The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 80 Waiting Patiently is Rewarded by God.

Paul was not persecuted in Athens like he had been in many other cities. However, the entrenched idolatry and pursuit of philosophic speculation by the Greeks, allowed little progress for the gospel. 

Paul left behind the few new believers at Athens, under the care of Dionysius.

Paul traveled to Corinth, which was about 46 miles east from Athens. It's public buildings were stunningly beautiful and superb. 

Corinth was capital of the Roman province of Achaia, and residence of the Roman Governor. It was wealthy with a booming economy, because it was a center of commerce between the East and West. The city had a large Jewish population after Caesar banned Jews from living in Rome.

An architectural style named the "Corinthian Order" became widely used and can still be found in many places today.

The temple of Aphrodite on the Acro- Corinth had a thousand consecrated prostitutes and the term  to Corinthianize meant lead people into gross sexual immorality.

God's providential care of Paul was on display.

Acts 18:1-3  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;  2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

The providence of God was on display as soon as Paul reached Corinth. He "found" a certain Jew name Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They left Rome after the Jewish ban was put into effect and settled in Corinth. 

The word "found" means finding something or someone by chance and getting knowledge of or from God. It is God that brought this couple to Paul's attention, because He was going to use them as Paul's helpers to spread the gospel.

Jehovah is our hiding place and He promises to guide us.

Psalm 32:7,8  Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8)  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 

Paul was well educated in the Old Testament scriptures. He would know this particular Psalm. 

We can be certain that the Spirit of God brought comforting words of truth into the mind of Paul as he left Athens, with some disappointment that there was not a greater response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Even so, Paul could say that Jehovah was his hiding place when he encountered life's trials, troubles or discouragements. He knew Jehovah in the flesh, Jesus Christ! 

He met Jesus on the road to Damascus and Paul went forward for his Lord ever since that day. No circumstances would ever take his saving faith from his heart. 

Therefore, Paul trusted that the mighty arm of Christ would shelter him and carry him along. He knew that he would experience heaven's joy in his soul, because Jesus saved him from his sins.  Songs of God's providential working and mighty deliverance lifted his spirits as he traveled. 

Notice the promise of God that sustained Paul in Corinth. God said "I will instruct and teach you in the way that you must go. I will guide you with my eye." 

God cares for each one of His children and He wants what is best for us. To receive what is best, we must trust and obey what God says to us. 

Paul joined himself to this couple because they were tentmakers like Paul, and the apostle was able to live with them. He was not afraid to work with his hands if support from the churches was lacking.

Though he was educated as a Jewish scholar, yet Paul was a master tent-maker and upholsterer. He made tents for soldiers, citizens and shepherds from cloth, leather or skins.

Aquila and Priscilla were used of God to help Paul and others many times in the New Testament, which is why we know God providentially supplied for Paul's needs. 

Believers provide for needs of Pastors & teachers who labor for them. 

1 Timothy 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

An ox did the heaviest work on a farm and without an ox, the farmer could not work as much land and his harvest would be much smaller. 

The ox would push the grinding stone around on the grain so that the good part known as corn, was separated from the waste product of the plant. A farmer was to take care of his ox and not muzzle or restrict the animals food intake. 

In like manner, a preacher of the gospel is like that ox, doing the hard work of evangelization. He is treading out the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that the people can receive the good nourishing grain of God's Word. 

When Jesus sent His disciples out into the different cities, He commanded that they take no money and no extra supplies. If a home received them, they were to enter in and stay until the gospel had been preached. 

Jesus said that those who accepted the disciples, would give them food and drink and shelter. Thus, we see the principle that the man of God is worthy of being cared for (Luke 10:4-9). 

The gospel laborer is worthy of his reward. 

Paul dialogued every sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

Paul continued to follow his pattern of going into a Jewish synagogue where he would meet Jews who had knowledge of the scriptures and god fearers, Gentile proselytes who followed the God of the Jews. 

He engaged in a dialogue with the Jews and Gentiles each sabbath day. He preached Christ to them and showed how the Old Testament scriptures were fulfilled by Jesus. 

He collated and connected the life of Christ with the prophets and law. He wanted to lead his audience to exercising repentant faith in Jesus Christ. 

The word "persuaded" means that Paul had some success leading many Jews and Gentiles to repentant faith in Christ.

Paul previously sent Timothy and Silas to check on the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2; 5  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2)  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 5)  For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 

Paul came away from Athens in a depressed or anxious state of mind. Only a few souls were converted to Christ.  At Athens, the gospel fell on Gentile ears that would not hear, and eyes that would not see the glory of Jesus Christ. 

He continued laboring alone in the synagogue of Corinth, full of deep anxiety for his Thessalonian converts. 

Paul was so concerned for their  spiritual well being, that he was content to minister alone at Athens, so that he could send Silas and Timothy to the converts in Thessalonica. 

Paul reached a point where he could not tolerate not knowing how the Thessalonians were doing. While at Corinth, he had not yet received a report.

Thoughts to Ponder...

Psalm 40:1-4    I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2)  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3)  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4)  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

King David wrote this Psalm during a time of great distress as King Saul was hunting him down with the intent to kill him. David lived in caves and the wilderness, moving every day to avoid capture.

Yet, we must consider his words. Paul certainly knew this Psalm and perhaps, it brought him great comfort.

Gospel ministry does not always happen the way that we expect it to. In the case of Athens, Paul was given a good hearing by the Greeks, Stoics, Epicureans and philosophers, but most of them rejected Jesus Christ. 

Only a few people were born again, not even enough to begin a church. 

First, we must wait on the Lord to open or close the doors of gospel opportunity. We wait with patience because we know that God hears our prayer.

Second, while we are waiting, we must reflect on all that God has done for us, beginning from the moment of our conversion to Christ. We will be blessed when we recall what kind of person we used to be, compared to how God has shaped us and made us more like Christ. 

Third, we will have songs of praise fill up our heart, new songs we sing based upon His mighty work in our life. 

Fourth, we simply continue trusting in the Lord, knowing that He will guide us through this life because He promised to. And God always keeps His promises. 

Bob