Providence Church of San Diego

Text: Acts 18 : 1-17

I. The city of Corinth

-A port city in the Mediterranean Sea.

II. Paul’s labor (Acts 18:1-8)

A. Paul’s trade.

III. God encourages Paul (Acts 18:9-11)

A. God’s command for Paul.

IV. Legal persecution (Acts 18:12-17)

A. The Jews bring Paul to be judged by Gallio.

V. The church of Corinth.

A. Good qualities:

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Do you see labor as a gift from God? Do you see the value of both manual labor and spiritual labor? How would you rate yourself as a “watchman”? What things make you afraid? In what ways do you usually need the most encouragement?

Main Idea: As the Word of God is taught in Berea it is eagerly received by noble-minded people, transforming their hearts.

The Word of God is to be ___________________________ and taken ___________________________ as the infallible, inerrant, authoritative, inspired, and sufficient Word of God. (vs. 10-11)  

[10] The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. [11] Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures to see if these things were so.  

*1 Thessalonians 2:13; Psalm 19:7–11, 1 Peter 2:2

The Word of God has ________________ to _______________ hearts. (vs. 12)

[12] Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 

*Romans 10:17

The Word of God _________________ the ________________ of hearts. (vs. 13)

[13] But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

*Hebrews 4:12-13

The Word of God unites Christians into __________________________________. (vs. 14-15)

[14] Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. [15] Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Recommended Tools: ESV Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How did the Bereans treasure the Word of God and take it seriously? How did the Bereans study the Scriptures? What challenges you the most about the Berean approach to God’s Word? What might happen if our church developed the same habits? How does the Berean visit encourage you? How does the Word of God transform the human heart? How does the Scripture reveal hardness of heart? How does the Word of God unite His people? In light of Acts 17:1-15, take a few moments to pray for those who teach in our congregation and for those who hear the Scriptures.

Main Idea: The world is turned upside-down through courageous and strategic people who habitually proclaim Christ from all of the Scriptures despite the rejection of many.

1. The world is turned upside down through Christians who are courageous, strategic, and ______________________. (vs. 1-2a)

[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. [2] And Paul went in, as was his custom,…

2. The world is turned upside down by those who understand and proclaim that the Scriptures are all about ______________! (vs. 2b-4)

…and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” [4] And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

*Luke 24:25–27; Isaiah 53:3–5; Psalm 22:1; Psalm 16:10

3. The good news of Jesus is often ______________________ by the hard soil of the upside-down world. (vs. 5-9)

[5] But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. [6] And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, [7] and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” [8] And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

*Luke 8:4–15; 1 Thessalonians 1:9–2:16

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How has God called us to turn the world upside down? How did Paul exemplify courage in this passage? In what ways could you be more strategic in making new points of contact in your community to share Christ? What habits do you have that help advance the gospel? What can we learn from Paul’s example about expounding the Scriptures? How is the Bible all about Jesus? Take some time to read 1 Thessalonians and discuss how the Thessalonians had a heart for the Word of God. What resonates with you about Paul’s attitude toward the Thessalonians? Why were some of the Jews in this passage jealous? How should we face rejection when we proclaim Christ?

Main Idea: Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved; and the saved have joy in every circumstance.

True and lasting joy does not come from pleasant _________________________, but from knowing Jesus. (vs. 25)

 *Philippians 4:4, 11–13

The lives of _______________________ are more important than our own freedom and comfort. (vs. 26-29)

The essence of the gospel is salvation by _________________ alone, received by ____________________ alone. (vs. 30-32)

The ________________________ of the gospel is joyful obedience to God and service to others. (vs. 33-34)

 The Christian ____________________________ is the advancement of the gospel. (vs. 35-40)

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say? 

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What can we learn about suffering from the afflictions Paul and Silas faced in Philippi? How can you be content in every circumstance? How could you practically show that others are more important that your own freedom and comfort? What did the Lord use to convert the Philippian jailer? What is saving faith? Can you receive Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord (Why or why not)? What were some of the signs of the jailer’s transformation? What does this passage teach us about the Christian grace of hospitality? How does Paul display love and concern for the church in Philippi by his actions in verses 35-40?

