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Let's look the title for the sermon this afternoon is model church members model church members and in acts 18 We're introduced to a couple Quilla and Priscilla and if you can keep your finger there come with me to Hebrews 13 come with me to Hebrews 13 Hebrews 13 Look, I am it'd be wonderful if our church can as examples We can all be model examples of what it means to be a church member I'm trying to be a model example of a pastor Help me out guys. You can be model examples of church members and there is an advantage to this if you come with to Hebrews 13 Hebrews 13 verse number 17 Hebrews 13 verse number 17, you know, sometimes churches are known for their pastors I I know that I I mean, I guess this is how it is, right? You often think about oh, you know, have you heard of that church down? You know down in Brisbane or have you heard that church down in Sydney somewhere and you're like, ah, what's up? Who's the pastor a pastor? Oh, yeah You know, I'm familiar that church and and often churches are associated with the pastors and you know What I've always wanted when I started in your life out of the church, obviously, I've got the rule I've got the authority I've got this position, but I never wanted to it to be just like pastor Kevin's church And I've always wanted my church members to say hey, this is my church This is my church or this is the Church of Christ and you know I belong to him and and I you know I feel any like a valid and important part and member of this church and you know Last thing I want is for the pastor to just get all the all the praise and the in fact I don't want the praise of man. Give me the praise of God. That's that's worth much more than anything But look, I won't understand there is an advantage of being a great church member Okay, and it says here in Hebrews 13 verse number 17 Obey them that have the rule of you and submit yourselves Yeah, that's what the Bible says Together for church. I've got the rule of you when it comes to the house of God and to me yourselves It's as for they watch for your souls as they must give accounts I often talk about this, you know The one if our church is failing the one that God's going to address is the pastor the one that has a rule Okay, I need to give an account to God for our church I want to make sure I always have a clear conscience before God when it comes to running this church But it says they that they must give an account So one day all pastors have to give an account for the church to Jesus Christ and then says here that they may do it with joy and not with grief So I want you know when Christ says alright pastor Kevin tell me about new life Baptist Church Well, tell me about blessed or Baptist Church during these years while you're the pastor. I want to be like, yes I can't wait It's my turn to tell you about my wonderful church members because then it says here For that is unprofitable So if I tell if I if I grief about it It says for that is unprofitable for you meaning that if I do it with joy, it's profitable for you Okay, remember being being a great church member this profit for you. Okay, we know that one day We're all are going to give individual accounts for our life and service before God and Christ is going to reward us For those things but also as a church also as a group together, you know If you guys are great church members faithful church members moral church members I want to be able to go to Jesus a yes, you know I can't wait to tell you about brother so-and-so and sister so-and-so I can't wait to tell you about the work that we've done for you as a church because that'll be profitable to for you Christ is going to reward us as a church also for the things that we've done together as one body so that brings us back to acts 18 come back with me to acts 18 acts 18 and we are introduced to Aquila and Priscilla a married couple and the reason I wanted to bring out these names is because not only do we not only are We introduced and hear about them in acts 18 But the book of Romans mentions them the book of first Corinthians and second Timothy mentions Priscilla and Aquila Okay, they're they're very faithful Church members and faithful workers together with the Apostle Paul, but let's start there in acts 18 verse number one it says after these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth and Found a certain Jew named Aquila born in Pontus lately come from Italy With his wife, so they were from they were in Italy. In fact, they were in Rome because it says here with his wife Priscilla Because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome and came unto them So Claudius decides look the Jews are causing us issues What are those issues are I want you guys to get out of Rome and so they depart and they come into Corinth And this is where they meet the Apostle Paul Now, I'm not sure I can't say I was trying to think about this I can't be sure that Priscilla and Aquila were saved already saved I know if you just ask me for my opinion I would think they were probably already saved and I'll explain to you in a minute. Why okay But when they interact with Paul, of course Paul as an apostle Was able to then teach them and guide them much more. So in the things of the Lord now it says here in verse number three and because He was of the same craft So because Paul was of the same craft or trade he abode with them So he lived with them and wrought or they worked for by their occupation They were tent makers. So Paul comes to Corinth. He comes across Aquila and Priscilla he finds that man Aquila. You're a tent maker like me and Look, and he goes look. I'm trying to find a place to stay they agree Hey Paul come and stay with us. Hey, you got the same profession. Let's work together. Let's start a business together We can work together as tent makers and you know and further your cause whatever it is Now the reason I do believe Priscilla and Aquila were already saved is because I find it hard for me to think that Paul Got into business and got into someone's house that were unbelievers I doesn't unless he just got them saved suddenly and all Sunday the great, you know brethren But you know in second Corinthians chapter 6 