Acts 18:1-11 An Encouraging Father

Intro

A few years ago I was fired of a job I loved, a job that at one point had brought me so much joy and satisfaction. But after a few years into the job, I found myself tiered, without the ability to keep things under control, the sales bonuses and paid trips were not enough to make up for my discontent. Even though I had a great team, I felt like I was doing the job alone. I knew everyone in the office, but my relationships with others were so superficial, they had no depth. The values I considered to be important in my life, were not the things being celebrated by my teammates. Lastly, I thought things were not fair, I could see no good from the work of my hands, I thought I was working more than any other person in my team, and the worse thing of all, my own self-righteousness had me so blind that I could not see God’s hand in any area of my life even though he was blessing me in more ways I had ever imagined. During that time, I was at one of the lowest points of my life, discouraged, frustrated, disappointed, burnout.

As Christians is so important that we understand how persistent: discouragement, frustration and disappointment can be. They stand at the door of our lives, waiting for the opportunity to come in. They are so persistent, that if they can they will force their way in, and if we don’t know how to identify them quickly or know ways to keep them out, they will make themselves comfortable at home.

In today’s text, we see a Paul who needed to be encouraged just like many us of need to be encouraged as we go through the ups and downs of life. In Acts 18:1-11 Luke let’s us in, into a season of life and ministry when Paul found himself frustrated, discouraged and disappointed. This text is a beautiful picture of an encouraging Father meeting one of his children in the midst of the struggles of life. A Father who is present. A Father in whom we can trust. A God that blesses the work of our hands even when we feel so burnout that we can’t see no good in front of us. This said, today’s big idea is:

“God extends an invitation to all of his children to be encouraged and trust in him.”

LET’S PRAY

Sermon Outline: 1. The reality of Discouragement, Frustration, and Wanting to Give Up. (Ac 18:1-8) 2. Be Encouraged and Trust in the Lord. (Ac 18:9-11)

1. The Reality of Discouragement, Frustration, and Wanting to Giving Up. (Ac 18:1-8)

In Ac 18:1 we read that “after Paul left Athens he went to Corinth.” Corinth was a city so rich in both history and wealth. Geographically speaking, it was located in a very strategic location. It was a port city of cultural diversity and a hub for Roman idolatry, sexual immorality and prostitution. It was a very wealthy city with a good reputation for its banking industry, but despite this wealth, there was a huge disparity between the rich and the poor, it was a very segregated city. An early church historian once reference the “the nauseating behavior of the rich and the misery of the poor.” Paul addressed this disparity in 1 Cor 11:17-34, reminding the church in Corinth of the importance of generosity towards the poor.

Paul probably chose to come down to Corinth since it was a busy center of culture and commerce, which would provide him with the opportunity to engage with a large audience and share the gospel before these visitors would return to their home towns. When we think of the centers of early Christian activity, Jerusalem and Antioch immediately come to mind. In the book of Acts, however, three other cities serve as key points through which Luke traces the fulfillment of Christ’s command when he said, “to the end of the earth” (Ac 1:8). These are: Corinth in this chapter, Ephesus in chapter 19 and Rome in chapter 28. We could say that Paul’s ministry “to the end of the earth” started in Corinth, but things were not looking good for Paul when he arrived to this city. When Paul came to Corinth, three unwelcome companions were following him: discouragement, frustration and the desire to give up.

Through his life and ministry the Apostle Paul, like many of us went through ups and down. Act:1-8 is a great example of the highs and lows in Paul’s life and ministry. Christians often speak of Paul’s visionary spirit, his leadership, his bravery and drive, but in these 8 verses Paul’s ordinary and simple ministry are highlighted by Luke, reminding us that Paul was like many of us. In 2 Co 2:1-5 Paul tells the church in Corinth that when he first met them he came to them in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

Paul needed to be encouraged, he need to be given the confidence and boldness to continue with the mission God had called him to. Paul’s ministry had started years ago, but it wasn’t until now, here in Corinth that his mission to take the gospel “to the ends of the earth” would take place.

Ac 18:1 says, “after this Paul left Athens, and went to Corinth.” Paul had just preached at the Areopagus in Athens, and prior to this he had been beaten down in public in Thessalonica. In Corinth, Paul “found a Jew named Aquila,” Aquila wasn’t from Corinth, he shared in common with Paul that he was from another city, Aquila “had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because the governor of their city had ordered all the jews to leave Rome.” Aquila and Priscilla were already God fearing jews and since Paul, Aquila and Priscilla “were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.” For the first time, Luke shares that Paul was skilled in making tents. In our day, Paul would have been labeled as a bi vocational pastor or missionary, which describes a minister of the word who engages in another work while he also serves God’s church as a minister in order to make his living. Bi vocational pastors are to be held in high esteem. Rabbinic tradition saw bi vocational teachers of the law as very honorable servants of the Lord. However in 1 Co 9 Paul reminds the future church that would be planted in Corinth that “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” This means that those who heard the gospel at a church they call home have the responsibility to sustain and look after the one who week after week feeds their souls.

