Mission Era: 3rd Missionary Journey

Where is Paul Off to Now?

As we finish Pauls second missionary journey we end up back at the church in Antioch, according to Chapter 18 of Acts. In Chapters 19-21 we join Paul on his 3rd missionary journey which is very similar to his 2nd except with a few new towns added. Paul is writing the Books of 1 and 2nd Corinthians as well as the Book of Romans during this trip. Another significant aspect of this journey is the tension surrounding Paul and the church in Corinth. These Books address significant doctrinal issues that we don’t have time to address tonight, but we do have time to address the fracture and healing that occurs throughout these chapters.

Broken bone illustration: Immediate pain, then dull pain, then achey pain as it heals, then low strength, the full strength.

Corinthian Correspondence

1st Visit

3 Year stay in Ephesus

Writes Previous Letter (during 3 year stay)

Hears a report from the Corinthians

Writes 1 Corinthians

Sends Timothy to Corinth

Second Visit (Painful Visit)

Severe Leter

Meets Titus in Macedonia

Writes 2 Corinthians

Visits a 3rd Time

(4 letters, 3 visits)

What Did Paul Demonstrate?

Reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

What Can We Learn From This?

Who do you need to reconcile with?

What does it look like to reconcile with a friend, what about a parent?

What happens if the person you reconcile with doesn’t return the forgiveness and grace?