Finding Encouragement in Discouragement: Lessons from Paul

Discouragement is a reality for all of us, even for those who seem strong in faith. In seasons of uncertainty, when the future feels heavy and our prayers seem unanswered, it’s easy to wonder if God is still at work. Yet, God’s Word reminds us that He is always present, always faithful, and always working for His glory and our good. In Acts 18, we see the Apostle Paul—often viewed as a spiritual giant—struggling with fear, loneliness, and discouragement as he enters the city of Corinth. Despite the city’s rampant immorality and Paul’s own weakness, God meets him in profound ways, offering encouragement through new friends, old companions, new believers, His own Word and presence, even through opposition, and finally through clear direction.

God’s encouragement often comes through the people He places in our lives. Paul found new friends in Aquila and Priscilla, who became precious partners in ministry. Old friends, Silas and Timothy, returned with support and news from other churches, allowing Paul to devote himself fully to preaching. The arrival of new believers, including the synagogue leader Crispus, was a tangible sign that God was still at work, even when results seemed small or slow.

But God’s greatest encouragement came through His direct Word and presence. In a vision, the Lord told Paul, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you.” God’s presence is the ultimate antidote to fear and discouragement. Even when opposition arose, God used it to protect and advance the gospel, showing that He can use even resistance for our good.

Paul’s journey also reminds us that God’s direction is often revealed step by step. Paul’s willingness to limit his own freedoms for the sake of reaching others, and his obedience to God’s leading—even when it meant taking a Nazarite vow or moving on to new places—demonstrates a heart surrendered to God’s purposes above personal comfort.

In times of discouragement, we are called to pray bold, specific prayers, to encourage one another, and, when no one else is there, to encourage ourselves in the Lord. God is still on the throne, still in control, and still has a plan for each of us and for His church. Salvation is not about what we do, but about what Christ has done. Our response is simple: surrender, trust, and obey.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s encouragement often comes through relationships—both new and old. Paul was uplifted by Aquila and Priscilla, as well as the return of Silas and Timothy. We are not meant to walk alone; God uses the fellowship of believers to strengthen us, remind us of His faithfulness, and provide practical support in our journey. [19:53]
• 2. The presence of opposition is not a sign of God’s absence, but often a confirmation that we are on the right path. When Paul faced resistance, God used even a Roman official to protect him and advance the gospel. Rather than fearing opposition, we can trust that God will use it to refine us and further His purposes, teaching us to soar on the winds of adversity. [36:43]
• 3. God’s Word and presence are the ultimate sources of courage. When Paul was afraid, the Lord spoke directly to him, assuring him of His presence and protection. In our own moments of fear and discouragement, we must return to God’s promises, knowing that He is with us and will never forsake us, no matter how daunting the circumstances. [29:39]
• 4. Obedience sometimes means limiting our own freedoms for the sake of others. Paul took a Nazarite vow, not to earn favor with God, but to build bridges with those he sought to reach. True spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to lay down our rights and preferences so that others might come to know Christ. [44:37]
• 5. When encouragement is scarce, we can encourage ourselves in the Lord. David did this when he was alone and distressed, and we are called to do the same. God’s faithfulness, His past provision, and His unchanging promises are the foundation for hope, even when outward circumstances offer little comfort. [50:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Opening Prayer and Dismissing Children
• [01:32] - Facing Discouragement and Honest Reflections
• [03:29] - The Importance of Preaching the Word
• [05:12] - Learning from the Apostle Paul
• [07:21] - Praying Bold, Specific Prayers
• [09:29] - Paul’s Discouragement in Corinth
• [13:40] - The Challenge of Corinth’s Culture
• [16:44] - God Encourages Paul: New Friends
• [23:02] - God Encourages Paul: Old Friends
• [25:50] - The Necessity of Christian Fellowship
• [29:39] - God’s Word and Presence in Times of Fear
• [36:43] - Encouragement Through Opposition
• [44:37] - Paul’s Nazarite Vow and God’s Direction
• [47:45] - Paul Encourages Others
• [49:32] - Praying Boldly and Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
• [51:45] - The True Way to Salvation
• [53:17] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

Acts 18:1-17 (ESV) — > After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 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, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
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> When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 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.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 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.
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> And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 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.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
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> But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” 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. 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.” And he drove them from the tribunal. 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.

Observation Questions

1. What emotions and challenges did Paul experience as he entered Corinth, according to both Acts 18 and the sermon? ([13:40])
2. Who were the people God brought into Paul’s life in Corinth, and how did they encourage him? ([19:53])
3. How did God directly encourage Paul during his time in Corinth? What did God say to him? ([29:39])
4. What happened when opposition arose against Paul, and how did God use that situation? ([36:43])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to encourage Paul through both new and old friends, as well as through His own Word and presence? What does this say about how God works in our lives? ([19:53])
2. The sermon mentions that opposition is not a sign of God’s absence, but sometimes a confirmation that we are on the right path. How does this perspective change the way we view difficulties or resistance in our own lives? ([36:43])
3. Paul was willing to limit his own freedoms (like taking a Nazarite vow) for the sake of reaching others. What does this teach us about the balance between personal rights and the mission of the gospel? ([44:37])
4. When Paul had no one else to encourage him, he encouraged himself in the Lord. What does it look like to “encourage yourself in the Lord” today? ([50:23])

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you felt discouraged or alone in your faith. Who did God bring into your life to encourage you? How can you be that kind of friend to someone else this week? ([19:53])
2. Are you currently facing any opposition or resistance because of your faith or your efforts to serve God? How might God be using this situation to strengthen you or advance His purposes? ([36:43])
3. Paul received courage from God’s direct Word and presence. What are some specific promises from Scripture that you can hold onto when you feel afraid or discouraged? ([29:39])
4. Is there an area in your life where God might be asking you to limit your own freedoms or preferences for the sake of someone else coming to know Christ? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? ([44:37])
5. The sermon encourages us to pray bold, specific prayers instead of weak, generic ones. What is one bold, specific prayer you can start praying for yourself, your family, or your church? ([49:32])
6. When encouragement is scarce, how can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and encourage yourself in the Lord? Are there practical steps you can take, like journaling, worship, or recalling answered prayers? ([50:23])
7. The sermon reminds us that salvation is not about what we do, but about what Christ has done. Have you truly surrendered and trusted in Christ’s finished work, or are you still trying to earn God’s favor? What would it look like to rest in what Jesus has already accomplished for you? ([51:45])