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Review: Last week we looked at how…
- God is sovereign over creation. Paul tailored his gospel presentation to his audience of Greek philosophers and idol worshipers to introduce him to what would have been for them the mind-blowing reality of One Creator God.
- God is supreme over imagination: They worshiped idols of multiple deities they had create din their minds, but God was supreme over their fear-based imaginations. It’s important for believers to understand God based solely on His Word (special revelation) and creation (general revelation).
- God saves through Jesus’ resurrection: While there were mixed responses, when Paul explained the power of Jesus’ bodily resurrection some were saved.
Title: “Together”
Text: Acts 18:1-11, 18-21
Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 4:12, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Theme: Believers find greater effectiveness [make an impact] when partnering with other believers.
Introduction: In this week’s lesson we see that Paul partnered with other believers Aquilla and Priscilla for the spread of the gospel in Corinth who shared in his tent making work. When the Jews rejected, he moved on to the Gentiles. We’ve all heard it said that one can make it on their own, but we all need to lean on each other in God’s work.
Opening Discussion Question: Lifeway’s “Acts 13-28 Leader Guide” asks Why are some people reluctant to work with others? How has cooperation with others helped you accomplish a task more effectively?
Answer: Some people like to do things their own way, because they know it will get done their way. Some don’t like to work with other people and prefer to work alone. We partner with others for missions and outreach, and we have seen God provide great fruit in these partnership efforts.
Context: Moving onto the commercial, Greek metropolis of Corinth-home to many migrants and the most Roman Greek city filled with idolatry-Paulstayed in the home of the Jewish couple Aquilla and Priscilla’s home; they were expelled from Rome by emperor Claudius’s edict AD 49-50a against Jews. After visiting the synagogue and preaching Jesus as the Messiah, the Jews grew angry toward Paul and aggressively rejected the message, so Paul moved onto the Gentiles who were receptive and he stayed with Titius Justus a God-fearing Greek. God warned Paul of more persecution in a vision but comforted him with His promise to never leave him and give his ministry fruitfulness. Staying many months, Paul faithfully preached the gospel, eventually being brought by the Jews before Gallio the proconsul of Achaia under the false accusation of preaching against the law. Gallio thought they meant Roman law, but realized they were referencing Jewish, religious law. Before Paul could respond Gallio stopped them and said their case was unfounded in his court, setting precedent in favor of Christianity for future Roman trials, turning a trial into a blessing. Jesus fulfilled His promise in the vision.
Main Points:
- Gospel ministry begins by CULITVATING RELATIONSHIPS (Acts 18:1-4)
- Gospel ministry battles COLLIDE in REJECTION (Acts 18:5-11)
- Gospel ministry blossoms by CONTINUAL RELIANCE (Acts 18:18-21)
Lesson:
- Gospel ministry begins by CULITVATING RELATIONSHIPS (Acts 18:1-4)
- A. Cultivating relationships in context (v. 1) “After this Paul left Athens
and went to Corinth.” Explanation: Paul was entering a new context with the same gospel message. Corinth was a major trade port; a repopulated Roman colony once destroyed in 146 BC but rebuilt by Julius Caesar. Corinthian inhabitants still mostly worshiped the Greek gods of the pantheon. There were many shrines. People left figurines of body parts at the temple of Asclepius, the god of healing. The temple to Aphrodite, was most popular with what most scholars believe had over a thousand prostitutes. The city was riddled with sexual promiscuity.
- B. Cultivating relationships with Christians (vv. 2-3) “2 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, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Explanation: Paul somehow—the text does not say—met Aquilla and Priscilla-whom scholars believe had possible Roman citizenship—but were expelled to Corinth for their Jewish heritage. It appears that by the time Paul met them, they were believers. To take care of his needs, Paul worked with them as tentmakers.
