Do not be afraid
Transcript Search
Notes
Transcript
Paul was on mission, And he used God’s Methods.
Mission - Be witnesses
Mission - Be witnesses
Methods: Prayer & Proclamation
Methods: Prayer & Proclamation
But he faced a lot of opposition along the way.
Antioch to Galatia/Tarsus -
Psidian Antioch - Jews Jealous and contradicted, then persecuted and expelled from region
Iconium - Jews and some Gentiles plotted to stone
Lystra - He was stoned and left for dead
Jewish people then came through teaching the Gentile Believers they had to become Jews
Tarsus to Lystra
Paul returned to strengthen the believers in the true gospel
Lystra to Troas
Spirit prevented them from going to Asia and Bythinia, directed them to Macedonia
Troas to Philippi
Philippi - beaten, jailed, and then told to leave
Philippi to Athens
Thessalonica - Jewish opposition, mob and riot
Berea - Jews came to stir up trouble, but believers sent Paul off
Athens - some believed, some questioned, some scoffed
Athens to Corinth
Now Paul goes to Corinth.
After leaving Athen’s he went to Corinth.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,
and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
Let’s look at the characters and the setting as we get into this passage.
Priscilla and Aquila
Priscilla and Aquila
And who were Priscilla and Aquila - Jews from Rome. Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome
*Suetonius, a Roman historian, is often understood as indicating that the Jewish community was expelled because of disturbances about the *Messiah, perhaps caused by opposition to Jewish Christians.
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 379.
Priscilla is a form of Prisca, which was one of the prominent families in Rome. Interestingly, in every reference other than this verse and one other, she is listed before Aquila. This was odd for the time and likely indicates that she was gifted. And both of them became very close to Paul.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.
They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
How they risked their lives for him, I am unsure. Needless to say, they were very close with Paul after they met and began working together.
They were all tentmakers, so when Paul met them, he joined with them in their craft. He worked during the week, and then on the Sabbath, as was his custom, he went to the synagogue.
Corinth
Corinth
Why Corinth?
Corinth - political and economic center of Greece
Estimated by some to have over 750,000 people
It was the ‘New York’ of the day, a prominent city, with two ports, one on the east and the other on the west. Through this city much of trade traffic of the day flowed. You would have people from all over the world coming in and going out of Corinth. The marketplace was large and
The city was known for its bronze production. The value of the bronze from Corinth was higher than silver and competed with gold.
The city was also a banking center.
This was a city with a lot of potential for sharing the gospel with many.
However, it was also a challenging city. Athens was challenging because of the philosophies of the people, and their bent to intellectual discussions.
Corinth was challenging because of the gross immorality for which the city was widely known. “To Corinthianize” was a synonym for sexaul immorality.
Paul
Paul
What was Paul’s mindset like when he came to Corinth?
We know he was on mission, and he continued to minister as he went to the synagogue on each Sabbath.
However, Paul was discouraged and fearful.
We read in 1 Corinthians 2:1-3,
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.
Fear
Fear
Great fear and trembling. Why?
He has been on mission. He has seen people coming to faith, and churches being established.
He has also faced opposition, and indifference. He could not really stay to completely see the churches firmly established as he had to flee for his life from most of the cities.
Weakness
Weakness
Paul came in weakness could refer to physical struggles. We know from other passages that Paul likely had problems with his eyes. He wrote to the Galatian churches,
Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
This would account for him not recognizing the high priest as we will see later in Acts,
Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”
Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
We also know that he first preached in Galatia for health reasons, possibly malaria,
Gala 4.13
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you,
Whether the blinding light, or the malaria or some other ailment, Paul had ongoing health issues, likely with his eyes. This helps us understand his use of other men to actually write his letters, and his signing of some of his letters with large print.
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
In weakness and fear, he kept on mission
In weakness and fear, he kept on mission
So, Paul came to Corinth in weakness and fear. He was likely suffering physically from illness, and mentally from the fatigue of all of the opposition which he had faced up to this point.
And yet, he continued to go to the synagogue to preach on each Saturday, trying to persuade the Jews and the Gentiles of the truth of the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, the promised one sent by God to save us from our sin by dying on the cross, and rising from the dead!
Where was God?
Where was God?
God is not written into the story line here, but I see Him at work. God used the emporer kicking Priscilla and Aquila out of Rome to send them to Corinth. I do not believe it was merely a coincidence that they were there.
We do not read of them being saved here, so I believe they had been saved, possibly in Jerusalem at Pentecost, or another time when they had journeyed there as required by the Law of Moses. They were likely come of the Christians facing opposition from the Jews in Rome which caused the stir and resulted in the Emperor commanding that Jews leave Rome. The point is, God used the circumstances to get these Jewish believers, who were tentmakers to Corinth. Paul shows up, needs work, and finds them in the marketplace. What an encouragement that had to be!
And God wasn’t done.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
God had Silas and Timothy show up, and they brought good news of the church in Thessalonica.
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
They also likely brought a gift from Philippi,
And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
So, after all of this encouragement, and the financial aid, Paul was free to devote himself exclusively to preaching.
But then, it starts again...
But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Opposition.
But...
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
conversions! People are being saved and being baptized. A church is starting!
Now through all of this, I can almost imagine Paul feeling like he was on a roller coaster, and now that people are being saved, and the Jews are working to oppose him, I don’t doubt that Paul was not staring to get discouraged, likely thinking now is when he is going to have to flee for his life again, and leave these baby Christians alone.
But God steps in...
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Do Not be Afraid
Do Not be Afraid
I am with you
I am with you
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
A psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
No one is going to harm you
No one is going to harm you
What a relief this had to be!
I have many people in this city
I have many people in this city
Purpose. I brought you here for a purpose. There are people here who need to know the good news of Jesus.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
Remember the set times and places. God had the people here. God brought Paul here. This was no accident. This was not just the result of all of the previous persecution and fleeing for his life. Paul was here, at the right place and the right time, for the other people God had orchestrated to be here at this place and time so that they might seek Him and find Him.
So, Paul was encouraged, and
So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Opposition
Opposition
Now, just because God is with Paul, and is not going to allow him to be harmed does not mean there was no opposition.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment.
“This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.
But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.”
So he drove them off.
Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
God used this proconsul, Gallio, to protect Paul, and to give him more time.
Paul’s Travels Continue
Paul’s Travels Continue
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.
They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.
But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
What about the church in Corinth?
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
God cares for the Corinthian Church
God cares for the Corinthian Church
God had Priscilla and Aquila in the right place at the right time. God had Apollos there at the right place and the right time.
God used Priscilla and Aquila to disciple Apollos who went on to become a great teacher who greatly helped the church in Corinth.
What about me?
What about me?
Discouragement - Weakness and Fear
Discouragement - Weakness and Fear
I am with you
I am with you
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
I have many people in this place
I have many people in this place
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”