The Incredible Life of Two Very Common People
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Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
I rarely every say in telling a joke “tell me if you heard this before” because if I like the joke it doesn’t matter if you have heard it. I like to tell it.
Not sure when I last spoke from the example of this couple. But I like to tell it.
Headed into the missions conference I find it fitting.
Please think of the names of a couple in the New Testament?
Please think of the names of a couple in the New Testament?
Do you you have the names in your head?
Joseph and Mary
Herod and Herodias
Zacharias and Elisabeth
Joanna and Chuza
Mary and Cleophas
Ananias and Sapphira
Felix and Drusilla
I doubt it. It was probably Aquila and Priscilla God did something very special in Ephesus around Acts 18-19.
It is always special when a couple gets to a point where there names are rarely said separately.
Acts 18:11–28 (KJV 1900)
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Notice the amount of time given to what might not be considered the most action pack chapter.
Looks like a movie my wife would like. Just a couple in love living their lives together serving those around them. No one dies.
In Colossians it says the whole world had known the Gospel. Much due to what happens in Ephesus on the span of about a decade. Col 1:23 “23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
The work in Ephesus was something pretty special. Acts 19:10 “10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
There is no doubt that God used this family in a wonderful way. They yielded their lives and became faithful to a simple process of discipleship. In return they made a huge difference in this world.
Time spend in the Word.
Time spend in the Word.
They were part of a them that studied the Bible. Acts 18:11 “11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
This is where the great stories of Christian couples always start. Not just when a boy falls in love with a girl. But when that boy and girl fall in love with the Word.
They were able to make a tent together, that is impressive.
Looking for ways to serve.
Looking for ways to serve.
An opportunity opened up and they took it. Acts 18:18 “18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.” [More about his haircut another day]
Here they learn application to the truth they have learned.
At the synagogue to learn. Built in margins in their life. Took the opportunity to serve in a new ministry. [Boats aren’t always required]
Believing in young people and enjoying watching them move forward in the ministry.
Believing in young people and enjoying watching them move forward in the ministry.
Willing to talk to Apollos. Acts 18:26 “26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
Apollos was not a heretic. Apollos just needed discipleship in an area. He did as good as he knew to do. Acts 18:25 “25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”
The Bible Knowledge Commentary (18:25)
His doctrine regarding Jesus was accurate but deficient. Probably this means Apollos did not know about the Holy Spirit’s baptism. John’s baptism symbolized cleansing by God because of repentance toward God (cf. 19:4). But Christian baptism pictures union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection by means of Spirit baptism (cf. Rom. 6:3–10; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12).
Able to do it in a way that would not embarrass him. - Note from Janice Minard
Opened up their lives to help teach God’s Word.
Even opening their home for a church to be in it. Given to hospitality.
One of the greatest things you can give to the cause of making Christ known is to remove the “No Vacancy” Sign from your life.
They help Apollos on their journey. They are a great example of yoke fellows.
They help Apollos on their journey. They are a great example of yoke fellows.
Letter of recommendation. Acts 18:27 “27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:”
Their story will continue in Apollos 1 Cor 3:4-6 “4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
Missionaries are not the only ones asked to lay down their necks for the cause of Christ.
Missionaries are not the only ones asked to lay down their necks for the cause of Christ.
How do you life for a cause? Not in moment but in daily decisions. One meal at a time.
People need to become Christians, and people need to be taught how to think and feel and act as a Christian. That is a discipleship.
The forward movement of discipleship is what we call world missions. Acts 14:21 “21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,”
It is wonderful to be part of the THEY and THEM in the book of Acts.
It is wonderful to be part of the THEY and THEM in the book of Acts.
Who is them? - Selah
Acts 2:41 “41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Acts 9:39 “39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
Acts 11:4 “4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,”
Acts 18:11 “11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
It is not a boat that we have all came together in. It is the Word of God. Let us see where it may take us.
What a commendation given to this common couple
What a commendation given to this common couple
Romans 16:3-5 “3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
What a joy to not only be connected when people say our names but connected in the joy of Bible study and service together.
Young people. Do you realize you desperately need the end of chapter 18 before you consider moving on to chapter 19. Accept the offer for lunch and listen.