Go Make Tents!
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Romans 16:3-4 NKJV
The darker the world the brighter the Gospel of Jesus Christ will shine.
Even though it may seem that the darkness is overtaking the light, God will always have someone to bring the light!
Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla. I want to point out that they were married. A man and women in a covenant with God through marriage!
There is nothing that shakes the gates of hell more than man and women coming together under a covenant with God and each other and purpose themselves to build the Kingdom of God together!
They worked together. In Scripture they are never mentioned apart from each other. It’s like my wife and I. It’s always Ed and Darlene. One can never be mentioned without the other because we are one flesh!
We live in a day where we focus on what happens between a husband and wife. We hear about the problems. We hear about the discord. The divorce. It’s very unfortunate that this seems to be the norm.
It’s not very often that we hear today about a married couple doing the Work of the Kingdom together. But if we read and study the Word of God, He will always give an example to learn from.
Aquila and Priscilla are that couple that shows us what we can do for the Glory of God when we come together as a couple serious about the relationship they have with each other and the relationship they have with Jesus.
Unshakable and unstoppable. Why do you think that Satan does everything he can to destroy the marriage? This couple are an awesome example of what the Lord can do through a couple serious about their relationships. A husband and wife have an amazing platform to minister. But if a husband and wife can’t have the ability to overcome what is happening between them like; the bickering, fighting. The selfishness. The pride. The unforgiveness. All the problems that come between us. These things, these matters do nothing but weaken our bond with each other and with our Lord. And when we are weak that’s when Satan will come and snatch up whatever is left that’s good!
Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV
It’s one thing to have a loving successful marriage. But how much more powerful and meaningful it is if Jesus is the One that’s in the middle. And when Jesus is the 3rd strand in your cord what comes up against you might shake you but you will not fall. But it always takes effort. It takes sacrifice. It takes the husband to love his wife as Jesus loves the Church and it takes the wife to come into submission under her husband when he comes submitted to Christ. God is a God of order and when we follow the order that He commands then we can be strong in our relationship with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and our Spouses. Then we can say if God is for us then who can be against us!
Don’t just be husbands and wives be partners.
Partners to each other but also with Jesus. Partner up with the Church to be the workers for the Church in the name of Jesus. But do it together for the Glory of God!
Are we risking our own necks? I’m not just talking about your physical life but your personal life. Are you willing to stand. Are you willing to minister to another struggling couple? Most everyone is very quick to say yes to that, until the time comes to make a difference.
Even as couples we become comfortable sitting right where we are at. Not pushing forward to expand the Kingdom of God.
It reminds me of sports fans. They can sit in their chairs at home and call the plays. They can yell at the TV and tell the ref about the bad calls. They can be excited when their team wins and sad when they lose. But they have never been in the field to experience what it is like to go out there and put your body on the line. Today’s Christianity is the exact same way. There is a lot of talk from the chairs but not a lot of involvement in the field.
Some that call themselves Christians play Christianity from their chairs. But Followers of Christ will get on the fields.
Husband, wife and Jesus should be the unified team that any opposition should fear!
Be on that team!
Priscilla and Aquila are amazing models for all men and women. They stepped out in faith and were called to acts of courage. Adversities, inequities, hard times, tribulation and enemies will come. But brothers and sisters in Jesus cannot retreat and run away in the tough times. Like Priscilla and Aquila, they must be prepared to risk greatly for the ultimate good, the Kingdom of God!
The Church needs men and women as individuals and as committed married couples, to come alongside to help!
If you don’t have a spouse yet then yoke yourself with someone that is like minded and see what the Lord can do.
Jesus sent His Disciples out two by two for a reason and a purpose!
Strengthening one another, relying on each other. Helping one up when they slip or fall.
Together in one according. Like minded with a purpose. Like the old saying
“There is strength in numbers.”
This is what we do when we go out together, strong!
We must pray with those searching for the Truth. Looking for Hope. Seeking Salvation. Then we lock arms with them to help in the fields.
We are to tell them about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection!
So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 18:3-4 NKJV
I love that it tells us what Aquila and Priscilla’s occupation was!
And what do tent makers do?
They take raw material and make something that is going to shelter others. They take the materials that they have to give a way of protection.
But they also make repairs. They patch up holes. They fix the torn. They reinforce seams. So that the tent is strong enough to withstand any type of weather. Sun, rain. Heat, cold. It’s protection from the elements. And that’s exactly what a worker for Jesus does. We are to give a way of protection. Comfort and safety. To help repair. All by the power of the Word of God, through His Grace and by His Love!
Yes, we must spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
We all and individuals have a commission to fulfill. How much stronger and effective could we be to join with our spouse for the Glory of God!
Aquila and Priscilla can be easily overlooked by us in God’s Word.
But what an example for married couples to glean from!
Work with your spouse today. Forgive your spouse today. Love them today. Show them the same grace and mercy that’s been shown to you. Then lock arms together for the Glory of God!
Risk your necks to show the world that a couple that has Jesus as the third strand will stand the test of time!
Then,
Go and make tents!
Pastor Ed