verse number 14 14 It says but be unequally be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship have righteousness with Unrighteousness and what communion have light with darkness So it may very well be that Aquila and Priscilla were already saved And we'll see later on in this chapter that a man named Apollos appears on the scene and all he knows is up to The baptism of John this man's already saved But he's not really familiar with the ministry of Christ and then Priscilla and Aquila later on they guide him and teach him about Christ And this man's already saved you must remember that even though Christ came they were already saved people They're already saved Jews in the Bible, but then when Christ comes they automate it. That's Messiah. That's the voice of the shepherd This is the Messiah This is what we're meant to believe in and for them use an automatic Transition to go from being saved under the old covenant to trust in Christ and and it may be something similar for Aquila and Priscilla But I'm pretty confident They were already saved and they found that that in common with with Paul not only their faith in common But also their jobs in common And so what I want to pull out of this as we keep going through this chapter Because Aquila and Priscilla are such a model church members They're mentioned so many times in scriptures that I think they can set us a good example of how we can be Great church members as well in our church and the first thing I want to notice is hey he abode with them They opened up their house for Paul as Paul was traveling right as he's conducted his ministry this couple said hey Paul Come and stay with us Alright, so you can make yourself, you know a base here in Corinth and you can go about conducting your ministry So the first point that I have for you Brethren is you know in order for you to be model church members Be open to receiving God's people be open to receiving the Brethren And say well pastor that mean I've got to make sure my house is available Look, there are many ways to receive the Brethren if you can keep your finger there and come with me to Matthew chapter 10 Matthew chapter 10 and of course this has to do with hospitality doesn't it being hospitable toward God's people Matthew chapter 10 please in verse number 41 come with me to Matthew chapter 10 in verse number 41 These are the words of Christ and I want to really think about this it's I love these verses I really love them because it says in Matthew 10 41 He that receiveth a prophet So this is like Priscilla and Aquila right they're receiving that him into his house into their house He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward Now you might say I'm never gonna be a pastor and we saw it this morning ladies You can't be a pastor, but you want to get a prophets or preachers reward You don't have to get behind the pulpit. All you have to do is be hospitable to the preacher All you have to do is receive the preacher and the reward the preacher gets with the same reward that you get Isn't that great that's awesome why because you're Enabling that man to be able to do the work that God is instructing him to do And then it says to keep going there it says and he that receiveth a righteous man You know you're just you know hospitable to other brethren in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward Wow so we know that righteous. You know you if you do righteous works for God We're not that Christ is going to reward them. Let's say you're not doing very well faithfully Let's say you're struggling in your walk with the Lord, and you go man. You know. I'm not really gaining rewards for the Lord right now ah But there's righteous brother so-and-so over there, and I can be hospitable toward him I can receive him He's you know either something I can do to help him with his life Well God says well you'll receive a righteous man's reward Isn't that awesome? You're kind of like what's the what's the saying you know you're you're holding on to the coat The coattails of someone else you get the reward I get the reward too, that's awesome What else how else can we receive people it says there in our verse number 42 and who service shall give to drink unto? one of these little ones Look when you start to see the kids trying to get water, and they're making a mess and getting frustrated You know you know what you do you go there. Hey, let me help you Let me get you a cup of cold water all right. Why you say well What kind of reward is a little one gonna get surely nothing worthwhile? What's a little kid going to get from Jesus? But then it says here Until one of the little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple Verily I said to you. He shall in no wise lose his reward You know the same if you give a cup of water in a little ones a little child Struggling making a mess dropping the cups, and you step in hey Let me help you that you're gonna get a disciples reward. You're not going to lose. There's a reward to be had in that scenario So instead of getting frustrated how about you say hmm? Here's a chance to earn some rewards in heaven a disciples reward in heaven By just giving a cup of water a little child okay, so look obviously a Priscilla and Aquila Had the ability to open their doors and welcome Paul in okay, but there are many ways to receive The brethren I wish I could open my house up to people, but I've got a big family I barely have enough bedrooms for my family Thinking about maybe making another bedroom in the garage if we need to write But look there are other ways you know and other ways that I've tried is you know for me personally is if someone needed Vehicle you know I've been able to offer my car at certain times or maybe there are times that someone needs a Financial help right and you're able to step in and be a Financial help to that brother-in-the-lord at that particular time he may not be necessarily opening your house But you know we brother with the pond family some of us stepped in we're able to unload that Container right unload that container move those things into that and by the way, that's gonna happen again soon isn't it brother? You know and these are these are ways that we can be hospitable and receive the