Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

As Paul concludes his second missionary journey, he briefly visits the city of Ephesus where he leaves Aquila and Priscilla. The married couple encounter Apollos in the synagogue, a man who spoke accurately about Jesus, but who lacked certain information. Priscilla and Aquila take Apollos aside, instructing him more fully. The result is that Apollos becomes a powerful witness for the Lord Jesus both in Ephesus and in Corinth. What did Apollos already possess and what did he lack? The answer and the grace-filled way in which Priscilla and Aquila handled the situation honored God, ministered to Apollos, and built up the church.   

Paul received the promise while in Corinth that no one would harm him. In this passage we observe a specific incident in which God kept that promise. The decision of the proconsul, Gallio, not only benefited Paul, but also paved the way for the name of Jesus to be more widely proclaimed. Paul then goes on to conclude a vow as a demonstration of his gratitude to God. The way in which you respond to God when He keeps a promise will make the Lord Jesus Christ more widely known.

Paul receives a vision from the Lord with the promise that no one will harm him during his stay in Corinth. This instructs us in the nature and purpose of visions in the New Testament. In this passage we also discover three things about claiming the promises of God. First, consider the promise in its proper context. Secondly, determine the principle embedded in the promise. Thirdly, after you have considered the context and determined the principle, God may choose to personalize the promise to you.  

Jesus confronts a funeral party outside of the small village of Nain. Life confronts death. Jesus has compassion on the bereaved widow who has now lost her only son. The Lord meets you in your despair and sorrow. God must be your ultimate source of comfort and peace. The purity of the Son of God overcomes the defilement of the corpse. Reminiscent of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus raises the dead man back to life. 

Mary Magdalene is left all alone before the empty tomb. Having not only experienced the loss of her Lord and Teacher, now--to make matters worse--His body is gone. The Second Gardener finds Mary and she recognizes His presence in His voice. Everyone is seeking something; many don't realize that they are actually seeking Someone. The resurrection of Jesus Christ calls for a response. 

Paul arrives alone in the city of Corinth, a city infamous for the arrogance of its citizenry and its glorified sexual promiscuity. The Lord provides friendship to Paul through Aquila and Priscilla. Working the same trade as the married couple, Paul labors alongside of them while ministering the Gospel and testifying of Jesus Christ in the local synagogue. The circumstances that God provides for Paul's ministry in Corinth allow him to "do all things for the sake of the gospel." The resistance of many of the Jews is met by the solid conversion of Titius Justus. The Lord provides a platform for Paul to continue what will be a long and fruitful ministry in the city.

In this last psalm of Book Two of the Psalter, Solomon prays for the ability to rule his kingdom justly, righteously and with compassion. The Bible defines justice, revealing how everyone must be held to the same standard. The righteous king will act with compassion. This psalm speaks of a king whose reign will endure and whose borders are boundless. Where Solomon failed to fulfill God expectations, the Lord Jesus succeeded. It is only in King Jesus that we see the perfect meeting of justice, righteousness and compassion. Not all is right now; but all will be right as we anticipate the reign of the ideal King.   

The Apostle Paul concludes his message to the intellectual elite of Athens. Focusing on God as the source of all life, Paul connects the truth of God's Word to His audience by way of general revelation. Idolatry in every form minimizes God, reducing Him in our eyes to something He is not. Having concluded building his case for the offense of idolatry, Paul declares that God is calling all people everywhere to turn from their idols and to turn to Him. The proof that Jesus is Lord and Judge is the Resurrection. 

Paul begins his address on the Areopagus by making known to his audience the "unknown God." The Apostle focuses on three truths in describing God. First, He is the Creator. Secondly, God is the Sustainer. Both of these truths are evident through the witness of the creation. Both of these truths also tell us that God is personal and relatable. Thirdly, Paul points out that God is a seeking God. The only reason anyone is able to seek and find God is because God first seeks them. And this seeking out in love is demonstrated in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Paul is provoked by the sea of idolatry in which the residents of Athens swim. While conversing about Jesus and the resurrection, he is summoned to the Aeropagus to give an account of his teaching. Though Athenians were religious, they were blinded by the false spirituality they pursued. There is a universal problem of idolatry. Everyone has a tendency to make a god out of everything except God. There is also a universal knowledge of God. Everyone knows intuitively that the Creator exists. And there is a universal need to worship. Everyone worships something. Paul takes these universal truths as his starting point to share the good news of Jesus Christ.