Keep Speaking

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now, we are in our series where we are essentially asking, should we share our faith…and then how do we do that. That’s the essence of this series, and we’re using the early church to answer those questions.

Something that we have been saying over and over again through this series is that success is not saving people…Success is faithfulness. We speak. The Holy Spirit changes hearts. Jesus saves.

Most Christians don’t quit sharing the gospel because they stoped believing the gospel.

You quit…or maybe you never started becasue you thinik your one conversation doesn’t matter.

Now, the reality is that the Christian life often feels this way doesn’t it. We pray…We love…We invite…We have so many conversations…We share Christ…Yet sometimes it feels like nothing is happening.

If we’re honest, discouragement may be one of the greatest obstacles to evangelism. It’s not that you stop believing the gospel. It’s that you begin wondering whether your faithfulness is making any difference.

Maybe even through this series you’ve been thinking something like, “Wow, I’m glad we have a pastor who can do this, because I’m just not able to talk to people about Jesus.”

Listen…if you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Even the Apostle Paul—the greatest missionary and evangelist in the New Testament—he reached moments of weariness, opposition, and fear.

Now, this is gonna come as a pretty big surprise, but when I was in junior high I was actually on the track team. Mostly because that meant I could get out of school…but I was on the team nonetheless.

Anyway, I don’t know if anyone has ever run a relay race, or watched a relay race.

Its really the most interesting event in the sport of running.

In almost every other race, the goal is pretty simple: cross the finish line first.

In a relay race its a bit different…finishing may not be your primary job.

Your job is to faithfully run the section of the race that has been entrusted to you.

Maybe you start the race.

Maybe you hand the baton to someone else.

But every runner knows this…

If you stop because you’re tired…if you refuse to hand off the baton…if you decide your leg of the race isn’t important…

The whole team suffers.

Pause

I think that’s exactly how many Christians think about evangelism.

We think that success means crossing the finish line ourselves.

We want to be there where someone finally says, “I believe”

But what if God never intended fur us to run the entire race?

Pause

What if he simply called us to faithfully run our leg of the race?

That’s exactly what we see in Acts 18

Luke doesn’t just tell us a story.

He’s showing us the baton being passed from one faithful believer to another.

This morning, I want us to understand one simple truth. Don’t grow discouraged in faithful gospel ministry, because God is accomplishing far more than you can see.

Now instead of dividing today’s passage into sections, I want us to read the whole section up front.

As we read Acts 18, ask yourself this question:

Who is carrying the baton now?

Acts 18 ESV

1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 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.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. 18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

You can easily see how, God delights to use ordinary people who faithfully pass the baton.

Acts 18 shows us something interesting though.

This morning we are going to see three reasons why we need to…

KEEP SPEAKING, even when it’s hard (vs. 1-17)

The first thing we need to know is that Paul has just left a very difficult ministry assignment.

The thing is that in order to see the full impact of the gospel, we need to be reminded that Paul is human and was discouraged.

The reality is that

Faithfulness is often exhausting.

We don’t see Paul complaining here.

What we do see is that Paul has left Rome and other Christians have been kicked out of the region as well.

Paul left…and we see that he clearly needs to work to have resources to survive.

Paul goes into the trade of tentmaking…with opposition…with rejection…with fear…with discouragement. Paul wasn’t Superman.

Do you know what is amazing about Jesus though?

Jesus encourages weary servants.

Acts 18:9–10 ESV

9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 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.”

Three promises here are given to Paul.

I am with you.

I will protect you.

I have people here.

Jesus never promises a huge success in this place…Jesus promises his presence in the difficult.

You see…the reality is that

Faithfulness often requires staying.

This past week my family was blessed to be able to travel and visit with some missionaries in Ireland. Scott and Andrea have served in Ireland since around 2018.

They have moved into a wonderful village that allows them to minister to people. They were sent to work with local churches and help them in ministry to reach the island.

Well, the church they are working with seems to be a little unsteady at the moment and that puts this couple in a waiting pattern. They are serving their neighbors and talking about Jesus, but they aren’t seeing fruit at this moment.

