God’s Power

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

18 After this, he[a] left Athens and went to Corinth, 2 where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked. 4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word[b] and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent.[c] From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.9 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the tribunal. 13 “This man,” they said, “is persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”14 As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or of a serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews. 15 But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all[d] seized Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal, but none of these things mattered to Gallio.

Context

This week we are returning to our missionary team’s longest stay during this missionary journey. This of course was in the town of Corinth, whom Paul’s letters of first and second corinthians was written to, some three or 4 years after this journey.

You will remember, in last week’s text, how Paul and company found themselves in the intellectual capitol of the world of the time, Athens. In this town were many of the days greatest minds, philosophers, and college. Athens was once in ancient history one of the worlds most foremost and important towns, now it was a sort of hallow shell of it’s former importance, but still had the facade or guildedness of it’s great knowledge that kept it afloat. In that town, though no harm was brought to our team, missionary efforts and the gospel being shared was done, however there is no mention of the believers being a large group, though we can assume at least a small house church was made in the town as even one of the town leaders became a follower of Jesus.

Athens and Corinth are two very opposite towns. Corinth was a town of great trade and financial importance with it’s ports and location in the Roman empire. In fact, so important was it, that even though it had been sacked several decades before when conquered, it was repaired and remade even to the point that it was made the capital of the province of Achaia. So this was a wealthy and prosperous people in a growing town that Paul would find Himself, just the kind like many of his previous visits would have been filled blatant idolatry, sexual immorality in the highest degree, and the love of money and self.

In today’s text, even though to Paul who in other letters would have described Himself as, “a Jew of Jew.” Someone who followed and sought God more than anyone and would go to no lengths to make sure God or “Adoni” was honored and properly followed, this was exactly the kind of town and place that any Jew in Jerusalem would avoid. The kind of place they would have believed or asserted that God had no people there. God, though, shows us this is simply not true. That He, the sovereign God of the universe, is King and Lord of all places at all times, the covenant had changed and salvation was for anyone that would have it. Paul, haven gotten over the ways of the past some 20 years before, was now deep in the throws of seeking God’s Power on display anywhere and everywhere. But, there is little doubt because of how God addresses Him, that at the time Paul was dealing with some kind of doubt or distress.

Think about it, of his last few missionary journeys he had been beaten, attacked, thrown in jail, on a few lucky occasions he got away before he would have been, and his most recent trip, though he wasn’t harmed, it seemed like there wasn’t much to show for it, or so he thought. What Paul needed to be reminded of and what we often need to be reminded of as we serve the Lord in our lives is that You can trust in your mighty God. So, let’s how God shows Paul and reminds us of this fact where From the text, I want you to see and remember these truths as you go out and see God’s power.

Message

The first truth to see and remember for you is that: A place means a mission (1-4)

18 After this, he[a] left Athens and went to Corinth, 2 where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked. 4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

At Corinth, Paul came across a Jewish husband and wife named Pricilla and Aquila who had been displaced from their home in Italy because of the emperor Claudius order, meaning that their was some anti-Jewish sentiment going on in Rome at the very least. This couple were tentmakers by trade and were forced to start a new life in this town and would join Paul on future missionary endeavors. Now, at this time, in the Religious/Rabbinic schooling, it was required that students have a second “lay” profession, either for the sake of keeping a person from becoming idle and/or to give them some other way to provide for themselves. It seems here, in Paul’s case he was trained in tentmaking which also likely meant he some experience in leather working. Paul stayed with these two for companionship and profession together, which would have been welcomed for them all. Paul didn’t let his profession or other work stop him though. Every Sabbath day, our Saturday, when the Jews would gather, Paul would evangelize them, persuading them through the scriptures about the truth of Jesus Christ.

Even though this was a new place and Paul didn’t have the financial and time freedom that he had enjoyed in other stops along his missionary journey. He didn’t allow this to keep him from stopping his mission. Granted, he had to change how he did it for a time, going from full time or constantly sharing the word, to doing it merely on the one day the prep that it took it do so. Paul knew, this is a new place and new situation for me, but because I am here, means I have mission here. I am here, and as a Christian, as a child of God, I am called to share Jesus here in the ways that I can right now. The same is true you believer. Yes it may seem difficult, but if you are any place at any time, rest assured that God has called you there for some reason and you have some kingdom work to do while you are there. If you are in a place, then you know that at least for that moment, your mission zone is there. If you go to another place the same is true their as well. A place means you have a mission. If you are alive, you have some kind of mission to fulfill, believer. This may seem hard or difficult, but you need not worry what will become of you, your pocket book, your time, your health, your children, your dreams, because You can trust in your mighty God. God’s power is absolute, and he has absolutely called you on mission where you are right now. Are you ready?

The second truth to see and remember is to: Focus on what is working (5-8)

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word[b] and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 When they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent.[c] From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

Silas and Timothy arrived, and it seems that they must have came with some kind of monetary support from the other churches in Macedonia, as Paul was now able to stop tent making and devote himself entirely to testifying that Jesus is the messiah the Jews had long been waiting for. As we have seen time and time again, the ministry to the Jews, while not fruitless, certainly had limited fruit and the group that should have accepted God, instead resisted the truth and blasphemed. Paul, realizing that it was going nowhere and that these people had heard everything they needed to hear, decided to move on from the Jews and go to the people that were by in large responding more, the gentiles. Right next door the synagogue then, was a follower of Christ who’s name was Titus Justus, whose house Paul would then begin having Christian gatherings. As a result of this new and focused ministry, the text says MANY Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized, they were saved. This included Crispus, the leader of the Jewish synagogue.

