What to do When Discouraged (Acts 18: 1-17)

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Welcome:

In this episode, we dive into the topic of discouragement and how to handle it, drawing inspiration from the Apostle Paul's experiences in Acts 18:1-17. We all face times of discouragement, and it's essential to find ways to cope and stay motivated.

Key Points:

1. Paul’s Arrival in Corinth:
   • After facing challenges in Athens, Paul arrives in Corinth, a city known for its immorality.
   • He meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers, who become his lifelong friends and supporters.
2. Opposition and Perseverance:
   • Paul faces significant opposition while preaching in Corinth.
   • Despite the opposition, he receives a vision from the Lord encouraging him to keep speaking and not be afraid.
3. The Importance of Companionship:
   • Silas and Timothy join Paul, providing much-needed support and encouragement.
   • Companionship plays a crucial role in overcoming discouragement.
4. God’s Reassurance:
   • The Lord assures Paul of His presence and protection, leading Paul to stay in Corinth for 18 months, teaching the word of God.
5. Facing Fear and Opposition:
   • Even when brought before the judgment seat, Paul remains unharmed, demonstrating God's faithfulness.

Lessons Learned:

• Do Not Withdraw: Seek companionship and support during times of discouragement.
• Do Not Quit: Persist in your efforts, even in the face of opposition.
• Do Not Fear: Trust in God's presence and protection, focusing on today and not worrying about the future.

Conclusion: Discouragement is a common experience, but by following Paul’s example—surrounding ourselves with supportive friends, persevering in our mission, and trusting in God’s guidance—we can overcome it. Remember, as Charles Spurgeon said, “By perseverance, the snail reached

Transcript

What to do When Discouragement. (Acts 17: 1-17)

Transcript:

 Recently, I spoke with a man who was deeply discouraged. He had been laid off from his job and, despite his desperate search, had not found any new employment at anything close to his previous level.. We've all experienced times when nothing seems to go right, facing one obstacle after another. This kind of prolonged struggle can leave us physically exhausted, mentally drained, and emotionally depleted.

When you find yourself in such a state of discouragement, what do you do? You might be surprised to learn that even the Apostle Paul faced such discouragement. If you carefully read his letters, it becomes clear that he encountered many challenges enough to discourage anyone. Even his experiences, as recorded in the Book of Acts, involved him facing continuous obstacles.

So, how did Paul handle his discouragement? And what can we learn from his experiences? Well I hope that is something we can find out today….

So, how did Paul handle his discouragement? And what can we learn from his experiences and his reaction to them? To explore these questions, let’s turn our attention to Acts 18, starting from verse 1.

18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.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 is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

(Acts 18:1-17)

So to recap, this passage describes Paul’s journey to Corinth and the challenges he faced there. Before arriving in Corinth, Paul had been in Athens, where his experience was not particularly successful. Corinth, was  about 50 miles from Athens and was a notorious seaport known for its immorality.

Corinth was a major city built at the base of a high hill, with a temple to the goddess Aphrodite at its peak. This temple was notorious no less for the fact that one thousand temple prostitutes plied their trade there, reflecting the rampant sexual immorality and pagan worship in the city. To understand just how depraved Corinth was, one only needs to read his report of things in Romans chapter 1.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

When Paul wrote about the sinfulness of humanity in Romans 1, he was likely looking out his window at Corinth, reflecting on the wickedness surrounding him. That passage gives us a glimpse into how morally depraved the city was. I suggest that Paul was feeling quite discouraged at this time. He hints at such feelings in some of his epistles, which we will explore shortly. 

Paul arrived in Corinth alone, having walked the 50-mile journey by himself. Despite his circumstances, he immediately engaged in his trade of tentmaking and began debating in the synagogue every Sabbath, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. However, he faced significant opposition and blasphemy from some of the Jews, which must have been very discouraging.

But in the midst of this opposition, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, telling him not to be afraid and to keep speaking out, promising that no one would attack or hurt him because there were still a large group of people in the city who were God’s people. Encouraged by this divine assurance, Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the word of God.

Earlier in Philippi, Paul had also faced opposition and was run out of town. In Thessalonica, he met a similar fate. Then in Berea, the troublemakers from Thessalonica followed him and caused more trouble for him. By the time Paul reached Athens, his success was fairly minimal. No church was established, and his efforts seemed to bear little fruit. Although he had some victories in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, they were limited. Now, Paul found himself in Corinth, a city notorious for its immorality. Paul must have been in need of spiritual encouragement, likely due to these cumulative discouragements.

When you get discouraged or depressed what do you do? Many people withdraw and isolate themselves. It worth noting that Paul was alone during this time, compounding his discouragement. However, in todays passage in the first part of Acts 18, we see a turning point:  It says he meets a Jewish man named Aquila, who had recently come there from Italy with his wife Priscilla. Because they shared the same trade—tentmaking. Paul, a former Pharisee and rabbi, had learned this trade to support himself, as rabbis were not allowed to directly charge for their teaching services.

This meeting was significant because Aquila and Priscilla would become lifelong friends and coworkers with Paul, accompanying him in his future ministry in Ephesus and Rome. It was no accident but the providence of God that brought them into Paul's life at this crucial time.

