Next Stop: Corinth

“A man was shoveling snow from his driveway when two boys carrying snow shovels approached him. “Can we shovel your snow mister?” one of them asked. “Only ten dollars!” Puzzled the man replied, “Can’t you see that I’m doing it myself.”

“Sure,” said one of the enterprising young men, “that’s why we asked. We get most of our business from people who are half through and feel like quitting.”

Well, that describes most of us at one time or another, we feel like giving up. Paul would later write to the same group that he is ministering to in this chapter,

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

When we see Paul here make this next stop…I wonder if he was at that point where he was ready to “give up”. He appears to have been a bit discouraged. Maybe you feel that way at times…maybe you feel like you’re not accomplishing much in your Christian walk…maybe you don’t feel like God is particularly NEAR to you at times. Maybe you feel like you’re ready to call it quits.

But Paul writes to the Corinthians….maybe largely based on his experiences here…to NOT call it quits….to NOT stop working for good of the Kingdom.

Let’s see what takes place here:

Read

I. V. 1 – Paul leaves Athens and heads to Corinth

a. Give ya some background: Corinth was:

i. A big commercial center located on a narrow strip of land

1. Connected southern Greece with Northern Greece

2. Corinth - the Land was only about 5-6 miles across

3. All commercial land traffic between North and South went through Corinth

4. All sea traffic passed right by – Corinth had a port on both sides – east and west

5. At this time -- boats tended to hug the shoreline as they traveled – they didn’t really have a good way to navigate in open sea

6. And….the seas were REALLY treacherous around the southern part of Greece…..

a. So….smaller boats would LITERALLY be picked up and carried the 5-6 miles across the land to the other side.

b. Larger boats? They would come into port, off-load, and the goods would be carried across to the other side.

7. So….because of all this…Corinth was a big city…and it was prosperous

a. And, along with big cities that are prosperous….we get what?

i. All the bad stuff of big cities that are prosperous

b. New York is known as what? “The City that never sleeps”

c. Or look at the city of Las Vegas…..

i. I’ve been there….I’ve walked down the sidewalk at midnight

1. …..and seen as much stuff going on as 3 pm

ii. Their motto? “What happens in Vegas…..”

iii. We know that cities like Vegas are known for social vices….for “adult” things…right?

8. Corinth wasn’t much different

a. One of their biggest landmarks was the Temple of Aphrodite

i. Aphrodite was the goddess of loooove

ii. There was said to be 1,000 temple prostitutes at the temple—and they would enter the city each evening to find customers

1. One could “worship” the goddess of love by hiring one of them

2. THINK about that….

3. You think the morality of modern America is bad?

4. Just THINK about what ancient Corinth was like….

b. The immorality of Corinth was so well known….that to call someone a “Corinthian” was an insult

i. You were questioning his fidelity if you did

ii. I wonder if maybe by the time Paul rolled into Corinth…maybe he was slightly depressed…he had been on the road awhile…and he had seen some tough times

1. Maybe, when he saw the depravity of Corinth, he wrote:

a. --- 2 slides

Romans 1:26–28 ESV

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

b. This verse could easily be describing modern-day Las Vegas….or any of a number of major cities

c. I don’t think 21st Century America has anything on Corinth

iii. So we see Paul showing up in this new city, alone.

1. He has just left Athens – and all of his friends

2. He’s alone in this city of 200,000 + people….and I think he’s getting a bit overwhelmed

iv. What’s a guy to do? What does a Christian do when all looks bleak? When it doesn’t look good?

v. Remember:

I. The love of God is evident in the provision of God

I. The love of God is evident in the provision of God

i. How does he provide here? Watch….

ii. In verses 2-3 we read that he meets up with a couple of people

1. A Jew named Aquila – from Pontus, and his wife had come from Italy

a. They apparently had a tent-making and leatherworking business

b. A bit earlier….There were some riots in the Jewish community in Rome around the year 50 AD.

i. Emperor Claudius issued a decree

1. From Jan 25, 49 AD to Jan 24, 50 AD — so for a year....

2. All Jews get must leave Rome

ii. You know what’s interesting about Luke mentioning this?