brethren and there's a reward for this I What about Maybe helping someone find work Alright, I mean some people have moved here I wish I had a business like I wish I was I was operating some other business on the side and when people like Hey past I'm thinking of coming to the new life ever since I'm like yeah I've got a job for you as well You know you know come and work for me if you can offer someone work And you know help them in that progress of life You know that that's receiving people so there there are many ways to be able to receive the Brethren and this will make you a model church member and greatly rewarded by Jesus Christ and What else do we learn about come back to me with me to acts 18? It says verse number three again acts 18 verse number three because he was of the same craft He abode with them and wrought for by their occupation. They were tent makers so the next thing brethren a strong look Look I'll tell you something I So I've been going to church a lot my whole life. I Never heard my preachers my pastors preach on the importance of working hard Or the importance of finding work getting yourself a trade right a craft if like it says here You know I've never really heard that taught and growing up in church. I always thought work was like This thing that is separate from serving Christ Okay, it wasn't till and because of that. I just didn't have this like as a young person. I didn't have this great work ethic Okay But when I wanted to get married. I'm like oh man. I want to get married I bet I got a I got a pay for a roof for food I can barely afford to feed myself there. You know I bet I got to get moving in this category I need to you know get striving toward this and We see the next thing that I have for you brethren is that you know if you want to be a model church member You need to work a job men. I'm talking about men primarily right work a job. It's actually Once I've understood this idea because like I said I grew up in church never really hearing it behind the pulpit thinking okay That's work. That's Secular job that's not for Jesus, but when I come to church That's for Jesus, and I always struggle with this because I would hear preachers say you know You know this you know you know what I say You know commit yourself to the service of Christ and and I was like yeah But how do I do that because I also got to work a job? That's a good eight hours. Maybe nine hours ten hours, and we're not serving the Lord am I am I serving flesh here? I was struggling to understand the idea until I came across those passages And I really meditated upon them that when it comes to work in a job You are serving Christ right there that is your service for Jesus. You just have to remember look I'm serving Jesus in the job that I've been given and I'm gonna be faithful right here right now And look when it comes to Jesus Christ choosing you know the fishermen I forget their names Peter and and James and and and Peter and Andrew and like what were they doing though fishing they were busy working in their blue-collar Fishing job then Christ comes across and says hey, you know come and follow me. I'll make you fishes of men Okay, and I started to really start to understand This was something I had to build in my understanding like change my mindset Okay, you know what when God you offer me work That's you you've provided for me, and I'm just gonna give my best, and it changed my outlooks life I actually liked going to my dead-end Low-paying job because I was doing it for Jesus and everything changed all right. It made it As I understand okay, it's not just church I can serve Jesus in every area of my life in my relationship with my wife in In the raising of my children in going to work and even my drive We've heard about driving and whatever area of life. I can serve Christ. I can serve Christ full-time even if I'm not in the ministry and I truly believe if you want to get into the ministry one day Christ has to see that in your heart at whatever area of my life It's for you Jesus, and then just all right good. You've learned that lesson Let's get you serving here. Maybe more faithfully in a capacity in church potentially, okay? But work in a job. You know man was created to labor And you know the idea is I just want to be at home and just lays around, but that makes you depressed Because man's been created. It's now DNA To be productive it's now DNA to go in and labor and it feels good All right and to get a paycheck and to provide for your needs and to provide for your wife It's right for your children. It feels good because that's how God's program man to be it gives you satisfaction It gives you contentment You know it also makes you desirable for marriage You know if there's a young lady interested in you right and she sees hey this guy can provide for me this guy I know he's going to work hard and and labor and it's going to make sure that you know my needs are met and my Children needs are met you're going to be more desirable for marriage alright Other things that I learned just working a job was having better time management skills Because when you're just lazing around you're like man It seems like you have no time when you're lazy It seems like but then when you get busy, and you're like man I got eight hours at work now I've got less time to do these other things you start to really value time I've only got this much time to do X Y & Z I've only got that much time And I've got to be and then there are other things that look I just can't do they're low priority I have to set them aside. Maybe I need to mature and grow up Okay, but I remember going to work it taught me good time management skills Other things that it taught me was to appreciate the value of money Because when you're not working You don't understand how much time and effort has gone into making those dollars And so you're more likely to just be wasteful with what you've earned or what with what you've received But for those of you that work, and you know you work this many hours And you get this much pay you now measure that pay by the blood sweat and tears well Maybe not blood, but you measure it, and there's a certain value not the number on the paper But how much work you've put to make