That feels discouraging to them. They aren’t sure what to do.

However, after spending time in prayer, they shared they are simply going to continue to talk to people and be an encouragement to others as they interact with every day people.

The same is true for Paul. You see, Pauls assignment here wasn’t to finish the race

His assignment was simply to keep running this leg.

Jesus didn’t tell Paul, “Go save everyone”

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Keep speaking”.

In other words…Paul, don’t drop the baton.

Paul stayed here in Corinth for 18 months…The thing is that many Christians leave a conversation too early.

Lasting relationships matter. Consistency matters. Time matters. Paul obeyed Jesus and kept speaking about the hope in Chrsit.

But that’s not the end of the story this morning.

FAITHFUL CONVERSATIONS produce growing disciples (v.18-23)

So many people overlook this section of Scripture as a bit of a throwaway passage. Don’t do that!

This is where Aquila and Pricilla quietly become disciples.

You see, they have been working with Paul. Sweating, and working through callouses as they are talking to each other.

For eighteen months Paul worked beside this ordinary couple.

They built tents together.

They shared meals together.

They had countless conversations.

Paul wasn’t just preaching sermons.

He was placing the baton into their hands.

Before long, they weren’t simply believers.

They were becoming disciple-makers.

You see, something changed…Paul invested in this couple teaching and working side by side.

Folks, evangelism doesn’t stop at a conversion…true evangelism moves people into discipleship.

Healthy disciples don’t just run their own race. They prepare other to run theirs.

That’s what we see with Paul…

Paul invested in people.

Paul didn’t just show up to the synagogue and preach sermons. He lived alongside people.

Paul traveled with people…worked beside people…struggled together with people.

Actually…what we see is that

Spiritual growth happens through relationships.

Aquila and Priscilla weren’t just converts of the gospel. They quickly became ministry partners with Paul.

Our goal as Christians here at LRBC is not merely a simple gospel conversation…that’s just the beginning.

Our goal is a lasting relationship with people who are far from God.

Our goal is gospel centered relationships.

You see…

Healthy disciples become disciple-makers.

I want to just say this again real quick because I think sometimes people think they are more healthy and more mature than they really are.

Healthy and mature disciples become disciple-makers!

Luke is preparing the early church for something powerful.

These ordinary believers who are not leaders in the church, despite what some may claim.

These ordinary christians are about to influence someone who will influence thousands.

You see,

DISCIPLE-MAKERS keep speaking truth in love (v.24-28)

This next section of Acts 18 should set the tone of your entire life as a Christian!

I’ve long said that there should be only one version of you.

That means the person that’s here at church should be the person that’s at home and the same person that’s at work.

Now…I’m not dumb and I know that some of you still kind of treat different areas of your life in different ways.

But remember what happened here.

Paul had spent eighteen months investing in Aquila and Priscilla. Now, after Paul leaves, that investment begins to bear fruit.

The thing is this passage shows us normal every day beleivers who are just living their lives and trying provide for their family at work — yet they do so while living for Jesus. Look at what’s happens!

God uses ordinary believers.

Paul leaves heading out to continue the mission God has sent him on.

However, when he leaves Ephesus someone else shows up…someone that has a gift of speaking to people…yet he doesn’t know or understand the whole gospel of Jesus.

So, Apollos is there and he is sharing things that are not complete.

Now…we’re not mad at him because at least he is sharing…he is sharing what he understands.

But who is left to correct him in the teachings of Jesus?

Paul isnt there.

Peter isn’t there.

James isn’t there.

No other Apostle is there to step into a discipleship relationship.

So…this husband and wife step up. They step out in faith knowing he could shut them down and continue doing his own thing.

They step up to build a relationship because…

Truth matters.

Apollos was a very sincere believer, who loved the Scriptues.

He passionately proclaimed Jesus in the public square. However, his understanding of the gospel wasn’t really complete.

Look at what Aquila and Priscilla do. they don’t embarrass him publically. They take him aside and lovingly explain the way of Christ more accurately.

That’s called discipleship — ordinary believers helping another believer grow in Christ.

Thats’s exactly what we are called to do

Notice what happens and how

One faithful relationship impacts countless people.

