SEEING GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE ARE DISCOURAGED!
Acts 18:1-17 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 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 the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when the Jews 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 clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 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." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
INTRODUCTION: DISCOURAGEMENT IS DEFINED AS THE ACT OF BEING DISCOURAGED; GO FIGURE! TO BE DISCOURAGED MEANS TO DEPRIVE OF COURAGE, HOPE, OR CONFIDENCE; DISHEARTEN; DISPIRIT. TO DISSUADE, OBSTRUCT BY OPPOSITION OR DIFFICULTY; HINDER, EXPRESS OR MAKE CLEAR DISAPPROVAL OF. WOW, I GET DISCOURAGED JUST READING ABOUT WHAT DISCOURAGEMENT IS!
YET, WE ALL GET DISCOURAGED, AND WE HAVE MANY WAYS OF DEALING WITH OUR DISCOURAGEMENT. WE IGNORE IT, ALLOW IT TO SINK US INTO DEPRESSION, MEDICATE IT, RUN AWAY FROM IT, DEFLECT IT, USE OTHERS AS A SPRING BOARD AWAY FROM IT, OR EVEN RELIEVE IT THROUGH SUICIDE.
ALTHOUGH WE SEE THE WORD CRISIS USED WAY TO OFTEN, IN THIS INSTANCE I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SAY WE HAVE A CRISIS OF DISCOURAGEMENT IN OUR SURROUNDINGS AND IN OUR CHURCHES! DISCOURAGED PEOPLE MAKE DISCOURAGED CHURCHES, AND DISCOURAGED CHURCHES ARE INEFFECTIVE CHURCHES
DISCOURAGEMENT OFTEN STEMS FROM OUR SURROUNDINGS; OR MORE ACCURATELY OUR INTERPRETATION OF OUR SURROUNDINGS!
TRANSITION: THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THE LIFE OF PAUL AS HE ENTERS INTO THE TOWN OF CORINTH. HE COMES INTO THIS TOWN DISCOURAGED – AND SEEING HIS CIRCUMSTANCES, WHO COULD BLAME HIM. YET, WHAT PAUL DOES NOT INITIALLY SEE, AND WHAT GOD BRINGS TO HIS ATTENTION IS THAT THERE IS MUCH IN THIS CITY TO ENCOURAGE HIM
THE CITY OF CORINTH WAS A CITY OF THREE C’S!
CORINTH WAS A COSMOPOLITAN CITY – IT WAS A CITY OF MIXED RACES AND PEOPLES
CORINTH WAS A COMMERCIAL CITY – IT WAS AN EXCELLENT LOCATION FOR THE EXCHANGE OF GOODS
CORINTH WAS A CORRUPT CITY – “CORINTHIAN” WAS SYMBOLIC WITH “PERVERTED BEHAVIOR. TEMPLE FOR THE LOVE GODDESS, APHRODITE, AND FOR ONE TO BE CALLED A CORINTHIAN WHEN YOU WERE NOT A RESIDENT OF THE CITY WAS AN INSULT.
BY THE TIME PAUL GETS TO CORINTH HE HAS A LOT ON HIS MIND. HE IS DISCOURAGED
I. IDENTIFYING DISCOURAGEMENT
a. PAUL WAS DISCOURAGED BY A DIFFICULT PAST AND HISTORY
i. PAUL HAD ALREADY BEEN SEVERELY PERSECUTED
ii. PAUL HAD BEEN FLOGGED
iii. PAUL HAD BEEN STONED AND LEFT FOR DEAD
iv. PAUL HAD BEEN IMPRISONED
v. ANY ONE OF THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO DISCOURAGE EVEN THE BEST OF US, BUT PAUL HAD EXPERIENCED ALL OF THEM!
vi. IN ADDITION, PAUL HAD GIVEN HIS BEST EVANGELISTIC MESSAGE TO DATE IN ATHENS WHEN HE GAVE HIS ADDRESS AT MARS HILL
1. FEW CONVERTS
2. FIRST CITY WHERE HE LEFT WITHOUT HAVING ESTABLISHED A CHURCH
b. PAUL WAS DISCOURAGED BY FINANCIAL PRESSURE
i. WE NOTICE THAT HE FINDS AQUILA AND PRISCILLA.
ii. PAUL IS ABLE TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM – A WORKING RELATIONSHIP
iii. FOR THE FIRST TIME, PAUL HAD TO WORK TO MAINTAIN HIS FINANCES.
