I have many people in this city!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Acts 18:9-10, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:
  Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
  For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you,
  because I have many people in this city."

The Lord Jesus spoke these words to Paul in Corinth, a city drenched in idolatry and sexual immorality. From a human perspective, Corinth was spiritually dead. Yet the risen Jesus declared something astonishing: He already had an elect people there--a chosen people; though they had not yet heard and believed the gospel.

The COMMAND of Jesus: Paul had faced hostility and severe persecution. But Jesus' command was clear: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent." Faithful proclamation of the Word is never optional. Jesus calls His people to speak His truth boldly and lovingly, even when the culture despises both the message and the messenger.

The ASSURANCE of Jesus: "I am with you!" The Lord's presence is the believer's strength. Though the world rages and Satan opposes--Jesus stands with His people, sustaining them by omnipotent grace.

The PROMISE of Jesus: "I have many people in this city." Jesus here grounds Paul's confidence not in human response, but in divine election. Jesus' sheep will hear His voice (John 10:16). The Father has given His chosen people to His Son (John 6:37), and the Spirit effectually calls them through preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21). Paul's labor will not be in vain, because God had already decreed salvation for many within Corinth. The existence of the elect, guarantees the success of the gospel!

These truths destroy pride, fuel evangelism, and strengthen weary believers. The results of evangelism are never dependent on human eloquence or strategy. They rest entirely on God's sovereign grace! (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Believers today live in a world as wicked as Corinth. Yet Jesus still has "many people" in every place--men and women whom He will save through the faithful, unflinching proclamation of His Gospel. The hostility of a culture, the apparent futility of our efforts, or the resistance of lost sinners--cannot nullify God's saving purpose.

The Lord Jesus will not allow those whom He has chosen to be His people, and ransomed by His bloody purchase upon the tree--to remain the slaves of sin and Satan.

They are His; His Father gave them to Him.

They are His; He bought them.

They are His; their names are written on His hands and engraved on His side.

All of His sheep will listen to His voice and follow Him. He will give eternal life to each of His sheep, and none will ever perish!

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent." Jesus has His people, and He will gather them through His gospel!

"I have other sheep (the Gentiles) that are not of this fold (the Jews). I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one Shepherd. John 10:16

"When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the Word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed." Acts 13:48