1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,600 Speaker 1: Let us pray and Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:09,320 Speaker 1: believed on the Lord with all his house, and many 3 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:14,760 Speaker 1: of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized. Acts eighteen 4 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:20,439 Speaker 1: eight strengthen my heart when I grow tired of being 5 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: rejected by men and women who want nothing to do 6 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: with the freedom you offer them, Jesus, when the shower 7 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:33,000 Speaker 1: of Nose comes my way, I will no longer take 8 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: their ignorance as a personal attack against my character, but 9 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: will chalk it up to their ignorant and clouded hearts. 10 00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 1: When the fear of alienation arises in me, I will 11 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: rest my mind and think back on the words you 12 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: spoke to Paul in Acts eighteen For in your word 13 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 1: to him, you reassured him that you have many people 14 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:00,720 Speaker 1: in the city of Corinth that are yours, and who 15 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:04,440 Speaker 1: will rally round Paul when his time of need would come. 16 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: Right now, I receive that word for myself. I gladly 17 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: welcome the kingdom connections that are appointed to me at 18 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: just the right time. Thank you, Jesus that you are 19 00:01:20,120 --> 00:01:23,520 Speaker 1: always looking out for me as I walk out your 20 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: purpose for my life. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you 21 00:01:32,200 --> 00:01:35,360 Speaker 1: for praying with me to day. Continue listening for an 22 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,760 Speaker 1: incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in a 23 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 1: Year dot com. 24 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: Paul in Corinth. In our last story, we were able 25 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: to read the letters written by Paul to the church 26 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 2: in Thessalonica. Paul encouraged them to continue in their pursuit 27 00:01:59,640 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 2: of a biet and peaceful life that honors God. Now 28 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: we see a new church emerge in one of the 29 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: darkest cities in the known world, Corinth. The church in 30 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 2: Corinth would be birthed through struggle, so much so that 31 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 2: Paul would need to remain a year and a half 32 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,760 Speaker 2: to train them. Inspired by the Book. 33 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:24,640 Speaker 3: Of Acts, Hello, this is Jack Graham once again with 34 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 3: today's episode of the Bible in a Year podcast and 35 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,240 Speaker 3: our last time together. We heard how Paul and Silas 36 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 3: planted a church in Thessalonika and discipled new believers in 37 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 3: order to lead the church forward. They faced opposition and 38 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 3: were forced to flee under cover for a night in Barrea, 39 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 3: where they found Jewish believers who were more open to 40 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 3: reasoning through the scriptures to determine what was truly God's word. 41 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 3: We then heard how Paul went to Athens and shared 42 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:57,239 Speaker 3: the Gospel with Greeks and the public square, using relatable, 43 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 3: relevant language to introduce them to the God they'd never met. Today, 44 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 3: we'll hear how Paul brought light into the dark city 45 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 3: of Corinth. He will meet fellow tent makers who would 46 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 3: become not only partners in the marketplace, but in mission 47 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 3: as well. Despite the sin that abounded in this place, 48 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:19,639 Speaker 3: the Gospel took hold. Jesus came alive in the hearts 49 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 3: of those who received him, and Paul remained many months 50 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,440 Speaker 3: in order to disciple these brand new Christians. Let's listen 51 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 3: now to this reading from the Book of Acts. 52 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 2: Paul felt the ocean breeze caress his face as he 53 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 2: descended into the city of Corinth. This ancient port city 54 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: was bustling with culture and trade. It was Julius Caesar 55 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:44,839 Speaker 2: who had restored the city to its former glory. Its 56 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 2: buildings were large and bright, gazing over the ocean. Its 57 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 2: streets were busy with trade and business. Yet the city 58 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 2: was not for the weak hearted. Many dangers lurked in 59 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 2: the city of Corinth. Its port made it a hub 60 00:03:57,120 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 2: for many dangerous people, and its temple to Afford made 61 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 2: it a city fuelled by carnal pleasures. Paul knew that 62 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 2: Corinth's outward beauty was not to be trusted. It was 63 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,600 Speaker 2: often said that in order to survive Corinth, one must 64 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:14,560 Speaker 2: be brave and unwavering. So Paul walked the city streets 65 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:18,039 Speaker 2: looking for any sign of familiar faces or buildings. He 66 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 2: knew the first step was to find like minded people 67 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:25,240 Speaker 2: and seek their protection. Paul walked past the Temple of Aphrodite. 