Actions of the People, Part 6

2021-08-08 

Matt Willmington 

Acts 18:1-3 After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth, 2 where he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked. 

1. This couple started their ministry in the midst of DIFFICULT TRANSITION 

Acts 18:2b …who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome…

• Overcoming great obstacles can sometime be the very thing that sets you on the course of God’s will for your lives
• This experience of a “new beginning” could have been an excuse to complain but they used it as a reason for a fresh start
• God sometimes does His greatest work in the time of our greatest TRIAL

2. Their full-time ministry was also their CAREER

Acts 18:3 and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked

• They recognized their work could be also be their opportunity for GREAT IMPACT
• We should never believe that only the “experts” can do the work of the ministry
• It is the responsibility of all believers to fulfill God’s call of outreach

3. Though they were tentmakers, they also embraced the opportunity for MISSIONS

Acts 18:18 After staying for some time, Paul said farewell to the brothers and sisters and sailed away to Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila

• They went with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus to preach the Gospel
• Paul did that which “was his custom” and preached in the synagogues
• Priscilla and Aquila assisted him in his ministry
• The importance of recognizing that our mission is for both home and abroad is critical
• Our opportunity for missions:
  • TO PRAY
  • TO GIVE
  • TO SEND
  • TO GO

4. This couple embraced their job of BUILDING OTHERS

Acts 18:24-26 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately

• They did not attack him PUBLICLY, they encouraged him PRIVATELY
• His ministry was made better because they cared about his impact
• All of us have a role to play in helping others fulfill their ministry

5. They used their own home as a place TO REACH OTHERS

Romans 16:3-5 Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. 5 Greet also the church that meets in their home

• They didn’t assume that ministry could only happen within the walls of the “church”
• They took Jesus’ command of “Go into all the world…” seriously
• Through their obedience, the KINGDOM GREW

What about YOU?

1. Are you letting your tough days be a catalyst for GREAT DAYS?
2. Are you using the workplace as a MINISTRY PLACE?
3. Have you prayed about GOING?
4. What are you doing today to help others GROW IN THEIR MINISTRY?