September 27, 2026

Acts 18

Held Fast

Sunday Sermons

In Acts 18, the Apostle Paul arrives in Corinth alone and worn down. There he finds Priscilla and Aquila, recently uprooted from their home in Rome by the Emperor Claudius. Even as the gospel begins to bear fruit in Corinth, Paul is afraid. So the Lord comes to him in the night with a word of assurance, “Do not be afraid… for I am with you” (vv. 9–10).

Join Pastor Tommy as we consider the God who holds fast the uprooted and undone. Whether your life has been upended by circumstances you didn’t choose or you are simply weary, the same Lord who held Paul fast in Corinth will not let go of those who belong to Him.

Speaker

Tommy Bailey

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 18

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 18

Held Fast

Pastor Tommy Bailey

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7

The God Who Holds Fast

1. The Uprooted (vv. 1-3, 18, 26)

First five Roman Emperors:
  1. Augustus 27 BC – 14 AD
  2. Tiberius 14 AD – 37 AD
  3. Caligula 37 AD – 41 AD
  4. Claudius 41 AD – 54 AD
  5. Nero 54 AD – 68 AD

“Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome…”
Suetonius, (emphasis added)

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.”
Romans 16:3–5

“We are not able to detect with perfect clarity, the hand of God in the circumstances of our lives, far less see where he is heading with them. But when we find his autograph in the narratives of biblical history, we begin to recognize the same or similar patterns and principles emerging in our own lives too—and so we learn to see his handwriting in our own experiences.”
Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God

The God Who Holds Fast

1. The Uprooted (vv. 1-3, 18, 26)

2. The Undone (vv. 9-10)

“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”
1 Corinthians 2:1–5

The promise of His presence:
  • Do not be afraid…for I am with you… (Acts 18:9–10)
  • The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything… (Philippians 4:5–6)
  • I will fear no evil, for You are with me… (Psalm 23:4)
  • And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

“I need the regular nearness of the word of God to bring home to my heart the nearness of the God of the word…What is Christian experience? Great enemies, but a greater mercy. Near enemies, but a nearer God.”
Christopher Ash, Bible Delight

“As soon as I answer the question “Am I okay?” with anything other than the promise and provision of my belovedness in Christ, I drift toward anxiety and darkness.”
Russ Masterson, Searching for Grace

“We are endlessly in need of God. And what a wonderful thing that is. For He is full of all that we need, moment by moment, forever and ever.”
Jackie Hill Perry

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Praise To The Lord The Almighty“ by Joachim Neander and Catherine Winkworth
“Anchor Of Hope“ by Brown Bannister and Ellie Holcomb
“He Will Hold Me Fast“ by Ada Ruth Habershon and Matthew Merker
“I Need Thee Every Hour“ by Annie Sherwood Hawks and Robert Lowry
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship

Now and Forevermore

Men: The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us.
Women: We dwell in Him and He in us.
Men: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His name! Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Women: We will sing to Him, sing praises to Him, and speak of all His marvelous works.
All: All praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; to Whom all honor and glory be now and forevermore. Amen!

Confession of Faith

Treasuring God’s Word

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope.”

Leader: What does the Psalmist mean when he says, “I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait”?
People: We can bring all our circumstances, cares, and requests before God and look to Him with patient expectation, knowing that His love is everlasting, His faithfulness continues, and that it is “Christ Jesus … at the right hand of God, Who is indeed interceding for us.”
Leader: What does the Psalmist mean when he says, “And in His word do I hope?”
People: God’s Word is both the written Word, composed by men under the direction and superintendence of the Holy Spirit, and the living Word, His Son Jesus, who is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.” We can, therefore, put our trust and hope in both the written and living Word of God to accurately reflect the character of God, relay the will of God, and remind us of the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Classic Prayer

John Calvin

Grant, Almighty God, that as You have shown us so many favors, since the time You have been pleased to adopt us as Your people, O grant, that we may not forget so great a kindness, nor be led away by the allurements of Satan, nor seek for ourselves inventions, which may at length turn to our ruin; but that we may continue fixed in our obedience to Thee, and daily call on Thee, and drink of the fullness of Your bounty, and at the same time strive to serve You from the heart, and to glorify Your name. Amen.

TVC Prayer Ministry

TVC Ministry: Prayer Ministry
Vocation: Mental Health Professionals
Mission Highlight: Romanian Christian Enterprises
Praying for the Persecuted Church: Vietnam

Join Our Prayer Team

Do you have a heart for prayer or a desire to lift others before the Lord? Sign up for our weekly prayer email, and you’ll receive trusted prayer requests from within our church family, our community, and around the world. At TVC, we believe it is a privilege to carry one another’s concerns to our Heavenly Father. Join us as we pray faithfully and walk with one another.

Join Us In Prayer