Believed Through Grace

Acts 18:27-28 ESV

27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Apollos is contrasted with the people who were less knowledgeable about Scripture, but believed God anyway, by His grace. All knowledge except the knowledge of God is useless for abundant and eternal life. Anything we think we know is incomplete apart from God. The Spirit leads us into truth. Jesus came full of grace and truth. He sent the Spirit that we would be filled. 

Many In This City

Acts 18:8-11 ESV

8 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. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 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.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Despite the resistance Paul faced, he was encouraged by the Lord. Many in the city were His people, not taking His name in vain, but believing the Lord. 

All The People Gathered

Nehemiah 8:1-3 ESV

1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

They gathered as one, for one they were, giving ear to the Word of God. Understanding doesn't begin until we listen and are attentive. 

Whoever Humbles Himself

Matthew 18:4 ESV

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The extent we overcome ourselves determines our position in the kingdom. We can never match Jesus who emptied himself on our behalf, giving up his place in heaven so we could join him. He gave everything he had for us and he had everything. 

He Pressed Them Strongly

Genesis 19:1-3 ESV

1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant's house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Two angels continue on to Sodom instead of three. The mission has changed from blessing to judgement. Two is the number of difference. Lot sits at the city's gate as they come. Abraham was in the hills in front of his own tent. Abraham serves his guests cakes of fine flower and a calf. They eat under a tree. Lot prepares unleavened bread, which implies a wilderness journey. They eat in his house. I hope he made plenty because he would soon be making a hurried exit. He will end up finding refuge in the darkness of a cave, a place of his own choosing. Isn't that what he did in the first place?

Groping For The Door

Genesis 19:11 ESV

11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.

So it is, the wicked will wear themselves out looking for the door in their blindness. They were blind already by sin. God merely gave them over to it. 

Anyone Else Here?

Genesis 19:12-13 ESV

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

The question remains with us. Is there anyone else we can gather to leave this place? Who needs to know? Who do we need to tell that will listen?

In Revelation, the saints under the alter cry out before God, "how long?".