Acts 18
We'll find out about 4 different people.
First the tentmaker.
All Jewish rabbis had a trade because they did not charge their pupils for their lessons.
Paul worked hard to support himself and his associates in their ministry.
He also worked so that the unsaved could accuse him of preaching the gospel just to make money.
What sacrifices do we make today to further the gospel?
We'll read about the watchman.
The image is from the Book of Ezekiel.
As a faithful watchman, Paul warned the sinners of the wrath to come.
So his hands were free from their blood.
And we'll read about the evangelist.
Paul moved next door to the synagogue and kept witnessing.
He was not one to run away from either the battlefield or the harvest field.
The Lord promised, “I am with you.”
A promise He gave to many people and still gives us today.
And we'll read about the builder.
Paul did not just win souls.
He also built a local church by teaching the converts the Word of God.
In fact, he followed the Commission of Matthew.
After reporting to his home base in Antioch, Paul revisited some churches to build them up in their faith.
We'll read about Aquila and Priscilla, husband and wife.
They appeared several times in apostolic history.
And they were very important workers in the early church.
They were always mentioned together because they were a team.
Being Jews, they were expelled from Rome.
As a result, they met Paul in Corinth and opened their home to him.
Paul left them in Ephesus where they helped Apollos better understand the gospel.
They returned to Rome where they had a church in their home.
Now we don't know how they risked their lives for Paul, but their actions shows how much they loved him.
They were with Paul in Ephesus when he wrote 1 Corinthians, so perhaps it had something to do with the riot described in Acts chapter 19.
You know, in his last epistle, Paul sent loving greetings to them.
So he held them, Aquila and Priscilla, in very high esteem.
Every pastor is grateful to God for couples like Priscilla and Aquila, whose hearts, hands and homes are given completely to the Lord.
Acts 19
The Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Now we may ask when does this happen?
It happens when we confirm our faith.
See, when you believe in Jesus Christ, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Many people think they are converted but do not have the Spirit's witness within.
Paul could not build a church on men without an adequate spiritual experience.
And you know what? - Neither can we today.
We must be honest with God.
It happens when we confess our sins.
That's what happens when the Word of the Lord grows mightily and prevails, when we confess our sins.
The devil is a great imitator, a great counterfeiter - but in this case his attempt was a humiliating failure.
The Lord used it for good because the believers became convicted of their secret sins and confessed them.
Then the Spirit could work in mighty power and the Word increased.
And when we confront the enemy, Paul did not openly attack their idolatry by picketing the Temple of Diana or petitioning the city government.
No, he simply shared the Word and lives were changed.
Of course the real issue was money, not religion.
Paul was wise not to go into the theater although we admired him for his courage.
But the riot only called attention to the gospel, and gave the believers more opportunities to witness.
Circumstances that looked like obstacles are really opportunities when you let God work.
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