Scripture - Acts 18:9-11 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 for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Observation - Paul was under a tremendous about of pressure in this city because he was preaching Christ and the Jews were not happy with this. The pressure was causing Paul to make decisions about where to go and what to do next. While he was getting some results he was still trying to find the real will of God. The Lord speaks to him and says Don't be afraid, Keep on speaking, do not be silent. Paul is there a year and a half preaching and teaching the word of God. Paul had the confidence to continue because God was with him.
Application - Fear is a tremendous hindrance to the move of God in modern day ministry. As I talk to more and more people - afraid to share their faith, afraid to testify, afraid to reach out, afraid to preach the gospel, afraid to be in front of people. But the Lord is telling us, "don't be afraid church, I am with you and will be with you" God wants His message to go forth in power and in passion. When we get passionate enough about the word: teaching, preaching, confessing, sharing, testifying - our city will be changed. Just after this encounter Paul began to reach the leaders of the region - Wow - let's go for those in political positions.
Father - help me to be ready to reach the people no one will reach. The ones at the top of societal lists. Father when you say "lend to the poor" - I believe you mean the poor in faith and spirit. God help me to be attractive to those that the world thinks has it all together.
Observation - Paul was under a tremendous about of pressure in this city because he was preaching Christ and the Jews were not happy with this. The pressure was causing Paul to make decisions about where to go and what to do next. While he was getting some results he was still trying to find the real will of God. The Lord speaks to him and says Don't be afraid, Keep on speaking, do not be silent. Paul is there a year and a half preaching and teaching the word of God. Paul had the confidence to continue because God was with him.
Application - Fear is a tremendous hindrance to the move of God in modern day ministry. As I talk to more and more people - afraid to share their faith, afraid to testify, afraid to reach out, afraid to preach the gospel, afraid to be in front of people. But the Lord is telling us, "don't be afraid church, I am with you and will be with you" God wants His message to go forth in power and in passion. When we get passionate enough about the word: teaching, preaching, confessing, sharing, testifying - our city will be changed. Just after this encounter Paul began to reach the leaders of the region - Wow - let's go for those in political positions.
Father - help me to be ready to reach the people no one will reach. The ones at the top of societal lists. Father when you say "lend to the poor" - I believe you mean the poor in faith and spirit. God help me to be attractive to those that the world thinks has it all together.
