Title Like Priscilla and Aquila-Acts 18:1~4
Contents
It was time to build the main stadium to host the Olympics in Japan. While demolishing nearby houses, you find a lizard trapped inside the wall. Part of his body was stuck in a long nail driven from the outside of the wall. The nailed nails were the nails I used to build the house three years ago. It was unbelievable that he had endured three years in a dark wall. But the next moment something miraculous happened. Somewhere, another lizard was approaching with food. For a lizard that was stuck in a nail and couldn't move, other lizards had been delivering food consistently for three years. It was a rare lizard friendship.
Meeting good friends is one of happiness. But meeting friends of faith is a greater blessing. Because we can be saved and go to heaven together. Therefore, a good Christian is possible by meeting a good Christian. In the text, Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned. They appear as the most ideal and exemplary lay couple in the Bible. Their names appear five times, with the names of the couple being used together. On two occasions, the husband’s name, Aquila, was used first, and on three occasions, the wife’s name, Priscilla, was used first. This proves that Priscilla was more devotedly loyal to God than Aquila.
First, make me a person of devotion.
William Carey, who is called the father of modern missions, was self-taught while working as a shoemaker. I have also developed the ability to speak multiple languages fluently. One day, my brother-in-law took Carrie to Oxford University. Go to a famous language professor at the university and have a conversation. The professor discovers Carrie's language skills and tells him. "You will make a big impact when you come to our school, and the Queen of this country will be delighted". Then Carrie says: “The professor mentioned the queen of the country of England, but I already have a country where I have staked my whole life. That country is the kingdom of God. I have been called by a God who is higher than the queen, and my loyalty to him is It cannot be changed." Carey turned down the professor's offer and went to India for a mission. You will see the image of a truly devoted Christian.
Aquila and Priscilla heard the gospel from Paul. And we begin to devote ourselves to the church. Wherever he went, he was allowed to use his house as a church. In Corinth, in Ephesus, and also in Rome, he opens his house to the church. In 1 Corinthians 16:19, it is introduced as “the church that meets in their houses”. Lay people should devote themselves to the center of the church. You must dedicate your life to the gospel. Like the Priscillas, we must devote ourselves fervently. The early church was able to overthrow the Roman Empire and evangelize the world through the devotion of Christians like the Priscilla couple. May you become people of devotion like the Priscillas.
Second, make me a man of the Word.
Years before the fall of communism in Russia, a play titled "Jesus in a Tuxedo" was shown in a theater in Moscow. It was an anti-Christian play. The main character, Jesus, was played by an actor named Alexander Rostovzev. The main character, Jesus, was decided because he had an experience of going to church when he was young. At the climax of the play, he was to read two verses of the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." But as he read the Word, he repeated it twice and suddenly started to weep. The staff gave autographs behind the scenes to proceed, but he knelt on stage and suddenly shouted. "Remember me when your kingdom comes". The curtain was quickly brought down and the play was a mess. However, Rostopzeb accepted Jesus. Instead of blaspheming Jesus, they took on the role of witnessing Jesus. This was the victory brought by the Word. It is through the power of the Word that we become a man of the Word.
This is verse 5 of the text. “When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was caught by the word of God, and he plainly testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.” In Corinth, Paul was already caught up in the Word. I am determined to speak only Jesus. It was the Priscilla and his wife who conveyed Paul's feelings as they were. They were nurtured with the word by Paul for 1 year and 6 months, and their hearts were filled with only Jesus Christ. It is possible to see everything centered on the Gospel and Christ. He became a man of the word.
Later, when the Priscillas and the Priscillas heard a sermon from Apollos, they realized that an important gospel was missing. So he invites Apollos and explains in detail the Gospel, which is the 'way of God'. Eventually, under the influence of the couple, Apollos became an outstanding preacher in the Corinthian church. The Priscillas became people who could have a good influence as lay people. It was because he devoted himself to being nurtured and trained by the Word. The early church never conferred any office to those who were not trained in the Word. This is because only those who have been trained in the Word and armed with the Word can have a great influence on the world. The reason the modern church is losing its spiritual influence is because fewer and fewer people are devoted to the Word. I hope you will become people who are devoted to the Word.
Third, let me be a fellow worker.
A co-worker is a Greek word that means “one who bears burdens and is beaten together.” Section 4 of the text explains this in more detail. “They are co-workers who give their lives and dedicate themselves”. Romans 16:3 and 4. "Greetings Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who laid down their necks for my life, to which I give thanks, not only to me, but also to all the churches of the Gentiles." Through these words, the Priscilla couple clearly shows that they are not workers for individuals, but helpers of God and workers of the kingdom of God.
The Priscillas had a sense that they should thoroughly serve and cooperate with the ministers. In Acts 18:18 and below, Paul leaves Corinth and goes to Ephesus, and Priscilla and his wife accompany them. But it's not just a companion, it's moving. After hearing the news that Paul was going to Ephesus to preach the gospel, the Priscillas organized their business in Corinth and followed him. It is truly amazing. We need to pay attention to how they organize their businesses for the sake of the gospel. Because the Priscillas knew that their business was not greater than the Lord. When it comes to working with God's people, he had a heart of dedication to the extent of changing the environment of his life. That is why Paul gladly called them co-workers. He said that he could even lay down his life for Paul.
One of the characteristics of Methodism is that it has many good lay people. Kim Gu (金九) is a member of Sangdong Methodist Church. Martyr Lee Jun is also a member of the same church. Dr. Syngman Lee (李承晩) is a member of Jeongdong Methodist Church. Elder Chi-ho Yun, Martyr Gwan-sun Yu, Sensei Namgung Eok, and Dr. Hwa-ran Kim are all proud Methodist lay people. Now, the lay faithful must become the subjects of the church. I hope that you too will become people of devotion like the Priscilla couple. Be a person of the Word. And I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become great lay people who become co-workers and glorify and revive the Church of God.