1. This tells us that the events of this passage took place about the year 50 AD….which was about 15 years after Christ’s death

2. We can tell from extra-Bilbical accounts that talk about this…

a. That what Luke is writing of DID happen…

b. And we know WHEN it happened….

3. Yes---the Bible is accurate…and it is true

a. It’s not just stories

b. It is in a class by itself…not like Koran, Book of Mormon, etc.

c. You can REALLY believe this!

c. Aquila and Priscilla, I’m sure they WONDERED why they were being persecuted….

d. They had to pick up and leave their home in Rome….

e. But….sometimes when bad things happen…

i. We need to realize that…..God’s got this

ii. God is in control

iii. Look to God for his help

f. Don’t give up…don’t give in….don’t stop…have faith

2. When I look back in my life…it’s amazing how I’ve seen God work…

a. We don’t know where he’s GOING with it..but we know he’s moving

iii. Here…Paul is acting in dependence on God….

1. And we see that God provides for Paul in Love – the same God that loves us and provides for us

2. What’s he do?

3. What do WE do when are facing dark times?

4. STAND on what God has promised, and what God wants from us…..

5. V 5 – he preaches Christ -- he tells people that Jesus saves

a. But we see that he’s also very human…..

b. In v. 6 we see the same ol’ same ol’ happen…..people don’t appreciate it…

i. I wonder if he saw the same pattern he saw before, and he immediately figures….

1. “uh oh…this is starting again!”

2. He likely expected a riot to start, and he’d be tossed in jail…maybe beaten a little bit……

3. I imagine he was pretty discouraged about it.

c. So he stands up, shakes out his garments and says “Fine…..it’s on your own heads….I’m not responsible!”

i. And he is done with his witness to the Jews – he’s going to Gentiles

iv. He was getting frustrated here, and we can see in this passage how God intervened in several ways to encourage him – let’s look at them

1. It’s ok to get frustrated sometimes….life isn’t always easy

c. And you know what? God KNEW this was going to happen….and God had a plan in all of it

II. So God came along and encouraged him by a few things:

II. God provides through his people

II. God provides through his people

i. Don’t be a lone ranger Christian

ii. Far to often….people have this idea that we don’t NEED each other – that we’re sefl-sufficient

1. But God never meant for us to function without others.

iii. God sent him Priscilla and Aquila….they were a great encouragement to him

1.

Romans 16:3 ESV

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

iv. God also brought Silas and Timothy to him from Macedonia

1. He was no longer alone – God surrounded him with a strong force of faithful people

v. Sometimes we think of the apostle Paul as some kind of super-Christian…

1. But he was just a guy like you or me that needed encouragement

vi. You may find yourself saying “I don’t NEED other people to grow in my faith”….

1. Or…”I can worship God in my home on Sunday morning…..”

2. Or “I don’t NEED other people…”

3. Did you ever stop to think…maybe God wants to use YOU to encourage others?

4. If you’re a part of this congregation….your involvement MATTERS

a. Explain:

i. We want to have you be a part of our worship

ii. We want to have you at our events

iii. We are a FAMILY here…..and if ANY of us are in trouble….we should be able to call on anyone else

1. The cross in the back? THAT is what that is for---to share prayer requests and to pray for each other – we need to be lifting each other up

5. If you’re sad….we will weep with you

6. If you’re discouraged, we want to come along side you

7. If you’re in need, we want to be the ones God provides to help you

8. If you’re happy, we want to celebrate with you

9. We want to be used by God in your life

vii. We see a PERFECT example of that right here in the text…..

viii. V. 5 – Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia…..

1. Remember where they were?

a. A couple chapters earlier……look at

Acts 16:11–12 ESV

So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

2. They did more than emotionally encourage Paul …..

ix. They also brought money with them…..

