Setting Corinth Ablaze

The Gospel fire burns where it is lit. When the Gospel is new and fresh and the ground ready to receive seed, the results are astounding.

Paul is preaching in Corinth.

Knowing you are in God’s will is accompanied by many events and confirmations. We will see several of these things in Paul’s life.

God Confirms His Will

Through divine appointments

God’s providence is so good. Paul met with Aquila

Acts 18:1–3 KJV 1900

1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Through fruitful times of ministry

Acts 18:7–8 KJV 1900

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Not every ministry is fruitful always. In fact, many times, the opposite will be true and we must stay faithful to God’s call unless He makes clear we are to change course.

But sometimes God just gives a little bit extra. These blessings are wonderful and we should be so grateful when these times come.

Psalm 126:6 KJV 1900

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Through His Protection

Acts 18:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

When you are in the will of God, you will either be protected by the hand of God, or encouraged by the Spirit of God to go through the trial.

A trial does not mean you are out of God’s will, but there are times when we put ourselves through unnecessary hardship because we are not following God.

Please realize that there are times when God does not confirm His will to us in so many ways. He is under no obligation to do so. But be watching for His confirmations. When you are weak and weary and are under a burden, watch for God’s confirmation of His will. He knows when you need it and will give them in His time.

Paul turns fully to the Gentiles

Paul’s change in his attitude to ministry here reflects the work that God was revealing at the time. God was showing Paul that He was turning His attention fully to the Gentiles for the time.

God is merciful to those who seek Him

Romans 11:11–12 KJV 1900

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

God likens Israel to an olive tree. Olive trees can grow to be ancient and gargantuan. But over time, a branch may grow to be fruitless and be cut off so that new olives may grow. Such happened to Israel at this time.

Romans 11:16–21 KJV 1900

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

God does not make this decision lightly, nor does He make it solely because He desires it. He makes this choice because the Jewish people refused to seek Him, while the Gentiles responded to the Gospel.

Beware, because God’s mercy is then dependent upon our seeking Him.

Romans 11:30–32 KJV 1900

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Heed Paul’s warning! Be not highminded. but fear!

I am not worthy! I deserve Hell! But God has given me Heaven and the Spirit of Christ. There ought to be no pride in a genuine Christian who realizes what God has done for Him.

God begins to bring the Increase

Paul had been working for months, perhaps even up to a year to give the Gospel to the Gentiles in Macedonia. Hours of preaching, hours of witnessing, trials, beatings, imprisonment, miracles, Mar’s Hill, riots, and mocking. But God had finally given him the blessing of seeing fruit.

1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV 1900

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Never forget, God is working whether we see it or not. Long before the plant begins to grow, something happens on the inside of that seed.

God’s will bring the increase. Don’t fall for the trap that says, “If we have so and so, God will really be able to do a work here.”

Romans 9:16 KJV 1900

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.