Companions in Ministry
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Acts 18:1-23
Big idea: We faithfully preach the ordinary gospel but we do it together
Welcome
Good morning, it is wonderful to see you this morning. Great to have you join us this morning.
We’re back in Acts 18-28 this term. Let me encourage you to read Acts. It will be a great encouragement for you
1. Introduction
Here’s the question today: How did a church start in Corinth? of all places in a city like Corinth?
This was a place of trade, celebrity, sexual license and idolatry. it’s 50AD, 17 years after the resurrection of Jesus. And we at in the south tip of Greece. it boasts 2 great sea ports, trade in the north and south by land. That’s Corinth on the screen. It was rebuilt in 44BC by Julius Caesar. the key character is Paul. He makes a final stop in the great ancient city of Greece. How did the Gospel get established here? We know the key issues in 1 Corinthians - power, wisdom, sexual licence. and the 2nd letter - celebrity. There was no doubt it was a place of sexual license. right, the great temple to Venus there over 1000 temple prostitutes employed. they roamed the streets of Corinth by night. there was a verb to corinthianise - short hand way to say sexually immoral. how could a Church be planted in Corinth?
Well if you remember what we’ve learnt in Acts, it’s not really surprising is it?
Acts 1:8 Jesus says;
acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The Gospel spreads. God’s mission is unstoppable. Even in suffering. Even when it looks impossible. It’s not. The gospel spreads. it fans out. Jersualem, Judea, Samaria, Asia Minor.
Today, we see the Gospel continue to spread in Europe. Even to Corinth.
As we come to Acts 18 this morning, we find that there’s absolutely nothing new. How was the church established? In a big godless city. Nothing new. it’s the faithful preaching of the ordinary gospel.
2. The faithful preaching of the ordinary Gospel (18:1-11)
It’s the faithful preaching of the ordinary gospel. Paul’s just preached to the intellectuals in Athens. Some have believed the Gospel. Now he rocks up to Corinth. Notice here in the first few verses he works the weekdays. he’s a tentmaker. And on the weekends, on the Sabbath he goes to persuade Jews to believe in Jesus. That’s his real business. Gospel ministry. Verse 4.
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Paul worked hard. Labored. Preached. And he preached Gospel. There’s no new method. I mean, this is what he did in Thessalonica.
And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
He went to synagogue reasoned with them. He tried to explain, persuade them. Wanting them to know the gospel. He did the same in Berea, and in Athens.
There was no new method. And there was no new message. It’s faithful preaching of the ordinary Gospel.
What was this message? What’s the Gospel?
acts 18:5
When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
Silas and Timothy, partners in the Gospel came from Macedonia to support Paul. I reckon they gave him money. that’s the support. Why? So Paul could be occupied with the word. Paul could then dedicate himself, that’s the sense of the word occupied there. He was there to preach and teach the Word of God.
What did he teach? What’s he message? Again nothing new. He preached to the Jews: The Christ was Jesus. Jesus is King, Saviour Jesus is Risen. Submit to him. The same method. The same message. The faithful preaching of the ordinary Gospel.
Paul knew he had to preach and teach. thats what God sent him to do. look at verse 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.” 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. 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.
Why doesn’t opposition, suffering stop Paul? Paul’s words are interesting arent it? your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. He quotes from Ezekiel 33. look there at verse 1 with me. God says to Ezekiel.
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.
Ezekiel is God’s watchman. The prophet with a message from God. And the point of the watchman is to bring God’s message to his people. Once he brought the message, then the responsibility falls on the people. But he had to bring the message. He’s God’s watchman. Paul’s saying, like Ezekiel, I’ve preached the Gospel to you. I’ve done my bit. I’ve been faithful to God. Now your blood be on your own head. You are responsible for your response. Your blood be on your own head. So, just like Ezekiel listeners did not respond to him, and he washed his hands of responsibility. So Paul, as he shared the good news Jesus and is reviled, opposed, he washes his hands of responsibility. He shakes off his garment. It’s not a tantrum. Paul’s saying I’m not taking responsibility. I’ve been faithful. You are reviling, you’re opposing God. I’ll now go to the Gentiles.
