Acts 18 - The Hole in Your Soul!
In Corinth
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.
You have probably heard the word "tentmaker" talked about in church . This term usually applies to a Christian who works during the week to give them the chance preach the gospel on the weekend. They are usually in a situation when a church cannot afford to pay their pastor a living wage.
Aquila and Priscilla became good friends of Paul. They funded his ministry and gave him a place to stay. They were forced to leave Rome, and they landed in Corinth. Corinth became a very important city in the early Christian church. Paul wrote two letters to them, which both provided ample instructions for the many issues they were facing, which we still face today. Here is a little background on the island (technically an "isthmus").
But Paul's passion was not "tentmaking" but "making disciples". Once again he went synagogue, and accompanied by Timothy and Silas" he exclusively proved to them the Jesus was the Messiah. But, they were not open to it. And, in fact, started to treat him abusively for preaching it. This was the "straw that broke the camel's back". No longer would Paul preach exclusively to the Jews. They were clearly not open to the message.
Though Paul was passionate about reaching his own people the Jews (see Romans 11), he was more passionate about reaching all people for Christ. It didn't take long for Paul to see the results. Paul went next door to Titius Justus, who was a worshipper of God. He was seeking God but had not yet realized Jesus was God in the flesh.
You've probably heard the phrase, "We all have a hole in our soul that only God can fill!" I firmly believe that everybody spends their life trying to answer these three questions. How did I get here? What is my purpose here on earth? And where will I go when they die?
As we have seen over many centuries people have tried to fill this hole with many things than God. Whether it been drugs, alcohol, sex, or religion, none of them offer the real thing. Paul had experienced the real thing. He had experience the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ. It changed him and his life's mission forever.
It was Paul's passion for Christ, which inspired him to endure many trials and tribulations. For instance he writes in 1 Corinthians 11,
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Though Paul was a smart man and a great teacher, what set him apart was that he was a "man after God's own heart", like King David.
Jesus, give us a heart like Paul's. We know that deep down everyone has a hole in their soul that only You can fill. The good news is that we have the Good News that all people desperately need to find what they are looking for in this life. Thank you for giving us the Apostle Paul. May we also live a life worthy to the calling you have given each of us! Amen.
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