Trusting God’s Presence in Opposition

What if, every time you spoke about what you believed, you faced opposition? Maybe it’s at work, where co-workers roll their eyes when you mention your faith. Or maybe it’s around family who just don’t understand why you go to church every Sunday. How would you respond? Would you stay silent, or would you stand firm in what you believe?

Today, we’re continuing on in Acts 18 as Paul faced this very challenge. Paul was in a city called Corinth, a bustling place full of different ideas and beliefs. As he shared the message of Jesus, he encountered growing resistance. People weren't just disagreeing with him; they were actively opposing him. It’s easy to imagine how fear could have crept in, making him question if he should continue.

But here’s the amazing part: in the middle of this opposition, God spoke to Paul. He reassured him, saying, “Do not be afraid…for I am with you.” Isn’t that powerful? God didn’t promise that everything would be easy, but He promised His presence. And that made all the difference for Paul.

Just like Paul, we’re called to hold onto God’s presence and promises, especially when we face resistance. Whether it’s at work, at home, or anywhere else, God is with us. He’s working through us, even when it feels like the world is pushing back. So today, let’s take a look at how we can trust God’s presence in our lives, just like Paul, and find the courage to stand strong in our faith.

So, as we think about how Paul faced all that pushback in Corinth, it makes us wonder: how did he keep going? The answer is—God's assurance. This leads us to our first main point: staying grounded in God's promises. Let's look at how Paul found strength in God's words and how we can apply that to our own lives when things get tough.

I. Stay Grounded in God's Assurance (9-10)

Let's take a closer look at Acts 18:9-10, where we see God speaking directly to Paul.

Acts 18:9–10 NKJV

9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”

In verse 9, God starts with, "Do not be afraid." Now, why would God say that?

Luke doesn't tell us, but it's possible that between verse 8 and verse 9, things got increasingly difficult and dangerous. And Paul is beginning to wonder if staying in Corinth is the best thing to do.

But God steps in right at that moment of fear. It's like He's saying, "I see what you're going through, and I've got something important to tell you."

Don't stop sharing the gospel. Preach on!

Then, in verse 10, God continues, "For I am with you." This is huge. God isn't just giving Paul a command to not be afraid; He's giving him a reason not to be afraid. The reason is His presence. God is saying, "You're not alone in this. I'm right here with you." This isn't just a promise for Paul; it's a promise for us, too. When we face tough times, God is with us, just like He was with Paul.

When he was a young man, the famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan used to read the Bible each week to two elderly women. One evening, when he finished reading the closing words of Matthew 28, Morgan said to the ladies, “Isn’t that a wonderful promise!” and one of them replied, “Young man, that is not a promise—it is a certainty!”

And then God adds, "No one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." Here, God is giving Paul a glimpse of His bigger plan. Even though it might seem like Paul is alone, God has already prepared the way. There are people in Corinth who are ready to hear the message, and God is working behind the scenes to make sure His mission continues.

So, as we break down these verses, we see a clear message: God's presence is our assurance. When we're afraid or uncertain, we can trust that God is with us, guiding us, and preparing the way, just as He did for Paul. This is the foundation that helps us stand strong, no matter what we face.

With God's promise of His presence, Paul found the courage to stay in Corinth, knowing that his mission was divinely supported. This leads us to our next point: how God's assurance empowers us to keep moving forward in our mission.

Let's move to Acts 18:11, where we see Paul making a significant decision.

Acts 18:11 NKJV

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

Despite the opposition he faced, Paul chose to stay in Corinth for 18 months, teaching and sharing the message of Jesus. Now, think about that for a moment. Paul could have easily packed up and left, avoiding the challenges and resistance. But he didn't. Why? Because he was focused on the mission God had given him.

What does this challenge us to do?

II. Keep Moving Forward in Our Mission (11)

Paul understood that God had placed him in Corinth for a reason. He knew that there were people in the city whose hearts were ready to receive the message of Jesus.

So Paul continued in Corinth, knowing that God was with Him and that people would be saved. During those eighteen months of witness, Paul saw many victories in spite of Satan’s opposition.

This is a powerful reminder for us. When we face challenges, it's tempting to give up or change course. But like Paul, we need to keep moving forward, trusting that God has a purpose for us right where we are.

This doesn't mean it will always be easy. There will be times when we feel like we're not making a difference or when the obstacles seem too big.

Florence Nightingale, famously known as the “Lady with the Lamp,” shows what it means to keep going despite huge challenges. Born into a wealthy British family in 1820, she felt a strong calling from God to become a nurse, even though society thought nursing was not suitable for women like her. In 1854, during the Crimean War, Nightingale faced terrible conditions in a military hospital, where dirty facilities and a lack of supplies caused many deaths. Instead of giving up, she worked tirelessly to improve cleanliness and patient care, which drastically lowered the death rate and turned the hospital into an efficient place of healing.

