"When surrounded by evil. We live in a world in which evil is on every hand, in a world where righteousness may be scorned. Rather than being ashamed of the Gospel in the wicked world of his day, Paul let the world know it is the power of God to save.
When in the minority. God's people will nearly always be in the minority. Many walk the broad way that leads to destruction, few the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13,14). A high school junior class had met to decide how they would, according to custom, entertain the senior class at the end of the school year. Several possibilities were discussed. The class settled on a prom. There were only two who opposed having a dance. There were several members of the church in the class. They chose to go with the crowd.
When entertainment religion is so popular. There is an upbeat trend today for preaching to make everybody "feel good." One can come to the service guilty of sin and leave after the service feeling good—but still an unforgiven sinner. There was no negative preaching, nothing said that would lead to godly sorrow, to the contrite heart, to repentance, to a change of life and forgiveness. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, 0 God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). Preaching that condemns sin and fills the heart with godly sorrow will prove to be a blessing rather than that which glosses over sin and leaves the sinner "feeling good"—but still a sinner.
Like Paul, never be ashamed of the gospel. There is good reason—"It is the power of God unto salvation." by Billy Norris