Friends, it’s the faithful preaching of the ordinary gospel. That’s what will save people. Even if they reject you. Well actually they are rejecting God. You’re just like what the Gospel Shaped Outreach says – you’re the waiter. You bring out the food. The Gospel. How they respond is on them.
Paul’s is not doing this alone. God is with him. Notice God reassures him of the mission in Corinth.
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.
Of course, we’re not Apostles. We don’t get a direct visions from God. But the Lord of the universe who says to Paul go on preaching the ordinary Gospel. Don’t be silent. I AM with you. I have many in this city who are my peoplesays to us, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
There’s no new method. There’s no new message. God is with his people. Just preach the ordinary Gospel.
Friends, I hope you can see we don’t need gimmicks. We don’t need special lighting and effects. It’s the ordinary preaching of the Gospel.
I remember going to a church. I won’t give the name of the church. It was in Sydney. It was part of training for my ministry apprenticeship. Let me tell you church was slick. Mood music, riffs like you wouldn’t believe, lighting effects, the atmosphere was electric. It was me and my experience with God.
But Paul didn’t turn down the lights, didn’t put mood music, didn’t ramp up his rhetoric. In fact he says says in I came in trembling in fear. Paul says I decided to know nothing among you except Christ and him crucified. He was occupied with the word. He preached the gospel.
Friends, forget lights, cameras, glitz and glamour, did you see in our passage? Paul was dealing with legal action. Even that didn’t stop him from preaching.
See verse 12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 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. 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.”
Under Roman law it was not illegal to preach the Gospel.
God protects Paul. He allows them to preach about Jesus. God is about preaching and teaching the Gospel.
He doesn’t matter where Paul is, he preaches about Jesus. Even in dodgy legal situations.
Summary
I hope it’s clear. How did a church start in Corinth? It’s the faithful preaching of the ordinary Gospel. Paul busted his gut to tell people about Jesus. To the Jews. Then To the Gentiles. He obeyed God. Did what God wanted him to do, preach, like God’s watchman. And he knew God was with him. Nothing. Not even going to court. Could stop him from preaching the ordinary Gospel.
3. But we do it together as a team (18:12-23)
Friends, you might be thinking. I’m not Paul. You might be feeling like, gee Brian I struggle to preach the Gospel. I don’t have the smarts. I get that Jesus is my Lord, he died for my sins. He rose to give me life. Because of what Jesus did I know this; i’m saved. And I get that Jesus is infinitely worth preaching about. and I try.
But I’m not cut out for preaching and teaching the Gospel? I’m not confident. I’m not persuasive with the Bible. Am I the real deal? What’s my role? of course God wants all of us to give it a crack. we can share the Gospel.
But in the passage, there are lots of people quietly doing their thing. Paul’s doesn't go it alone. he’s not the solo street preacher. No he’s got a team with him. He has support. Lots of it. Supporters of Gospel ministry. we preach the ordinary Gospel, but we actually do it together as a team. that’s my second point.
Look at Priscilla and Aquila, did you notice them? can’t miss them. the great husband and wife ministry support team.
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 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, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
Paul and Priscilla and Aquila shared a partnership. They were Tentmakers. But it became more than just convenient work arrangements. How do we know? Paul’s letter in Romans. Chapter 16, verse 3.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
See what Paul calls them? Fellow workers. Partners in the gospel. They supported Paul in Gospel Ministry. In fact, they risked their necks for his life.
You could do that couldn’t you? Make friends with Gospel workers. Offer them a place to say. A second home. In fact we have a couple who do do that, it’s very generous. Gospel partnership. we do Gospel ministry it as a team.
More than that Priscilla and Aquila, verse 18 they go to help out with Gospel ministry. They shut up shop and go to Ephesus with Paul. Verse 18
acts 18:18 - 19
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. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
See what they did? In Ephesus, they didn't go to the synagogue to preach and teach about Jesus like Paul. But they go with Paul to Ephesus. they help him out. they support him. You could do that. You could support a full time gospel worker. Go with them. Go help them set up a church plant. Go wherever because of the Gospel. Gospel Ministry is teamwork. We're all part of a team.
