“WHEN OPPOSITION TURNS INTO OPPORTUNITY”

Acts 18:1-18

I. INTRODUCTION:
A. A brief overview of what is happening:
1. Paul’s time in Athens
2. Paul’s dilemma
B. Location and background of Corinth:
1. Change in geography (see map on back)
2. Commerce and wealth
3. A place that was known for evil practices

II. PAUL FINDS THAT PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF:
A. Paul’s burnout and God’s provision: vv. 1-5
1. Arriving in Corinth with the past on his mind: v. 1
2. God brings encouragement with Aquila and Priscilla: vv. 2-3
3. Silas and Timothy join Paul: vv.4-5
B. Paul gets fed up and redirected: vv. 6-8
1. The Jews resisted and blasphemed Paul: v. 6
2. Paul finds a new audience and new location: v. 7
3. Revival in Corinth: v. 8

C. God brings peace to the heart of Paul: vv. 9-11
1. Paul receives a vision from the Lord: vv. 9-10
2. Paul expands his ministry and stays awhile: v. 11
D. God uses an unlikely player to protect Paul: vv. 12-18

1. Paul is brought before Gallio: vv. 12-13
2. Gallio shuts down the judgment made against Paul: vv. 13-16
3. The attack of the Jews falls down on their own house: vv. 17-18

III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. The truth of Christ, and the good news of the Gospel, will always shut the doors of
religiosity.
B. When enduring the task of following the great commission, we must realize that
help is on the way, and that opposition is the gateway to amazing opportunities.
C. The last place on earth we expect the Gospel to flourish, is usually the breeding grounds for great revival.