Consolation and Cheer in the Ministry

Acts 18:1-17

Have you ever felt discouraged in your service to God? You’re actively serving and busy - few are helping out. You may become bitter. Like Martha who was busy, but Mary wasn’t helping. Or how others aren’t devoted like Mary. Or perhaps you’re discouraged because others doubt your intentions. They insinuate you serve for ulterior motives. You’re teaching Sunday School because you wants affirmation! But you serve because you want to point children to Christ. You want to be in office because you like control! And meanwhile you wonder if all the hours you put in are worth it. And sometimes you may feel drained. There’s no fruit, no one’s coming, you feel ineffective, and you’re alone. Now, there are different reactions for each scenario. You throw a fit and stop serving - let others do the work! Or since they misunderstand me, I better step back. Or since there’s no growth, just give up.

Now, Paul was alone in Athens - his friends were in Berea. He was examined by the Areopagus council and mocked. But while he was alone, he wasn’t alone. God was with him. And in our passage today, we see how God encouraged his apostle in 4 ways. Firstly, God cheered on his ministry. Secondly, God clarified his ministry. Thirdly, God confirmed his ministry. Fourthly, God cleared his ministry.

Firstly, God cheered on his ministry. Verse 1 says, “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.” In Athens, he was alone in a difficult mission field. Then he came to Corinth. Here, he was still alone because his companions hadn’t joined him. Silas and Timotheus were still in Berea. But in Corinth, he received much needed encouragement. Now, Corinth was a very prominent city - the Roman capital of Achaia, near to 2 harbors. It was politically important, rich, and cosmopolitan. And when Paul arrived, he was alone. But not for long. God helped him by sending companions. He met 2 Jewish Christians from Italy. Verse 2 says, “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.” These two had come to Corinth when Claudius Caesar banished all Jews from Rome. According to history, Jews there were causing problems because the gospel was preached. Consequently, Claudius kicked them all out - including Jewish Christians. Aquila and Priscilla met Paul and became co-laborers. Paul was no longer alone. He had companions - partners! In fact, they were business partners. They were of the same trade. Verse 3 says they were tentmakers. They soon sold their wares in the market - whether a booth, a pop up kiosk, or a shop. Now, we don’t know exactly what they did. They may have sewed leather, crafted the wooden frame, or they set up tents. Whatever it was, it was skilled labor. Paul was not only skilled in Jewish law and Greek philosophy, but also in this trade. Now, why Paul worked was to support himself. The churches he planted were still small. But Paul was not in Corinth ultimately for business, he was there to preach the gospel. Verse 4 tells us that he taught in the synagogue every sabbath, preaching to Jews and Greeks. He made tents during the week and preached every Saturday. But he was no longer alone. God sent encouragement in companions.

But God also eventually sent cash. Paul’s tent making only lasted until Silas and Timothy came. Verse 5 says, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.” He was pressed in the spirit - meaning, now he urgently spent his time preaching. He no longer worked. Why? Silas, Timothy, and Luke couldn’t take over his skilled labor to make tents. They were not tent-makers - Luke was a doctor. So how did he preach without working? They brought him cash. 2 Corinthians 11:9 says when Paul was in Corinth, the Macedonian churches that supported him - “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.” Paul survived because the Macedonian church supported him. Philippians 4:15 says - “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” So God helped Paul in the ministry by supplying him with companions and cash. While we may be tempted to despair in our little area of service, we ought to be encouraged that there are still many people involved in service. Yes, God’s people could serve more, as they love God’s kingdom more. But we thank God for all who serve. We thank God for those who give - so those who serve can labor without any lack.

