Sermon Notes for 1/26/2014 (Acts 18:1-11)
Keep on Speaking. Do not be Silent.
A. From Athens to Corinth
1) Paul worked as he introduced others to Jesus (1-4)
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
2) Shaking out his clothes (5,6)
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
B. Continuing the work in Corinth
1) Many people began to follow the Lord as Paul moved his ministry to a different location (7,8)
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
2) Paul listened to the voice of the Lord and remained in Corinth for a year and a half (9-11, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Summary
Introducing other people to Jesus is our shared task. Pastors and church leaders are here to help and strengthen each person so that they can be the fragrance of Jesus and introduce others to Jesus wherever they go. If people resist when we share Jesus, we don't need to force Jesus on them. In changing our approach, we might see new possibilities open up. Above all, we need to remember that Jesus says to us, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. I am with you." As long as God permits, we can continue to share the gospel wherever we are.
For Discussion
1) What kind of city was Corinth?
2) What did this text teach you?
Keep on Speaking. Do not be Silent.
A. From Athens to Corinth
1) Paul worked as he introduced others to Jesus (1-4)
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
2) Shaking out his clothes (5,6)
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
B. Continuing the work in Corinth
1) Many people began to follow the Lord as Paul moved his ministry to a different location (7,8)
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
2) Paul listened to the voice of the Lord and remained in Corinth for a year and a half (9-11, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Summary
Introducing other people to Jesus is our shared task. Pastors and church leaders are here to help and strengthen each person so that they can be the fragrance of Jesus and introduce others to Jesus wherever they go. If people resist when we share Jesus, we don't need to force Jesus on them. In changing our approach, we might see new possibilities open up. Above all, we need to remember that Jesus says to us, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. I am with you." As long as God permits, we can continue to share the gospel wherever we are.
For Discussion
1) What kind of city was Corinth?
2) What did this text teach you?