68 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:28,920 Speaker 2: Male and female prostitutes lay on the temple steps, beckoning 69 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,280 Speaker 2: for Paul to draw near. Paul looked away and fixed 70 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 2: his gaze towards the docks. There he saw a man 71 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 2: thrown overboard with a weight around his neck. The city 72 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 2: would take Paul's soul if he was not careful. After 73 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 2: a day of searching, Paul met a Jewish couple named 74 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:49,040 Speaker 2: Aquila and Priscilla. Claudius had commanded that all Jews residing 75 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: in Rome be banished, so the two of them found 76 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 2: themselves living in Corinth with the other exiles. Paul and 77 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:58,599 Speaker 2: Aquila became good friends, since both of them were tent 78 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:02,000 Speaker 2: makers by trade. The two of them mended tents together 79 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,040 Speaker 2: and preached in the nearby synagogues. Soon Silas and Timothy 80 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 2: journeyed to meet Paul. A few weeks had passed and 81 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 2: Paul was becoming well acquainted with some of the Corinthian Jews. 82 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 2: Daily he would speak of Jesus and preach the good 83 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 2: news of forgiveness. Yet they would deny him. Daily, each 84 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 2: day they would mark him and mark Christ. They would 85 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: blaspheme against Jesus and curse him. However, the Gentiles were 86 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:31,279 Speaker 2: receiving Christ with gladness. So Paul wiped the dust off 87 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 2: his robe and lifted his hands, saying, your blood be 88 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:37,600 Speaker 2: on your own heads. From now on, I will turn 89 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 2: my attention to the Gentiles. As Paul continued in ministry, 90 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 2: many Corinthians came to know Jesus as their lord and savior. Prostitutes, sailors, thieves, craftsmen, 91 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,920 Speaker 2: and Roman guards came together at the feet of Jesus 92 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:56,159 Speaker 2: to warship. One night, Paul was tossing and turning in 93 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,719 Speaker 2: his bed, Sweat beat down his neck. Even the ocean 94 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: breeze could not cool him down. He was riddled with 95 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 2: anxious fear. Fear of the Jews, fear of sinning with 96 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 2: the prostitutes, fear of being stabbed or beaten. All of 97 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 2: these things rushed upon Paul with great force. So he 98 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: cried out to God and whispered sweet hymns to comfort him. 99 00:06:17,360 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 2: In the night, as Paul drifted off to sleep, the 100 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 2: Lord came to him in a dream, saying, be of 101 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,799 Speaker 2: good courage, Paul, keep speaking, and do not be silent. 102 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: I have gone before you, and I am with you. 103 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 2: No one will attack you, for there are many in 104 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 2: this city who belonged to me. Calmed by the presence 105 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 2: of God, Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and 106 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,160 Speaker 2: a half. He would teach the word of God and 107 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,840 Speaker 2: build up leaders in the Corinthian church. However, there was 108 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 2: a dark force arising in the Jews of Corinth. They 109 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 2: made a united attack against Paul. As he was mending 110 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 2: tense near the market place, they ambushed him. Paul was 111 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 2: once again met with a fury of fists and feet 112 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: to his face and ribs. He was tacked to the 113 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 2: floor and bound. The Jews sacrificed the shalom peace of 114 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:08,159 Speaker 2: God for the sake of violence against their brother. So 115 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 2: they brought him to the court, hoping to get him 116 00:07:10,720 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 2: sentenced to prison or banished. The Jews brought Paul before Gallio, 117 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 2: the proconsul of Akiyah. They spat at Paul and pointed, saying, 118 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 2: this man is telling people to worship God apart from 119 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 2: our traditions. He ought to be punished. Gallio looked down 120 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 2: from his high platform. He leaned back from his desk 121 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:34,160 Speaker 2: and laughed, Are you joking? He scoffed. I thought this 122 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:36,520 Speaker 2: was a matter of crime, but it is just your 123 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 2: petty Jewish law. Get out of my sight and settle 124 00:07:39,840 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 2: this among yourselves. Livid, the Jews brought a man named 125 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 2: Sustin before Gallio and beat him nearly to death. Sustan 126 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: was also a believer, so they wanted to show Gallio 127 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 2: the severity of their crimes. But Gallio was a Roman 128 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 2: and couldn't care less about the affairs of the Jews. 129 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 2: So the Corinthian Church emerged from a dark and wicked city. 130 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 2: The church would have to be on guard and alert 131 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: if it was to survive. Paul knew this and stayed 132 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 2: a long time to ensure they were taken care of. However, 133 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: the Corinthian Church would prove to be difficult for Paul. 134 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: When he left, they would fall prey to different schemes 135 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 2: of false teachers and corrupt practices. It would only be 136 00:08:19,520 --> 00:08:22,040 Speaker 2: through a stiff rebuke from Paul that they would return 137 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 2: to their relationship with Jesus. 