Paul's Odyssey II #11 - Corinth
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on Sunday, September 22nd, following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Wood Cutting on the Church Property, September 21st and 28th, 9:00 am to Noon or whatever time you can lend.
Bring a chain saw if you have one and work gloves to help take care of some downed trees in the woods.
If you are in need of wood or have any questions, contact Ryan Hickey ([email protected]).
Bring a chain saw if you have one and work gloves to help take care of some downed trees in the woods.
If you are in need of wood or have any questions, contact Ryan Hickey ([email protected]).
Grace Church is accepting sealed bids (minimum $2,500) for a mower the church is no longer using.
2004 Simplicity Stallion ZT2561
25 HP
61" Cut
See Ryan Hickey for details ([email protected]).
Bid should be submitted to the church office no later than Noon on September 19th. Please include your name and bid amount on the inside of the sealed envelope with "Mower" written on the outside.
2004 Simplicity Stallion ZT2561
25 HP
61" Cut
See Ryan Hickey for details ([email protected]).
Bid should be submitted to the church office no later than Noon on September 19th. Please include your name and bid amount on the inside of the sealed envelope with "Mower" written on the outside.
Saturday, September 14th - Sully Braden, Asher Allerding, Ryan & Tracy Hickey, Carl & Cassidy Bolinger
Monday, September 16th - Cadence Dykhouse
Tuesday, September 17th - Madysen Kuestner
Thursday, September 19th - Evie Roscoe, Sonya Schilz
Monday, September 16th - Cadence Dykhouse
Tuesday, September 17th - Madysen Kuestner
Thursday, September 19th - Evie Roscoe, Sonya Schilz
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
The last couple of weeks we've looked at Paul's arrival and ministry in the city of Athens, Greece. Along the way, Paul has left team members in cities where key churches have been started. Christ's command was to "make disciples" which required committed individuals to invest time and energy into the growing Christians and young churches.
Have you ever traveled somewhere, and upon arrival, felt like, "Where am I?" or "What am I doing here?"
Have you ever been somewhere where you were out of your element...socially, culturally, or spiritually?
That is the situation where Paul found himself in Acts 18:1.
Have you ever been somewhere where you were out of your element...socially, culturally, or spiritually?
That is the situation where Paul found himself in Acts 18:1.
Acts 18:1
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1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
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The distance was only about 50 miles; physically close but horrendously different in every way imaginable.
It would be like us stepping off the bus into the streets of L.A. or Houston.
From the philosophy of Athens straight into the carnality of Corinth.
It would be like us stepping off the bus into the streets of L.A. or Houston.
From the philosophy of Athens straight into the carnality of Corinth.
Corinth was a city of several hundred people and world renown as a center for land and sea commerce and for hosting the Isthmian Games. It sat in between a north/south land trade route, and an west/east sea route...it was a major commercial city. And like most big & wealthy cities, opportunities for entertainment, trade, culture, and sensual pleasures existed everywhere.
Dominating the skyline was the nearly 1,800 foot-high Acropolis and within it was the temple to Aphrodite (goddess of sensual pleasure). There were 1,000 priestesses who were sacred prostitutes and every evening they came down to the city below to "help people worship their goddess."
Dominating the skyline was the nearly 1,800 foot-high Acropolis and within it was the temple to Aphrodite (goddess of sensual pleasure). There were 1,000 priestesses who were sacred prostitutes and every evening they came down to the city below to "help people worship their goddess."
Later when Paul was in Rome, he wrote to the Corinthian church and described the state of his thinking and emotions when he first arrived in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 2:3
Corinth was a low point in Paul's life physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually.
He had endured a lot of mistreatment and misunderstanding. He was alone, but more than that, he felt alone and suffered from loneliness. Can you relate?
1 Corinthians 2:3
Corinth was a low point in Paul's life physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually.
He had endured a lot of mistreatment and misunderstanding. He was alone, but more than that, he felt alone and suffered from loneliness. Can you relate?
1 Corinthians 2:3
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3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
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Then we come to Acts 18:2-3.
God's timing is always good. The Lord brought into Paul's life people who would become incredible supporters of him and his ministry.
God plans way ahead for our life and ministry. Some things to note:
1) Aquila is the husband and Priscilla is his wife – this tells us about their relationship.
2) Aquila is from NE Turkey; nothing is said about Priscilla's place of origin.
3) The Roman emperor [Claudius 41-54 A.D.] chased the Jews out of Rome, added Britain to the Roman Empire and was the stepfather of Nero.
