Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, Valuable Lessons.
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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What are some valuable lessons we have learned through our lives?
One lesson many have learned over the years is to not judge a book by its cover. We should be careful to make judgments about people before getting to know them. There are many who might have a negative appearance, but are the friendliest individuals we may ever meet. We just never know a person until we have spent some time with them.
Another lesson is to be careful of what we say around other people. When we are having conversations in public places, we should be aware of those around us. We never know how our words might be used or misconstrued by other listening ears.
Today, we are going to look at a few lessons that can be drawn from Paul, Aquila, and Pricilla’s experiences in Acts 18.18-28.
A lesson we can learn from Paul is to…
Stick to our Commitments (18)
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.
Commentators believe that Paul had taken a Nazirite vow. The purpose of this vow was to express a unique consecration to God. It was a vow promising to abstain from all products from the grapevine, to not cut one’s hair, and to never come near a dead body.
Usually this vow was taken for a certain period of time. When completed, the hair that had been allowed to freely grow was cut off. The hair was then to be offered to the Lord at a special ceremony at the temple in Jerusalem.
This would explain his cutting of the hair before setting sail from Corinth. Perhaps his vow was in relation to his ministry in Corinth. Typically, Paul would only stay at a town for a couple months. However, we are told that he stayed in Corinth “for some time.” So, maybe as his time was coming to an end, his vow came to an end as well.
A good illustration of this today is what many do during Lent. For many, they do not eat meat. Others choose to refrain from other things, such as sugar, soda, movies, technology use, etc., as a way to draw closer to God. Then, at the end of Lent, they can return to using those items if they choose.
So, we see how Paul made a commitment to the Lord and to the people of Corinth with a Nazirite vow. He fulfilled his commitment and gave the glory to God through it.
The lesson for us is to consider the commitments we make to God and the importance of following through with them. In all things, giving glory to God.
A second lesson that goes along with the first is to…
Stick to God’s Plans (19-21)
They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
In Acts 16.6, we read how Paul wanted to preach in Ephesus some two years earlier, but was prevented by the Holy Spirit. Now, he has the opportunity to share in the synagogue in the city. As usual, his message is well received by some. Because of this, they wanted him to spend more time with them. In this case, he declined, but planned on returning to them at another time.
Perhaps his reason for declining their invitation was because of the vow he had just completed. Remember, at the end of the Nazarite vow, the hair that was cut was to be offered to the Lord in Jerusalem. So, his plan was to finish what he started, thus his refusal to stay in Ephesus any longer.
The lesson here is to follow through, not only with our commitments, but with the plans God has for us.
What commitments have we made to the Lord? Are we seeing these commitments through to the end? Are there things that we have allowed to stop our progress to finish what we started? How can we help one another to achieve all that God has placed in our hearts and minds?
A third lesson we learn from Paul is to…
Be an Encourager (22-23)
When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Paul went up and greeted the church in Jerusalem. It would have been at this time that he fulfilled his Nazarite vow in the temple. Then, leaving Jerusalem, Paul returned to where it all began in Antioch.
From Antioch, Paul traveled back to the churches already founded on previous missionary works. This would include congregations in Tarsus, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. His purpose in these travels was to strengthen the disciples.
How important it is to encourage people in the faith. The spiritual walk can be a very trying experience. It can be difficult to remain faithful with all that is happening in the world around us. There may be times where we just don’t understand, or can’t see, the importance of faith.
Because of this, we should be quick to offer an encouraging word to those who are pursuing a life for God. An easy way to do this is to make the effort to spend time together. Whether it is at church services, Bible studies, social gatherings, etc., let us be sure to lift one another up whenever we have the chance.
The fourth lesson we learn comes from the actions of Aquila and Priscilla. Their lesson to us is to…
Be a Teacher (24-26)
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
We are told that Apollos was an eloquent man. He knew the Scriptures and had been instructed in the way of the Lord. He was fervent in spirit, filled with enthusiasm, and spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord.
Because Apollos knew of the work of John the Baptist, it is likely that he preached that the Messiah had come and we must repent and respond to Jesus. However, he probably had little knowledge of the full person and work of Jesus Christ.
Because of this, Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and “explained to him the way of God more adequately.” They saw his potential and gave him a better understanding of the message he was presenting. Their willingness to teach allowed Apollos to have a greater impact in his ministry.
This is a lesson we can all take to heart. Whether it is with spiritual matters or things in life, we all can have an impact on others. If we are willing to share our experiences and insights, we can help others achieve greater things.
For many, they do not believe they have anything to offer in the way of teaching. However, we must remember that we have the Spirit of God residing in us. It is the Spirit that guides us into all truth. Through the Spirit, we can be the voice and words of God that others need to hear. We just have to be open to the Spirit’s leading to be used by Him. Will we trust the Spirit as we live our lives in service to God?
A final lesson we can learn, this time from the people of faith, is to…
Be a Supporter (27-28)
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
Aquila and Priscilla had done something valuable for God’s kingdom. They helped someone who had a passion for God but with limited knowledge. They gave instruction to Apollos, and he accepted the teaching he received. Then, as Apollos was ready to move on, the church in Ephesus wrote letters of reference for him. As a result, Apollos served effectively in Achaia, especially among opposing Jews.
From what Paul wrote in his letters, Apollos apparently had a remarkable ministry in Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 1.11-13 and 3.4-6, Paul writes to those who were quarreling over which teacher they were following. Some were saying, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Apollos was listed with some of the greatest men of faith because of his work.
In other words, the teaching and support Apollos received from Aquila, Priscilla, and the church, brought about much success in his ministry.
This holds true for us as well. Who are those that are serving in ministry? What are some ways we can support the work that is done? In what ways are we serving the Lord with our own lives? How can we support one another in the work set before us?
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There are always new lessons we can learn or old lessons we need to be reminded of. In this case,
- Keep our Promises – When we make a commitment, let us stick to it.
- Stay on Task – If we have certain plans to complete, stay on track.
- Build Each Other Up – When given the chance, let us encourage one another in our faith.
- Share the Truth – If an opportunity arises, be quick to teach the truth to those who are misguided.
- Stand Up for the Faithful – As those close to us pursue the things of God, be sure to support their efforts and celebrate their successes.
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Have a Great Day!