Acts 18- Fear Not

Fear versus Faith

Acts 17- The gospel continues to grow in the face of opposition

Faith always grows in the face of opposition-

Healing faith grows where there is sickness

Provision Faith grows in times of famine

James 1:2–4 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Everything that stands in opposition of your faith is an opportunity for your faith to grow

How do you know the deliverance of God, if you never experience it?

Aquilla and Priscilla Jewish believers

They most likely Got saved and baptised in the Holy Spirit back in Acts 2-

They were part of the dispersion because of persecution in Jerusalem

Made their way to Rome and were kicked out under Claudius

THERE OPPOSITION FORCED THEM TO BECOME PARTNERS WITH PAUL’S MINISTRY

God works in our opposition

Romans 8:37 NLT

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

This is the mindset God wants us to Have

Victory is mine, Victory is mine, Victory today is Mine!

1 John 5:4 NLT

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

Victory is Mine because I am a Child of God!

Acts 18:9–11 ESV

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

The Favor of God is Real!

Acts 18:12–17 NLT

But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.” But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom. The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

This is the Testimony of the story of Ester- Because the favor of God was upon her life when she stepped into the courts of the King God was working

Hunger for The Things of God-

Acts 18:18 NLT

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

Here we get a glimpse at the hunger that Paul has for more of God’s promise, power, Spirit, Blessing-

When we hunger we see

When you want something so bad you make the proper adjustments to obtain what you desire

When you desire to see God move mightily in your life, family, work, finances you align yourself

You begin to seek God in those area

Take our Prayer and fasting- before we came when was the last time you fasted and prayed for 21 days?

But through that vow to seek God with a great hunger- we aligned ourselves with His Word

Jeremiah 29:13 NLT

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

What did we get?

Some amazing testimonies of Finding God

Favor in situation that seemed overwhelming

Healing

When Hunger drives your life, you obtain the things of God-

Matthew 5:6 AMP

Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

NLT- Matthew 5:6

Matthew 5:6 NLT

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

There is a blessing for your hunger for the things of God!

The power of the Word of God and Preaching-

The Word of God isn’t a one time antidote that you never go back to.

Acts 18:23 NLT

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

Strengthening- sterizo-

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 74.19 στηρίζω; ἐπιστηρίζω; στερεόω

to cause someone to become stronger in the sense of more firm and unchanging in attitude or belief

Romans 10:17 NLT

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Faith is build up by hearing the Word of God!

When you are a person of the Word- you are a person of faith

You Speak words of Faith-

Romans 10:8 ESV

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

The “Word of Faith”- Is to speak faith instead of fear

It is to speak the realities of the Spirit over the physical

It is to hold onto the promises of God through every storm and fire, and declaring that Word over ever situation

Examples of the “Word of Faith”-

Demons being Cast out by the Power of the Spirit and the anointing upon the believers life

Healing flowing through someone praying for another

Matthew 10:8 NLT

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

It is seen in Daniel 3:17

Daniel 3:17 NLT

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

David boldly proclaims the message of Faith in 1 Samuel 17:46

1 Samuel 17:46 NLT

Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!

Every Time you hear this Word it should strengthen you!

The Word of Faith begins with the Gospel

Romans 10:9–13 NLT

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The word of Faith begins with the declaration of Faith in Jesus Christ

The Anointing makes the Work Easier

Paul operated from the anointing- The Holy Spirit Flowed like Oil in Paul’s Life

Acts 18:24–28 NLT

Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.