ACTS 18
Continuing from last week’s sermon in Acts 17, the message that boldness is a necessity in this world still rings true. Paul is in a much different season of life in Acts 18, compared to when he was in prison in Act 16.
A question to have on your mind as you head into the sermon is this, “What hardships would you be willing to endure, if you knew that you would receive an amazing year and a half?” Paul had experienced conflict, bloodthirsty mobs, demons, prisons, beatings, etc. Then he received a vision from the Lord saying, “Do no 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 in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
What would you do with such a promise? I can only imagine the messages that Paul would have preached and taught the people during this time. They would likely not have been soft or easy messages like the false gospels of health and wealth, or what he warned Timothy about in 2 Tim. 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers…”
Paul preached boldly and faithfully during this time period. I am sure he ruffled plenty of feathers, called out people’s sins, and declared Jesus as our savior. That promise was to Paul specifically, but the good news is that we have been given a similar promise in God’s Holy and perfect word from Romans 8:18-39. As follower’s of Christ, we can face any hardships this world can throw at us, because of Jesus bringing us into his kingdom and providing us with a perfect eternal life.
A question to have on your mind as you head into the sermon is this, “What hardships would you be willing to endure, if you knew that you would receive an amazing year and a half?” Paul had experienced conflict, bloodthirsty mobs, demons, prisons, beatings, etc. Then he received a vision from the Lord saying, “Do no 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 in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
What would you do with such a promise? I can only imagine the messages that Paul would have preached and taught the people during this time. They would likely not have been soft or easy messages like the false gospels of health and wealth, or what he warned Timothy about in 2 Tim. 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers…”
Paul preached boldly and faithfully during this time period. I am sure he ruffled plenty of feathers, called out people’s sins, and declared Jesus as our savior. That promise was to Paul specifically, but the good news is that we have been given a similar promise in God’s Holy and perfect word from Romans 8:18-39. As follower’s of Christ, we can face any hardships this world can throw at us, because of Jesus bringing us into his kingdom and providing us with a perfect eternal life.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Romans 8:18-39
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