I Have Many People In This City

I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY

Acts 18:9-10

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. At times people don’t mind taking credit for what someone else is does, especially if it makes them look good.

2. James Avery told about how his wife, a third-grade teacher, noticed that one of her students was wearing a Fitbit watch. She was a little amazed that such a young child would have such complex technology to track her fitness.

3. Mrs. Avery asked the girl, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.” [Reader’s Digest] Slick!

B. TEXT

“9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

C. THESIS & TITLE

1. It’s easy to ignore Jesus’ command to witness because society is so different today than it was back then. However, people really never change and nor does the need for them to be saved.

2. Tonight we’re looking at a very provoking command to witness and we’ll hear 3 great encouragements given to Paul (and us) to give us the courage to speak up for Jesus.

3. The title of this message is, “I Have Many People In This City!”

I. TIME OF GOD’S COMMUNICATION TO PAUL

A. DURING THE NIGHT TIME

We begin by seeing that God brought this message to the Apostle Paul during the night. God has often come to people in dreams and visions at night:

1. DREAMS OF WARNING

a. Abimelech -- Genesis 20:3, 6; about Sarah

b. Laban -- Genesis 31:10-11, 24; “ Jacob

c. Magi -- Matthew 2:12; Don’t go back to Herod

d. Joseph -- Matthew 2:22-23; beware Archelaus

e. Pontius Pilate’s Wife -- Matthew 27:19

2. DREAMS OF FORETELLING FUTURE

a. Joseph -- Genesis 37:5-10 (2x); stars, wheat bow

b. Cupbearer & Baker -- Genesis 40:9-19

c. Pharaoh -- Genesis 41:1-7 (2x); 2 7 yr. periods

d. Midianite shown destruction by Gideon -- Judges 7:13;

e. Nebuchadnezzar -- Daniel 2:3 (statue);

f. Nebuchadnezzar -- Daniel 4:5 (tree cut down);

g. Dream of the four beasts -- Daniel 7:1-all.

3. DREAMS OF PROMISE

a. Solomon – 1 Kings 3:5;

b. Joseph -- Matthew 1:20; Take Mary as wife

c. Joseph -- Matthew 2:19-20; “Go to Israel.”

d. Jacob – Gen. 28:12, ladder; 31:10 breeding.

4. VISIONS AT NIGHT

a. Abraham was told to view the stars, Gen. 15:5.

b. Jacob told not to be afraid to go to Egypt, Gen. 46:2.

c. Daniel had 2 visions at night, (2:19; 7:2-13).

d. Zechariah’s vision of the man among the myrtles (1:8).

e. Paul had 2 visions at night; this one & the man calling to him from Macedonia (16:9).

B. WHY GOD SENDS DREAMS/VISIONS AT NIGHT

1. Sometimes God can’t get through to us because of the multitude of our thoughts and our busy lives. We’re completely focused on the natural course of things, so God finds it difficult to get our undivided attention.

2. That’s why the Lord Jesus came to Paul at night in a vision, when Paul put aside the cares of the day and was communing with his own heart upon his bed. God will begin to speak to us when we’re restful and quiet. If you want to hear from God, you need to get still, quiet your heart and mind, and wait on Him. Samuel began hearing the Lord call his name when he was laying down to sleep.

3. I love how the Psalmist said we should wait upon the Lord, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us” Ps. 123:2 KJV. We need to get in a posture of silent waiting; then God knows we’re ready to hear!

II. DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK OF JESUS

Next God says, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent.”

A. EVEN THE BOLDEST ARE SOMETIMES AFRAID

1. Even Samson became afraid, Moses was afraid, David was often afraid, and even Elijah the prophet of fire was afraid of Jezebel and fled for his life.

2. When we first come to Christ, our newfound zeal overcomes our natural timidity, to compel us to speak up for Jesus. But after a while that fervor wanes and our fear of rejection causes us to keep silent.

3. But have we been released from the Great Commission? No! Are people around us still perishing in sin? Yes! Must we press ahead to share the good news of Jesus with others? Absolutely!