4) There is no indication that Aquila & Priscilla were believers when they arrived in Corinth (in fact, Luke identifies them as Jews so they probably came to faith as they spent time with Paul).
5) Paul sought them out as people who shared the same trade.
6) Paul lived and worked with them. He spent time with them and PULLED UP A CHAIR!!
God's timing is always good. The Lord brought into Paul's life people who would become incredible supporters of him and his ministry.
God plans way ahead for our life and ministry. Some things to note:
1) Aquila is the husband and Priscilla is his wife – this tells us about their relationship.
2) Aquila is from NE Turkey; nothing is said about Priscilla's place of origin.
3) The Roman emperor [Claudius 41-54 A.D.] chased the Jews out of Rome, added Britain to the Roman Empire and was the stepfather of Nero.
4) There is no indication that Aquila & Priscilla were believers when they arrived in Corinth (in fact, Luke identifies them as Jews so they probably came to faith as they spent time with Paul).
5) Paul sought them out as people who shared the same trade.
6) Paul lived and worked with them. He spent time with them and PULLED UP A CHAIR!!
Acts 18:2-3
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2 There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
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Even though Paul was lonely, living in a foreign place, not having much to his name in terms of material possessions, involved in the work force, and unsure of his next steps...he still kept God and His mission as #1 in his priorities!
Acts 18:4-5
Acts 18:4-5
Acts 18:4-5
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4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.
5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
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But there are times when our heart is right, we are are doing the right thing and with the right attitude and still stuff just goes haywire.
Acts 18:6
In ancient biblical Judaism, shaking the dust off your feet was a symbolic gesture of judgment and testimony against someone who rejected the word of God. Simple point: There is a time to leave people to God and move on.
A couple of insights from verse 6:
1) Paul remained open to God’s leading and was willing to be flexible in his life. If we are a control freak and have our life all mapped out according to our whims and priorities, it’s highly unlikely we’ll experience God
2) Every Opportunity brings its own Obstacles. These two "O" words pair up to lead us in the direction that God has for our life. Rather than continually asking the Lord to remove barriers, ask Him to show you the lessons he wants you to learn.
Acts 18:6
In ancient biblical Judaism, shaking the dust off your feet was a symbolic gesture of judgment and testimony against someone who rejected the word of God. Simple point: There is a time to leave people to God and move on.
A couple of insights from verse 6:
1) Paul remained open to God’s leading and was willing to be flexible in his life. If we are a control freak and have our life all mapped out according to our whims and priorities, it’s highly unlikely we’ll experience God
2) Every Opportunity brings its own Obstacles. These two "O" words pair up to lead us in the direction that God has for our life. Rather than continually asking the Lord to remove barriers, ask Him to show you the lessons he wants you to learn.
Acts 18:6
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6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
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As Paul continued to follow God's will for his life, the Lord produced fruit from his obedience. Often times, the fruit is not what we had planned or expected.
Acts 18:7-8
Acts 18:7-8
Acts 18:7-8
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7 So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.
8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.
8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.
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By this time Paul is probably a bit jumpy or gun-shy. In most every city during his journey he has been persecuted, stoned, beaten, sick, imprisoned, threatened, ridiculed, rejected, and slandered. Being human like us, Paul probably expected more of the same.
We all get that way a times. Eeyore!
We keep glancing over our shoulder looking for trouble to overtake us or walk through life anticipating something bad to come around the corner.
We get used to looking down, looking around, and looking within instead of looking up!
Acts 18:9-11
We all get that way a times. Eeyore!
We keep glancing over our shoulder looking for trouble to overtake us or walk through life anticipating something bad to come around the corner.
We get used to looking down, looking around, and looking within instead of looking up!
Acts 18:9-11
Acts 18:9-11
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9 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 will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”
11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.
10 For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”
11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.
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Key Takeaways:
1) The Lord has a mission for you. Don’t focus on the misery of life, but the majesty of God.
2) God only allows you to experience what will strengthen your relationship with Him and shape you for His mission.
3) God desires us to stay faithful. Anyone can hide, stay silent, quit, or jump ship (relationships, church, and ministry).
1) The Lord has a mission for you. Don’t focus on the misery of life, but the majesty of God.
2) God only allows you to experience what will strengthen your relationship with Him and shape you for His mission.
3) God desires us to stay faithful. Anyone can hide, stay silent, quit, or jump ship (relationships, church, and ministry).