that a reality and you don't want to waste it on things that just You know you like man that took me One and a half days to save up was it worth is buying this item worth that one and a half days of blood Sweat and tears so it helps you value money Work also helps you to be punctual and dependable You've got to be somewhere at a certain time and my employer is expecting me to get this job done By the end of the day and it teaches great qualities of it But you know we've been individual teaches you communication and collaboration sometimes you have to work with other people Problem solving decision-making skills all right and again. I'm just thinking personally here if I didn't work a job I Would not have been ready for the ministry Like being a pastor. I'm glad I made the mistakes in my secular job where I learned the lessons So I'm not making so many mistakes as a pastor okay, because there's a lot of similarities Okay, that there are there are people and and our personality things issues and and there are issues that come up Well, you can't accomplish the work that you're trying to achieve You've got to be trying to be influential and encourage and and all these things and you can if you learn that stuff in The job how you're gonna be more effective as a as a church member and if you want to get some mystery It'll help you you know become the pastor or whatever position you're hoping to to get but hey we see that Aquillas got no problem working a job Paul's got no issue working a job these things build great character Can you come with me to second Thessalonians? Second Thessalonians, please chapter 3 second Thessalonians chapter 3 verse number 10 second Thessalonians chapter 3 and verse number 10 I Should have said to keep a finger in Acts 18. I hope you did. But anyway second Thessalonians chapter 3 verse number 10 Paul says for even when we were with you this we commanded you that if any would not work Neither should he eat alright, so Obviously there are times in church where you're going to come together and eat food eat lunch, you know share a fellowship lunch together Okay, well sometimes people just turn up to church for a feed They don't want to work. They don't want to contribute to the service of the house of God But all they do want to do is eat Well, look this is laid down in God's Word. If someone doesn't refuse to work. They shouldn't eat They shouldn't be in fellowship with God's people It says in verse number 11 for we hear that some which walk among you this orderly work in not at all But are busybodies Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that we've quietness they work and eat their own bread okay, so that's instruction if you're an Unemployed man look the instruction from God just quietly go to work. All right, don't make a big issue about it That's just what God expects of you right and eat your own bread Verse number 13, but ye brethren be not weary in well-doing. Hey be not weary in well-doing Man, you go into your dead-end job That you're tired of Jesus God says it's well-doing you're doing well Okay, it pleases the Lord and I want to remember this My job is a place where God wants me to faithfully work hard and I'm pleasing him It's well doing in his sights. It says in verse number 14 and if any man obey not our word by this epistle notes that man and Have no company with him that he may be ashamed. I Don't want to do that I don't be like brother you've not been working like come on now It's been our six months seven months eight months. You're going unemployed for this long The Bible says I've got we got a note you and have no company with you. Look you're not permitted in the church You say that's harsh pastor. That's that's the word of God All right, that's God's Word But then it says this in verse number 15 in case you think it's too harsh yet counts him not as an enemy Okay, it's not an enemy. All right, but admonish him as a brother Understand he look as a brother He just needs to get this fixed in his life and then is welcome to be amongst God's people in fellowship rejoicing, etc Work a job guys, you know, it teaches you so much so many great lessons in life It helps you to obviously provide for your needs But not only that I'll just quickly read some other passages to you first Timothy chapter 5 verse number 8 but if any provide not for his own and Especially for those of his own house he have denied the faith and is worse than an infidel and Infidel is an unbeliever if a man refuses to work for his family. The Bible says he's denied the faith Okay, it's not saying that he's not saved but he's not working faithfully in how God commands and is worse than an infidel He's worse than unbeliever. Why is an unbeliever in God's house? Well, he's even worse than that You know we're talking on this morning about um The book of Revelation I said how some people follow after C.I. Schofield Very popular preacher. Okay, the Schofield reference Bible But not many people know that he deserted his family. He left his wife. He left his kids I if I remember correctly, he stole his mother-in-law's inheritance that was going to her children He left that deserted his family Okay, refused to labor for them refused to take care of them God says he's worse than an infidel But then you've got so many churches with the Schofield reference Bible Let me tell you what C.I. Schofield taught on on scriptures that guy's worse than an infidel worse than an unbeliever I'd rather hear an unbeliever tell me about God than someone that's worse than an unbeliever and how many people oh man What's C.I. Schofield saying in his reference Bible? It's just it's crazy to me. How easily as churches and God's people we've been deceived by these wicked false prophets Just some other passages Let me see Come with me to Luke chapter 6 please come with me to Luke chapter 6 While you turn into Luke chapter 6, I'll read to you from Acts 20 35 You see when you work a job, and you're able to have some resources behind you it says in Acts 20 35 I have showed you all things how that's so laboring you ought to support the weak You know when you when you work your labor and someone has a need God says look you can go and support that brother Again Aquila and Priscilla they saw