Main Idea: As we advance the gospel and face spiritual darkness, we can trust the Light of Christ to overcome.

Spiritual darkness is as __________ as spiritual Light. (vs. 16)

[16] As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling.

Sometimes spiritual darkness appears as _________. (vs. 17)

[17] She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

2 Corinthians 11:14: And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Jesus’ authority and power ___________________________ spiritual darkness. (vs. 18)

[18] And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

Ephesians 6:10–12: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Sometimes spiritual darkness seems to prevail, but God is to be ________________________ in the midst of it. (vs. 19-24)

*2 Corinthians 10:3–5, James 4:6–10, Ephesians 6:13–18

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say? 

Today’s Lunch Discussion: Do you see the reality of spiritual warfare in front of you? Do you ever underestimate the power of the devil and his demons? How does Satan use the truth against God’s people, appearing as an “angel of light?” How does it affect you to understand that Christ has all power and authority over Satan? How does this encourage you in spiritual warfare? In what ways could trust in Jesus be more deeply expressed when it seems like the enemy is winning a battle? Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and discuss how we should be fighting the spiritual darkness?

Main Idea: As the gospel is strategically advanced, the Lord alone opens hearts to believe.

The gospel advances _______________________. (vs. 11-13)

[11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

The Lord _________________________ opens hearts to believe the gospel. (vs. 14-15a)

[14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well,

*John 6:44, Ezekiel 37:3–6

Hearts that have been opened to believe the gospel lead to _________________ that are opened for the gospel. (vs. 15b)

…she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

*Philippians 4:14–16, 2 Corinthians 8:1–5

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion:  How could you be more strategic in advancing the gospel? When your strategic plans fall through, are you able to adapt well? Why does everyone need Jesus? Why should the conversion of Lydia encourage us? Does God need our help? If not, then why does He use us, and how should we think about that? What are some marks of true conversion? What is the first step of obedience upon conversion? Have you considered hospitality as a necessary mark of true conversion? Is your home being used for the gospel? How could you be more generous through hospitality?

Main Idea: God’s providence rules over our plans in order to establish His purpose of redeeming His people.

God’s _____________ is always ________________. (vs. 6-9)

[6] And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

*Proverbs 16:1; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 19:21

God’s plan always involves glorifying God by making _____________________ of ___________ nations. (vs. 10)

[10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

*Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18–20; Romans 1:14; Romans 1:5; Romans. 15:8-9

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: How was this missionary team being guided? What do we mean by God’s providence? How does Acts, being historic narrative, help us know how to apply this text to our lives? How did the “closed door” to Asia impact western civilization? Read through the handout by George Muller and discuss how to know the will of God? Why do we struggle to believe that God’s plan is always best for us? What is the goal of the plan of God (hint: Revelation 7:9-10). Have you ever considered foreign missions (going to unreached people with the gospel)? Might God be calling you? How are you involved in sending those who are called to go to unreached people with the gospel? How do your daily choices reflect a commitment to glorifying God by making disciples of all nations? Are you holding your plans with open hands?

Main Idea: The church is strengthened and grows through faithful people committed to the advance of the gospel.

A strong church is made up of ________________________, _________________________ people. (vs. 1-2).

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.

*Philippians 2:20–22; 2 Timothy 1:5–7; 2 Timothy 3:14–15

A strong church _____________________________ the advance of the gospel (vs. 3).

Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

*Galatians 2:1–5; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23

A strong church is marked by the ______________________ of faith (vs.4)

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.

*Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26

A strong church will be a __________________ church (vs. 5)

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say?

Today’s Lunch Discussion: What is a disciple? What was it about Timothy that stood out to Paul? How did Timothy’s mother and grandmother impact his life? What lesson do we learn from Paul’s decision to have Timothy circumcised? What do you think drove Timothy’s willingness to be circumcised as a young man? Does the advance of the gospel outweigh your personal comfort? Why did Paul desire to bring the decision of the Jerusalem Council to this region? What is the “obedience of faith?” And why does it matter for the church? Why do Christians sometimes struggle with church growth? What does biblical church growth look like? How does a church grow deep and wide? Describe a strong church. How could you help your church be strengthened this week/month/year?