8-8-21 | Unlikely Places
UNLIKELY PLACES
2 Corinthians 2:14 – “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”
Acts 18:1 – “After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.”
Romans 4:17b – “God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
How do we minister in challenging, unlikely places?
1. SHOW UP IN JESUS’ NAME
When Paul showed up, the Holy Spirit showed up.
1 Corinthians 2:2 – “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
1 Corinthians 2:3 – “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
1 Corinthians 2:4 – “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
2 Corinthians 12:12 – “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.”
Acts 18:2 – “And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome): and he came to them.”
Acts 18:3 – “So because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation, they were tentmakers.”
2. SPEAK UP IN JESUS’ NAME
Acts 18:4 – “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath; and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.”
Acts 18:5 – “When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”
Acts 18:6 – “But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them,
‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’”
Acts 18:7 – “And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.”
Acts 18:8 – “Then Crispus the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.”
Acts 18:9-10 – “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.’”
Matthew 14:27b – “Take courage, I am, do not be afraid.”
3. DON’T GIVE UP
Acts 18:11 – “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.”
Don’t doubt in the dark what you heard in the light.
Acts 18:8b – “And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.”
Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:30 – “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.”
Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you find yourself in a difficult place at work or school as a believer?
2. Do you believe that God could work through you to bring light and transformation to that difficult place?
3. What is one step the Holy Spirit is calling you to take to bring change into that difficult place?
4. What is one thing the Holy Spirit is doing in your heart to prepare you to bring His Presence into that difficult place?
5. Who are some of the people the Lord has brought across your path to help you minister in that difficult place?