Don't Quit Yet!
Notes
Transcript
Handout
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Last week we left Paul in Athens.
Now he arrives in Corinth.
1. Paul was weary.
1. Paul was weary.
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
(1) A. Paul had been fighting a spiritual battle.
(1) A. Paul had been fighting a spiritual battle.
Paul had a split with Barnabas (end of chapter 15)
Paul tried to go to Asia Minor, Mysia, Bithynia
Paul is hassled by a demon possessed girl, imprisoned in Philippi and run out of town.
Paul was run out of Thessalonica by a mob.
The Thessalonican Jews came down to Berea to run him out.
Then at Athens there is a great need the brings him to the point of anger.
Now Paul comes to Corinth - what could be one of the most evil cities of its time.
Corinth was located on a narrow strip of land (the isthmus) that connected the northern and southern part of Greece.
Land traffic traveled through.
Ships would come and go.
It was truly a melting pot and a growing, prospering city.
When you entered the city you would see the temple of Aphrodite built for the god of love.
Some suggest that Corinth is what Paul is thinking about when he writes to the Romans.
Romans 1:26–28 (NKJV)
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
Paul has been in this difficult battle.
There is no doubt that it would make him weary.
It is easy for us to get weary.
Another spiritual battle.
Yet again outnumbered by evil.
(1) B. Paul was alone.
(1) B. Paul was alone.
Silas and Timothy weren’t there yet.
We talk a lot about Paul but we are beginning to see how much he relied on them.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NKJV)
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
We need to be in this together.
encourage each other
Pray for each other.
Share your struggles with each other.
Eventually Pauls relationship with Aquila and Priscilla developed into a close friendship.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Also Timothy and Silas made it to Corinth.
The great commission is not meant to be carried out alone.
(1) C. Paul didn’t have much money.
(1) C. Paul didn’t have much money.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
This seems to have limited his ministry.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
verses Acts 17
17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
When our ministry seems to be limited we can get discouraged.
Don’t let what seems to be limited ministry discourage you.
Paul still had work to do.
We learned last week to do where were are.
2. Paul experienced God’s faithfulness.
2. Paul experienced God’s faithfulness.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
(2) A. God sent financial support.
(2) A. God sent financial support.
9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
The mission Jesus gave us takes money!
For some people - like Paul - that hinders ministry.
We purchase Foundations, The Walk, Simple Christianity, By This Name, simple Christianity.
John Bible study is free.
We have talked about some other creative ways to help ease the burden.
The more you give the more the church can minister to others!
(2) B. God sent encouraging news.
(2) B. God sent encouraging news.
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
Why do we take time to share testimonies?
What God is teaching you.
Opportunities through discipleship.
Good news testimonies.
Come on Wednesday nights!
(2) C. God gave a harvest.
(2) C. God gave a harvest.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
There was not much fruit in the synagogue but God began to give Paul fruit for his efforts.
Still not in large amounts, but a few at a time.
Nothing is more encouraging than harvest!
We need to share the blessings of the harvest God is giving us!
3. God communicated with Paul.
3. God communicated with Paul.
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.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
(3) A. God encouraged Paul with His words.
(3) A. God encouraged Paul with His words.
Do not be afraid.
The persecution was wearing on Paul.
He couldn’t stay very long in any one place.
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
It seems that Paul was beginning to worry about the Jews before it happened.
Isn’t that what normally causes fear?
Worrying about something that hasn’t happened?
Fear has no place in the life of a Christian.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
God promised: “I am with you”
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Our fear does not come from God.
God gave us a spirit of Power
God gave us a spirit of LOVE
God gave us a spirit of calm thinking.
In this case, God also added that nobody would hurt Paul.
So how can we think about this?
1 Corinthians 15:55–58 (NKJV)
55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
What are you afraid of?
(3) B. God revealed His will to Paul with His words.
(3) B. God revealed His will to Paul with His words.
“Speak and do not keep silent… I have many people in this city.”
So Paul stays a year and a half before anybody rises against him.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
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.
So the Jews beat Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue.
Notice why - Crispus - the former ruler was saved (vs 8)
So Paul remained there a good while (vs 18)
Not only was Paul encouraged, but God allowed him to stay for a long time.
Do you need to be encouraged?
Surround yourself with the right people.
Be in the Word and where the Word is preached.
Look for what God is doing.