But secondly, God clarified his ministry. Paul was preaching in the synagogue but verse 6 says he met with opposition. The Jews even cursed and maligned him and the gospel. So what did he do? He stopped ministering to them. He concluded his ministry with them. He shook his garment, and said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean.” Now, why did Paul do this? Why didn’t he persist? I thought he should’ve continued with those who mocked him? You see, the unbelieving Jews refused to believe - even though there was sufficient Scriptural proof that Jesus was the Christ. So Paul dealt with their hostile opposition by shaking the sand out of his garment. This was like the actions of the Old Testament prophets. The apostles also shook the dust from their sandals when people rejected Christ. It was a symbol of destruction. Since they denied Christ was God, one day God would shake them out. But Paul responded not only with action, but with words - “I’m clean, your blood be on your own heads.” Their rejection was their condemnation - but Paul wasn’t guilty. Their rejection of Jesus despite clear evidence would result in their judgment. It was their own fault. Paul had preached grace and judgment long enough. He had been with them every Sabbath. He spoke long enough - they understood and rejected. And upon saying that, he left them and went to the Gentiles. He’d no longer preach to the Jews in Corinth. The gospel was the key to the kingdom of God - it opened the door to those who believed it, and closed the door to those who rejected it. And so the gospel was doing its work. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s Word always bears fruit, either converting sinners, or confirming sinners in unbelief. We can’t force people receive the gospel. We can only preach and exhort. But many won’t believe. Was this discouraging to Paul?

No. Because the fruit that would greatly encourage Paul would come next. Paul continued his ministry among the Gentiles. In verse 7, he left the synagogue and went next door - to the house of Justus, a god-fearer. There was opportunity - God opened the door - if not the synagogue, then next door. He didn’t go far. The word was still heard. There was still a witness to the Jews. Yes, the Romans had kicked the Jews out of Rome; the Jews kicked Paul out of the synagogue, but God leads his people. Remarkably, as verse 8 says - “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Many Corinthians heard the gospel and believed. But the most remarkable fruit was Crispus - the head guy of the synagogue - he believed and his family joined the church! There were conversions. Just when there seemed not to be any, then there were many. God helps. While we can’t force people to believe, God opens hearts to believe. Those of us who serve must know that God gives the increase. The fruits of service are none of us, but all of God. We just serve. God vindicates.

We see thirdly, God confirmed his ministry. When Paul left the synagogue to go next door, and many people believed, you can imagine what Paul anticipated. Each time the gospel was preached there was trouble. In Thessalonica, the Gentiles believed, but the Jews became jealous. Then in Berea - when the Gentiles believed, the Thessalonians Jews came all the way because they were jealous. So Paul expected persecution. But here, in his ministry, God gave him confirmation. He gave assurance by speaking to Paul. He addressed Paul’s anxiety by assuring Paul that he would be with him. Verses 9-10 - “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” Paul, don’t be afraid. I’m with you. This, too, is a reminder to us in ministry - we don’t have to give in to discouragement. Christ was with Paul, he’s also with us. He told his disciples he’d never leave nor nor forsake them. He has given us his Spirit to be closer to us than he ever was with them. That’s why in service - we needn’t give in to discouragement. Oh yes, we’ll be plenty discouraged at times - but we don’t have to give in. When we look to Christ, like Peter, we walk on water. When we fear and take our eyes off Jesus, we sink. Our communion and union with Christ are the things that bolster our service. Christ’s assurance of his presence was a balm to calm Paul’s anxiety. And Paul was afraid. Indeed he was! If not, why would Christ have had to tell him “be not afraid?” If Paul needed assurance, how much more us? We despair.

And God gave Paul this assurance to encourage Paul to continue the work. Christ told Paul to continue to preach. Don’t be afraid! Speak! Don’t be quiet! And the assurance was that he won’t be hurt. Yes, Paul would be harmed in the future and even killed - but for the time he was in Corinth, the assurance was that he wouldn’t be hurt. And the reason for this? God had many people there he wanted Paul to preach to. Verse 10 says - “for I have much people in this city.” So Christ assured Paul there would be fruit! These fruit were Christ’s fruit - there would be many people Christ would save. So this tells us that in our service, God will use the feebleness of our ministry to minister to people. It’s not us, it’s him. And because it’s not us, but him, we are strengthened to do the work. This is why Paul was there, according to verse 11 for a whole 18 more months - teaching the word of God. But in these 18 months, although many heard, and many came to Christ, we know that there are many who didn’t respond to Paul’s ministry. And they formed a united attack in verse 12. But Christ was true to his word. He protected Paul - and even through this attempt to halt the ministry, God gave freedom.

