CVBC Acts 18:1-17

In Acts 18, we encounter a powerful narrative about perseverance in mission despite overwhelming odds. Paul arrives in Corinth—the ancient world's equivalent of Las Vegas, a city celebrated for its moral corruption and sexual immorality. Yet it's precisely in this unlikely place that God chooses to establish a thriving church. What unfolds is a beautiful tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We see God opening hearts like Crispus and his household, reminding us that salvation belongs entirely to the Lord. Yet Paul's words about blood being on their own heads emphasizes that rejection of the gospel carries personal responsibility. This antimony—two seemingly irreconcilable truths existing side by side—invites us to stand in the mystery of God rather than trying to simplify Him into our limited logic. The climax comes when God speaks directly to Paul's discouragement: 'Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you.' These words echo across centuries to us today. Whether we're in our workplaces, homes, or facing seasons of grief and suffering, the promise remains: God never calls us to labor alone. His presence transforms our weakness into strength, our fear into courage, and our doubts into faithful perseverance.