Keep on the Firing Line (110324)

And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:

David had a lot to cope with — Saul wanted to kill him!

Turn to and read 2 Samuel 22:2-7; 29-37.

In Acts chapter 18, these Jews had specifically rejected the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

While you and I may not have rejected the Gospel message, we can still become our own worst enemies when we choose to cope with life apart from God.

But for those, whom we have opportunity to minister to, who have “opposed themselves” - rejected the Gospel - and become their own worst enemies, how do we respond? What can we do?

How do we help those who oppose themselves?

Toward the end of his ministry - and perhaps a little wiser and more patient - Paul told Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:24–25 KJV 1900

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

We must be patient with those who “oppose themselves.” (vs. 24)

We must continue - with gentleness and humility - to share the Gospel message with those who “oppose themselves.” (vs. 25)

As our theme instructs us:

Ephesians 4:15 (KJV 1900)

…speaking the truth in love…

We must pray that God’s work upon the individual’s will is accomplished.

Paul was clean.

Acts 18:6 (KJV 1900)

…[Paul] shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul knew his Old Testament.

Here, Paul is referring to God’s challenge to the prophet Ezekiel (whom we have be studying on Wednesday nights).

Turn to and read Ezekiel 3:17-19.

Paul, in referencing these verses in Ezekiel, is making two statements to the Jews in Corinth.

He had been obedient to God in proclaiming the Gospel message in Corinth.

He had been faithful to God in proclaiming the Gospel message in Corinth.

In a sense, there was nothing more that Paul could do. He had been obedient and faithful to do what God had commanded him to do.

At times, it is easy for us to get discouraged and frustrated when, as we seek to proclaim the Gospel, it doesn’t seem to bear as much fruit as we would like.

This is a reminder to us that…

We are simply to be obedient to God.

Mark 16:15 (KJV 1900)

…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

We are simply to be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Matthew 25:21 (KJV 1900)

…Well done, thou good and faithful servant…

We are to remember that it is God that gives the increase!

1 Corinthians 3:6 KJV 1900

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Paul’s ministry in Corinth wasn’t all “for nought.”

Look at verses 7-8.

But…

The pressure would come.

It would be accurate to describe Paul’s ministry as a “broken record.” Each city just seemed to be a replay of the one before.

He went into a city.

He found the Jewish synagogue.

He declared that Jesus Christ was the Messiah.

The Jews would not only oppose themselves but also oppose Paul to the point where he would end up spending a night or two in the local lock up.

Paul would get “escorted” out of town.

He would move on to the next city and do it all over again.

That being the case, here in Corinth, what was it that Paul was getting ready to experience?

Someone once said that…

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Maybe at this point Paul was feeling like he was going a little insane and so, instead of waiting to be “escorted” out of town, he began to make his own plans to move on.

Maybe he was already starting to feel the pressure in Corinth.

Paul, I’m sure, didn’t like being mistreated any more than anyone else!

Dr. David Sorenson wrote:

It may be, [Paul], from physical, emotional, and spiritual weariness in the battles he had incessantly faced, was internally exhausted.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the persecution - the opposition - was coming. We read about it in verses 12-18.

And, yes, he could have saved himself some mistreatment had he left Corinth at this point.

However, had he left at this point, he would have missed out on 1 1/2 years of fruitful ministry in Corinth.

Acts 18:11 KJV 1900

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

So, God gave him some encouragement: (Aren’t you glad that God exactly what we need and when we need it!?!?)

Acts 18:9–10 KJV 1900

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

Be not afraid…God’s peace

But speak, and hold not thy peace…God’s boldness

I am with thee…God’s presence

No man shall hurt thee…God’s protection

I have much people…God’s work

I could really preach an entire message on just these two verses - and maybe I should.

But, instead, this old Gospel song came to my mind:

If you’re in the battle for the Lord and right, Keep on the firing line; If you win, my brother, surely you must fight, Keep on the firing line. There are many dangers that we all must face, If we die still fighting it is no disgrace; Cowards in the service will not find a place, So keep on the firing line.

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil, Never run, nor even lag behind; If you would win for God and the right, Just keep on the firing line.

When we get to heaven, brother, we’ll be glad, Keep on the firing line; How we’ll praise the Savior for the call we had, Keep on the firing line. When we see the souls that we have helped to win, Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin, With a shout of welcome, we will all march in, So keep on the firing line.