Paul. Hey we can take care of you Paul come and stay with us What a great thing and then it says and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus How he said it is more blessed to give than to receive You'll understand that at some point go no no I'd like to receive I want the gifts yeah Yeah, but at some point you only when you do this you'll understand when you have more than you need And a brother has a need and you're able to step in and help them in that area And it just makes you feel so good Like you've just done something great for your brother that you love you've done something great for God And so that's so much better than being the one that received that gift or that reward right? During Luke chapter 6 verse number 38 my point is brethren like a prince like Aquila Working a job when you do that you can be a blessing to other people we're talking about being model church members We're not just looking out for our own needs. We're looking out for the needs of others Okay, hey and also of course the tithe you pay your tithe to your local church It's gonna allow the church to function and operate and do something great for God But Luke 6 38 says words of Jesus give and it shall be given unto you Whatever you give for the cause of Christ God says you're gonna get it back in return all right good measure Press down and shake it together and running over Shall men give in to your bosom, but with the same measure that you meet with all it shall be measured to you again I'll just try to give an example without getting too messy. Here's a cup of water Goes hey brother. Here's some water for you don't drink. I drank it from it. Let's pretend right and then God's saying look if you give It's gonna be given back to you right press down This is gonna be like packed right shaking together and like literally running over like oh, man I can't contain like everything that I'm getting back. That's a promise of Jesus. I've ruined it now anyway Jesus Right press down shaking together running over Shall men give in to your bosom for the same measure that you meet with all it shall be measured to you It's right brother measure to you again Come back with me to acts 18, please. We're talking about being great church members. Hey look out for the needs of others He said who's gonna look after me Well your brothers your brothers and sisters are gonna look after you well you look out for the needs of your fellow man But acts 18 verse 18, please acts 18 18 and Paul after this Tired there yet a good while and then took his leave of the brethren so now he's leaving Corinth and sailed vents into Syria but who's coming along with Paul and With him Priscilla and Aquila having shorn his head in centria for he had a vow Next thing that you notice there brethren. It says that and with him Priscilla Aquila You know we know that Paul was on his missionary journeys He was going from place to place preach on the gospel studying churches now a quill and Priscilla like hey Paul We'll come along with you. We'll help you on your journey Okay, next thing brethren is hey see if you can help your pastor on the journey Okay, look I Have ambitions we've got a church in Sydney. We need a pastor I Know we can start a church in Brisbane. I know it okay at the right time The Lord's leading I know we can start a church in in Melbourne I know there are other places in Australia that we can serve faithfully brothers sisters that are looking for a church like ours Hey wonderful if they can all make it here, but I know that's not realistic for everybody And you know what being great church members is understanding that hey there are needs not just amongst our church But there are brethren out there okay, and Paul says look I'm going and Aquila and Priscilla say we'll come along with you Paul. We'll help you on the journey They're willing to accompany Paul on his ministry journey now again I'm not saying that all of you need to do this Could you imagine like ah pastor said let's be faithful model church members so when pastor goes down to Sydney We're all going with him. Oh, there'll be nothing left here We need this church continue as well But what I'm trying to say is obviously and this comes with working a job you can start setting things aside To be part of the journey we've done so winning marathons in other places You know I believe early next year. I've got to talk to brother not brother anymore pastor Matthew Stuckey in the Philippines We might be doing a soul win trip in the Philippines So if you want to be part of that start a work a job put that money aside Get yourself ready to go to the Philippines, and you're gonna have a great time guaranteed going solely in a very receptive area I You know and and also what we do with other people It's not so lonely like it's like you got like the encouragement right. It's it's just fun the fellowship is great You know I really appreciate some brethren when I went to It was in 2020. I went to the u.s.. To preach at a missions conference and some of the brothers were like hey We'll come along with you pastor. We'll be there with ya like great. Yeah, that's awesome And I've been able to be there amongst many other believers that I don't know But also seen some of my faithful church members coming along for the ride all of that's wonderful That's exciting right and again. I don't expect that to be everybody's position But these are some things that we see with the qualities of Aquila and Priscilla their faithfulness to the ministry and work of Paul Now what I also like about this in verse 18 Let me read it again Paul after this chariot there He had a good while and then took his leave of the brethren and sailed then to Syria and with him Priscilla and Aquila The couple are going together Okay, and this is really important now look some of our soloing trips have been a few days Probably no more than a week something like that right obviously I don't expect that every married couple to go together, but obviously in these days They didn't have planes and trains and that kind of stuff okay This was a long journey for them, and I love the fact that no we're a married couple. We're going together It's important okay because I've seen Pastors destroy their ministry