I Am With You (Acts 18:1-23)

What's your first response when difficult situations arise in life? Maybe some of you have not yet faced much difficulty in your lives. Do you feel ready for those situations? When something terrible happens, it's easy to feel completely alone, like no one around us understands what we are going through. Anxieties, fears, and a storm of emotions bubble up inside us, causing us to lose all sense of direction. We can't even think clearly. We wonder, "How will we get out of this?"

How great would it be to have someone to share the experience with? We want someone who can help us and won't abandon us. The truth is that God is right there with us the whole time. We are so distracted with figuring out what will happen next and what we can do to improve things that we forget God's presence. Today we will explore the promise that Jesus gives us to be with us amid our struggles.

Paul's Struggles

We have seen Paul in many dangerous situations throughout the Book of Acts. He has been arrested, men have plotted to kill him, and, on one occasion, he was nearly stoned to death! These are the extremes of his struggles described to us by Luke, but I imagine there were much more mundane struggles and frustrations as well. Can you imagine traveling in those days? Most of it was done on foot, but occasionally you had to catch a ride on a merchant ship. Think of the dangers involved in walking along some unknown road, entering a new town and finding some stranger to stay with, and boarding a ship with sailors of questionable moral integrity.

We are currently at a point where Paul is traveling ahead of his companions. He leaves them behind to teach new Christians because the Jews are constantly making plots to kill him. Let's pick up in Chapter 18, verse 1.

Acts 18:1--3 (ESV) --- 1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.‌

When he comes into Corinth, he might as well be coming into Las Vegas or San Francisco. This town is wild and full of immorality. I imagine it would be challenging to come to this town alone. But he finds a fellow Jew named Aquila and his wife, Priscilla. They are travelers like Paul, and they work as tent builders. What a comfort it would have been to find someone so similar. These Jews immediately understood the gospel and believed it, adding another similarity. Sometimes, God provides us with brothers and sisters in Christ that give us great comfort and encouragement right when needed.

Acts 18:4--8 (ESV) --- 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Once again, Paul finds resistance among the Jews, so he turns to the Gentiles. I would think that would get old. But it turns out that the ruler of the synagogue believed and turned to the Lord along with a man whose house was right next to the synagogue. Also, many Corinthians, probably Gentiles, believed and were baptized. So Paul was having a great success among the Gentiles in Corinth, a place full of immorality. Isn't that interesting? Often we would discount a place like Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. But Paul went there and had great success.

God Speaks To Paul (9-11)

At this point, God comes to Paul and speaks to him words of tremendous comfort. These are the words I want us to focus on for today.

Acts 18:9--11 (ESV) --- 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.‌

God comes to Paul and encourages him to keep speaking in this city. God has many in this city who are his people. These people haven't heard the gospel, but God knows their heart is ready to hear it. Isn't that amazing?

Furthermore, God tells him, "I am with you." Think long and hard about these words. "I am with you." What does this mean for Paul? If God is with him, what must he be afraid of? It reminds me of Paul's words in Romans 8.

Romans 8:31--39 (ESV) --- 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died---more than that, who was raised---who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

‌If God is with us, no one and nothing can stop us. God just told Paul that he didn't need to live in fear of the Jews plotting to kill him in this city. He didn't need to worry about Gentiles becoming disgruntled as he proclaimed Jesus their judge. He could speak the truth freely and openly without fear or anxiety. "I am with you" is the most beautiful promise that God could give anyone. We see that Paul lets that message motivate him to stay put. Before, he would keep moving to prevent the enemies from assassinating him. Now, he stays with the church in Corinth and continues adding to the church that meets there.

God Fulfills His Promise (12-17)

It is interesting that God promises no one will attack Paul, but when we get to verse 12, we see the Jews trying to attack him. They do the very thing that every other Jewish group has done. But notice what happens.

Acts 18:12--17 (ESV) --- 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

‌Here we see the Jews attempting to attack Paul. They bring him before Gallio, the governor of that whole region, to accuse him of breaking their law. But after they describe their grievance, before Paul can utter a word to defend himself, Gallio refuses to take the case. He drives them out of his court and shames the new ruler of the synagogue. This leads the Jews to beat him for bringing them shame.

They sought to punish and hurt Paul for preaching the truth, but they were punished. Why? Is it because the governor just decided to shame them out of nowhere? No! God said he would be there for Paul, and he delivered. Paul has nothing to fear.

Paul Returns to Antioch (18-23)

The second missionary journey ends with Paul spending a year and a half with the Corinthians before returning to Antioch. He goes back to encourage the brethren, who send him out again. He wants them to know how God has been with him and helped him succeed.

What's The Meaning?

When we read this text, we learn that Paul was in many dangerous situations where people hoped to kill him. He ended up in these situations because he spoke the truth, even when it made men angry with him. He wants everyone to receive eternal life and blessings from God so badly that he will risk his life for them to hear.

Perhaps Paul was feeling anxiety and fear creep in as he was teaching. Based on past experience, he knew this would end with these Jews threatening and plotting to kill him. How excellent that God would speak to him words of reassurance and hope, saying, "I am with you." We also learn that God was with him in those dangerous situations.

Application

So, what will you do when you have difficult situations in your life? Maybe your job is in jeopardy, people around you are acting foolish, or someone is just giving you strange looks. Will we cower in fear or dread? Are you ready to face what lies ahead? God calls all of us to follow in Christ's footsteps.

1 Peter 2:19--25 (ESV) --- 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

‌Peter tells us that being mindful of God and enduring unjust suffering will be seen as gracious in God's sight. We will be doing the exact thing we are called to do. It's not that we become proud and arrogant of our unique knowledge. As we have studied in our Making Disciples class, we are simply called to spread the seed, but in doing so, some people might respond with an argument. We cannot backpedal! Stand your ground and engage!

But How Can We Engage?

Do you understand that God is with you too? He may not speak to you in a vision, and you may never "feel his presence." But God is always with and for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 6:19--20 (ESV) --- 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

He calls us his children.

Romans 8:14--17 (ESV) --- 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs---heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

God makes it clear that all living to do what he desires are sons and daughters. We have an intimate relationship with him. There is no need to fear in any of life's situations. We can call out to our Father, who will hear our cry.

Walking By Faith

In times of distress, we may feel like God is not present. We may fear looking like a fool in the presence of our peers as we rely on them. But we have nothing to fear if God is faithful to his promises. We can know that he is with us and always hears us.

Next time you are in a difficult situation, maybe your job is in jeopardy, your kids are hurt, your anger has caused you to act foolishly, or your bad financial decisions are catching up with you, remember to close your eyes and imagine Jesus standing right beside you, holding your hand. Allow yourself to feel his presence and comfort in that moment. I know it sounds corny, but it's true. If we commit, we will begin to experience the profound, heart-piercing reality of God's love and peace.

That is genuinely something worth thinking about and dwelling on. If you are the type of person who tries to control the uncontrollable, remember that you can't, but he can. Also, know that whatever the outcome, he can work everything for your good as long as you love him. Like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abed Nego, say, "Our God is able to save us, but if he doesn't know that we will not bow down to your idol." Believe that he is good and always with you because you are a part of him if you are in Christ.

Conclusion

This is Paul's lesson for you and me today. We must remember that God's promise and presence are for those in Christ's body. Have you decided to join yourself with the people of God? Jesus has died so that you can be transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. We invite you to come and be transformed by God's love today.