But God also would vindicate Paul. Lastly, God cleared his ministry. In verse 12, the Jews accused him. It was Thessalonica all over again. But this time the results were more interesting. It happened during a time when Gallio was the deputy - or the proconsul of Achaia. When they brought Paul before him, they made this accusation in verse 13 - “This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.” Now, this would’ve been a very serious charge - it was serious enough in other cities to get Paul arrested. But Christ was in charge. He provided help. The allegation was that Paul persuaded men to worship God contrary to the law. But whose law was Paul breaking? Roman law allowed Jews to worship the God of Abraham. Now, if the allegation was that Paul persuaded men to worship an unapproved god - that was serious. But the allegation was he persuaded men to worship God contrary to the law. Well, the Romans weren’t concerned about that. How a religion worshiped was not their concern. So this person brought a weak charge. And it was dismissed - in fact, the people bringing the charge were expelled.

What’s amazing is this - Paul was just about to open his mouth to defend himself. But he didn’t even get that far. He was vindicated. Gallio said in verses 14-15 - “If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: but if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.” In other words, why do you even bother me you bodoh (nitwits)! Handle it yourselves. This is your custom and law - don’t involve me. And in verse 16 - he expelled them from the court room. It was a frivolous charge. And what happened? Verse 17 says, “Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.” When Crispus left the position of chief ruler of the synagogue to become a Christian, Sosthenes took over. He probably brought the charge. So Paul not punished, but Sosthenes was. The Greeks hauled him up and beat him. And Gallio let them. But we see something marvelous. Not only did Christ help Paul by providing companions and cash, confirming and clarifying his ministry, but he also cleared Paul. He gave him freedom to preach unmolested. But God also took Sosthenes, who was beaten, and God freed him too. In 1 Corinthians 1:1, Paul wrote to the church there - “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.” The guy who brought charges against Paul and was beaten eventually became a Christian and one of Paul’s friends.

God was clearly at work in the ministry. And we must realize that God wasn’t just helping Paul. It was not Paul. God was advancing the church. Paul was just a servant. But God loves his servants - he sends them companions to strengthen the ministry, needed funding, confirmation, clarification, and vindication. And that’s what every one who serves needs. That’s why in Corinth, as we saw in Acts 18, Aquila and Priscilla invited Paul home, Justus opened his home for the church, Crispus jeopardized his standing in the synagogue to believe. And Paul labored with them, staying in Corinth for a prolonged time. 18 months. This was the first time God called him to stay. Other times, he was to go - like the Macedonian call. But he was to stay in Corinth. Why? Because God had many people in that city.

Dearly beloved, what can we take from this message? I think it’s to be honest and admit - there are many things that can discourage us in ministry. We can often feel alone. We may not have the support that we need. But when we look away from Christ to men, we will give up very easily. We are also to admit that fear and despair are real. We’re weak vessels. But if we look to men and their weaknesses, of course we’ll be discouraged. But to be clear, we can have confidence in our service to God because of Christ. Christ is the one that provides and cares for his church. And his word to those who serve is this - don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and there are many in this city who are my people. And what Christ assures to us who serve, went through great suffering to purchase us these assurances. He was there in the last supper, hosting the meal, but the host got up to wash the feet of his disciples. Why? Because none of them would do it. After dinner, he took them to the Garden of Gethsemane - where he’d pray. But 3 of his friends would not watch and pray - leaving him alone to face the prospect of death by himself. He prayed for strength, but had no lone to lend him strength. His bosom friend - the one he loved - betrayed him. Jesus was not supported with 30 pieces of silver - he had no where to lay his head; instead, his head was sold for 30 pieces of silver. He was used, and not served. But the Son of Man came to minister, and not to be ministered unto. And there at the cross, he was alone - his disciples had fled from him. Even God in heaven seemed to have forsaken him. Why? So that he can provide us consolation and cheer in our service to him. He has purchased us, brought us into his family - that we’d never be alone. May we therefore, give cheer and consolation to others who serve.

1. God Cheered On His Ministry

A. He gave companions

B. He sent cash

2. God Clarified His Ministry

A. He concluded with the Jews

B. He continued with the Gentiles

3. God Confirmed His Ministry

A. He spoke

B. He encouraged

4. God Cleared His Ministry

A. He was accused

B. He was vindicated