This was a time when Paul felt tiered, running low in financial funds and also alone since Timothy and Silas were still in Macedonia. It is normal for people to think that God is not present when we go through hardships in life. I often find myself feeling this way, and as a pastor, I talk to several people that feel this way, but something I have learned is that it only takes for us to zoom out a little bit from the situation we are in in order to see all the things God is doing around us. However, because sometimes we are so fixated in accomplishing the mission or task we have been given is hard to see the ways God’s hand is moving around us.

In Ac 18:4 we read that at the same time as Paul found himself in this new city, low in finances, and having to engage in a trade in order to make a living, he was also “reasoning in the synagogue every Sabath, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.” We could highlight Paul’s work ethic in this text and praise his drive to accomplish God’s mission, but I won’t do that. And I won’t do this because I love you, and I want you to see this story from a different angle, an angle that doesn’t celebrate business but rest. Our culture already celebrates business and looks down on rest enough, for me to come and preach to you that you should have a life with little rest.

In Act 18:5 things start to get a bit better for Paul, “Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, allowing Paul to focus in only preaching the word and testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.” Two things happened here, (1) Paul has his friends back, (2) They share the workload with Paul, as they look after Paul’s physical needs so that he can focus on what God had called him to, “to preach God’s word.” But as things start to get better for Paul, now he has community, he is sharing the workload with his ministry partners, and is engaging in only one task resistance and opposition come his way.

Ac 18:6 says, “When they resisted and blasphemed (those in the synagogue), he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Each Sabbath gives witness to the heightening of the tensions. Finally, the tensions overwhelm Paul, and his actions and words speak a truth that is not true. He takes the dust from his clothes. He pronounces judgment on his Jewish opposition. He claims he has done all he can, and he announces his attention has shifted to the Gentiles (Ac 18:6). When I read verse six, I asked myself the following questions:

Was the workload to much for Paul?

Was Paul trying to have too much control over the outcome?

Had Paul been alone for too long? Lacking community and depth in his interactions with others.

Did Paul feel like things in ministry and life were fair?

Here Paul gives up. His energy collapses, and this is completely understandable and expected. Jesus himself drew near this collapse, echoing God’s ancient frustration with Israel. Even though Paul had not experienced much persecution in Athens, the previous city where he was, his reception in that city was cold and without much support. Not counting that he had left the care of those there who believed. And when he arrived to Corinth, on top of engaging week after week in the teaching of the word, he also had to work for his living.

In Ac 18:7-8 we read that Paul’s work was bearing lots of fruit. Right after Paul had pronounced judgment over the jews of the synagogue, Crispus, the leader of the synagogue came to the Lord and along with him many other Corinthians, however, it seems like this wasn’t enough to encourage Paul. Paul needed to be reminded that God was with him, that his work was valued, that he didn’t have to rush things, that he could trust God.

This takes us to our second point, “Be encouraged and Trust in the Lord.”

2. Be Encouraged and Trust in the Lord. (Ac 18:9-11)

In Ac 18:9-11, we see a God who encounters Paul a vision at night in one of Paul’s most difficult times. God tells him to “Not be afraid, but to keep sharing about the hope of Christ to those in Corinth,” he also tells him that, “he is with him, and that he will look after him.”

Ac 18:9-10 speak of a Father who sees us, who cares for us, who is with us. That night, the Lord Jesus spoke to Paul in the middle of the night by a vision; when he was pondering on his work, having an internal dialogue with his own heart as he was laying in his bed, and considering whether he should continue here or no, what method he should take here and there, and what probability there was of doing good, then Christ appeared very timely to him, and in the multitude of his thoughts within him delighted himself with divine consolations.

That night, Paul was caught in the threat of an action that God wasn’t going to follow. Paul was dealing with a God who does not follow abandonment, because now God had brought abandonment into the divine life. Those who had been previously abandoned now had a home in God if they want it, if they responded to his invitation in faith and repentance. Through this divine revelation a few things happened:

(1) The Lord ENCOURAGED Paul by renewing his commission and charge to preach the Gospel: “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.” These are the same words the Lord spoke to his prophet Jeremiah when he told him, “Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you” (Je 1:8) and his prophet Isaiah when he heard from God, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous hand.” (Is 41:10) Brothers and sister, it’s okay to ask God for help, I could not tell you how many night I have been laying in bed crying, sobbing, asking God to restore my life, and the lives of those he had placed under our flock.

