Sermon Title: The Church You've Always Longed for - Empowers Each Individual
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[a] 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.
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.
The City of Alexandria was in Egypt on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean, named after its founder, Alexander the Great. The city was a fusion of Greek, Jewish, and Oriental beliefs, and it was there that Apollos, who was an intelligent Jew, was educated. Through his study of Scripture and influence of the ministry of John the Baptist, he came to understand that the Messiah would be coming through the Person of Jesus Christ. However, he did not know about Christ's death and resurrection. Notice that Priscilla and Aquila did not shun Apollos because of his lack of understanding. Rather, they both took him into their home and spent time with him so that he could fully understand what Christ had done. Priscilla and Aquila are examples to us all, showing how we, too, should invite others in our lives to show them the way of Christ. This coming Sunday I will speak about the example that Priscilla and Aquila set for us, and how we as a church can empower others to be all that God had intended them to be by following their example. Hope to see you then!