One of the key takeaways here is the importance of companionship during times of discouragement. When you’re feeling down, that's when you need friends the most. It's essential to have people to confide in and share your burdens with.

Paul found such support in Aquila and Priscilla. In the midst of his discouragement, he was blessed with newfound friends who provided the 

Furthermore when Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia Paul now had people around him and we see he resumes his work of evangelism, them being there makes a significant difference.

There seems to be a relationship between the arrival of his friends and his renewed energy from the Holy Spirit.

The word "encourage" is key here. 

Silas and Timothy’s arrival in Corinth was part of Paul's encouragement. Reinvigorated by their friendship, he continued to preach the gospel. Despite facing more opposition, he did not give up. 

Acts 18:6-7 adds the detail, "That when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’ 

So Paul continued to face opposition again, but he didn’t quit. He just moved next door and continued his mission. This time, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, is named as someone who believed in the Lord along with his household, adding many Corinthians were baptized. (Acts 18:8). This demonstrates that even in the face of adversity, persistence can still lead to significant outcomes.

Reflecting on this, it's clear that encouragement plays a crucial role in perseverance. 17th century English philosopher Francis Bacon said, "Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, and adversity is the blessing of the New Testament." Suggesting that opposition often accompanies divine work. Paul himself wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9, "For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

In times of opposition, having a supportive community around you is vital. 

When Paul was discouraged, he didn’t withdraw or quit; he surrounded himself with friends and kept going. This passage teaches us the importance of having people around us to encourage and support us through difficult times. 

When you face discouragement, don't isolate yourself. Reach out to friends and lean on them for support. And remember, persistence in the face of adversity often leads to great success.

Paul moves across the street and continues preaching. The result isn't immediate, but eventually, it will be seen to bear fruit. So, don’t get discouraged if progress is slow. 

Many great inventions started slowly: The Wright brothers' first flight lasted only 12 seconds; and the first cars travelled at 4 mph and frequently broke down, prompting people in walking by to shout, "Get a horse!"

"It’s always too soon to quit." Paul didn't quit, and because he didn't, many in Corinth and indeed the world would be saved.

After experiencing some success, Paul receives a vision from the Lord. saying, "'Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.'"

Was Paul ever afraid? Absolutely. In writing his first letter to that city, Paul writes.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling."

(1 Corinthians 2:1-3)

This shows that while Paul was in Corinth, he experienced fear and trembling. 

But, the Lord's message to Paul was clear: do not be afraid, keep speaking, and do not be silent. God reassures Paul with two reasons: first, He is with Paul, and second, He has many people in the city.

God's reassurance and the promise of safety and support helped Paul overcome his fear. Acts 18:11 tells us that Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 more months, teaching the word of God there.

It's important to note the distinction between preaching and teaching in the New Testament: preaching is evangelism, while teaching is for the edification of believers. Paul focused on teaching the believers, equipping them to evangelize.

However, opposition arises again. Acts 18:12-13 recounts that the Jews brought Paul before the judgment seat, accusing him of teaching people to worship God contrary to the law. The judgment seat, or "bema," was a significant place where the proconsul judged cases.

But Gallio, the proconsul, dismisses the case, seeing it as a matter of Jewish law, not a crime. Acts 18:14-16 records Gallio saying, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, there would be reason why I would judge this. But if it is a question of your own laws, look to it yourselves to sort it out; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters." He then drove them from them out.

Interestingly, after Gallio’s dismissal, the Greeks still beat up Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, before the judgment seat and Gallio showed no concern for this incident, highlighting the tensions and complexities within the community.

I believe the account of Paul's experience seen here in Corinth is meant to teaches us the importance of perseverance, the need for encouragement, and the assurance that God is with us, even in the face of opposition.

So, the leader of the people attacks Paul, but as the Lord promised, Paul remains unharmed. Paul stays a while longer before leaving with Priscilla and Aquila, but that’s another story for another time.

The crucial message here goes back to verse 9 when God said to him in a vision: "Do not fear." We may not know what's ahead, but we mustn't let fear paralyze us. God’s directive to Paul was simple: don't be afraid, don't be silent, keep speaking.

The Lord’s message to Paul is: don't fear the unknown. Fear of the next challenge can paralyze us. But as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34). 

We must focus on today and trust God with the future.

Looking at Paul's experiences, we see a man who had every reason to be discouraged and fearful. He admits in his letter to the Corinthians that he approached his mission with “trembling and fear.” Despite this, Paul was encouraged by the Lord’s assurance and continued his work, leading many to salvation and maintaining his protection.

To face discouragement, we can learn from Paul’s example:

1.   Do not withdraw.

2.   Do not quit.

3.   Do not fear.

Or, to put it another way, we need friends, we need to keep speaking, and we need to trust the Lord with the future, as we’re not there yet. 

When Paul did this, many were converted, and he was protected.

Remember, it's okay to feel discouraged; it happens to everyone. But don’t let it stop you. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark.” Keep moving forward, no matter how slowly.

And that’s how we face discouragement: it’s okay to stumble along the way and even to cry out, but we must still keep walking.