Encouragement To Go Forward Is there a cure for discouragement? November 14 – AM Acts 18:9-11

Discouragement One of the devils tools is discouragement Story is told – –Satan was having a garage sale – selling all his tools –EXCEPT one – Discouragement – “Not for Sale” –Satan could not lose his most useful tool We all have our times of being discouraged

Discouragement Preachers are not exempt from being discouraged –Strain of the work – dealing with people, problems, illness, death, sin –Little Success – not as many baptisms, people not seeking forgiveness and repentance, lives not changed, attitudes not showing love and consideration –Lonely service – much is done alone, preacher is always open to suggestions, ideas, thoughts, input

Paul was discouraged Corinth was a very wicked city Many pagan temples with prostitutes The most famous was the temple of Aphrodite A sexually wicked person was called a “Corinthian” Paul was ready to leave and move on God stepped in and encouraged Paul to stay and work

3 Encouragements 1.Friends – Acts 18:1-5a 1.Bearing it all alone is tough 2.Having friends who support you is a great help 3.Even encouragers need encouragement 4.Paul is alone 5.Trouble arises in Rome and Aquila and Priscilla come to Corinth 6.Silas and Timothy come to help out

3 Encouragements 1.Friends – Acts 18:1-5a 1.We need to stand for what is right 2.Even if we are all alone 3.BUT – it is much easier when there are friends to support, encourage and stand with you

3 Encouragements 1.Friends – Acts 18:1-5a 2.Results – Acts 16:5b-8 1.Paul was “pressed in the spirit” (vs. 5) 2.Crispus – ruler of the synagogue converts (vs. 8a) 3.Many Corinthians convert (vs. 8b) 4.I think about Noah – preached 120 years with 7 converts

3 Encouragements 1.Friends – Acts 18:1-5a 2.Results – Acts 16:5b-8 1.We have a choice – 2.We can dwell on the negative and be discouraged 3.We can dwell on the positive – see results

3 Encouragements 1.Friends – Acts 18:1-5a 2.Results – Acts 16:5b-8 3.Promises of God – Acts 18: Friends and seeing positive results are an encouragement to any preacher 2.The greatest encouragement comes from God 3.God makes 4 promises

Promises of God 1) Do not keep silent 1.Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t let up 2.Stand up, speak up 3.Continue to stand for the truth 4.Truth will prevail

Promises of God 2) I am with you 1.Jesus promised this in Matthew 28:20 2.God promised this in Hebrews 13:5 3.God and me = a majority – Romans 8:31 4.God will encourage us 5.He will not forsake us

Promises of God 3) No one will hurt you 1.God is not only present – He protects 2.Providence is a wonderful thing 3.If you are in tune with God 4.Can you walk through the doors God has opened? 5.OR are you trying to crash through the doors God has closed?

Promises of God 4) Much people in this city 1.There is too much to do here 2.This is not the time to leave Corinth 3.There things to do 4.People to teach 5.There is much good yet to be done

Conclusion: The elders and deacons had a meeting last month – planning for 2005 The elders are now working on a budget plan for 2005 I am working on sermons and class topics for the next year Many are active and working to build this church There is much people, much to do, much yet to do

Conclusion: Are you ready to work with us? 1.The elders are ready to be aggressive in the work 2.Many are working to make this church strong 3.I am ready to work to build this church in the coming years 4.“There is much people in this city” 5.Are you ready to work together? 6.Are you prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work?