Unstoppable: The Book of Acts: Advent in Corinth - Pastor Ben Hodges

Jesus does not save the world by staying put.He saved it by coming to earth as a baby.He saves it by sending people out to continue his work.He will save it, fully, by coming back to earth at the end of time.Act 18:1-171. PAUL TRAVELS TO CORINTH — LOVE MOVES TOWARD HARD PLACES.“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.” (v.1)Paul doesn’t go to Corinth because it’s easy.Love goes where the lost are.Disciples don’t just complain about culture — they move into it with the gospel.2. ORDINARY PEOPLE WITH A BACK STORY – GOD USES THEM TO MAKES HIS LOVE KNOWN.“And he found a Jew named Aquila… with his wife Priscilla… because Claudius had commandedall the Jews to leave Rome.” (v.2)Aquila and Priscilla are on the move because of political realities.God uses their displacement to build His church.God often uses interruption and inconvenience as the engine of mission.3. PAUL PREACHES, IS OPPOSED, AND DOES NOT BACK DOWN – COMPELLED BY LOVE.“Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.…” (v.4)Paul engages the culture. He proclaims Jesus as Messiah.The opposition intensifies: “Your blood be on your own heads!” (v.6)Love speaks truth clearly and lets people decide.4. JESUS MEETS PAUL ON THE JOURNEY – LOVE AS “PRESENCE.”“Do not be afraid… for I am with you.” (vv.9–10)Advent Love is God with us — on the road, in exile, in danger, in opposition.If God sends you, He stays with you.5. GOD USES LEGAL SYSTEMS WITHOUT FEARING THEM – LOVE IS BIGGER THAN POLITICS.“Gallio… refused to judge the case.” (vv.12–17)God is bigger and works within systems to accomplish His purposes.Christians do not need to panic about governments.Rome thought it ruled the world but God was planting churches under its nose.6. WEEK 4 OF ADVENT FOCUSES ON GOD’S LOVE - LOVE THAT TRAVELED TO US.Love traveled from heaven to earth. The gospel moves because love moves.Disciples today must ask:Where is God calling you to go?Who is God calling you to engage?What comfort might love require you to leave behind?God does not love from a distance. He loves by drawing near.The God who came to you now sends you to others.