A Godly Couple

A GODLY COUPLE

A Pattern For Us All

Eccl 4:9-12; Acts 18:1-3, 19, 24-26

1. The Benefits of a Good Marriage

A. Mutual Effort

· (Eccl 4:9) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

B. Mutual Support

· (Eccl 4:10) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

C. Mutual Encouragement

· (Eccl 4:11) Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

D. Mutual Strength

· (Eccl 4:12) Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

2. The Blessings of a Godly Ministry

A. A disappointed, lonely Apostle

· (Acts 18:1) After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

· (1 Cor 2:3) I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

B. A friendly, hospitable couple

· (Acts 18:2) There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

C. Willing disciples

· (Acts 18:3) and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

D. Capable servants

· (Acts 18:19) They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila.

E. Effective teachers

· (Acts 18:24) 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.

F. Far reaching influence

· (1 Cor 3:6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

· (Rom 16:3) Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.

· (2 Tim 4:19) Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

Conclusion: Some Suggestions For Making It Happen

A. Give Up

· Your Grip on privacy

· The fear of opening your doors

· The words me, mine & more

· A Do not disturb on your door

B. Reach Out

· To hurting, people

· A lonely Marine/sailor

· Single parent, unwed mother, widow, divorcee, a neglected child

· Those who need to feel the security of a strong family

C. Take In

· Invite someone over for a meal or on a picnic.

· Take someone to lunch.

D. Start Now

· There will always be good reasons to keep your doors closed:

· Too busy

· New baby

· Just getting settled

· Getting too old