Partners

Partners

 

 

Acts 18:24-27 NKJV

[24] Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. [26] So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. [27] And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;

 

 

Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla.

I want to point out that they were married.

There is nothing that shakes the gates of hell more than two that have come together under a covenant to God and each other and purpose themselves to build the Kingdom of God together!

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 it 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.

The Word of God is so good 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 relation they have with each other and the relationship they have with Jesus.

When two come together to make one flesh, unshakable and unstoppable!

Why do you think that Satan does everything he can to destroy the marriage? These two are amazing examples 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 don’t have the ability to overcome what is happening between them, it is useless. There’s the bickering, arguing and fighting. The selfishness. The pride. The unforgiveness and sometimes so much more.

These things, these matters do nothing but weaken our bond with each other, but more importantly with our Lord.

And when we are weak that’s when Satan will come and snatch up whatever is left that’s good!

Priscilla and Aquila were born in Rome. After the persecution of the Jewish people under the Emperor Claudius, he kicked them out, and they made their way to Greece.

Forced to leave their home and start a new life, they did it together. Their love for Jesus never stopped. Difficult times come up in our lives in our marriages but the love for Christ should never stop.

 

What is it that keeps us going through these hard and difficult times?

Who is the tie that binds soul and flesh together to be one!

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬12

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

 

 

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 the husband 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 for the Glory of Heaven, but do it together for the Glory of God!

 

You see Aquila and Priscilla did just that. They helped Paul.

And this man Apollos comes to the Synagogue to preach. He doesn’t know about the saving Grace of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

Apollos was eloquent in how he spoke, and had knowledge of the Scripture and John the Baptists call to Repent. He didn’t know about the saving Grace waiting to be found in the resurrected Christ.

He knew about the Kingdom being at hand but didn’t know the Kingdom stands on the foundation of Jesus Christ Of Nazareth!

 

He didn’t know the full counsel of God.

 

Aquila and Priscilla go together.

They take Apollos to tell Him the Good News of Jesus Christ, together!

Telling him about all the things of Jesus, together.

Oh the things we can do for the Kingdom of God if we stood together!

 

Apollos would become a great evangelist for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Priscilla and Aquila are amazing models for all men and women. They stepped out in faith and 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.

 

Romans 16:3‭-‬4

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.

 

Are we risking our own necks? I’m not just talking about your physical life but your personal life, your Spiritual walk with Christ! Are you willing to stand for the sake of the Gospel?

 

Most everyone will say yes to that until the time comes to make a difference.

 

It’s not very often you see husband and wife join together for the sake of the Great Commission. How different our world would be if we did. If we could show the mercy of God in that relationship. His Grace through our marriages. His love in our marriages. His purpose through our marriages.

 

It’s Christ that binds the couple together!

I’m aware that not all are married.

The Church needs men and women, husbands and wives, to come alongside to help. The Church is in desperate need the to stand together for the Glory of God.

We need to be praying with them, locking arms with them to help in the fields. We go to Church to hear the Word of God so we can go out into the hurting dying world to bring them love and hope of Jesus Christ! Tell them about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the hope!

Find a partner in Christ for Christ! As Jesus sent His Disciples out two by two, may God lead you to the one that will go with you to the dark world.to be the bright light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

It may be through your partnerships for the Gospel that teach and brng up the next Great Evangelist for the Gospel of Salvation! Go and find your Appolos!

 

 

Pastor Ed