We see it clearly in the passage. It’s about team work. Look the people mentioned in Acts 18.
Titius Justus v7. He is a worshipper of God. His house is next door to the synagogue. He allows Paul to use his home as a base. He risks his home. risks his relationships with his neighbors. He’s part of the team. He’s on about the Gospel
Crispus, verse 8 the ruler of the synagogue he believes with his who household. He puts his reputation on the line. He stands with Paul. He stands with the Gospel. He’s on about the Gospel
Sosthenes – cool name, verse 17 he gets beaten up for standing with Paul after the court hearing. He’s on about the Gospel.
Friends, yes the Gospel goes out through the preaching of the ordinary Gospel. But we do it as a team. I hope you can see that. Paul doesn’t go solo. he goes as a team.
Priscilla and Aquila put their life and lifestyle on the line. Titius Justus put his house on the line, Crispus his reputation on the line, Sosthenes his body on the line – they were part of the team. not ashamed of Jesus. not ashamed of the Gospel preacher. part of the team.
Hope it’s clear: We preach the ordinary Gospel, but we do it as a team. That’s how Paul reached Corinth. That’s how we reach Epping and beyond.
3. Implications
1. The extraordinary Gospel
you and i know the Gospel is not ordinary. i kept saying that. it looks ordinary doesn’t it? Each week we come and preach the Word. it doesn’t look impressive. No bells and whistles here. But can I say, it is extraordinary what we’re doing. we’re preaching that The Christ is Jesus. Do not for a moment think that we are just preaching and teaching and it’s just a mundane thing. This is the Gospel that brings life! It’s the extraordinary Gospel. What Paul does, suffers, reviled, busts a gut he works day and night to tell the Gospel, it’s not to talk about the footy. It’s the Gospel. The extraordinary Gospel that brings life to all who will believe. it makes you right with God. And that’s the same today.Paul reaches Corinth through the Gospel. we do the same here. Preach and teach the extraordinary Gospel. Keep going. Stay on task. do you see the Gospel and preaching it as your main priority? Wanting the Gospel to go out? Busting a gut you just want people to know Jesus?
Because if you don’t see this as number 1 priority, that Jesus died and rose again for sins, to make us right with God. Like if that’s not your motivation, what makes your heartbeat then why would you partner with us? Why would you do it? it’s not about being a Pressie. It’s not this is part of my family tradition. Not even belonging in Community, making you feel good to come to church, we are on a mission guys. Acts 18 shows us we ought to be driven by preaching the Gospel. is that what you are on about? If it is then, partner with us.
2. Partner with us as a Gospel team
Friends we do not want consumers. we’re not here to just come along. sit here. enjoy the show. we want partners. partners in the work. like Priscilla and Aquila, they packed up shop to go with Paul to church plant. I’m going to use my money time resources energy. Would you be willing to do that? they risked their necks for standing with a Gospel worker. Would you be willing to do that? You can do that. when we say we are members of the church, it’s more than spectating and cheering your favourite AFL team. no. you are called to be members of the rescue team. not there just for the ride. the scenic route. people on the team sweat, jump in, go hard, bleed if they have to. That’s the work. calling people believe in Jesus. It’s about laying down our lives, trusting each other, working hard so people might know Jesus. It’s not easy.
Church let’s get on with the cause of Christ. Serve. put your hand up. take the initiative. pitch in. we’re a team. chat to me if you want to serve in particular ways. we’ve got the extraordinary Gospel. let’s work as a team so that more can be won for Christ.
I want to urge you with Howard Guiness’ famous words. listen to this:
“Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake — flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers — those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?
Where are the men who say ‘no’ to self, who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision? Where are the men of prayer? Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?
Church, let’s continue on preaching the extraordinary Gospel, and let’s do it together.
Let’s pray.