Scripture: Acts 17:32-33; 18:1-3

C.I.: “I Want to be a Worker for the Lord”

Today we are going to conclude this series entitled, “Lessons from the journeys…”
Today we will look at the characteristics - of 4 types of people who are workers for the Lord.

I. Four Types of Workers for the Lord (Acts 18:1-11)

A. The “Go Anywhere” Person, (v. 3)

1. This kind of worker is characterized by – FAITH!
a. This kind of believer who doesn’t need constant cajoling/encouragement to faithfulness.
1) For no matter where they are – no matter their circumstances – they will always be faithful.
2) Indeed, sometimes they will “Go” - because external circumstances demand it (Claudius).
3) Yet other times, by faith - they believe that “Going” is what God desires:

b. Lets follow the saga – of this “Go Anywhere” faithful couple:
1) Pontus to Rome (Though they came a long way to Rome. – Yet though logic said otherwise,
they wouldn’t give up their faith to remain there)
2) Rome to Corinth (“Go Anywhere” workers will never renounce their faith – but they’re
always willing to grow – for it was in Corinth where they were converted to Jesus!)
3) Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19), “Paul … took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for
Syria & with him were Priscilla and Aquila. – They came to Ephesus and he left them there.”
This new congregation needed “faith-full” people (women needed Prisca & men needed A.!)
4) Ephesus to Rome, (Rom. 16:3-5), “Greet Prisca & Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus
… also greet the church that is in their home.”
5) Finally, Rome back to Ephesus (II Tim. 4:19), “Greet Prisca and Aquila.”

c. Wherever they are - they will be faithful – (I Cor. 12:18), “God has placed the members….”
1) For the family here at Golden – a modern day example would be Bob & Betha Z (explain).

B. The “Generous” Person, (vs. 5-7)

1. This kind of worker is characterized by – LOVE
a. (vs. 5-7), “When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. – And when they had resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, - ‘Your blood be upon your own heads! – I am clean. – From now on I shall go to the Gentiles.’ – And he departed from there and went to the home of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.”

b. By name & title (i.e., “worshiper of God”) – we know Titus Justus to be a Gentile.
1) This love comes in many forms: love for God, his servants, the lost, the work we are called!
2) Because of love - notice his willingness to live next to people of a different race/religion.
3) Note his willingness to allow his home to be used by God’s servant & for God’s purpose.
4) Today when people open their homes (LIFE Groups) – bring new people over for a meal (new converts/members, etc.) – use their cars to give rides, etc. – these too are workers.
5) (Heb. 13:1-2), “Let love of the brethren continue. – Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

C. The “Transition” Person, (v. 8)

1. This kind of worker is characterized by – COURAGE!
a. (v. 8a), “And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household”
1) One of the most difficult things to do – is to begin making decisions - which will transition
our lives into completely new directions – which will change the very course of your life!!!

b. Notice, Crispus is leaving everything; friends, finances, security, position, etc., all for Jesus!
1) Thus, it takes genuine courage to be a “Transition Person”!!!
2) (Matt. 10:34-38), “Do not think I came to bring peace upon the earth; I did not come to bring
peace, but a sword. – For I came to set a man against his father, a daughter against her
mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of
his own household. –He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and
he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. – And he who does not take
up his own cross & follow after Me is not worthy of Me.”
2) Transition people are hard to find – perhaps because moral courage is today in short supply!!
3) Crispus probably became the nucleus of the leadership - for this fledgling congregation, (v.
8b), “…and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”

D. The “Whatever-It-Takes” Person, (vs. 9-11)

1. This kind of worker is characterized by FAITH – LOVE – COURAGE! (Paul is an example of this)
a. Paul’s faith is shown by his coming to Corinth. – He had just had bad experience in Athens (great
city but few results) – and shows up in Corinth penniless. – Yet … - (Heb. 11:1)!
b. His love is shown for Priscilla & Aquila & others whom he teaches about Jesus (I Cor. 9:20-22).
c. His courage is not seen in the absence of fear – but what did in the face of our fear. –(I Cor. 2:3),
“I was with you in weakness - and in fear - and in much trembling.”
d. It was after he showed these qualities – that God assured him to “Keep on keeping on!” - (vs. 9-
11), “Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking
do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you in order to harm you, for I have
many people in this city.’ – Paul settled there 18 months, teaching the word of God among them.”

2. All of us are gifted as workers in one of these areas. – Yet while we must all use the gifts God has
given us – none of us are given divine permission to NOT be growing in the other areas (I Cor. 11:1)
a. Now as we conclude this series – let each one of use remember - that we have been called by God
and equipped by God – to do the great work of the church!
b. Today we have seen what kinds of workers God needs to do His work…!!!
c. Now you may be like Crispus (ready to transition your life to become a Xn) – or maybe…!