Homiletics

 Acts 18:1-28

Content:

1. Paul leaves Athens for Corinth joining Aquila and Priscilla in tentmaker work, teaching in Synagogue on Sabbath. 1-4
2. Silas and Timothy's arrival allow Paul more concentrated teaching time to Jews. 5
3. Jew's opposition lead Paul to concentrate on preaching to Gentiles and he moves out of Synagogue to preach, gaining converts. 6-8
4. Lord appears in night vision to Paul confirming he was to stay in Corinth preaching word of God. 9-11
5. Jews tried to take Paul to court for trying to persuade people to worship in ways contrary to the law. 12-13
6. Gallio the proconsul rejected the case from the court saying he was not judge over such matters. 14-16
7. They took their anger out on Sosthenes the Synagogue leader and Gallio didn't care. 17
8. Paul, Priscilla and Aquilla head for Syria and they stop at Ephesus for a time. 18-20
9. Paul leaves Priscilla and Aguila at Ephesus promising to return if God's will. 21
10. Paul greets church in Caesarea, spends time in Antioch and strengthens disciples throughout Galatia and Phrygia. 22-23
11. Meanwhile  Priscilla and Aquilla in Ephesus learn of Apollos and they disciple him in the way of God. 24-26
12. Apollos goes to Achaia with Ephesus brother's endorsement where he proves in public debate through scripture that Jesus is the Christ. 27-28

Divisions:

1. While in Corinth, God leads Paul to focus on preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. 1-17
2. Paul travels to Ephesus, Caesarea, Antioch and Phrygia strengthening disciples. 18-23
3. Meanwhile in Ephesus Priscilla and Aquilla disciple Apollos who then goes on missionary journey to Achaia. 24- 28

Subject Sentence:

• Paul preaches Jesus to Gentiles in Corinth and beyond, increasing disciples.

Aim:

• God uses people with different gifts and passions in a variety of ways to spread the truth of the gospel. 

Application:

1. What group of people is God leading me to focus my ministry on.  Who am I to concentrate my energy in sharing the Gospel with?  What things might I need to let go of to do so?
2. What acts  (like Paul's vow) do I need to do for my own spiritual growth and self discipline? Where or in doing what, do I need to be spending time so that my life helps to encourage and strengthen other believers.
3. Who is God showing me to invest time in so that they know truth? Do I value teaching and discipling others in what feels like a small or simple way, trusting that God will use to send them out to share the Gospel?