Heroes: Priscilla and Aquila

Speaker: Colin Boyd

Notes

Introduction: My choice of P & A because they are the common people and show just what "Ordinary" (no such thing?) people can do with courage and obedience. They are my personal top heroes of the New Testament.

Acts 18: 1-3 and Acts 18:18 Expulsion from Rome as Jews, and refusal to keep their heads down in Corinth where they take Paul into their home. They go off with Paul to Ephesus, and they must have known the possibilities of danger there. A quiet life was not their top priority.

Apollos was invited in as a visiting academic speaker. They help to update him with much more Christian teaching and thus help to create one of the most successful early Christian leaders in Asia Minor. Comments given on a few ways we can bless visiting speakers today. Need to check out what speakers have to say to you.

1 Corinthians 16:19 Temporary settling in Ephesus where they dare to open up their home as a 'house church'.

Romans 16:3-5 They move back to Rome but with a remarkable testimonial from Paul for what they had the courage to achieve in Ephesus. Once again they set up a house church in Rome. This is not safe behaviour.

2 Tim 4:19 They evidently moved back to Ephesus and gave welcome backing to Timothy there as a young leader.

Comment: Christianity is not just the story of a few special individuals who gained fame as leaders. P & A are the absolute core of Christianity, and in any army the footsoldiers need to outnumber the generals.

Application

Quick brainstorm on how many "ordinary non-leader" people took a significant part in Bible stories and made a difference. What do their stories do for you?

Do you ever write yourself off as too ordinary? If so, please stop doing it because you are unique and God has a unique part for you to play in his story (otherwise known as 'history').

Choose some known places where Christians have to meet in homes/secret places because they are in a dangerous situation and pray for them. How are you keeping yourself informed about such situations?

How can you be most supportative to a young leader?

Posted: 5 July 2009