because they're doing things without their wives You know and I'll just share again. I know I've said this story, but it still saddens me to this day my first IFB pastor That taught me so many great truths. I'm still thankful for everything that I've learned okay And in fact the reason I'm a pastor today is because of the influence of this man Decided to go to China be a missionary But it left his wife in the u.s. He'd be gone for weeks multiple weeks and before you know it adultery divorce Ministries finished Okay, it happens Look, you know I love the fact that now Priscilla and Aquila. We're going together Paul if we're coming on this journey We're going together with you as a family Okay, and I love the fact that now Priscilla and Aquila So that's a that's a great quality and look You say what are you looking for in a past like when you think about blessed up Baptist Church pastor? What are you looking for? I'm looking For somebody whose heart is willing to go you know what I'm willing to leave the comforts of my home And go where we need to start a church or go where the brethren are That's the heart of the pastor that I'm looking for Okay, I don't know not everybody's got that ability and not everybody's got that heart But when I decide on a pastor one day for a church or a future church I'm looking for someone to say hey, where do I have to go if I have to leave my comfort zone? Where do I have to go? And look, it's going to be a great help to the ministry of our church You know and you can be utilized for that purpose. We've got brethren other places in Australia I'm just i'm letting you guys know if someone wants to be a pastor one day I'm letting you know i'm waiting for someone to say hey pastor thinking of going for a family holiday Go into Melbourne because there are brothers there that are lacking a church That haven't gone soul winning that need an encouragement. I'm going down there and for me that goes. Oh nice I can see a great heart that you're willing to pack up Temporarily or permanently to go and be a blessing to other people Now let's keep going then verse number 18 or 19 acts chapter 18 verse number 19 And he came to Ephesus, so this is the the Ephesian church, right? So this is the start of the Ephesian church. He came to Ephesus and left them there Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus But he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews Now what I love about this is that Paul had such confidence in Aquila and Priscilla that as they started the Ephesian church The couple was so trustworthy that Paul was able to say you know what I'm going to I'm going to leave you guys in Ephesus while I continue and carry on in my work And so as we look at these model church members Hey, these are people that had matured to a point that Paul was able to trust them with a newly established church You know the Paul knew that the church would be safe in their hands They would be responsible church leaders, okay During this transition and during the start of the new church and again This is what I want when I'm when I'm looking for a pastor when I'm looking for someone with a pastoral material I want to know that when this person has a ministry it's going to flourish in their hands They're able to make that ministry more Than what it began and of course we know the great story of the Ephesian church eventually they became a great church Come with me to Acts 18 drop down to verse number 24 Acts 18 24 it says in a certain Jew named Apollos born at Alexandria an eloquent man And mighty in the scriptures came to Ephesus So again Aquila and Priscilla are in Ephesus Apollos turns up to the scene. All right And it says in verse 25, this man was instructed in the way of the Lord So Apollos is saved. Amen But then it says this and being fervent in the spirit He spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord Knowing only the baptism of John So this is a man that knows the Old Testament scriptures And he knows about John the Baptist and obviously I assume he heard John the Baptist preach But look, he's not he wasn't from Judea and so he probably missed all the ministry of Christ His knowledge goes all the way up to John the Baptist. John the Baptist said hey, um You know, um John the Baptist was the one that was you know proclaiming the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world And so if he knew the teachings of John the Baptist He obviously knew messiah is coming the lamb of God is coming All right his sacrifice but he didn't he didn't know much of Christ And so what happens verse number 26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard They're like hey, who's that guy? That guy that guy knows the scriptures This guy sounds like he knows what he's talking about. They took him unto them again being hospitable And expanded unto him the way of God more perfectly They're like hey Apollos, you know, yeah, you heard of John, but let me tell you about Jesus It happened, you know, it really took place All right, and so they teach him more perfectly and so another thing that we see with these great church members Is that they are able to train up others? They are able to train up others now you say to me pastor. I can't do that. That's fine Because we all have to grow we all get saved and we're all babies in Christ and we need others to feed us Right, we need others to clothe us. We need others to help us when we're babies in Christ But what I would like everybody It's not just Aquila. Priscilla's helping out in this process of maturing and growing and helping Apollos know these great truths I would like to see my church members and I've seen this But I'd like to see it continue my church members growing in the knowledge of God You know growing in your understanding of the scriptures To the point where it's overflowing and you're able to be a help to other people You might come across an Apollos you might come across another brother in the Lord. That's just not quite Tuned into the right doctrines might be a little confused here and there but you're able to come alongside them And teach them God's word more perfectly If you can keep your finger there and come with me to Hebrews chapter 5 please Hebrews chapter 5 and verse