138 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 3: As we begin today's reading, we find Paul in the 139 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 3: busy port town of Corinth. It was a place where 140 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 3: commerce abounded, and so did sin, especially immorality, sexual sin. 141 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,719 Speaker 3: This was where the temple of Aphrodite was located, and 142 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 3: worshippers of this false god indulged in all manner of 143 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 3: sexual immorality. It pervaded and perversed the culture and would 144 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,760 Speaker 3: be a battle that Christians in Corinth would have to 145 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 3: fight and be prepared against these temptations. Paul met to 146 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 3: Jew a husband and wife named Aquila and Priscilla. They 147 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 3: were tent makers like him, and he soon joined them 148 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 3: in the marketplace to support his missionary efforts. As he 149 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: did in every city, Paul devoted time to sharing the 150 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 3: good news of Jesus with both Jews and Gentiles. He 151 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 3: went to the synagogue every Sabbath and reasoned through the 152 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:24,600 Speaker 3: scriptures to show people who Jesus is and why his 153 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 3: claims could be believed. This was a common theme in 154 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:31,080 Speaker 3: Paul's ministry, and it reminds us that our faith is 155 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 3: not blind acceptance, but reasonable based upon genuine, legitimate truth. 156 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 3: God has given us minds with which to reason, and 157 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 3: He has revealed himself through his word, the Bible, and 158 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 3: we can have confidence and trust the Bible, and therefore 159 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,920 Speaker 3: believe and have faith in God and the things that 160 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 3: God says in his word. Soon Paul was joined by 161 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 3: Silas and Timothy, and together they continued to share the Gospel. 162 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 3: But it was tiring work, and day after day Paul 163 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 3: felt the rejection and ridicule that came from religious people, 164 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 3: until finally he had had enough. He wrote them off 165 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 3: in his mind, resolving to speak only to gentiles who 166 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 3: were open to the gospel. It's a relatable experience. Many times, 167 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 3: people who are religious, even members of our own family 168 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: and closest circles, can frustrate us because they reject the 169 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,800 Speaker 3: truth of Jesus Christ. But don't miss what happened to Paul. 170 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 3: As we read in Acts eighteen, verse nine, one night, 171 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 3: the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. Do not 172 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 3: be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent. This 173 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 3: is great encouragement for us today. We must not be silent, 174 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 3: even in the face of rejection. We can expect rejection 175 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:51,240 Speaker 3: and move forward through it. It can be disheartening and disappointing, 176 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,400 Speaker 3: but we must not be silent in our mission to 177 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,439 Speaker 3: take the message of Jesus Christ to the world, beginning 178 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 3: with those nearby closest to us, our name, our family 179 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 3: and friends, and to the nations. So we heard then 180 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 3: that Paul listened to God's words to him and persevered. 181 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 3: He stayed in Corinth, teaching and preaching God's word, and 182 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 3: the church was growing there, but so was opposition. Finally, 183 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 3: the angry religious crowd in opposition to Paul took him 184 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 3: before the Roman governor. They accused him of teaching about 185 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:28,720 Speaker 3: a God that wasn't part of their religious traditions. This 186 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,559 Speaker 3: Roman ruler wasn't interested, really, this wasn't a legal or 187 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 3: criminal matter. He sent them away, no doubt, frustrated that 188 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 3: Paul was free to continue teaching about Jesus. It was 189 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 3: a victory, albeit a small one, and one that allowed 190 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 3: Paul to remain there discipling believers in growing the church, 191 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 3: and this was such an important task. The darkness in 192 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 3: Corinth was strong, seeping into the society and threatening to 193 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:59,079 Speaker 3: poison the burgeoning, growing church. Later, Paul would write two 194 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 3: letters to the church in Corinth, urging the believers to 195 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 3: turn back to Jesus and root out false teaching and 196 00:12:05,559 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 3: evil practices that had found their way into the church. 197 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 3: His words would serve as a reminder to us today 198 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:16,120 Speaker 3: to always be vigilant in truth, rejecting the sin and 199 00:12:16,160 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 3: the culture that surrounds us, and holding true to our 200 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 3: identity and our commitment to Christ. Let's pray. Dear God, 201 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:27,680 Speaker 3: we thank you for today's reading and the reminder that 202 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 3: we must never be silent in the face of opposition 203 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 3: or rejection, but always speak the truth of your word. 204 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 3: May we boldly share the gospel of Jesus Christ to 205 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 3: our neighbors and to the nations. As long as we 206 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 3: have breath in our lungs. May we keep speaking the 207 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 3: name of Jesus and delivering his truth. Amen.