I have many in this city who are my people

Where do you go in times of discouragement, desperation or spiritual dryness? There are many things that the world would tell us will help us with those things, all of which lead us to deeper despondency and distance us from the only one who can really satisfy. Maybe you’re feeling that discouragement and despair these days, maybe you’re in that place, struggling to find your way through.

There’s every indication that this is exactly where the Apostle Paul was as he made his way to Corinth. This second missionary journey that he had been on was rife with challenges; he had been imprisoned in Philippi, chased out of Thessalonica and Berea and mocked in Athens. Despite the way the Lord had been working, he was feeling the effects of the challenge of gospel ministry. As we turn our attention to Acts 18:1-17 this Sunday, we’ll see the Lord encourage Paul in a profound way through all the ups and downs of his time there. We’ll consider how we’re seeing God work in our own lives and the way that should encourage and motivate us to mission, just like it did for Paul. As John Calvin put it many years ago, “No one will calmly and quietly submit to bear the cross except those who have learned to seek their happiness beyond this world.”

Series: The Book of Acts
Jordan Coros
Message 49 – I have many in this city who are my people
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Acts 18:1-17
May 19, 2024

1 Corinthians 2:3

As I work for the kingdom, am I seeing God work in…

1. …the people? (v. 1-5a)

Romans 16:3–4

Ministry Partners

2. …the challenges? (v. 5b-6)

Mark 16:15

Matthew 5:11

3. …the successes? (v. 7-8)

Take myself as an example. I opposed indulgences and all the papists, but never with force. I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing.
And while I slept, or drank Wittenberg beer with my friends Philipp and Amsdorf, the Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.
Martin Luther

4. …the promises? (v. 9-11)

1 John 4:18

Romans 8:28

5. …the unexpected? (v. 12-17)

To be cast down is often the best thing for us…It is an unspeakable consolation that our Lord Jesus knows this experience.
Charles Spurgeon