number 12 Hebrews chapter 5 and verse number 12 And by the way again, I just want to say if these qualities are missing in your life It doesn't mean you're a bad church member Like I said, we're growing All right, and you might say hey, you know That's an area of my life that I'm just not that keen on or maybe ask God to help you grow So you can develop that in your in your life, right? We don't want to stay as we are we want to grow and develop We're seeing these great examples of Aquila and Priscilla Lord. Maybe I can be more like them Now look I don't know maybe Aquila and Priscilla had no children they're not they're not listed Maybe that's why they're easily able to go and travel with Paul Or maybe they're an older couple and their children have already grown up and they've got their own families and what have you That could be the case. We're all at different stages Okay, but I want to think about hey, you know, I want to be a model church member I want to be rewarded by Christ, you know I want my pastor to give a good account when he has to speak to Christ about the service of the church What areas of my life can I improve? What example can Aquila and Priscilla provide me so I can be a little bit more like them in their faithfulness toward the ministry of Paul I got you to turn to where Hebrew chapter 5 verse number 12 Hebrews 5 12 It says here for when for the time you ought to be teachers You have need that one teach you again Which be the first principles of the oracles of God and have become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat Look when it comes to these Hebrew believers that are reading this epistle They're being criticized Look, you should Have a greater knowledge of the things of God. You should be able to take the strong meats the deeper doctrines And then it says in verse number 13 for everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness For he is a babe a babe a baby And again, there's nothing wrong with being a baby if you're newly saved If you say pastor, I've only been saved the past year. Look you're a baby I've been saved for one year. You're a one-year-old baby I don't expect you to have the great knowledge of the bible And somehow you're letting down the church because your wisdom isn't all there you are growing You're growing And let absorb as much milk of God's word as possible If you say pastor, there are some things you preached. I just I don't understand it's too don't worry about it You're a babe take on the things that are easy You know apply the things in your life that are easy and work your way up And eventually you'll be able to take on that strong meat with gravy and potatoes and peas and you'll be just fine But it continues in verse number 14 But strong meats belongeth to them that are of full age Even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil What i'm trying to say to you is that Aquila and Priscilla got to the point where they matured enough Okay, with the help of Paul they were able to understand some of the deeper doctrines To the point where they can take Apollos a great preacher But limited in his understanding and they were able to use him to train him and guide him more perfectly in the ways of the Lord so To be a great churchman think about it think about other people. How can I be a help? You know if someone's struggling in their faith if someone's struggling in their understanding of the scriptures Maybe I can be the one that comes alongside and help them in their understanding Back to um acts 18, please Verse number 27 acts 18 verse number 27 again speaking of Apollos Apollos It says and when he was disposed to pass into Achaya the brethren wrote exhorting the disciples to receive him That's received Apollos. Hey, look when Apollos arrives to Achaya Hey, he's one of ours like he's one of our guys right receive him take him take him on board And when he was come helped them much which had believed through grace. So now he's helping others All right For he mightily convinced the jews And that publicly showing by the scriptures that jesus was christ Now, you know what's interesting about this chapter Paul is trying to convince the jews And they're rejecting him like they drive him out of the synagogue, right? But say paul trains aquila and priscilla And they train apollos and apollos is having the success preaching christ to the jews Like you think about that that that chain, all right, and he's doing a better job than than paul is with the jews So I've got no problem And you know inviting other men to come behind this pulpit and teach I want people to grow Hey, and if someone in this church is a better teacher than me, praise god And if you're able to teach someone else and that person teaches someone else and they become greater preachers than us Praise god Praise god, you're more effective. Yeah, that's awesome, right? Because again, we're doing things for the glory of christ not for man I love how apollos was able to be such a great leader and then later on back in Corinth when you read first corinthians We know that paul would send apollos sometimes to even teach that church Come with me now to Romans 16 please romans 16 and verse number three romans 16 And verse number three Look I don't know what god's plan is Putting your life at this church five years from now ten years from now I my my desire when I started this church was always i'll pass this church till the day I die But is that god's will I don't know i'm telling you that's my will that's my desire But I would have no problem if a man in this church rises up All right, faithful in the lord Great preacher great leader and under that man, we're going to see more success and greater growth I'm more than happy to go. Hey Either you go inside the church or whatever whatever the lord leads All right, or you can lead In your life at this church or you can lead blessed up at this church or you can lead The church in melbourne or you can lead the church in brisbane However, the lord leads But we need to train people This is why preaching can't be shallow Preaching just can't be a feel-good message and you walk away. I don't know what that sermon was about last week We need to get into god's word. We need to train You know, i've