Nightingale’s dedication didn’t stop when the war ended. She kept pushing for better healthcare and helped build the foundation of modern nursing. Her story challenges us to stay committed to our purpose, just like the Apostle Paul did in Corinth. Even when we face resistance and limited resources, our dedication can create meaningful change. Nightingale’s legacy reminds us that our efforts, guided by faith, are part of a bigger plan. God is working through our perseverance to make a difference in the world.

Remember, God is at work, even when we can't see it. He's preparing hearts and opening doors for His message to be heard.

So, whether it's in your school, your job, your community, or your family, know that God has placed you there for a reason. Keep pressing on, just as Paul did, because your efforts are part of a bigger plan. And who knows? You might be the one to share a message that changes someone's life forever.

Having seen how Paul's commitment to his mission in Corinth demonstrates the importance of perseverance, let's look now at how he relied on God's defense rather than his own, trusting that God would protect and sustain His work in unexpected ways.

Moving on, we come to verses 12-17, where Paul faces a new challenge.

Acts 18:12–17 NKJV

12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

The local Jewish leaders bring him before Gallio, the Roman proconsul, accusing him of teaching against their law. This could have been a major setback for Paul. Imagine being dragged into court, knowing that the outcome could affect your ability to continue your mission. But here's where we see something remarkable: Paul doesn't have to defend himself. Before he can even speak, Gallio dismisses the case, saying it's not a matter for Roman law.

But that wasn't the end of the matter. The Greeks who were witnessing the scene got hold of Sosthenes, the man who replaced Crispus as ruler of the synagogue, and beat him right before the eyes of the proconsul! It was undoubtedly a flagrant display of anti-Semitism, but Gallio looked the other way. If this is the same Sosthenes mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:1, then he too came to know the Lord and the Jews had to find yet another ruler for their synagogue!

This moment is a powerful example of how God can work through unexpected people and situations to protect His mission. Gallio, a Roman official who had no reason to support Paul, becomes the very person who ensures Paul's safety and freedom to continue preaching.

What's the main point here? It's...

III. Rely on God's Defense Over Your Own (12-17)

The Jews tried to force the Roman proconsul to declare the Christian faith illegal, but Gallio ended up doing just the opposite. By refusing to try the case, Gallio made it clear that Rome wouldn’t get involved in cases concerning Jewish religious disputes. As far as he was concerned, Paul and his disciples had as much right as the Jews to practice their religion and share it with others.

It's a reminder that God is in control, even when things seem out of our hands.

I’m reminded of Martin Luther's stand at the Diet of Worms in 1521. It serves as a profound example of relying on God's defense over our own. By the way, the German word “Diet” means “Assembly” and it was held in Worms, Germany.

Summoned to the assembly to answer charges of heresy, Luther faced a whole lot of pressure to recant his teachings, which challenged the Roman Catholic Church's practices. The stakes were high, with potential consequences including excommunication or even execution. Despite the all-powerful audience, including Emperor Charles V and church officials, Luther didn’t rely on eloquent arguments or political maneuvering.

Instead, Luther stood firm in his faith, declaring, "Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason... I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen." His reliance was on the truth of God's Word and his conscience bound to it, trusting that God would defend him regardless of the outcome. This act of faith and courage became a pivotal moment in the Protestant Reformation, inspiring many to stand firm in their beliefs.

Like Luther, we may face times when it would seem easier to quit or give in. In those moments, we can find strength in his example, remembering that staying true to God’s mission is our greatest defense. This story shows us that when we lean on God’s Word and promises, we’re never alone. God is always working, often in ways we can’t see, using our faithfulness to carry out His plans—just as Luther’s stand made a difference far beyond what he could see at the time.

For us, this means that when we face criticism or opposition, we don't always have to fight back aggressively. Instead, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes, using surprising means to defend and advance His purposes. It might be through a kind word from a stranger, an unexpected ally, or a situation that turns in our favor when we least expect it.

So, when you find yourself in a tough spot, remember that God sees your efforts and is working on your behalf. Just as He did for Paul, He can use anyone or anything to protect and further His mission through you. Trust in His defense, and let Him handle the battles you face.

Conclusion:

As we wrap up today, what does all this mean for us? We've seen how God's presence gave Paul the courage to face his fears, how his commitment to the mission kept him moving forward, and how God's unexpected defense protected him. These aren't just stories from the past; they're powerful truths for our lives today.

When we face opposition, whether it's at school, at work, or even within our own families, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember, just like Paul, we have God's promises to hold onto. He is with us, guiding us, and working through us, even when we can't see it. Our challenges are not roadblocks; they're opportunities for God's power to shine through.

This week, I challenge you to identify one area where you face opposition and consciously lean into God's presence. Pray for courage and look for opportunities to share His love, trusting that He is working through you.

Trust that He has placed you exactly where you need to be and that He is preparing hearts around you. And when you feel the urge to fight your battles alone, remember that God is already at work, defending and advancing His mission through you.

Let's be a people who stand firm in faith, knowing that our purpose is anchored in God's promises. When we trust in Him, opposition becomes not just something to endure, but a chance to see His power and love in action. Go out with confidence, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.