If God Be For Us<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gospel On Tour \/ Acts 18:1\u201317<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During World War II, a passenger ship set sail from Great Britian headed for port in New York City. The Captain of the ship being afraid of enemy vessels, sought the advice and guidance of the British Admiral. The Admiral calmly assured the captain that no matter what happens, he should be sure to sail his ship straight ahead. “Do not take any detours — sail the ship straight ahead — continue on-ward, heading straight towards the intended mark,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After several days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean which was undeniably filled with submarines and enemy vessels of all kinds, the Captain spotted an enemy destroyer off his forward bow. Nervously he grasped the handset and called for assistance. The calm voice replied, “Keep on straight, do not detour, just sail the ship straight ahead. Everything will be just fine. Just keep on going – straight ahead.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a couple more days the ship pulled safely into the great harbor of New York City. Shortly after docking the great British battleship “Man-of-War” pulled into port behind the passenger vessel. The Captain realized that while he did not see the British Battleship, she was there, standing by ready to come to his defense should it prove necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we continue our series \u201cThe Gospel on Tour\u201d we find ourselves in Corinth. Again Paul and company facing one opposition after another, just to see one deliverance after another. We are left but one conclusion\u2026 it is the same one that made it into Paul\u2019s anthem of praise in Romans 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romans 8:31<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When Facing a Hostile Crowd<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Acts 18:1\u20136<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Not many synagogues in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Stayed with Aquila and Priscilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Testified that Jesus was the Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. His audience opposed themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Timothy 2:24\u201326<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Paul moved on to the Gentiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Given an Open Door<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Acts 18:7\u201311<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man\u2019s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Justus\u2019 family was very involved with the synagogue. They probably did not approve of Paul reaching out to the Gentiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Crispus, the synagogue chief, got saved, along with his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Many Corinthian people were saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Paul was told not to fear. God had many people to reach in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Paul stayed there 1 \u00bd years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Falsely Accused<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Acts 18:12\u201317<\/em> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And he drave them from the judgment seat. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. The Jews brought Paul to the judgment seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Gallio of Achaia refused to hear their complaint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. The Greeks took the new ruler of the synagogue and beat him for the embarrassment that he caused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keith Hartsell of Wheaton, Illinois, was driving around with a friend of his in California, when he noticed that his friend’s cell phone was locked with an unusual password — pro nobis. Keith asked him what pro nobis meant and why he chose that for a password. Keith’s friend told him it was Latin and it meant “For Us,” and then he suddenly started choking up. Keith thought, “Why would those two Latin words cause so much emotion?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then his friend composed himself and explained that after walking through deep personal pain, true healing came when he learned that God is “for us” — or the Latin phrase pro nobis. Keith’s friend said that after his parents’ divorce, he entered a season when he assumed that God didn’t care or that God had given up on him. But he finally found hope through those two simple words — pro nobis (for us). You see, when he decided to believe that God was pro nobis, that God had even sent Christ to die for him, he could then decide to lay down his life for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Keith Hartsell, from a sermon by C. Philip Green, Dungeons and Dreams, 9\/8\/2011)<\/p>\n\n\n\n So my friend, we have once again seen God at work on the mission field. He has emboldened, protected, enabled, and delivered His servants over and over. The same God who worked on the ancient mission field is at work in your home, your family, and your life today. If fear tries to wrap its tentacles around your heart, ask yourself\u2026 If God be for us, who can be against us? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 9:05 AM October 16, 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If God Be For Us Pastor Don Carpenter The Gospel On Tour \/ Acts 18:1\u201317 During World War II, a passenger ship set sail from Great Britian headed for port in New York City. The Captain of the ship being afraid of enemy vessels, sought the advice and guidance of the British Admiral. The Admiral … Continue reading If God Be For Us<\/span>