seen pastors say oh you want to get serious in god's word go to bible college Why don't we get serious at church The pillar and ground of the truth Why do we need to go and pay money to get serious with god's word? And I Be careful what i'm going to say here we have been both honestly i'm not trying to be boastful But the teaching you're getting behind this pulpit Is better than the teaching you're getting in the bible college higher quality I'm telling you the truth. I've seen those courses i've done those courses It's not worth the money The church is the pillar and the ground of the truth I would love to train men I'd love you to be look not everybody can be leaders. I understand we understand that okay But how are you going to get there if that's going to if that's your heart? I want to be a leader one day. I want to be a pastor I want to be a deacon one day. I want to start a church one day Start by being just a model church member Start by just working a job men Be a fisherman if that's what you have to be Be a tent maker Just just get busy Slowly one step at a time when god sees your faithfulness. Okay, he'll give you more and more and before you know it You may very well be leading the biggest church in australia ifb church soul winning church candlestick church in australia But let's uh, did I get to turn to our roman 16? Roman 16 verse number three just one more point here roman 16 free roman 16 free Reads great priscilla and aquila my helpers in christ jesus Why was paul able to do such great work because he had great helpers like aquila and priscilla You know if you want to if you want this pastor to do something great for god I need helpers I need you guys to say hey pastor. I can do that. I'll take care of that. Oh Oh with my hand and with the help of god, we can cause this ministry to flourish All right, we can do a great work together brethren but then he says in verse four who have for my life Laid down their necks Unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the gentiles What? Because not only do I give thanks to aquila priscilla, but all the churches Every church we've planted they're giving thanks to aquila and priscilla. What a great honor To have that in your in in the in the bible recorded forever But I want to notice what it says they have laid down their their own necks The way we would use it today. We would say like this. They they risked they risked their necks For paul and the ministry they risked their necks And the idea there is when it comes to ministry And again, god knows all things we need to walk by faith not by sight But many times you are taking a great risk And it's not easy to take risks Okay, but there's something about doing god's work that you know, it's really not risky Right, because because if god is in it, he'll bless it if god is in it he'll provide But it's still hard for man. It's still ah, man's a bit of it is a bit of a risk The idea there of course is that aquila and priscilla were willing to be sacrificial They're willing to take that risk. They're willing to go. Hey, you know what paul will pack up our house here We'll come along with you on that journey And the point that I wanted to bring out of this brethren in order for you to be that model church member You have to think when you come to church not what is best for me, but what is best for others? Not what is best for me Ah, sorry guys There is a lot of risk, you know, I could take step out of faith say god you got to make this work No It's hard. It's emotional. It's straining You don't know It's gonna work out And i'm gonna be able to take care of my family. Just don't know And this is why people don't do it when they measure the risk it's like it's not worth it It's not worth it But i'm telling you it's worth it I'm telling you, you know, even even the the sacrifices that you give what did we see earlier? That christ is going to return it back to you. Press down shaking together overflowing The blessings are going to be great if you do it for the lord You know, let church be a place where you go, you know what? I can't wait to be in church I can't wait to hear what god will do for me and and how it's going to work for me But have the mindset. How can I serve others? Maybe my brother or sister are downcast today. I'm going to encourage them Maybe i've not seen brother so-and-so for the last two weeks. I'm going to call them up. I'm not going to wait for the pastor I'll do it. I'll encourage them You know, maybe I see my brother a little just upset i'm going to come alongside him and tell him I love you brother I'm praying for you You know, it's great to see in church You know, you know, somebody's going through some difficulty. What can I do? How can I give instead of always receiving? But it's risky, isn't it? You're not sure is it going to result is it going to work out? Look, I want to start other churches, but it can't be me. It's got to be other men You've got that heart. You're going to have to take risks You're going to have to be sacrificial. You're going to have to lay down your necks Oh, man, if this doesn't work out Sometimes that's what's required But one thing at a time one step at a time just be a faithful member Please please be an encouragement you are an encouragement You know those of you that have traveled the last few weeks months You've been such an encouragement Not just to me, but to the whole church you know, i've been going for some difficult times and and seeing you guys at church has just Empowered me and you know lord you are doing a work here at new life Baptist church Model church members and you are you really are like you're a great church I appreciate you guys, you know, but let's appreciate what we do have I know i'm not the best pastor And you know deep down, you know the best church members, but we can be better We can serve jesus All right. Hey, we can receive the brethren and by receiving the brethren. We know that christ is going to reward us greatly Model church members. I hope you can see some great examples in aquila and priscilla How they were there supporting paul on the journey in the ministry And if there's something that you can take away from those people, please apply that to your life. Okay, let's pray