Paul's Odyssey II #13 - Back Home Again
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 October 27th 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]).
Saturday, September 28th - Kirsten Smith
Thursday, October 3rd - Kaiden Shumway
Thursday, October 3rd - Kaiden Shumway
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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.
Our summer series finishes today. As Paul brings his odyssey to an end, he will have traveled over 2,800 miles by land and sea.
The book of Acts shows the path that Christianity took as it traveled out of Jerusalem and around the world. A practical lesson we might gain would be, "If God used them with limited resources and in the midst of an ungodly world to make disciples, He can use us/me!"
The book of Acts shows the path that Christianity took as it traveled out of Jerusalem and around the world. A practical lesson we might gain would be, "If God used them with limited resources and in the midst of an ungodly world to make disciples, He can use us/me!"
The last two weeks we looked at Paul's ministry in the city of Corinth, Greece. For years the city had a reputation as a "den of sin." Paul, despite being tired and fearful, stayed true to his calling by making disciples. He built relationships, he brought people to Christ, he established them in their faith, and trained them to do likewise.
It's been said, "Even the smallest candle burns brighter in the dark."
It's been said, "Even the smallest candle burns brighter in the dark."
A candle reminds us of the impact that Paul made for the Lord and that God created us and saved us to be on mission. The Lord expects each of us to minister to others, here in our church and in your community.
Throughout this series we've learned how one man (and then his small team), changed the course of history.
Throughout this series we've learned how one man (and then his small team), changed the course of history.
Over the last two weeks we learned a few interesting bits of history:
1. Paul thrived in the dark world where he found himself living for eighteen months.
2. Paul was encouraged by his co-workers, new friends, and the Lord himself.
3. Paul converted several of the high-ranking Jewish synagogue leaders to Christ. First there was Crispus (Acts 18:8) and later Sosthenes (1 Cor. 1:1)
4. Paul was spared from any further persecution by the Lord’s promise and the Roman governor’s protection.
5. Paul established a congregation in Corinth and would later write two epistles and visit the church and city again two more times.
1. Paul thrived in the dark world where he found himself living for eighteen months.
2. Paul was encouraged by his co-workers, new friends, and the Lord himself.
3. Paul converted several of the high-ranking Jewish synagogue leaders to Christ. First there was Crispus (Acts 18:8) and later Sosthenes (1 Cor. 1:1)
4. Paul was spared from any further persecution by the Lord’s promise and the Roman governor’s protection.
5. Paul established a congregation in Corinth and would later write two epistles and visit the church and city again two more times.
Acts 18:18a
After the Roman Governor's (Gallio) favorable decision, Paul continued to stay in Corinth.
It was a dark and vile city, and people's sinful lifestyles lingered. It's not easy to kick old habits and it takes lots of effort and time to begin new ones.
After the Roman Governor's (Gallio) favorable decision, Paul continued to stay in Corinth.
It was a dark and vile city, and people's sinful lifestyles lingered. It's not easy to kick old habits and it takes lots of effort and time to begin new ones.
Acts 18:18
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18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
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Acts 18:18b
Based upon our study so far, we can assume the Lord was guiding him each step of the way. We see in this passage that Paul's time in Europe is done, and the journey back home again begins.
A few observations:
First – Paul had invested his life in a team: Crispus and others, so he could leave.
Second – When our lifestyles are pleasing and producing fruit for the Lord, we can confidently trust that He will guide our pathways. Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT]
Third –Life and ministry can be lots of fun when you have like-minded people working together. Selfish, arrogant, and obstinate teammates are not fun!
Based upon our study so far, we can assume the Lord was guiding him each step of the way. We see in this passage that Paul's time in Europe is done, and the journey back home again begins.
A few observations:
First – Paul had invested his life in a team: Crispus and others, so he could leave.
Second – When our lifestyles are pleasing and producing fruit for the Lord, we can confidently trust that He will guide our pathways. Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT]
Third –Life and ministry can be lots of fun when you have like-minded people working together. Selfish, arrogant, and obstinate teammates are not fun!
Proverbs 3:5-6
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5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
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Acts 18:18c
Before Paul left we see a statement that culturally makes us shrug our shoulders. We might ask ourselves, "why is this important?"
We get a clue that tells us this is because of a vow he had taken.
Getting a haircut was his Jewish way of saying, "Thank you God for protecting and providing for me!" It was a public display of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.
Before Paul left we see a statement that culturally makes us shrug our shoulders. We might ask ourselves, "why is this important?"
We get a clue that tells us this is because of a vow he had taken.
Getting a haircut was his Jewish way of saying, "Thank you God for protecting and providing for me!" It was a public display of gratitude and thanksgiving to God.
Acts 18:19
Once on board, Paul and his friends sailed to the western shores of Turkey or the Roman province of Asia. Once in Ephesus, Paul immediately did two things:
1. Assigned part of the team to shepherd the developing ministry.
2. Began in the synagogue to make disciples.
Once on board, Paul and his friends sailed to the western shores of Turkey or the Roman province of Asia. Once in Ephesus, Paul immediately did two things:
1. Assigned part of the team to shepherd the developing ministry.
2. Began in the synagogue to make disciples.
Acts 18:19
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19 When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.
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Acts 18:20
Unlike his reception on most of his journey, Paul was well received, much like he had been in the city of Berea.
Paul declined to spend more time with the people there because he wanted to get back to Jerusalem for the coming Passover. (This would have been a 6 week window between the middle of March and the end of April in the year 52 A.D.)
Unlike his reception on most of his journey, Paul was well received, much like he had been in the city of Berea.
Paul declined to spend more time with the people there because he wanted to get back to Jerusalem for the coming Passover. (This would have been a 6 week window between the middle of March and the end of April in the year 52 A.D.)
Acts 18:20
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20 When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.
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Acts 18:21
Paul then set out on a 650 mile journey to the port city of Israel.
Note: On his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Ephesus for a period of three years which we will learn about next summer.
Paul then set out on a 650 mile journey to the port city of Israel.
Note: On his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Ephesus for a period of three years which we will learn about next summer.
Acts 18:21
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21 But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
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Acts 18:22
Paul's Odyssey, "a long and adventurous journey" came to an end in verse 22.
2,800 miles, nearly 3 years, lots of physical punishment and persecution, countless people coming to Christ, churches planted, and visits to some of the most amazing cities in the world.
Paul's Odyssey, "a long and adventurous journey" came to an end in verse 22.
2,800 miles, nearly 3 years, lots of physical punishment and persecution, countless people coming to Christ, churches planted, and visits to some of the most amazing cities in the world.
Acts 18:22
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22 When Paul had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem. Then he went down to Antioch.
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Key Takeaways:
All of us have been given a "candle" or a life and have a choice as to how we will use it.
All of us have been given a "candle" or a life and have a choice as to how we will use it.
1. Some will do nothing with their candle.
2. Some will light their candle but let Satan blow it out.
3. Some will light their candle and let it shine in their dark world.