- C. Cultivating relationships with communication (v. 4) “4 And he
reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Explanation: Paul started his outreach to Corinth as he always had in the synagogues for a time, sharing the gospel with the Jews that gathered. He did this by communicating the gospel message. In verse 4 the word “persuade” (peitho) means “to convince or instill confidence” in connection with the Greek word posteuo/pistis for “faith.” Illustration: Have you ever engaged in missions? To be successful you had to know the cultural context and physically enter that cultural context; you have to go and be there. It helped to not go alone, but partner with believers already there. When you got there, it couldn’t be considered missions without communicating the gospel in person, right? Application: It was the same for Paul, and it’s the same in our spheres today.
Transition: Real gospel ministry begins by cultivating relationships in context, partnering with other Christians, and with communicating the Good News verbally. That’s how we make an impact. Second,
- Gospel ministry battles COLLIDE in REJECTION (Acts 18:5-11)
- A. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, present your reason for moving on (vv. 5-6)
“5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 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.’” Explanation: Paul is joined by his co-laborers; some scholars believe with a financial gift. In committed and focused fashion, Paul preaches to the Jews. Yet the Jews resisted and even blasphemed the message of Christ’s Messianic identity. This was an aggressive rejection. Echoing the warning on Ezekiel 33;1-9 Paul tells them that their blood is on their own heads as he shakes off his garment to show that these Jews were broken off from their covenantal bond to God.
- B. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, pivot to receptive ministry (vv. 7-8 and 11) “7 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. 8 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…11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Explanation: There was willing gospel receptivity elsewhere. Paul didn’t fixate on their rejection but moved on to other Gentile audiences. Going to Titius Justus—a possible convert from Paul’s early days in Corinth—was not far from the Jewish synagogue, a possible open door to the Jews who would repent or a reminder of his presence. Another convert Crispus is mentioned as a former synagogue leader. As a result of this pivot to the Gentiles, many were saved and baptized, and the church grew. Paul didn’t know they would be receptive, but God blessed this pivot.
- C. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission (vv. 9-10)
- 1. God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God speaks to our hearts (v. 9a)
“9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision…” God’s primary method of speaking to us is His Word. Who knows how Paul was holding up after such aggression after working so hard to reach them. He needed God to speak to His heart. His Word—when God SPEAKS to our hearts—will reinvigorate our mission despite colliding rejection.
2. God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God STRENGTHENS us in our weakness (v. 9b) “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,”
3. God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God SUPPLIES us (v. 10) with three provisions:
a. With His presence (v. 10a) “10 for I am with you,” Not only had God given a few converts, the arrival of Silas and Timothy, but God gave Himself to Paul! When we undergo rejection by others-especially after hard labor in sharing the gospel—it can be an inroad for discouragement and even loneliness in our work. Summon this promise when you face rejection! God says, “I am with you.” God supplies us with a second provision.
b. With His protection (v. 10b) “…and no one will attack you to harm you…” God supplies us with a third provision…
c. With His people (v. 10c) “…for I have many in this city who are my people.” They were not yet converted, but God knew who they were and that through Paul’s ministry they would receive Christ.
Application: This is a promise to embolden our work where we are today, isn’t it! Look out the window of your office, your work truck, you stay-a-home-Mom-disciple-makers look at your kids and out the window to your neighborhood, look around at the cubicles around you, look out over your area be it rural or metropolitan! God says to you and me today, “I have many in [THIS PLACE] who are [MY] people.”
Transition: Real gospel ministry begins by cultivating relationships in context. Gospel ministry battles collide in rejection. And when those battles collide, present your reason for moving on to where there is receptivity, and receive God’s promise [His presence! His protection! His future people!] to reinvigorate your mission. 3rdly,
- Gospel ministry blossoms by CONTINUAL RELIANCE (Acts 18:18-21)
- A. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance on partners (v. 18a)
“18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers[c] and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila…” Priscilla and Aquila accompany him after staying for a lengthier time in Corinth. He welcomed new ministry partners to his mission work.
B. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance by presenting oneself to God in accordance with Romans 12:1-2 (v. 18b)
“…At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.” Not much is said about this vow. We know it was like a Nazarite vow that would be made that included a lot of self-denial, like not drinking strong beverages and they would cut their hair. We also know this was not a law-based ritual that countered the gospel. We could speculate; but rather what we can be certain of is Paul denied self to be closer to God as we see in Romans 12:1-2, “[presented himself] to God as a living sacrifice…” and I don’t want to bounce away from this too quickly, because I think there is a powerful lesson here. Paul was advanced in his ministry years. He had suffered for Christ. He had boldly proclaimed Christ. Yet here he takes a special designated season of focused self-denial for some reason. It’s like fasting, almost.
The work of Christ in the gospel: One way this lesson points us to Christ and the gospel is when we think of the far greater self-denial of Christ to leave heaven, come to earth, add humanity to His divinity, to suffer, bleed, die on the cross, rise the third day, be seen, ascend, and promise to return. What infinite self-denial that we might be called His own. What a Savior!
Review: Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance on partners, by presenting oneself to God, thirdly…
C. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance by pressing on (vv. 19-21)
“19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, ‘I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.’”
Across the Aegean Sea from Corinth lie Ephesus, one of the largest and well-to-do cities of the first century world, central in prominence, government, a privileged free Greek city, filled with idolatrous temples, the temple of Diana among them—one of the seven wonders of the ancient world–, and after preaching in the synagogue Paul had to depart and leave Aquila and Priscilla with them. He promised to return if God willed it. And on he went pressing on with the gospel to new regions.
Conclusion: This lesson covers some ground and includes real neat insights.
- Gospel ministry begins by CULITVATING RELATIONSHIPS (Acts 18:1-4)
- Gospel ministry battles COLLIDE in REJECTION (Acts 18:5-11)
- Gospel ministry blossoms by CONTINUAL RELIANCE (Acts 18:18-21)
General outline
Title: “Together”
Text: Acts 18:1-11, 18-21
Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 4:12, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Theme: Believers find greater effectiveness [make an impact] when partnering with other believers.
Opening Discussion Question: Lifeway’s “Acts 13-28 Leader Guide” asks Why are some people reluctant to work with others? How has cooperation with others helped you accomplish a task more effectively?
Main Points:
I. Gospel ministry begins by CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS (Acts 18:1-4)
II. Gospel ministry battles COLLIDE in REJECTION (Acts 18:5-11)
III. Gospel ministry blossoms by CONTINUAL RELIANCE (Acts 18:18-21)
Lesson:
I. Gospel ministry begins by CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS (Acts 18:1-4)
A. Cultivating relationships in context (v. 1)
B. Cultivating relationships with Christians (vv. 2-3)
C. Cultivating relationships with communication (v. 4)
II. Gospel ministry battles COLLIDE in REJECTION (Acts 18:5-11)
A. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, present your reason for moving on (vv. 5-6)
B. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, pivot to receptive ministry (vv. 7-8 and 11)
C. When gospel ministry battles collide in rejection, God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission (vv. 9-10)
- God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God speaks to our hearts (v. 9a)
- God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God STRENGTHENS us in our weakness (v. 9b)
- God’s promise will reinvigorate our mission when God SUPPLIES us (v. 10)
a. With His presence (v. 10a) “10 for I am with you,”
b. With His protection (v. 10b) “…and no one will attack you to harm you,..”
c. With His people (v. 10c) “…for I have many in this city who are my people.”
III. Gospel ministry blossoms by CONTINUAL RELIANCE (Acts 18:18-21)
A. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance on partners (v. 18a)
B. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance by presenting oneself to God in accordance with Romans 12:1-2 (v. 18b)
C. Gospel ministry blossoms by continual reliance by pressing on (vv. 19-21)
Caleb Walker 
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