Paul saw that he was doing here, was not working. So, he made a change after he made a real and tried effort. One thing every believer has to come to grips with as they are in their place of mission, is that we can do things good or we can do things badly. We can focus on the wrong stuff, or we can focus on the right stuff. Even more scary is the fact that just because something used to be right or is “just the way we do it.” Does not many it is anymore or should be the way it is done anymore. No, the only thing that is unchanging is our eternal God, His Word, and His gospel. However, the tools, ways, and focuses our God may have for us to share His Gospel not may, WILL, change as the world changes around us and we are to minister to that changing world. This also means, what we have to remember is that just because a change is happening doesn’t mean that the way it was done was bad, just that the needs and situations have changed. This means we have to be aware, both as individuals and as a collective church, if something is not working, if it is not helping us Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples, do I, do you need to change? Change is hard. Change is scary. But guess what, You can trust in your mighty God. Who one day, a day we are all waiting for will make all things new. So, turn your eyes off of what is no longer working as you witness or minster and instead focus on doing what is working.

Another truth to see and remember is: Don’t be afraid and don’t stop (9-11)

9 The Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 He stayed there a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.

Jesus visited Paul in vision. Telling Him, don’t be afraid, keep on telling the truth, don’t be silent. Ie, don’t stop what you are doing. I, your Lord Jesus, am with you, you cannot fail, no one will lay a hand on you to turn you here, I have many people in this city. Now, for Jesus to share this with Paul, implies that something must have been happening. If Jesus was going to come to him to encourage him in this way, then Paul must have been discouraged or scared. After all, the last times there was this much trouble stirred up in a town he was in, was a time he was beaten and jailed. Knowing that Jesus was there with Paul, this invigorated him and gave him strength, to the point that remained their teaching for a year and a half.

So believer, just like Paul has discovered. You too with your goal of loving God, loving people, and making disciples. You are called to along the way to not be afraid and not stop. In fact, this is to inform your every goal and decision in your life. Does doing this help me glorify God? At the same time, do you see the mission field in front of you or the one you are called to? Do you know that you will have to become a student of the people living there and that means as you learn better ways that you instead of wasting your energy on what doesn’t work, instead you focus it on what is working. This will be scary, it will be difficult but God calls you, His Child, don’t stop. Don’t be afraid. I am working and arranging everything in way that is so great that you will never fully understand this side of heaven. As you answer these question, you will learn and see over and over again that You can trust in your mighty God. So, don’t be afraid and don’t quit.

The next truth to see and remember is that: Our God is Omnipotent (12-17)

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the tribunal. 13 “This man,” they said, “is persuading people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”14 As Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or of a serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews. 15 But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all[d] seized Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal, but none of these things mattered to Gallio.

Just so you know before we go any further. Omnipotent is a characteristic that can only describe our God. A simple definition is that being omnipotent means that you (God) has unlimited power, is able to do anything without restriction of others. Just look at what our omnipotent God does here. The Jews, rose up together to bring harm to Paul, once again as had been done in the past, brought up false charges against him. Gallio, who might call the governor of the area, before Paul even had time to defend himself, told them all to get out and get away, he was not concerned about the semantics of their religion. In fact, he said he refused, to be a judge on such things. What happens then? The new leader of the synagogue Sosthenes, was grabbed by the people and beaten in front of the tribunal, who was unconcerned with the matter.

How crazy is that!? The person that led the charge in brining harm to Paul, look what happens to him? He thought he was working for God, God said, “No, you’re not.” He thought he was self righteous, God said, “only i’m righteous.” He thought he was in charge, that he had the power, “God said, “no, i’m omnipotent.” The person that was trying to get Paul beaten was instead himself beaten! Only God can do that, just like only God can take a man who was a notorious Christian Killer and turn him into the most successful Christian missionary of all time, the Apostle Paul. Believer, do you not see this!? Does it not encourage you? Get rid of that fear! Get rid of that doubt! You can trust in your mighty God. He is omnipotent, he is the sovereign God, the creator of the universe and all things in it. You can trust Him, give your life, give your everything, lay all down at His alter and you will find unsurpassed joy as you become God’s instrument that God’s power is ever on display in.

Conclusion

Beloved, listen to these words from Paul to the Corinthian Church. 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.[c]

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?[d] Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.[e] 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. God’s foolishness is much wiser then the wisest human. God’s weakness is much stronger then the most strength mankind can muster. That’s how great our God. Remember believer, as you trust in your God and see His power on display, if you are alive and breathing and God has put you anywhere at any time, that means you are called on mission in that place at that moment. Focus on what is working, while you are there, don’t focus on fruitless endeavors, make changes and adjustments as you need. No matter what though, don’t be and afraid and don’t stop, because your God is omnipotent, more powerful than anything and He has equipped and called you believer to great work.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.