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by Sandy Shaw
Amidst all the problems of which we have been reading in Acts 18, Paul continues to minister. God saw to it that His man was able to preach and teach - and then, it was time to leave Corinth. There is a time to stay and a time to move on. Knowing which we should do is not always easy!
Paul sailed to Syria, with Aquila and Priscilla, and in Cenchrea, shaved his head, because of a vow he had taken.
In verse 19 we read of him arriving in Ephesus, and off he goes to the synagogue and reasons with the Jews. After all he has experienced at the hands of unbelieving Jews, he continues to seek to reach them for Christ, with that mercy and love which can be received through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must learn from that.
Some wanted him to stay longer, but he declines the invitation on this occasion. Paul decides not to linger. What a lesson for us. We must be where Jesus wants us to be. Some times it is right to remain in a particular area, and at other times it is right to hurry on to another situation, and these are not easy decisions which require to be made. This is where we have to trust our sovereign God.
There are times when we have to say to people - "No, I cannot do that - because Jesus wants me to do this." That requires courage and determination. We have to learn to say "NO" as well "YES" - and to say the right word in the right situation.
Even when people desired Paul's presence, he said "NO", simply because Jesus Christ wanted him for something else in some other place. Eighteen months in Corinth when God wanted him there, but here he seems to discern that it is only a human desire for him to stay, and not God's holy will.
Paul explained fully that he had to move on and how he had to go back to Jerusalem, but "I will return to you, if it is the will of God". I will come if God wants me to. Wherever God wants me to be, there I will aim to be.
He sails for Caesarea, goes up to Jerusalem and greets the Church - that is so important - then, home to Antioch. What is called the second missionary journey is over. Paul has completed what God had called him to do. 2,500 miles - twice as long as the first missionary journey - and taking around 3 years - and he has been through much!
Paul and the team return to the local fellowship, where he shares the news of these three years mission - the events - the incidents - some of the details of what happened. Can you imagine him speaking about the vision, which led him to go over to Europe, and then drawing their attention to the consequences of that vision? Philippi - Thessalonica - then at Berea this happened - then in Athens - and when we reached Corinth, there was another vision leading to a stay of 18 months teaching The Word of God.
There is one thing about the Church of Jesus Christ - it is never boring! If you find services boring or dry and dull, massive questions need to be asked. The New Testament Church of Jesus Christ was never boring.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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