Paul Is Encouraged by Jesus (Acts 18:1–23)

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Paul Is Encouraged by Jesus (Acts 18:1–23)

Prepared and preached by Pastor Steve Rhodes for and at Bethel Friends Church in Poland, OH on Sunday, September 21, 2025

I have been encouraged many times and in many ways, but often I receive encouragement through a note or something someone says. I know of pastors who have an encouragement file. If they are ever discouraged, they go to that file and find the encouragement they need. We need encouragement, I do. Many times, my encouragement comes from an email, a text message, or a phone call. Sometimes I do not realize how encouraging it is until later. Sometimes someone will text me a Scripture verse. A few times, I have been praying, and the Holy Spirit reminds me of something.

Today, we talk about Jesus encouraging Paul, and the Holy Spirit encouraging us. As we start this subject, it should encourage us, but also challenge us. Living by the Holy Spirit is not easy.

Francis Chan writes in Forgotten God:

CHRISTLIKENESS: A PAINFUL PROCESS

The truth is that the Spirit of the living God is guaranteed to ask you to go somewhere or do something you wouldn’t normally want or choose to do. The Spirit will lead you to the way of the cross, as He led Jesus to the cross, and that is definitely not a safe or pretty or comfortable place to be. The Holy Spirit of God will mold you into the person you were made to be. This often incredibly painful process strips you of selfishness, pride, and fear.
For a powerful example of this, read in C. S. Lewis’ book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader about the boy, Eustace, who becomes a dragon. In order to become a little boy again, he must undergo a tremendous amount of pain as the dragon skin is peeled away and torn from him. Only after he endures this painful process is he truly transformed from a dragon back into a boy. Sometimes the sin we take on becomes such a part of us that it requires this same kind of ripping and tearing to free us. The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christlike, and this can be painful.[1]

In today’s passage, we see that Jesus encouraged Paul, BUT, notice first that Paul was stepping outside of his comfort zone following the Holy Spirit’s will. He was sharing the Gospel, despite resistance.

Today, my theme is Jesus encourages Paul.

