Here’s the outline for my sermon on Acts 18, preached at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville, Illinois.
Acts 18 “Kingdom Advance through DISCIPLESHIP”
INTRO: Praying together and an older, more mature Christian instructed me on how to pray
-It was probably a 3-5 minute instruction, but it impacted me for the last 20 years, and helped me teach others.
-To intentionally come alongside another Christian to help them grow in maturity and understanding is discipleship.
-God calls all Christians to the good work of discipling others –Discipleship is a KEY way that God’s kingdom advances in this world.
-This was true in the first century Church and it is true today.
*If we want to see God’s kingdom advance in Naperville and around us, we must be committed to discipleship!
-We this truth in our text today in Acts 18.
CONTEXT: Book of Acts tells us how God brought about the establishment and expansion of his kingdom on Earth.
-Jesus Christ completed his earthly ministry (died, rose) and spoke about his kingdom to his disciples.
-The disciples were given a commission (Acts 1:8) to be fulfilled: Acts shows how this happened
-God gave his church the Holy Spirit to empower and lead them.
-God called a man named Saul—also known as Paul—to himself, to use him to preach gospel
-Acts records his 3 of his missionary journeys as he spread the gospel.
-Today, we see the gospel reach Corinth.
-Key idea: Discipleship is a KEY way that God’s kingdom advances in this world.
1 Paul’s Ministry in Corinth (1-17)
Paul’s second missionary journey continues, and in 1-17 we see beginning of the church at Corinth.
-Paul arrives at Corinth (1)
-Large city of 700,000 (Naperville x5)
-Known for its business, pride, and sexual immorality
-Temple for Aphrodite (1,000 prostitutes),
-Strategic city: many people moved there or went through for business.
-Priscilla and Aquilla (2-3)
-Luke records for us the beginning a beautiful gospel partnership of this married couple and Paul.
-They were Jewish believers who had a history of travel (Pontus, Italy)
-They were tentmakers like Paul
-Paul at times received his income from tentmaking, but also received gifts to support his ministry
-Gospel ministers are entitled to receive their income from those they serve, but
God calls some ‘tentmaking’ (some countries this only way to get in for missions)
-Paul disciples Priscilla and Aquilla: NOT stated explicitly, but certainly implied (Col 1:28-29)
-We’ll see later in the chapter how this time prepared them for ministry in another city.
-Paul Ministers to Jews and Gentiles (4-17)
-Paul’s ministry in the Synagogue (4-6)
–“reasoning…persuading…testifying”: DIFFERENT ways of proclaiming the gospel (4-5)
-Paul’s gospel ministry was rejected (6)
-Paul then went to the Gentiles (6b)
-Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles (7-8)
-Fruitful ministry: conversion, baptism. (“many of the Corinthians…believed…baptized”)
-Jesus Encourages Paul through vision (9-11)
-“Don’t be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you.”
-Further Reassurance: “I have many in this city who are my people”
-This is motivation for evangelism! (2 Tim 2:10)
-APPLICATION: Jesus encourages us today to continue on with the work of evangelism through the Bible.
-Read it and let it encourage you to press on in gospel ministry.
-Paul continued to minister and preach for another year and a half (11)
-Persecution and Deliverance in Corinth (12-16)
-Paul and the Christians persecuted and brought before “tribunal” (12)
-False charge against Paul (13)
-Deliverance comes in unexpected way (14-17)
-Gallio refused to listen to the charge and drove them out
-Commentators note this likely provided for religious freedom for Christians for next 12 years
-Beating of Jewish man Sosthenes and lack of deliverance by Gallio
-Commentators note: Opportunity to give in to antisemitism.
-Sadly, we see this today with what is happening today.
2 Travel to Ephesus and Back to Judea (18-23)
-Paul departs Corinth to return to Judea and Syria (18)
-Stayed many days longer first
-“Took with him Priscilla and Aquilla” (18a)
-Cenchreae ‘cut his hair, but he was under a vow’ (18b)
-Paul arrives at Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquilla for BRIEF Gospel ministry in Ephesus (19-21)
-Brief ministry in Ephesus at Synagogue (19-20) -Paul “left them there”=Priscilla and Aquilla (19)
-Paul hoped to return, ‘if it was the Lord’s will’ (and it was) (21)
-This is how we ought to talk about the future as well: ‘if it is the lord’s will’ (Jas 4:13-17)
-Paul begins his 3rd missionary journey (22-23)
-Note: “strengthening all the disciples”
-This is God design for our strengthening in the faith as well (23)
*QUESTION: How might we hear an apostles instruction and be strengthened today? BIBLE.
3 Priscilla and Aquilla’s Discipleship of Apollos (24-28)
-Apollos arrives at Ephesus (24-25)
-Jewish believer
-Gifted preacher: –SPURGEON of the 1st century (‘prince of preachers’)
-‘eloquent,’ ‘competent in the Scriptures,’
-‘instructed in the way of Lord,’
-‘fervent in spirit,’
-‘spoke accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John’
-Priscilla and Aquilla DISCIPLE Apollos (26)
-“explained to him the way of God more accurately”
-Beautiful picture of discipleship
-ALSO: Note appropriate context of woman instructing a man (private, not public context)
-Complementarian: God has called qualified men to office of elder/pastor (not women)
-Still, there is appropriate place for men to learn from women!
-My wife; women in this church; outside the church (Elizabeth Elliot)
-Apollos Heads to Corinth (27-28)
-Apollos heads to Corinth (Achaia)
-Wonderful ministry to Corinthian Christians
–“Greatly helped those who through grace had believed for he powerfully refuted the Jews in Public…”
-Today, we rejoice in apologists who in public sphere (books, debates) proclaim Christ.
OBSERVE:
Paul discipled Priscilla and AquillaàPris and Aqui discipled ApollosàApollos ministered to Corinthians.
Discipleship is God’s design for his kingdom advance in the world.
APPLICATION: If we want to see the gospel advance in Naperville and the world, we must be committed to discipleship.
–2 Tim 2:2.
1 HINDRANCES to Discipleship
-Fear; Lack of time; Feeling ill-equipped.
2 PRACTICAL WAYS TO DISCIPLE
-Utilizing common ground for gospel
-Family (children); School (classmates); Work (co-workers); Hobby; Neighborhood
3. SIMPLE APPROACH
-Read Bible together and ask questions.
4. ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN PEOPLE YOU DISCIPLE MOVE AWAY
-Conversation with Joe Thorn on people moving away.
-God’s kingdom continues to advance, and way you invested in them will help others.
***Discipleship is a KEY way that God’s kingdom advances in this world.