1. Later on…..Paul wrote that in

2 Corinthians 11:9 ESV

And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

x. In the SAME way….when we give in the offering each Sunday…we provide for God’s purposes

xi. Guys….God DOES care and he DOES love us….

1. And he wants to use us to encourage each other

xii. He uses us to encourage each other emotionally….

xiii. And he uses us to encourage each other in very real ways

xiv. And LOOK what happens!

xv. We see in v. 7 and 8 some remarkable things come to pass:

xvi. Paul is staying in the home of Titius Justus….

1. So God has his PEOPLE right there…..

a. And look where this home happens to be:

i. Right next to the synagogue…..

b. And it gets BETTTER:

2. Crispus – the SYNAGOGUE RULER came to Christ!

3. It says that many of the Corinthians also believed Paul!

4. Things were getting exciting here!

a. God is CLEARLY working right here in Corinth…..

xvii. In the midst of some dark times…..God is moving

xviii. LOOK what happens when

III. The battle belongs to the Lord

III. The battle belongs to the Lord

i. Not just a catchy song we sing….

ii. Read 18:9-11

iii. What an encouragement for Paul….

1. Jesus tells him: I’m in control”

2. Do not be afraid

3. Keep on sharing the Gospel

4. Do not be silent

iv. Because:

1. He promised to be with him

2. He would not let anyone harm him

3. And he has people there to care for him

4. Not only can PAUL take something from this….but so can we:

5. God may NEVER speak to you or me the same way…..

a. But…..

b. We need not fear

i. There is nothing that is going to happen….unless God allows it -- He is in charge….

ii. That doesn’t mean that bad things will NEVER happen….

1. But it does mean that it won’t take God by surprise

iii. Most of us will probably never face real persecution….

1. Maybe we get made fun of, or laughed at…..

2. But we need to keep on proclaiming Jesus

c. Also be assured….if God calls us to do something….he will provide the means to do it

i. We need to keep our eyes on him

v. God spoke the encouragement……and HE kept his promises

c. God has already accomplished BIG things in Corinth….

i. But he’s not done yet…..

d. Check this out: God is not done moving YET…

i. This isn’t really what Paul had in mind, I’m sure…but God is going to do something amazing.

1. After about 18 months of peace, Paul got attacked again

a. Read 18:12-17

2. The Jews united and tried to levy some false charges on Paul

a. We’ve seen this before over and over and over again in Acts….

b. But guess what?? It didn’t work this time!

c. Before he could even open his mouth to defend himself…..

i. Gallio, the proconsul tossed the charges out….and Paul was let go free

ii. And look what happened:

1. The new synagogue leader who apparently replaced Crispus when he converted to Christ….

a. Got beat up – v. 17

3. And here’s the punch line:

a. Remember this story takes place in Corinth?

b. This new leader that got beat up?

i. -- This church…Paul is writing to them

1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

1. Remember that guy? Look at the name…

2. Explain -- conversion

4. Now….I’m not going to advocate a new form of evangelism….”beating evangelism”…..

a. But it shows us that God can and does work in all circumstances

e. Just THINK about what God has done here….

i. The leader of the synagogue in Corinth has trusted Christ….

ii. And now it appears that Sosthenes---the most verbal critic of Paul’s…..has also come to Christ…..

f. Guys…God wants to have a relationship with us….

g. God wants to work THROUGH us….

Don’t forget…when things look bleak…when things look bad….THAT is when God works….

WHY? I think it’s because God wants to make sure that HE gets the credit…and not us.

We can trust God that although things don’t always work out the way we want them to? He is good. In times of distress, he comforts us. In times of need, he provides. He demonstrated that ABUNDANTLY in this passage. In a time when it looked like Paul was going to give up….God provided in a big way.

Our God is good. We show his goodness when we love each other, support each other, and proclaim his forgiveness and mercy.

Our God is good. We show his goodness when we love each other, support each other, and proclaim his forgiveness and mercy.