Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, Better Service.
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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Recap
The Apostle Paul just had his encounter with the people in Athens. He saw how they were a “very religious people” with all the idols they worshipped. Because of this, he shared the gospel message with them. Many came to faith while many others were intrigued with what was being taught.
Now, Paul turns his attention to the city of Corinth. In Acts 18.1-17, we find some actions that can help us in our ministry efforts.
As followers of Christ, we are all in ministry. We are witnesses to our families and friends and many others. So, how can we serve Him better?
1. Find others to share the load. (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 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.
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As he came into the city, Paul found fellow Jews. They were not just Jews, but tentmakers like him. As a result, he was able to join them in that work. This brought support, financial and emotional, to his ministry that took place on the Sabbaths.
For me, I have always been interested in “tent-making” ministry. What could I do to support the work of ministry so as not to be a burden upon others? At the same time, what could I do to have the freedom to serve when and where needed?
Today, I am experiencing a kind of “tent-making” ministry, but with the church as my support. The church’s support allows me the freedom to minister to the people at the YMCA. I am able to get to know staff and members, and even jump in to help where needed. At the same time, I can prepare messages and studies and be available to witness and counsel those in need.
Finding others to help carry the load may look different for you. We all have people in our lives that we can minister to. To become better at serving, it would do us well to look for someone, or a group, to support one another in the faith.
Perhaps our support will come from our closest friends. Or we might find what we need in a small group Bible study or Sunday school class. Whatever the type, having a group to count on can strengthen our faith and witness. These individuals will be the ones from whom we can seek advice, ask for prayer, or work together to address issues.
2. Know when to move on. (5-6)
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they 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 innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
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When Silas and Timothy arrived at Corinth, we are told that Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching. This preaching was specifically to the Jews and his message was the proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah.
Most of the Jews could not, or would not, accept this teaching. They opposed Paul and became abusive towards him. This happened because they did not want to listen to what he was saying.
As a result, Paul decided to move on from them. We are told he shook out his clothes in protest. In other places in the Bible, other phrases used include, “Kick the dust off his feet” or “Washed his hands of them.” In other words, he was saying, “I’ve had enough and I’m done with you.” Not only was he done with them, but he also says, “Your blood be on your own heads!”
Paul just let them know that he did his part, but now it was up to them what to do with the message. Since they would not accept the message, Paul was able to move on to the Gentiles.
Even Jesus, when He walked this earth, made claims that the gospel was first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. So, Paul was following scripture through his actions and was released to go to the Gentiles. He did his part but also knew when it was time to move on.
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The same is true for those in our lives with whom we have been ministering. Many of us have those individuals that we have been caring for their needs and sharing the gospel through word and deed. We have dedicated time to listen to their stories and pray for their salvation.
We may spend years with some individuals, but there may come a day when we should move on from them. As we move on, we will continue to pray, but we will turn them over to God. At this point, we will have to trust God to make the needed changes, to open their eyes to the truth.
3. Go to those who are receptive. (7-8)
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
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Paul moved on from the Jews and toward those who were receptive to his message. In his move, he didn’t have to go far. He went right next door to the Jewish synagogue to the home of a Gentile worshipper of God, Titius Justus. We are even told that one of the synagogue leaders, Crispus, was also at this home.
Paul shared the gospel message and many of the Corinthians heard and believed. He went to where the people showed interest and reaped a harvest of souls for the Lord.
For us, like Paul, to go to those who are receptive may be closer than we think. It could be our next door neighbors or someone in the group we meet for breakfast on a regular basis. Perhaps a coworker or former coworker with whom we have connected shows interest in spiritual matters. Even that person we see every time we go to the bank, grocery store, fitness facility, gas station, etc., may be the one to whom God is leading us.
4. In All Things… Trust in the Lord. (9-17)
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 in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
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For Paul, God promised to protect Him. In a dream, God told Paul to “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.”
In the same way, God will protect us as we serve Him. He has many people in every city that belong to Him and need to hear the gospel message. Because of this, He will protect us as we reach out to those who need Him.
Because of this protection, we can be invincible, to a degree. God knows the number of our days. He will bring us home when it is our time. It does not mean we can do whatever we want. It does not mean we can test our invincibility by doing things that often lead to injury or death. Rather, we are to trust Him as we do His work from day-to-day.
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For Paul, God brought protection from an unlikely source. Paul was falsely accused by the Jews. They took him before the leader of Achaia, Gallio, and made their accusation. As Paul was preparing to defend himself, he was interrupted. Gallio came to his defense.
The accusations against him were not a criminal matter, but rather a religious one. Because of this, Gallio did not place judgment upon Paul and sent the Jews on their way. The things that the Jews were expecting to happen came to a quick end because of God’s intervention through humans.
In the same way, as we go about doing God’s work, He will always protect us. Perhaps His protection will come as we listen to those internal thoughts for insight and direction. His protection may come in the form of unexpected delays in our day. Those delays may keep us out of harms way. Or protection could possibly come from the wisdom of a child. Sometimes the things that come from a child’s mouth is beyond their years in wisdom. Could that be God trying to protect us as we serve Him?
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To be a better servant of God, as we live our days for Him, let us…
Learn to work together to support one another,
Be willing to let go when we have done all we can,
Look for those who show interest in spiritual things,
Above all… count on God.
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Have a Great Day!