God's power is evident in all sorts of people & places. How do you fit in?
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Acts 18 Summary
Paul moves on from Athens to Corinth, the Roman version of Las Vegas. Even though this city is one of the most decadent cities ever, even by Roman standards, the love that Jesus has for it is evident, telling Paul to continue preaching there (v9-10.)
Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half before moving on, returning to churches he'd planted earlier in order to encourage them, and then moving on nearly as quickly as he arrived.
Just as Paul leaves Ephesus, we're introduced to a man who will also become a great messenger of the gospel: Apollos. At first, he was only aware of what the scriptures said about the coming Messiah, but after Priscilla & Aquila tell him about Jesus, he becomes an effective evangelist.
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Apollos was everything that Paul was not: sophisticated, an excellent public speaker, super smart, plus he had a really cool name. Of course we'll never know, but I'd be willing to bet that he was really good looking too.
He's one of those annoying guys that seems to have everything going for him, unlike Paul, who gets beat up and run out of town every other chapter.
I also think, but can't prove, that Paul was jealous of him (based on how Paul refers to him in the epistles - 1 Cor. 1, 3, 4, 16 & Titus 3).
Apollos was a good man, and God used him in mighty ways, but yet it was the scrawny and geeky Paul whom God would use to write the epistles that have shaped the Church (and Western Civilization) for 2,000 years.
The point is that we always think others have it better than we do, and jealousy isn't a condition that you grow out of the more sanctified you become. When you feel those pangs of jealousy, take a step back, be content and know that God is using you for who you are.
AAA Prayer:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our protector and provider, who cares for His people (v9-10).
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for contentment, that you would be able to serve God without constantly comparing yourself.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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