Scripture – 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 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 Messiah. 6 But when they 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 innocent of it. 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 leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul 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 in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 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 them, “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 drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

ANALYSIS: Staying Determined Through Discouragement
We’re continuing to move throughout the book of Acts, and specifically the journey that Paul is on as God is building the church and as they are sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And now we are in Acts chapter 18, picking up where we left off after Paul has been ministering and debating with the philosophers in Athens.
And Here in 18 his missionary journey takes him to a place called Corinth. So, as we have been going through the book of Acts and more recently the journey that Paul is on as he goes from city to city and town to town, you may begin to see a patten. But, as Paul is walking in obedience unto the Lord, as he is sharing the Gospel, there is a constant theme of some receiving the Gospel of Jesus and Some who just don’t. For those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they'er lives are changed. They're grateful, blessed, and encouraged. They participate in the work of the Lord and the fellowship with one another and have a desire to continue to grow in their knowledge, understanding, and relationship with Jesus. But for those who do not receive Jesus, they usually begin to act hostile to Paul and the church. They sometimes ridicule them, persecute them, beat them. And not only that, but they put in a lot of effort to stop the mission that Paul and the team are on.
Something incredible about this missionary journey that they are on, is the ability that Paul, Silas and Timothy have to take things in stride. You know, they’re resilient, they’re driven, they’re focused. You don’t see them complain, or whine. You see them trust in the Lord and lean upon Him, and you see the will of the Lord come to fruition.
But it’s here in chapter 18 really, when we get a little break in character, we get a little sense of frustration. In Acts Chapter 18:6 it says 6 But when they 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 innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
I read this and it doesn’t exactly sound like the Paul were used to does it? So today I just want to bring some encouragement to you. In regards to our calling and our assignment and to be contagious, what can we stand on when we feel like we can’t stand any longer. Your assignment may specifically deal with your family, as a mom or a father, or it may include children or youth who are struggling or have made tough decisions. It could include your peers or your friends that God is surrounding you with, or your co-workers, bosses or employees God has placed in your hands. It could be the calling that God has placed in your life to disciple, or feed, or house, or preach, whatever it may be. Today, I want to remind you that God is with us, and here are some things we can hold on to so that we can continue to move forward and continue to be contagious, especially, when we don’t feel like we have it. I’m talking about staying determined through discouragement. Everybody say “Staying Determined, through, Discouragement.

APPLICATION:

Main Points 1
1. God has Chosen You.
John 15:16 tells us. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.


2. God Sees You.
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.”


3. God Will provide for you.
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, (Were talking about in His defense to the opposition). Gallio said to them, “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 drove them off.


Main Points 2

1. Give our Concerns and frustrations to God.
6 But when they 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 innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”


2. Stay disciplined. Stay consistent.
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.
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.


3. Be obedient to his word in this season.
11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.



· What we see isn’t always what's happening.