The Power of NO; Acts 18:1-11

 

Rev. George Miller

June 4, 2023

Acts 18:1-11

 

Last month, we had an important moment in worship that affirmed a universal lesson- the beauty of saying “No.”

 

Nope, nada, no way is one of the most impowering things you can say;

 

an expression that grants freedom, rest, and the ability for someone else to say “Yes!” and to mean it.

 

It is always, always better to say “No” with no regrets than to say “yes” and

 

spend your time in anger, wondering how you’re going to squirm out of a commitment you never wanted to make in the first place.

 

Today’s scripture validates another important lesson- knowing when to walk away, stop wasting your time, stop being so bitter, and when to shake it off.

 

Here we are in Corinth.  Paul is staying at the home of Aquilla and Priscilla, sleeping on their couch, working beside them Sunday through Friday.

 

But come Friday night and Saturday morning, Paul is at the synagogue, raising heck, arguing with folk, trying to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah; Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light.

 

But no one at the synagogue wants to hear that, no one wants to see Paul’s face when he walks through the door or hear his voice.  All they want to do is worship God the way they’ve always worshipped God.

 

Paul is persistent.  He keeps coming every Friday night, every Saturday morning, ready to argue, debate, encourage, evangelize.

 

But not a single person wants to hear what he’s talking about; no one is there to buy what he’s selling, so eventually Paul comes to the realization-

 

I’m done.  I’m done with all this nighttime arguing and daytime debating after a long week of work.  I’m tired of being hated and ignored.

 

So Paul does what it best for all involved- he shakes the dust of his clothes, and he says “I’ve had enough.  You do you.  I’m going to go find someone else to hang out with who can appreciate me, my message and all that I’m offering.”

 

Without looking back, he leaves this place of weekly contention, and good thing he does, because he just so happens to wander into the house next door and discovers….

 

There are people right there, who have been there the entire time, who have been waiting for the message Paul had to offer.

 

Paul leaves the place he is not wanted and discovers that just one door down his is greeted with open arms and hungry ears.

 

And this household, run by the most powerful person in the synagogue, not only becomes believers of Jesus,

 

they end up becoming one of the most powerful, influential, and active churches in all of history.

 

At this household in Corinth, many many people come to hear about Jesus, listen to Paul, and be baptized into the family of God.

 

And to verify that Paul made the right decision, at the right time, for the right reason,

 

God speaks to Paul and says, “Do not be afraid to speak, and do not be silent, for I AM with you.”

 

For the next 18 months Paul stays active in the life of this church,

 

teaching them about Jesus, grace, the Last Supper and how to burn with enthusiasm for the Gospel.

 

Paul could have been stubborn, stayed at the synagogue, going week after week to be angry, mad, debate and feel fury because no one wanted to hear.

 

But instead Paul knew when it was time to walk away, and in doing so, he blessed not only the house of Crispus, but the entire city.

 

Today’s lesson is such a wonderful validation for all of us- that there is no shame in walking away.

 

There is no shame in knowing when your words are falling on deaf ears.

 

There is no shame in shaking the dust from your clothes and moving on to where you are welcomed and heard.

 

We see people with savior complexes do the same thing again and again for folk who don’t care.

 

We see wives, parents, friends try again and again to convince their spouse, child, loved one to do the right thing, live a certain way, eat less, exercise more, put down the bottle, cigar, or pill.

 

But no matter what we say, no matter what we do, people will only hear what they are ready to hear, act as they chose to act and do what they want to do.

 

Sometimes as Christians we think we must save everyone, rescue all, stay in aggravating situations.

 

But look at Jesus.

 

He had no problem telling the man “If you want to be made well, you must pick up your matt and walk.”

 

Jesus took 4 days to get to Martha and Mary when Lazarus died.

 

Jesus told the disciples that if they are not welcome at a home, to get up and go.

 

So it is alright for us to follow Jesus’ example, to witness Paul’s way, and to know that it is OK to say “No.” 

 

It is Ok to say, “See you later.”  It is Ok to say, “I will go where I will be welcome.”

 

Because sometimes where we go is exactly where we need to be, and where we can do the most for the Gospel.

 

Paul knew when and where he was not welcomed, and as a result he played a role in the Corinthian church being birthed, and new traditions being created.

 

And we are all the better because of it.                 

 

Amen and amen.