(2) He assured him of his presence with him: “For I am with you.” How important is for us to be reminded that the Lord is with us!

(3) He gave him a warrant of protection: “No one will lay a hand on you to hurt you.” The Lord was telling him that what he had gone through in Philippi, was not going to repeat in Corinth (but just Corinth). As if God was giving him a time to breathe from the future persecutions he would face.

(4) He gave him a prospect of success and affirmed Paul’s values: “Because I have many people in this city.” Even though Corinth was a very wicked city, full of impurity, tragedy, and idolatry, God had already written the name of many Corinthians in the book of life. When God did this, he also affirmed Paul’s values. Paul’s desire to share the hope of Christ with those who were without this hope, was also God’s desire. Sometimes, when you engage in effective evangelism (proclamation + demonstration) and don’t see much result is easy to be discouraged and wonder if God even cares.

In Ac 18:11 we read that Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half. He had not stayed this long in any other city. God’s encouragement to Paul through this vision resulted in:

Slowing down: Paul stayed there for a year and a half.

Shared work load: He was now being supported by Timothy and Silas, resulting in a sense of fairness.

Restored Trust: Paul had the assurance that God was with him.

Community: he made friends along the way during this year and a half in Corinth. Some of them would walk with Paul for the decades to come. The couple that Paul met, Aquila and Prisca became faithful and trustworthy coworkers of Paul in christ (Ro 16:3). Paul says that they even risk their own necks for him Ro 16:4 and they also became church planters! Ro 16:5 Paul makes mention of this couple not only in the book of Romans but also in 1 Co 16:19 and 2 Ti 4:19

A heavenly reward in the salvation of many: God assured Paul of the harvest that would come from his labor in Corinth. A Church was born.

I have no doubt that all of this produced a sense of Rejuvenation/Refreshment in Paul’s life. It was during his time in Corinth that he wrote what many scholars believe to be Paul’s first letter, 1 Thessalonians. A man who at some point in his life and ministry was laying in bed at night, discouraged and frustrated was able to encourage this young church.

When Timothy came to Corinth, he reported to Paul that although the church at Thessalonica was suffering affliction, they were holding fast to the faith. And though they had some doctrinal misunderstandings, they were laboring for the Lord out of love and patiently hoping for the return of Christ. Paul wrote to encourage the church in their faith and to lovingly correct misunderstandings about what they thought would happen during Jesus’s second coming.

Those who God has called to encourage others also have to be encouraged! In 1 Th 2:9 Paul writes to the Thessalonians from Corinth, in a moment when he found himself in need of encouragement. A moment in which he was “working night and day preaching God’s gospel to them.” A man who at some point in his life and ministry was laying in bed at night, discouraged, was able to encourage this young church. And he did it with compassion, love, and empathy.

Conclusion

As we conclude, I want to ask you to reflect in all the things that God did in Paul’s life during his time in Corinth. And there is something that I don’t want you to miss from this story, this is the fact that even before God encouraged Paul through a vision in the middle of the night, God was already blessing Paul from the very first day he arrived in Corinth. Before Timothy and Silas arrived and offered financial support to Paul, God had not only provided Paul with a job, but a job that he was familiar with and business partners that would become some of his best friends and ministry partners down the road. Before God promised Paul that many people in the city would come to salvation through his ministry, God had already given the opportunity to Paul to see some of the harvest that would come as we see in verse eight where we read that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue believed in the Lord along with his whole household as well as many Corinthians when they heard, believed and were baptized.

Paul was being blessed in every area of his life, with community, a job, finances, visible and immediate success in ministry through his preaching before God’s encouragement came to him by means of a vision at night. One of the first questions I ask when I engage in counseling with brothers and sister that seem to be discouraged, frustrated or disappointed in life is, how are is God moving in your life? Sometimes we don’t take the time to reflect on this, overlooking all the blessings God is pouring all around us. In verse eleven we read that Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them. During that year Paul’s work probably didn’t change, but I can tell you that his perspective of ministry for sure changed. After this point, as we read the book of Acts, you will see a Paul that is less rushed, as mentioned before, once he leaves Corinth he will go on to make some of his longest stays in Ephesus and then Rome.

Perhaps, God might be extending the same invitation he extended to Paul that night. An invitation to be encouraged as you look around and count your blessings, and to slow down as you place your trust in him.

LET’S PRAY