1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 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. Acts 18:1-8 ESV
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid…”Acts 18:9 ESV
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What type of people may have caused Paul to experience fear?
People who are full of pride.
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 1 Corinthians 4:19 ESV
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People who are pursuing evil activity.
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 1 Corinthians 5:1 ESV
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People who are worshiping false gods.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14 ESV
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People who are inflicting pain on the innocent.
5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 2 Corinthians 1:5 ESV
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…” Acts 18:9 ESV
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How can we “go on” serving God even when we are afraid?
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…” Acts 18:9-10 ESV
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God told Isaac, “I am with you.” Genesis 26:24
God told Jacob, “I am with you.” Genesis 28:15
God told Isaiah, “I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10
God told Jeremiah, “I am with you.” Jeremiah 1:8
God told Haggai, “I am with you.” Haggai 1:13
Jesus told the Eleven, “I am with you.” John 13:33
Jesus told all Disciples, “I am with you.” Matthew 28:20
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1. We can “go on” serving God with His PRESENCE.
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.” Acts 18:9-10 ESV
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2. We can “go on” serving God with His PLAN.
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. Acts 18:9-11 ESV
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3. We can “go on” serving God with His POWER.
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV
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“Do not be afraid, but go on” serving God.