Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.

 

When Paul left Athens, he traveled to the great city of Corinth which was about a 50-mile journey. While Athens was the pit of philosophy, Corinth was the pit of sin! Historians list it as the most corrupt of all places in the Roman Empire at that time. One historian describes the population as “filled with Greek adventurers, Roman merchants, lustful Phoenicians, sharp-eyed Jews, ex-soldiers, near-philosophers, sailors, slaves, and agents of every kind of vice.”

 

Needless to say, Paul was a happy man when he met Aquila, who was a Jew, and his wife, Priscilla, who were tent-makers like he was. It is believed that these two were either already believers in Christ when Paul arrived or quickly became believers after Paul’s arrival. Whatever the case, they became close friends with Paul and invited him to live with them. The three of them worked together making and/or repairing tents. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them and wrought: For by their occupation they were tentmakers. (Acts 18:3)

 

Because there was a synagogue in Corinth, Paul preached the Gospel there every week as was his custom. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. (Acts 18:4) We can assume that Aquila and Priscilla went to the synagogue with Paul and supported his ministry.

 

Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Corinth shortly thereafter and the Word tells us that Paul must have felt something special about the Corinthians because he was compelled to preach the Gospel to them every chance he got. This was a sharp contrast to how he felt about the Athenians who for the most part rejected him and his Message.

 

Although the Corinthians were a rough bunch, there was a large number of them who were open to hearing the Gospel of Christ and Paul did not hesitate to tell them. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:5)

 

The word “pressed” in Greek is sunecho and it means to compel or strongly persuade. The Holy Spirit of God compelled Paul to really preach to these people that Jesus was the Messiah. Paul acted in obedience to the Spirit of God and a great church was established in the city of Corinth.

 

The Spirit of God still compels preachers and teachers of what to speak about but how many hear the Voice of the Spirit and are obedient? Most preachers today preach what they think the people want to hear rather than what the Spirit of God compels them to preach. We know these people as “seeker-sensitive preachers” and for the most part do little good for the Kingdom of God.

 

Allow me to remind you of the Words of Jesus: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. (Revelation 2:7) The Holy Spirit of God always has a Word for the Church and He will compel Preachers, Teachers, and Prophets to share this Word with their congregations. The wise will hear what the Spirit says and repeat it to the people.

 

 

The Word of the Spirit will……..….turn the tide……….in the Church.

 

Compelled by the Spirit,         Doreen

 

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