Sermon Central
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I Have Much People In This City Series
Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 15, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: To establish that God's presence is significant in every city - and He uses us to call them unto salvation. We are reminded not to trust in our skills in preaching - but in the power of the gospel of Christ to save. We are charged to plant the seed and allow God to raise the plant.
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INTRODUCTION
Outline:
1. Paul’s Troubled Entrance
2. Paul’s Trusted Exhortation
3. Paul’s Triumphant Exit
Introductory Remarks.
1. In our lesson today, we will be discussing God’s significant work in a city that was wholly given to idolatry and sexual immorality. Paul arrives in the city of Corinth and is taken away (troubled) by what he witnessed. Corinth was a thriving city with grand commerce. It is similar to the many cities in the State of California (i.e., San Francisco, Los Angeles). Some have called the Books of Corinthians First and Second Californians. The city of Corinth was called “the eyes of Greece.” Nearly 150 years before Christ, it was destroyed by the Roman Army. Julius Caesar later rebuilt it, and it became the metropolis of Achaia. It was, therefore, an important commercial center. In such a center of activity, the apostle Paul planted the gospel seed and established a great congregation of God.
2. First, we will discuss Paul’s troubled entrance into Corinth. After leaving the city of Athens, he traveled 50 miles to the city of Corinth. While entering the city, his spirit was tremendously distressed. He found no fruit in the city of Athens. After preaching so boldly on Mars’ Hill, only a handful of men and women followed him after mentioning the resurrection of Christ in his stirring address. He was pressed in his spirit and determined to go to Corinth after a perceived failure in his work in Athens. After entering the city, he became even more despondent. The apostle experienced a troubled entrance into the city.
3. Secondly, let us notice Paul’s trusted exhortation in Corinth. Luke wrote: “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,” Acts 18:9-10. This text points out that God is working in the life of his servants. This comforting message from the Lord enabled the apostle to begin his work in the city of Corinth confidently. We should remember that: “God calls things that are not; as if they are” because He is in charge of all things, Romans 4:17. The apostle would experience tremendous success due to the Lord’s visit and words of encouragement. During our hour of doubt, despair, and discouragement, the Lord provides the same exhortation unto us, even now. I am with thee; I will never forsake thee; should be the words we reflect on when our spirits are troubled, Hebrews 13:5.
4. Lastly, we will pay attention to Paul’s triumphant exit from the city of Corinth. Paul labored in the city of Corinth for one and a half years (18 months). Through his preaching of the gospel of Christ and the life and conduct of the saints, these would be seen in sharp contrast to the sinful lives of those living in this pagan city, filled with all its immoralities. During his time there, he would write two letters to the Thessalonians. He left the city after establishing the church at Corinth amidst great strife and hatred of the Jewish leaders. He would now turn to the Gentiles, that God: “Would visit them (the Gentiles), to take out of them a people for His name,” Acts 15:14; Romans 10:19-21. Luke wrote: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with his entire house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized,” Acts 18:8. With this introduction, let’s notice our first point: Paul's troubled entrance into the city.
BODY OF LESSON
I PAUL’S TROUBLED ENTRANCE
A. Paul's entrance into the city. He entered this city with a troubled spirit because of his seeming failure in preaching in Macedonia and Athens. We need some background to understand why Paul had a troubled entrance into the city of Corinth! How do you know this? Observe.
1. Beaten, imprisoned in Philippi, he and Silas for interrupting the sales of “soothsaying of a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying,” Acts 16:16-24. For this act of compassion,
a. “Paul and Silas were brought before the magistrates, who rent off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten.”
b. “And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”
2. The song of praise unto God: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”
ILLUSTRATION: The conversion of the Jailer, Acts 16:25-34.
3. Release and departure from Philippi: “And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed,” Acts 16:40.
