Sermon

Acts | God Provides

Speaker Jeremy Kuehn

Scripture Acts 18:1-11

Series Acts

Date Oct 18, 2026

Acts Acts 18:1-11 Faithfulness Fellowship God's Presence God's Provision

Back to Library Download Adults Guide PDF

Sermon Outline

ME

Have you ever tried and failed at something?In the summer of 2009, my dad, brother, and I took a mancation to Estes Park, CO, and tried to climb Longs Peak.Supposedly one of the harder peaks you can climb without ropes.It’s a 15-mile round trip with 5,100 feet of elevation gain, and it was the first time I’ve ever felt completely defeated by an inanimate object.

So in 2011, I tried again. This time with my girlfriend, soon to be fiancée, soon to be wife.At one point, the altitude sickness was so bad I had snot running down my upper lip like a toddler with a cold, and she, with her own glove, whipped the snot away for me.

That mountain became my enemy.Not because it hated me; it’s just a rock. But because I felt like it revealed a truth that there are some things in life I just can’t conquer in one day.

Transition

We meet Paul in what I believe is a similar moment.

WE

When Paul started this second missionary journey, it didn’t begin as he planned.His partner in the first journey and he had a disagreement and split ways.We’re told several of the places he intended to go, God prevented him from going, and Paul listened.Just before he goes to Athens, he has to split up from the two other people he is journeying with—Silas and Timothy.He’s alone, he’s far from home, and he travels from Athens to Corinth—about a 50-mile journey.

Paul is a lot of things, but he’s not invincible.This isn’t an exhaustive list, but up to this point, he’s been abandoned by friends, chased out of towns, stoned and left for dead, beaten and imprisoned, mobbed, ridiculed, and mocked, and he just doesn’t stop.Why?At what point do you look at something and say enough is enough?

Something within this man compels him to keep pushing.The fact is that fulfilling the call of God on your life, and fulfilling the call of God in my life is going to take everything I have. Everything I have is everything it takes.Because everything I have is everything I’m called to give over to God for His glory.Anything withheld is in danger of competing for first place in my life, which only belongs to God.

And so for years Paul has given everything, and now he makes this 50-mile journey to Corinth. Paul recounts arriving in Corinth this way:“I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling.” 1 Corinthians 2:3 NLT

Everybody, even the most resilient among us, have moments in life of weakness, timidity, and trembling. That’s called being human.

The key here is to not only realize that Paul is human, but to see that God isn’t a task master but a partner in life.

Today’s sermon is simply titled God Provides. But what does God provide?

Let’s Pray

GOD

God Provides Fellowship When We Feel Alone“Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Acts 18:1-3 NLT
- It’s the most normal of desires to find a place you feel you fit in and belong.Many times we read of Paul entering a city, and it’s straight to the local synagogue to teach and persuade that Jesus is the Messiah. This time, before Paul preaches a sermon, God brings him friends.This looks ordinary, but the provision from God is extraordinary to anyone who has desired a friend and didn’t have one.Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla have a common background that instantly knits them together.They’re both leaving a place that treated them poorly.They all make tents.They all love God.

Transition

Not only does God provide fellowship, but…

God Provides Fruit As We Remain Faithful“Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.” Acts 18:4-8 NLT
- I appreciate how it’s recorded as“each sabbath.”
```
- How many sabbaths? Every sabbath until the confrontation between the hope and Christ and the sin of the people drove them to oppose and insult.
- When fools have nothing wise to say they just stand against you and insult you.
```
- When one door closes it’s not the end of journey even if it’s the end of that opportunity.
- Look at this, sure he had to leave the synagogue, but he just goes next door and the leader of the synagogue joins him.
- Here's the facts.
  - Paul wasn’t called to bring the gospel to the synagogue, he was called to bring the gospel to the people.
  - If the people of the synagogue don’t want to hear it then so be it. They are not the only people in town.
- Despite the closed door at one place the gospel still reached the people.
- Transition
  - God provides friends, fruit, and…
- God Provides Presence When We Are Afraid
- “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” 11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:9-11 NLT
  - This is the most powerful moment in our text today.It’s good when God provides friends and fruit, but His presence is the premium gift.

At the center of this promise is a single truth, “I am with you.”

  - There are times God super natural restrains the hostility of the world and brings about a season of rest and increase.

- What does Paul do with this promise?

  - “So Paul stayed…”

    - No more moving on.

    - No more fear.

