Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Notes: Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Valor Week 17

Acts 18

March 3, 2014

Pastor John Collins

A brainteaser:

4

9x6

36

3+6

9

-5

4

D

Denmark

Elephant

We were all doing a brainteaser that most people end up with the results Denmark and Elephant.

With using this trick we almost all came up with the same country and animal. The person asking the questions leads us to the same answer.

Many people can start out in different places and end up in the same place or even start to follow Jesus Christ.

Acts 18 shows how God works through different people at all times and can lead us all to the same results.

Acts 18:1 NKJV

[1] After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

Paul had found a city in Athens that was following idols. There was indifference towards him.

Paul's pattern seems to be going into a city, preaching, finding many followers, facing opposition and then getting chased out of town.

Corinth was an immoral city, like a Las Vegas on steroids.

Romans 1:24-32 NKJV

[24] Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, [25] who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. [26] For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. [27] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, [30] backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; [32] who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Who could blame Paul for being a little down while he was in Corinth.

Paul was still committed to the message God had given him.

Acts 18:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

Jesus Christ knew Paul was tired, but He gave him encouragement.

So Paul stayed on.

Acts 18:11 NKJV

[11] And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Acts 18:2-4 NKJV

[2] And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. [3] So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. [4] And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

God was moving all of these different people around like pawns on a chess board, bringing them together and working together.

Spiritual gifts deployed in the service of the church. These people were there just in time for Paul.

Acts 18:5-6 NKJV

[5] When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. [6] But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

God moved Silas and Timothy into the picture.

Philippians 4:14-15 NKJV

[14] Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. [15] Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

Paul found success and opposition in Corinth. He decided to focus on the Gentiles.

God moves people and puts it on their hearts to work together to help build his church.

Acts 18:6-7 NKJV

[6] But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." [7] And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

God moved Justus into the picture. Right next to the synagogue.

Acts 18:8 NKJV

[8] Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Crispus is now helping Paul.

All these pieces are lining up, and as a result many believe and are becoming baptized.

God can move on believers and non believers for His glory.

Acts 18:12-17 NKJV

[12] When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, [13] saying, "This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." [14] And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. [15] But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters." [16] And he drove them from the judgment seat. [17] Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

This is all part of Gods protection for Paul.

"The bravest sight to see is to see a strong man overcome adversity with his fellow man."

All of these things were done to fulfill Gods promise to Paul.

Acts 18:9-10 NKJV

[9] Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

Proverbs 21:1 NKJV

[1] The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

God has control over all situations.

Aquila and Priscilla were placed just where they needed to be.

Acts 18:24-28 NKJV

[24] Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. [26] So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. [27] And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; [28] for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Paul was moved on and then Apollos was placed there. Taken in and trained, in order that he might fulfill his evangelistic gift.

Stop trying to follow Gods will and just follow Him!!!!

Give yourself to the Lord and He will direct your steps.

One day you will look around and see that all things come together.