  1. Overview of Acts 18:1-23
    1. First, I want to summarize Acts 18:1-23. Then, we will focus on Acts 18:5-11.
    2. In Acts 18:1-3, we meet Paul’s friends (Acts 18:1-3).
    3. Paul meets Aquilla and Priscilla.
    4. We are also introduced to Paul’s stay in Corinth and his work as a tentmaker. Paul was reasoning with people in the synagogue.
    5. In Acts 18:6-11 Paul is opposed but the Holy Spirit encourages him. We will come back to that section.
    6. In Acts 18:12-17, he faces more opposition, but this time he doesn’t need to flee. He stays.
    7. He stays in Corinth for at least 18 months. The only place he stayed longer would be Ephesus.
    8. Paul in Cenchrea (18:18): Here he shaves his head and takes a vow.
    9. Paul in Ephesus (18:19–21): The apostle’s stay here is short, for he plans to observe a special feast soon to be celebrated in Jerusalem.
    10. Paul in Antioch of Syria (18:22): No doubt he gives a report here at his home church.
    11. Paul in Galatia (18:23): He begins his third missionary journey.[2]
  2. Paul is opposed, but the Lord encourages him (Acts 18:6-11).
    1. Now, let’s focus on one section of this passage.
    2. Acts 18:6–11 (ESV)
    3. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
    4. Why is he opposed?
    5. He had been reasoning with them in the synagoes.
    6. What does he do?
    7. Paul shook out his clothes, this is similar to shaking the dust off of your feet.
    8. Paul said that he was innocent.
    9. Verse 7: Paul goes to a man’s house next to the synagogue.
    10. In verse 8, we see the synagogue leaders receive Jesus.
    11. He believed. That is a major event when a synagogue leader accepts Christ. This is like reaching a Jehovah’s Witness leader. Not a common person.
    12. Remember, when we share the Gospel, Jesus is in charge of the results.
    13. Many of the Corinthians were being saved.
    14. They were being baptized as well.
    15. 1 Cor. 1:14 Crispus is one that Paul baptized.
    16. Baptism follows salvation. We are baptized to follow Jesus’s footsteps. We are baptized to make a public profession of our faith in Christ. We are baptized to symbolize dying with Christ and rising again. We are baptized, as that is symbolic of washing away our sins.
    17. This must mean water baptism.
    18. Verse 9: This verse begins a message from Jesus. Do not be afraid…
    19. Jesus says to go on speaking and not be silent.
    20. Verse 10: Jesus says that He is with Paul.
    21. Jesus says that no man will attack him to harm him.
    22. Sometimes we feel like we are alone, but we are never alone as a Christ follower. God has other witnesses, and the Holy Spirit is with us.
    23. Verse 11: Paul stayed a year and six months (eighteen months).
    24. Paul settled. He made his home around them.
    25. ESV Study Note:
    26. Up to this point, opposition to his ministry had usually forced Paul to leave a place of witness. But the Lord in a vision assured him that he would have a successful ministry in Corinth and would suffer no further harm. In obedience Paul remained there for 18 months (c. d. 49–51, during which time he wrote 1–2 Thessalonians).[3]
    27. Paul was teaching God’s Word.
  • What about us?
    1. It was Jesus Who encouraged Paul.
    2. The direct application is that when we are doing what God calls us to do we can keep at it. God is with us. We are never alone.
    3. Seek the Lord.
    4. Stay in His will.
    5. Look for Him to encourage you as you follow His will.
    6. God is with us. Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 says that Jesus’ name shall be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Matthew 28:20 says that the Lord is with us in the great commission.
  • Be an encourager and look for Jesus to encourage you.
      1. An indirect application. Remember this is indirect, not a direct application, is that we all need encouragement.
      2. Get up every morning and pray that you are encouraged and an encourager.
      3. I was reviewing a message I previously delivered on this passage, and I wrote this in 2014.
      4. We had a childcare and preschool at my church, and the children would walk by my office.
      5. My children attended there.
      6. I shared:
      7. We need encouragement, and the Holy Spirit may encourage you through circumstances. You know how encouraging it is for me to be sitting in my office when Mercedes walks by and says, “Hi Daddy, that’s my daddy, that’s my daddy.” That is exactly what she said a few weeks ago [remember in 2014]. That brightens my day, and I hope I never forget it [I am glad I read the reminder]. You know how encouraging it is when I walk in the door only to slammed by Mercedes with a hug. A few weeks ago, Mercedes was up in the night coughing, so I got her up and gave her a drink and some crackers. She was wide awake. She sits down at the table and says, “Daddy, I’ll sit here and you sit here.” She pointed next to her. I wanted to unload the dishwasher, oh, but she wanted me with her. She wanted presence.
      8. While serving as the pastor, I would read to the children at the childcare.
      9. One year, just after Christmas, I was at Wal-Mart and heard a child say, “There is Jesus.” The mom looked around, and so did I. We heard him say the same thing again. He pointed directly at me. He associated me with Jesus since I work at the church and read stories about Jesus to him.
      10. Are those encouraging words from God? Not directly, but God can use them. Mercedes and Abigail encourage me by being my loving daughters and being proud to say, “That’s my daddy!”
      11. Jesus may encourage through the church. Jesus may encourage you through a kind letter from a friend. Jesus may encourage you through the Scriptures.
      12. Have you ever read the right Scripture at just the right time? Jesus may encourage you through circumstance. Jesus may encourage you in prayer. You may be praying, and you feel this presence. Jesus may speak to you that way.
      13. In Acts 18:10: Jesus said that He had others in the city.
      14. Remember the church.
      15. You are not alone.

I read:

Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.  (William Arthur Ward)

Prayer

[1] Francis Chan. Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (pp. 50-51). Kindle Edition.

[2] H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Ac 18:18–23.

  1. about, approximately

[3] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2123.

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