Acts 18:18-22

There is an old saying that goes something like this, “to someone out there you are the greatest example of Christ they have.” I have seen this in my own life as non-Christians and Christians alike hold me to a hirer standard then they hold even themselves to. If I slip up and tell a “white lie”, or gossip they judge Christ and the Church by that. It is like we live in a big fish bowl and the world is sitting around watching and commenting on our ever action and move.

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Acts 18:1-17

When we left Paul last week he was in Athens and had pretty much failed to have the major impact he usually had in a city. Before this he had been illegally beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, forced out of Thessalonica with his friend Jason held as bail for him, forced by a riot out of Berea, and now arrives in Corinth alone.  This is possibly the lowest point in Paul’s ministry that we have record in the Scriptures for us. [...]

Acts 17:16-34

This week our text open as Paul arrives at Athens with out his missionary team. He had left Silas and Timothy in Berea. Upon arriving in Athens he sends a message back asking Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens, however they will not meet up with him till he reaches Corinth. [...]

Acts 17:1-15

As Paul leaves Philippi and heads on to Thessalonica the text switches back to the third person. This could mean that Luke stayed behind in Philippi and helped the new church there, possibly even staying on as its Pastor. The route form Philippi to Thessalonica was around one hundred miles. It is supposed that they made this trip in three days, which would mean that they traveled thirty miles a day. Since they were beaten and tossed in prison only a day before this trip that must have been a grueling trip to make. [...]

Acts 16:19-40

Through out recorded history we read stories of God’s people facing hardship. In fact it often appears that the harder we work for God, the more trials come to us. We see this both through out secular history, and through out the Bible. [...]