens the Doors to the World
2014-03-23
Acts 18:1-11 (ESV)
18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Athens & Corinth had a population of 650,000. They were only 50 miles apart, but were quite different.
· The gods of Corinth = were gods of sex and sport rather than gods of poetry and philosophy. 1 Cor 6:9-11 & 9:24-27
o “Corinthian” was synonymous with the most perverted sexual behavior.
o Isthmus Games were 2nd only to Olympic Games. In the Isthmus games all events were in the nude.
· It was located on isthmus of east/west sea routes & north/south land routes.
o cargo was unloaded and then carried by slaves over the Isthmus, then reloaded.
· It was a Strategic location from a cultural, economic, political & a gospel point of view.
o From Corinth Christians could go to all parts of known world.
Paul arrived in financial need, so he did secular tentmaking (leatherworking). Acts 18:1-4
· He had a “Divine appointment” with Aquila & Priscilla (who are always mentioned together).
Paul’s ministry changed from “part” to “full-time” ministry when apparently Silas & Tim brought a financial contribution for Paul’s ministry. Acts 18:5-7, 2 Cor. 11:8-9, Phil 4:15-19
· Paul was now freed to witness more continually, not just on the Sabbath days.
o Paul could afford to minister full time….make wise financial choices.
Paul was opposed virtually everywhere & with that opposition seemingly increasing, it appears he began to despair and become depressed. Acts 18:8-10
· We sometimes think that “Pit Bull” Paul was never affected by ridicule, opposition, persecution like us.
o Some of God's choicest servants have undergone times of severe despair.
· The Lord’s encouragement and direction points to Paul’s fear of at least two things:
o Rejection of his message & bodily harm.
· It appears that Paul was tempted to stop preaching: saw little fruit, and perhaps thought sharing was useless/hopeless.
o Fear of bodily harm was no phobia: Paul’s fear was based on present/past events.
§ Fear can be a great hindrance of gospel proclamation. social not physical.
When Paul was most discouraged, God intervened to encourage him.
o This 1 of 6 visions that all came at crucial points in Paul’s ministry.
· Easy to say, “Don’t be afraid” but Jesus gave Paul good reason not to be.
o “I’m with you. No harm will befall you, no opposition can withstand you.”
· Paul knew God was with him, though in his discouragement he felt abandoned, just as we sometimes do.
o When there is one negative circumstance after another we sometime question is God with me? Is it worth it? Should I just give up?
§ God’s purposes & ways are beyond our imagination.
Through one Roman proconsul’s judgment, the Lord fulfilled His promise & delivered Paul & other Christians from Roman persecution & opened the entire world to the Gospel. Acts 18:12-16
· Pattern: Jews say Christianity “new”, illegal religion, distinct from “legal” Judaism.
· Gallio interpreted Christianity as a sect within Judaism & thus “legal”.
o This established a precedent for Christians vs. Rome…used in Paul's trial in Rome.
· God was doing far more than just temporarily protecting Paul.
o This ruling enabled the gospel to freely spread throughout the Roman Empire.
§ All thru a pagan Roman ruler who did not like Jews, believe in Jesus the Christ, or care about Paul. Ps 76:10
Not unexpected for Christians to be down/despair/struggle…we have ups and downs like Paul. Acts 18:10a, Heb 13:5b, Jer 31:3, Zeph 3:17
· “I am with you.” implies His presence is with Christians in the battle of life!
o He will not abandon you. He is a faithful, tender, caring, feeling Friend.
· Seek Christ in the troubled times; don’t run from Him.
o Nestle close to Him; don’t wrestle against Him.
§ Rest in Jesus like child who sleeps sweetly in its mother’s arms.
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