How God Encourages Us

Sunday, January 25, 2026
Pastor Jojo Ma

Sermon Video

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.”

2 Cor 11:9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.

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.

1 Cor 2:1-3, And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom….I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling.

I.         God’s presence is great encouragement
II.        God’s promise is great encouragement
III.       God’s plan is great encouragement

I.         God’s presence is great encouragement
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…”

Let me encourage you to regularly pray: “Lord, I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. And I know You are with me.”

Tim Keller: “The only person who dares wake up a king at 3am for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.”

II.        God’s promise is great encouragement
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you…

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

Prov 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Scripture is very clear that God saves us from all harm and evil, forever and ever, in the new heavens and new earth.

III.      God’s plan is great encouragement
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 13:48 and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Understand that God’s election is also the confidence and encouragement we need for evangelism.

Jn 10:16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

David Peterson: “As a result of Paul’s preaching, more will become believers and show themselves to be part of this elect but inclusive people of God.”

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.

Like Paul, we can take comfort knowing the presence, the promises, and the plan of God for us, His people. God is in control and He loves us so much.

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