Introductory:
The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool, which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”
If there is one thing that is constant it is that we all are subject to discouragement. There is no shortage of discouragements to hinder the work of God. The Bible is full of men of God who at times became discouraged. And you and I get discouraged from time to time.
There are three things that I think contributed to Paul’s discouragement in the ministry.
Firstly, The Large Strain of the Work. Paul comes to the largest and most wicked city in Greece. Sitting high above the city of Corinth was the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. In those days those that were wicked in sexual immorality were called Corinthians. There was so much work to be done and the largeness of the work is discouraging.
Secondly, The Little Success of the Work. Now we can say that it is required of us to be faithful and the success is up to God and that is true, but we all like to see growth and success in the work of the Lord. And while Paul saw some success he has been basically ran out of every place he has been. While he has seen some come to the Lord he still sees the masses of people rejecting the truth and that is discouraging.
Then finally, The Lonely Service of the Work. He has to do a lot of the work alone or with just one or two at his side. You would think more would get involved and more would be excited and more would re-prioritize their lives but alas much of the time when you travel God’s path it is a lonely path and that is discouraging.
But I am grateful that while the devil is active in discouraging us, God is at work to encourage us. While the devil is trying to drag us down, God is working to lift us up. While the devil aims at getting us to quit, God is working to encourage us to keep up the good fight. And here we are given “Three Encouragements to Keep Going.”
I. The Partnership Of Friends- verses 1-5a
One of the greatest God given encouragements are friends. It is always tougher if you have to bear it alone. Remember Silas and Timothy are still in Macedonia. So God knew that Paul needed someone to help him shoulder the burdens of the work. So what does God do? God stirs up a little trouble in Rome. God puts it on the heart of the Roman Emperor Claudius to expel all Jews from Rome. Given eviction papers Aqulia and his wife Priscilla come to Corinth. It seems that Aquila and Priscilla had a tent making business that they set up in Corinth. Paul just so happened to be a tentmaker and so he began to work with Aquila and Priscilla in their business. This gave him the funds for his support so that he could go into the synagogue every Sabbath and reason with the Jews and Greeks for Jesus Christ. What a blessing Aquila and Priscilla were to Paul. They became his best and closest friends.
Then God sent Silas and Timothy from Macedonia to Corinth to reunite with Paul. So God has not only blessed Paul with two new friends but brought back to him two familiar friends. And their return must have greatly encouraged Paul for the scriptures say that Paul was pressed in his spirit to testify to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
I think you ought to stand for what is right even if you have to stand-alone. But I want to add, it is a whole lot easier to stand for what is right against the pressure of opposition if there are those who will support, strengthen and stand with you. Thank God for friends who God puts in your path and in your life who will encourage you in the work of the Lord.
I thank God for those here at Lakeview who have not only been sheep but have been friends. I am grateful because you don’t know how many times I have been discouraged and a word here and there have encouraged me to keep going forward.
II. The Positive Results- verses 5b-8
In 1782 Charles Simeon was appointed pastor of Trinity Church in England. But the many in the congregation did not want Simeon they wanted Bro. Hammond to be their pastor. But the Bishop in charge insisted on Simeon as pastor of the church. The first thing the congregation did in rebellion was to refuse Simeon to be the afternoon lecturer. They assigned the afternoon lecture to Bro. Hammond. And when Bro. Hammond left five years later they gave it to another man for the next 7 years. Simeon tried to start a later service on Sunday evenings but the pew holders refused to come and locked their pew doors so that no one could sit in their personal pews. So he had to set up chairs in the isles and in the corners so that those who came could sit. This went on for 12 years.
The question is what was it that kept Charles Simeon going forward in the midst of this most discouraging situation? It was this. While many did not want him, some did. While many did not come, some did. While many were unaffected by his ministry, many were. While much was discouraging, he saw hope in the situation. Here is what he wrote:
“In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience. The passage of Scripture which subdued and controlled my mind was this, ’The servant of the Lord must not strive.’ It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when, without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.”
We can either dwell on the negative and be discouraged or we can encourage ourselves on the positive results. Look and see even though many don’t grow an inch, some have grown. Many visitors did not come back, but some did. Many lost people still remain lost, but some trusted in Jesus as their Savior. The church may remain basically the same but then again it may take off like wildfire. Don’t look at what God has not done but dwell on all that God has done.
III. The Promises Of God- verses 9-11
While it is true that friends encourage us and positive results encourage us the greatest encouragement of all is the Lord himself. The Lord speaks to Paul and tells him, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”
God says, “Speak, and hold not thy peace.” Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t let up, but speak. Then the promise, I am with thee. Aqulia and Priscilla may not be there. Silas and Timothy may not be there. There may be no earthy presence there at all but don’t be afraid to speak up for I am with you. Here is the promise of God’s presence. Oh what encouragement it is to have God on your side.
Another promise is made, no man shall set on thee to hurt thee, and there is divine protection. Not only will God be present but also he will be there to protect. And they tried. In verses 12-17 they try to come against Paul. But it all came to naught as the matter was dismissed.
There is a third promise here. Not just a promise of presence, and protection, but a promise of power. God says, “for I have much people in this city.” What did that mean? It meant simply that there were those who were lost who under the power of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of Paul would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. There were those who were to be saved by the power of God.
Friends are great encouragers and results are encouraging but when God comes to you and promises his presence, protection, and power, you have every reason to keep on going forward.
Close:
Some were clearing off the land to plant the trees a few weeks ago and they were burning some of the stumps and trees and brush. It got time to go and they begin to water down the fire. But I noticed that they could put water directly on the fire and the embers but the water would not put it out, it kept on burning. And I thought there was more there to keep it burning than there was to put it out. And thank God while there is much to discourage us and cause us to quit there is much more to encourage us and cause us to keep going forward.
Thank God for the Partnership of Friends who stand with you. Thank God for Positive Results that give you hope. And thank God for his promises of presence, protection and power that keep us moving forward for him.