    - No more strife.

  - Just a man on mission for God.

- It didn’t always work out that way for Paul, but when God makes a promise take it to the bank!

YOU

I don’t believe what happened to Paul is an isolated incident in scripture.
- Everyone goes through seasons where they feel worn out from change.
- Many times and in many ways God provides for those who follow him.
- Our lives may not look like Pauls but the question should still be asked how do we live in God’s provision?
His Path Brings His Provision
- "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 NLT
- There's a temptation when we face difficulty to assume we’re doing something wrong. It goes like this:If God wanted me here, wouldn’t things be easier?If I was following God’s will, wouldn’t these doors be opening?

But look at Paul’s life.He was following God’s direction when he was driven out of cities, experienced rejection, and arrived at Corinth weak and trembling.

Our responsibility is to pursue God’s will. His responsibility is to provide what we need to accomplish it.

Here’s the danger we naturally can get caught up in.Do we spend so much of our time thinking about and worrying about what we need and lose focus on what God has called us to do?If God provides what we need, then our part is the next step of obedience.

Transition

When we follow God, like Paul did, we don’t have to know everything God is going to provide tomorrow to obey what He has called us to today.But here’s something else we learn. God’s provision often comes through the people He places in our lives.

His People Are Part of His Provision"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NLT
- I want you to consider something.When Paul arrived in Corinth, God didn’t immediately give him a vision.God didn’t immediately remove every obstacle.He brought Aquila and Priscilla into his life.

I wonder how often we ask God for help while overlooking the people He’s placed in our lives.We pray for encouragement but never develop meaningful relationships.We pray for wisdom but never seek godly counsel.We pray for strength and refuse to admit to anybody that we might be struggling in the tiniest way.

Spiritual maturity doesn’t always mean spiritual independence.In fact, many times, it's just the opposite.It’s so easy to feel like being strong doesn’t mean we need anybody; being faithful means we carry the burden ourselves; and asking for help? You can just forget that!

This is one reason the local church is something God wants for us, not from us.

Let me ask you a question:Who knows you well enough to recognize when you’re struggling?Who can challenge you when you’re wrong?Who can encourage you when you’re discouraged?Who can pray with you when you don’t have the strength to pray alone?

I’m about to drive this point a little harder. Maybe you’ve heard this verse:Look at this verse“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

   - Who is the devil trying to devour? Some ONE.

In nature, lions look for vulnerability to create opportunity.A member of a herd separated and alone is an easy target.

One of the epidemics of our time is loneliness and isolation."A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

Transition

Simply statedWe will not experience the fullness of a Christ-centered community while willingly abstaining from the church.But the greatest community He gives us isn’t something He provides. It’s Himself, because…

His Power Is In His Presence"Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.' 6 So we can say with confidence, 'The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5–6 NLT
- Of all the things God provided Paul, I believe the greatest was the assurance of His presence.

Notice what God didn’t say.Paul, you’ve got this.Paul, you’re so talented. Chin up, pal!Paul, you’ve got the experience to handle this.At least they aren’t throwing rocks yet!

What did God say? “I am with you.”And I think that is the very thing we need to hear today.

Here’s what some of you need to stand on today.The presence of fear, weakness, and trembling are not the evidence of God’s absence.Before you rehearse everything that could go wrong, remind yourself of one thing: God said, “I am with you.”Before you allow anxiety to dictate your decision, remind yourself of one thing: God said, “I am with you.”Before you decide to give up, remind yourself of one thing: God said, “I am with you.”

Conclusion

The fact is, many times life doesn’t go to plan, but if we don’t quit, God will bring us through in a way that is better than we could have ever planned.

I started today telling you about Longs Peak, but I only told you about the first two times I tried to climb it. There was a third.But the third time was the charm.You see, a neighbor of ours in Nebraska, who lives to climb these mountains, asked me one day if I would be interested in a campsite on the approach trail.That makes climbing the mountain from a 15-mile, one-day round trip to hiking 5 miles, camping, and then only 2 miles to the top.

Yes!Not only that, but he got us two campsites. So Dawn, my brother Tom, and his son-in-law and I hiked up to the camp, and in a way I never imagined, but so much better than I ever planned, I made it to the top of the mountain.

I don’t know what mountains each of you are climbing, but I want to ask you to not quit.Don’t give up. Sure, you’ve been knocked down a couple of times.You might be weak and trembling, but as long as we follow Jesus, our best days are ahead of us.