vs. 2-6 - The Apostle Paul's support came in two different ways.

• " Friends, vs. 2, 5.
• " Finances, v. 3. That which Paul gained by his occupation sustained him. And that which was given by God's people to his ministry, v. 5. Silas and Timothy probably brought such a financial gift to free Paul to give his full time to this new work in Corinth, Philippians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 9:7-15. Paul believed that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel through the responsible and generous giving of saved people in the church. And, Paul believed that a preacher is worthy of his hire, 1 Timothy 5:18.

vs. 4-6 Those of the synagogue "opposed" and "blasphemed" and Paul was led to move from the Jews to the Gentiles.

vs.7-8 Do you see what Paul does? And do you see what God does? Paul leaves the synagogue and goes next door, to Justus' house and the chief ruler of the synagogue, Crispus, believe on the Lord and his house and, that led to many other Corinthians believing and being baptized.

vs. 6b-8 - Paul makes this determination to turn his attention from the Jews to the Gentiles. He had been told this would happen at his conversion, Acts 9:15. Look what happened. " A home was opened to God's man, v. 7. " Hearts were opened to the gospel, v. 8.

Right in the middle of the success and excitement of God's working in Corinth Paul seems to have gotten discouraged. It may have seemed the work was too slow, too difficult, or the conditions too wicked or the assignment too trying. In other places and at other times he had passed more severe tests to his obedience and dedication. But that was then and this was now.

Charles Spurgeon relates a similar case of Sir Frances Drake. "Must I who has escaped the rage of the ocean, be drowned in a ditch?" Spurgeon then went on to make this application. "Will you, experienced saint, who have passed through a world of tribulation, lie down and die of despair, or give up your profession because you are at the present moment passing through some light affliction? Let our past preservation inspire you with courage and constrain you to brave all storms for Jesus' sake."

J. Vernon McGee comments on this passage, "I'm of the opinion that when he received this opposition, he was ready to leave and go somewhere else."

Like Paul, many people are often struck with a bad case of "U-Haul Fever." Have you ever wanted to pack up and leave? People do it all the time-their jobs, their marriages, their friendships, even their churches in record numbers. Have you ever noticed how many pastors are continuously moving from church to church. The average stay of a pastor at a Southern Baptist church at one time was 18 months.

Have you noticed some church people are almost coming and going from one church to another?

Evidently, Paul came down with this dreaded disease. "U-Haul fever" was giving him the chills. God woke him up in the night and gave him a divine prescription. "Then speak the Lord to Paul in the night…" v. 9. Isn't God good to speak to us in our darkest moments? I know God will speak to us if we will just get still enough to hear His voice.

Let's take a break away from the Acts account written by Luke, and turn to 1 Corinthian to how Paul was feeling at this time. · 2:2 "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."

Most of us have the idea that Paul was always on top of things-unflappable, unstoppable. Paul was at this very moment at the breaking point.

Paul was scared. God said, "Be not afraid," v. 9. This is a present imperative which means, "Stop being afraid." Did you know there are 365 "Fear nots" in the Bible. I guess that is one for every day of the year.

Paul was also silent. God said, "Speak, and hold not thy peace." Brother, Paul did not get in trouble because of the way he lived, but because of what he said. "Jesus was Christ," he said to them in Acts 18:5.

I know we don't believe in Bible revisions, but most peoples need a re-vision. Remember Acts 16:9? That was Paul first vision that led him in the direction of Macedonia and Philippi and finally here to Corinth. Well, Acts 18:9 is Paul's re-vision.

God's people need to hear again the message God gave Paul in that night vision. It will give us the "staying power" we need to carry on the work of the Lord where we are. Paul may have been thinking, "Lord, how can I stay here any longer? Lord, how can I go any farther? Lord, how can I give any more? Lord, how can I speak to another soul?"

And God say, you can go on, you must go on, because of…

1. God's Divine Presence. "I am with thee…"

"I am with thee…"

We have a major accounting problem. We simply cannot do the math. Here it is: God + one = majority. We are in God's work along.

What did Jesus say? "Take my yoke upon you…" When we take on Christ's yoke we partner with Him.

And with Him comes all the provisions we will ever need.

During our building the fellowship/gym bulding in 1989 I made it a practice to stay on top of the finances by balancing the books almost daily. As we got toward the end, my figures said we would close with a $42,000 surplus. I was beside myself. I thought it was a modern miracle, you know, like the loaves and fishes. For several days I was so secure thinking we had this amount to fall back on. It was quite a shock when one day I discovered I had failed to take note of a $20,000 withdrawal and that $42,000 shrunk to $22,000. I was trashed. And then God dealt with my heart. There I was putting my confidence in a measly $20,000 and not in the mighty God and heaven and earth who is always with me.

2. God's Divine Protection. "And no man shall set thee to hurt thee…"

This did not mean that Paul would not face any more attacks. One that was planned in verses 12-17 never came off! Christ did not promise freedom from attacks, but that Paul would suffer no harm.

"Yea, all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," 2 Timothy 3:12.

Some Christians are like the man who tried to commit suicide by hanging himself with a rope tied around his waist. He found that when he put the rope around his neck it interfered with his breathing. Many believers are ready to "suffer and die" for Christ provided it doesn't hurt.

You know what I have discovered? Christians are like tea-bags-we ar not much good until we get into some hot water! Really! The persecution against the early church at Jerusalem kindled the fires of world evangelism, Acts 8:1, 4.

In all circumstances of life, we can be assured of God's divine protection. What comes into our lives has either been planned or permitted by God; it is either appointed or approved by God.

You may say, "But I feel so much pressure." Well, dear child of God, that pressure is from the hand of God that protects you! Amen.

3. God's Divine Purpose. "I have much people in this city."

This phrase declares that God knew of people in Corinth who were not yet saved, but who would be as Paul continued preaching the gospel. If we stay on the job and get the word of God out to our city God will save people! God has His own. He has taken the census and He knows who and where they are.

• " There are those who are waiting for the Word.
• " There are those who will be won by the Word.

Salvation is God's work and it is His purpose, His power, His grace, His mercy, His will to save the lost!

Twenty years ago (1988) a young girl rode one of our vans to church and was saved and after a couple of weeks was baptized. The family moved out of our neighborhood and across town. One morning (Sept 15, 1989) she was walking to school and was abducted, raped and murderer. Amy Thatcher is in heaven because God's people in this church stayed faithful and reached out.

Just about the time Paul was going to resign, God spoke to him and, instead, he re-signed, verse 11. A quietness and contentment came over him and "he continued there." While "there" he wrote the first two church letters, 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Our greater works are ahead of us if we stay.