FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES
Scripture References: ACTS 18: 1-28
When were in a challenging time or in a low place we have the greatest friend we can look to for help, comfort, or rescue. Psalm 121:1-2 reminds us, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” The apostle Paul was given a green light to preach as hard and as much as he can because many people would believe in God in the city of Corinth. With God’s encouragement came a promise that Paul would be protected from harm, something he didn’t experience in recent cities. God delivers on this promise. Let’s see how Paul’s journey in Corinth goes and what we can learn and apply to our lives.
Notes:
V. 1-3
We’re not sure why but Paul left Athens alone and traveled to Corinth. According to his letter to the Corinthians, he came “in weakness with great fear and trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). Paul’s ministry in Athens seems to have discouraged him. Thankfully, while in Corinth he meets and grows close to a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla, tentmakers (or leather workers), an occupation Paul also knew.
In A.D. 49 the emperor Claudius had issued a decree expelling Jews from Rome because of riots in the city. The trouble was over the teaching of “Chrestus” (Latinized form of “Christ”). Among those expelled were Aquila and Priscilla, who probably converted under the preaching of Roman Jews who had been present in Jerusalem at the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:10) - FLBC, page 630
Finding Godly community was the encouragement Paul needed.
V. 4-6
To make a living, Paul worked with leather and tent-making so he only preached on the Sabbath. That is until Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia with a financial gift and ministerial support which allowed Paul to dedicate all his time to preach and convince the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. (Possible video)
Unfortunately, the Jews opposed and insulted Paul, leading him to shake out his garments as a sign that he was breaking off fellowship and further attempts with callous Jews. This meant that all responsibility for rejecting the gospel was on them, not Paul.
This had to be difficult for a persistent, compassionate, and hopeful Paul. But even Paul had to be reminded that not all will receive and believe in Jesus.
Application: There comes a time when many loving attempts won’t change the minds of close minded people. We can only reason with people so much. In Paul’s situation, he had to leave them in the hands of God. Even Jesus knew there are times when you can’t spend all your time, energy, and effort on those who will throw it back in your face: “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you” (Matt. 7:6). Maybe you’ve been in this place. It’s hard and it hurts. Our hope and our faith in God are well placed, but in the end, a decision can not be made for people, they must come to grips with their need for Christ. There is still hope though that they come to repent and believe in Jesus at another time.
V. 7-11 The gospel flourishes in Corinth
Meanwhile, next door to the Synagogue is the home of Titius Justus. Paul conducts his mission in his house and rivals the meeting place of the Jews next door. As you can imagine, tensions would brew. Crispus, the synagogue ruler at the time, and his entire household come to believe in Jesus Christ.
One evening Jesus shows up to Paul in a vision and encourages him not to be silent, the Lord will protect Him from persecution, and many people will believe and be saved. This message breathes so much courage that Paul remains in Corinth for eighteen months. The next portion of scripture illustrates God’s divine protection and preservation.
The church of Jesus Christ in Corinth was born, hence 1 and 2 Corinthians. Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half (Actually 4 letters but we don’t have the other two).
V. 12-17 Before the Governor
At the beginning of Galllio’s governorship around July A.D. 51, the Jews in Corinth try to enlist the power of Rome against the Christian movement. They brought Paul before Gallio’s tribunal court, a raised platform in the marketplace of the city. “Archeologists found Gallio’s judgment seat or throne, built of blue and white marble” (Horton, Acts, page 308).
Before Paul could even defend himself, Gallio exposes that this issue is of no concern for Rome and no law had been broken.
At that time, Sothenes was the new Synagogue ruler, instead of Crispus. Sothenes would have led the group of Jews to the court only to be beaten in the public square.
Application: God is providential meaning He cares, prepares, and provides for His people now and for the future. God fulfilled his promise to Paul, by seeing that the right governor was appointed to protect Paul and provide freedom to preach so the gospel could thrive. Paul did not squander this protection and faithfully ministered to this city. We have the same landscape where we have every right to share our faith in the public square, in homes, and online. May we be faithful to use our platforms and opportunities efficiently and watch God protect and provide for us too.
Application: Notice who attacked Sothenes, it wasn’t a group of angry Christians seeking revenge for Paul, it was his own circle. What you may not know is biblical historians believe this Sosthenes wasn’t just brutally beaten, but deeply impacted by this event and is the Sosthenes that Paul mentions in his formal address to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 1:1. Sosthenes had an “ah-ha” moment, His eyes must have opened because he converted to Christianity! God saves in mysterious ways.
Application: The eyes of many are opening, seeing the severity of immorality, the denigration of sacred and holy things, and noticing God’s Word has spoken accurately. Do we have eyes to see those people and do we have compassion, courage, and time set aside to reach out and invest in them?
V. 18-23 Paul concludes his 2nd journey
Paul had taken a Nazarite vow to show his dedication to the Lord. This vow included not shaving your head. There isn’t clarity on why, but I believe with other Biblical teachers that this is in response to the Lord’s vision and call to not be silent and preach freely. Paul trusted the Lord, faithfully ministered and it was time to leave. This vow would also require him to make a sacrifice in Jerusalem so this explains his hurried visit to Ephesus, eager to get to Jerusalem for Passover.
Verse 23 is a very brief summary of the beginning of his third missionary journey.
V. 24-28 Introduction of Apollos
Priscilla and Aquila remain in Ephesus after Paul leaves and this is where they meet the gifted speaker and well-educated, Apollos from Alexandria. Alexandria was one of the leading cities in the ancient world and an important center of learning. There are different views on how he came to know the Lord, some believe a witness of Christ’s resurrection or someone from the day of Pentecost. Either way, he had not been taught thoroughly.
Yet, Priscilla and Aquila notice he needed further understanding and graciously wait to instruct him on the side, not in front of everyone. Apollo demonstrates his humility and ongoing desire to learn.
It is interesting to note here that John Chrysostom ("John of the golden mouth"), the chief pastor of the church in Constan- tinople about A.D. 400, recognized that Priscilla took the lead in giving this instruction to Apollos." The best Greek scholars today agree. Apollos was a man of culture and education. Priscilla also must have been well-educated and a very gracious woman. Paul's epistles show she was, along with her husband. a fellow worker, fellow teacher, and missionary. They had a church that met in their house while they were in Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:19). Horton, Acts, page 314
Apollos was sent to Achaia, where Paul had previously visited and debated. God used Apollos powerfully as verse 28 says, “He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.”
Application: Find or foster Christian community. We need Christians around us for prayer, encouragement, company, and accountability for Godly living.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
Community Groups begin in September
Application: Know what you believe and why it’s believable.
Either my tech devices are spying on me or the timing was perfect but two days after I preached and mentioned apologetics and then received an email from RightNow Media about multiple video series on the subject. I wanted to remind us all that we have provided this resource for our church to grow and learn and I want to highly recommend it.
Application: Reason with people in love and may love be a reason they believe.
Some need reasoning and convincing arguments and some need kindness. These two are not mutually exclusive.
“More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world.”– William Barclay
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
Is there anyone that you have had to leave in the hands of God?
How did you know it was time to let go and let God?
How did God fulfill his promise to Paul?
How can we pray for you or someone in your life, today?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!