1. THIS MEANT THAT THE OFFERINGS HE HAD RECEIVED WERE GONE
2. THIS MEANT THAT HE COULD NOT DEVOTE HIMSELF FULLY TO THE GOSPEL
iv. EVEN TODAY, FINANCIAL ISSUES BRING DISCOURAGEMENT TO US
1. PRIME SOURCE OF MARITAL STRIFE
2. SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO DO OTHER THINGS TO ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
3. IMPACT ON OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
a. BLAME GOD
b. IGNORE RESPONSIBILITIES
c. PAUL WAS DISCOURAGED BECAUSE OF CONFLICT
i. THE WORD OPPOSED MEANS TO HAVE AN ORGANIZED RESISTANCE
ii. BECAME ABUSIVE MEANS TO BLASPHEME OR TO BE VERBALLY ABUSIVE
iii. SO, PAUL WAS EXPOSED TO ORGANIZED AND VOCAL RESISTANCE AGAINST WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO!
IN TOUCH MAGAZINE INCLUDES THIS SHORT NOTE REGARDING DISCOURAGEMENT:
Discouragement is one of Satan’s most effective weapons; he knows that if he can destroy our courage, we’ll be ineffective in accomplishing anything for Christ. Let’s explore the downward spiral that is created by this destructive force.
One mark of discouragement is a divided mind. This underlying distraction affects every area and decision. No matter what you’re doing, it feels as if a dark cloud covers your entire thought life.
Discouragement also leads to the “blame game,” where we feel a deep inner need to point a finger at someone else. You may want to find fault with God because He has allowed painful circumstances in your life, or you may accuse others because of the way they treat you. Perhaps you yourself feel guilty for poor choices or past mistakes. My friend, blame is an empty activity. No healing or restoration ever came from trying to pin responsibility on someone else for the hardships in your life.
Anger is another common indication that one is discouraged. When this occurs, bitterness may develop into a spirit of vengeance and finally retaliation. If you let anger grow and fester without resolution, it easily mutates into depression. In this, resentment acts like a cancer that slowly spreads and destroys your entire life.
The traits described above aren’t what one would expect of a Christ-follower, are they? However, they are all too evident in the church. Ask the Father to search your heart for any trace of these destructive seeds, and to short-circuit the work of discouragement in your life.
II. EMBRACING ENCOURAGEMENT
a. PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE RETURN OF SILAS AND TIMOTHY
i. PAUL HAD TO LEAVE THESE FRIENDS AND LEADERS IN THE CHURCHES HE HAD BE SUCCESSFUL IN STARTING IN OTHER CITIES
ii. SOMETIMES WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ADDITIONAL BURDEN WE PUT ON OURSELVES WHEN WE TRY TO GO IT ALONE.
1. WE OPEN OURSELVES UP TO UNPROTECTED OPPRESSION FROM THE DEVIL, AS THERE IS NO ONE ELSE AROUND TO ENCOURAGE US.
2. THE RETURN OF TIMOTHY AND SILAS ADDED NEEDED ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE SENSE THAT THE TEAM WAS BACK TOGETHER!
iii. THE WORK OF CHRIST IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A TEAM EFFORT!
b. PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED BY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
i. PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED IN THAT HIS FRIENDS BROUGHT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
2 Corinthians 11:9 (NIV)
9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
1. THIS WOULD ALLOW PAUL TO FOCUS ON HIS CALLING, AND NOT ON HIS OCCUPATION
2. DOING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS A GREAT POSITIVE ON OUR LIVES.
3. ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO ASK GOD FOR IS A JOY IN SERVING HIM SO THAT WE SERVE OUT OF GRATITUDE AND LOVE AND NOT OBLIGATION.
c. PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED BY FRUIT FOR HIS LABOR
i. PAUL MOVED BEYOND HIS CONFLICT – REMOVED HIMSELF FROM THOSE WHO OPPOSED HIM AND WOULD NOT LISTEM
1. SHOOK OFF HIS CLOTHES – BREAKING OF A CONNECTION
2. BLOOD ON YOUR OWN HEADS – YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE – THIS IS SO TRUE IN OUR CHURCHES TODAY
a. WE KNOW WHAT TO DO
b. WE DO NOT DO WHAT WE KNOW WE ARE TO DO
c. WE ARE CONTENT TO LEARN WHAT TO DO AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DOING WHAT WE KNOW TO DO!
3. I AM CLEAN – PAUL HAD DONE HIS PART
d. PAUL WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE VOICE OF GOD
i. PAUL HAD A VISION WHERE GOD SPOKE TO HIM
ii. GOD SPOKE TO PAUL
1. DO NOT BE AFRAID
a. DO NOT RUN AWAY
b. DO NOT GET ANXIOUS
c. MAYBE THIS IS WHY PAUL WOULD LATER WRITE THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE ANXIOUS FOR ANYTHING, AFTER ALL, HE GOT IT FROM GOD HIMSELF!
2. KEEP ON SPEAKING
a. IN OTHER WORDS INFORM THE PEOPLE ABOUT WHO JESUS IS!
b. IT IS EASY FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE TO WATER DOWN THE GOSPEL.
c. A WATERED DOWN GOSPEL IS A SPIRITUAL DEATH SENTENCE.
d. JUST THINK FOR A MOMENT, IF GOD WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR THE MESSAGE, WHY WOULD HE BE CONTENT WITH US JUST GIVING OUT A DILUTED FORM OF THE MESSAGE?
3. NO ONE IS GOING TO HARM YOU
a. NO ONE IS GOING TO MAKE EVIL EFFECTIVE TOWARDS YOU.
b. AND DON’T WE KNOW IT TODAY THAT THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE WORD OF GOD WILL NOT RETURN VOID, BUT WILL DO WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO!?
4. I HAVE MANY PEOPLE,…
a. GOD GAVE PAUL A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
b. HE HAD MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY YET TO COME TO HIM
c. THEY WERE NOT THERE YET, BUT WOULD COME TO KNOW CHRIST
d. GOD HAS ALREADY GIVEN US A PICTURE OF THE FUTURE
i. GOD WINS
ii. OUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN
III. THE RESULT OF ACCEPTING GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT
a. PAUL WOULD REMAIN IN THE CITY FOR A YEAR AND A HALF
b. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE IN THE PLACE WE ARE BECAUSE GOD HAS PUT US HERE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
i. JUST AS THERE WAS WORK FOR PAUL TO DO IN CORINTH, THERE IS WORK FOR US TO DO IN PEMBERTON
ii. PAUL WOULD STAY AND DO WHAT HE WAS TO DO TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY AND WE ARE TO DO THE SAME!
c. THE RESULT OF STAYING A YEAR AND A HALF
i. CHANGE IN THE ACTIVITY OF PAUL
ii. HE PUT DOWN SPIRITUAL ROOTS
iii. HE STAYED LONG ENOUGH TO TEACH BELIEVERS IN DEPTH
iv. HE GROUNDED BELIEVERS IN THE WORD OF GOD
v. THIS WOULD THEN BE THE PATTERN FOR THE MINISTRY OF PAUL FROM THIS TIME ON – FOCUSING ON THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THOSE WHO CAME TO KNOW CHRIST
NOW FOR US TODAY, WE HAVE A SIMILAR RESPONSIBILITY:
WE NEED TO BE IN FOR THE LONG HALL
WE NEED TO SEE THAT GOD IS IN THE ENCOURAGEMENT BUSINESS, WE NEED TO SEE HIS ENCOURAGEMENT
HOW ABOUT 7 DECISIONS FOR CHRIST IN BIBLE CAMP THIS WEEK!
WE NEED TO BE WILING TO GROUND OTHERS IN THE WORD OF GOD, AS WE ARE ALSO GROUNDED IN GOD’S WORD!