Paul invested in Aquila and Priscilla.

Aquila and Priscilla invested in Apollos.

Apollos strengthened churches Paul would never see again.

That’s how God’s kingdom grows.

PAUSE

Most Christians think that evangelism is all about finishing the job.

Church…

Acts 18 reminds us that the Chrsitian life isn’t a sprint.

It’s a relay race…Paul faithfully ran his leg.

He handed off to Aquila and Priscilla.

They faithfully handed off to Apollos.

Apollos caried the gospel farther than they every could.

None of them ran the race alone — they simply carried the baton God placed in their hands.

That’s why Paul later writes in 1 Corinthians, “I planted…” “Apollos watered…” “…but God gave the growth.”

Your job isn’t to finish the race…it’s to faithfully run the leg God has given you.

PAUSE

So what do you do when your “one” isn’t responding to you?

You don’t quit!

You keep loving…praying…inviting….you keep point them to Scripture, and the hope they could have in Christ. .

But church…don’t confuse building a friendship with sharing Christ.

Relationships are the bridge—Jesus is the destination!

If you’re building friendships without sharing Christ…you’re not running your leg of the race, you’ve dropped the baton.

Now , in Acts every faithful conversation mattered…and it still does today!

PAUSE

Now, let me just finish with this church.

Maybe today you are discouraged because you’ve been faithfully speaking for years and have never seen the fruit.

Acts 18 reminds you that Jesus is building his Kingdom…not you. You’re calling is faithfulness.

Remember…Success is not saving people…Success is faithfulness.

Maybe today you are realizing that you are the one who still needs Jesus.

The same Jesus who encouraged Paul now invited sinners to himself.

Turn from your sin — Trust in Him — Believe the gospel today.

You see…salvation is not earned by religious effort, but recieved by faith alone in Christ alone.

Today…if the Holy Spirit is opening your heart…don’t harden it. Turn to Christ. Trust him.

For everyone else…remember, God has called you to proclaim Christ. The results belong to him and him alone.

PAUSE

Now, today we have the joy of communion, and I’ll talk about that in a moment.

First I want t ask you to grap your commitment cards right there on your chairs.

Part of our time in communion is to write out a commitment and bring that to the Lord. There are baskets up by the communion table, and I would just ask you to respond to a couple of questions. These are up on the screen.

The most important being

#1. Will you today commit your life to Jesus for the first time? Are you ready to follow him with your entire life, and see where he is taking you. If you are already a believer, just skip this question. I’m asking about new believers. Those who realize they have not submitted to Chrsit.

#2. What will you do this week to engage with your “one”? Will you invite to lunch, or hang out at the park. Maybe you can just text an invitation to join you next week at church…what will you commit to in order to take another step in the relay race for your “one”?

#3. What has caught your attention or convicted you through this series? What is it as we have been looking through some of these stories in Acts that you have been convicted about in your own personal evangelism.

So go ahead and grab your cards and fill those out as I talk about communion for a moment. But first,

Let’s pray

These are Paul’s written words.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

This is the body of Christ that has been broken for you and me. This is the blood that Christ shed for you and me. So…as we come to the table this morning to drop our cards, and pick up the elements, I want to ask you to come with open hearts of worship, commitment, and surrender to the King.

Before you come, examine your heart. If you're trusting Christ, come with gratitude. If you're harboring unrepentant sin, confess it. If you have never trusted Christ, skip the elements and instead respond to the Savior.

For those of you that are new to LRBC, I want you to know that we practice something called open communion ,which mean that if you are a christian, we ask that you would join us. However, if you are not a Christian we ask that you refrain from this as it is actually meaningful. For those of you who are commiting your life to Christ for the first time, repenting of your sin and believing in him, I encourage you to join us in communion for the first time as a new believer.

So I will pray and I will aask the Lord to bless our time of communion. Then some music will play and you will stand and come to the front receiving the elements and taking them back to your seat. Then after you spend a moment with the Lord…confessing and praising…then you receive these elements and sit as everyone walks through this journey this morning.

Let’s pray

Acts 28 next week