If we were to be allowed a favourite part of the Bible this would be very close to being one of mine.
Corinth shook Paul, the man of God. He had been through a rough tough patch.
The reaction to Paul's preaching in Corinth stunned him. He seriously wondered whether he should leave, there and then.
How close did Paul come to giving up preaching and teaching altogether? That is a very real question, and for a leader to be confronted with such an issue is heavy duty serious stuff! Paul was very much a leader, but this only goes to show that leadership is not without its challenges.
Some probably wish he had stopped. Many more give thanks to God that he continued.
We have never met anything quite like this in the ministry of Paul. Ceasing preaching and shutting up and 'chickening out' are not the priority thoughts we have when we evaluate the life and ministry of Paul, the man who had been Saul of Tarsus.
The pressures arising from this long period of mission are beginning to show. The wear and tear of serving in the frontline is taking its toll.
The Bible reveals his real humanity.
Does the constant opposition depress him? Is he under such fierce attack, that it is all becoming too much?
Everywhere he goes he gets into trouble. His preaching upsets and disturbs people. The tremendous strain is draining him.
In Philippi he was thrown into prison. In Thessalonica he has to face a riot. When in Berea, he has to flee. In Athens, there was mocking and sneering and ridiculing, as he was laughed at. And now, this uproar in Corinth. He is meeting rejection everywhere.
Time after time he experiences rejection, and then ejection. Leaders have to confront this on occasions, and they are faced by different dimensions of sin.
Paul is weary and exhausted, and it appears as though he is on the point of cracking up?
That night, Jesus appeared to him in a vision and spoke, clearly and so specific.
"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. I am with you and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
The risen living Jesus comes to encourage his beloved servant, and following these powerfully reassuring words, Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the believers the Word of God. The detailed account of what happened can be read in Acts Chapter 18 in the New Testament part of the Bible. Take time to read the text because as we do that there can be a very real and special reward, and not only intellectually.
Such an intimately, personal, and tender scene uplifts and refreshes. Do you see why this is among my vary favourite Bible passages?
Leaders so need to be aware of what can be experienced when exercising real faithful loyal leadership in all walks of life, but in the Church of Jesus Christ this can be particularly true, and that is why God provides an armour to protect us, and each disciple of Jesus must wear it to remain safe and secure.
Sandy Shaw
