As we look at our text this morning we are dealing with a very familiar text about Apollos and his encounter with Priscilla and Aquilla who would literally change his life. Often times God allows us to cross paths with people that we often don’t know who happen to be in our lives for a season……and because we often don’t recognize the reason why they are there we have the tendency push them away and make the statement that we don’t need help. When it comes to ministry you need to recognize that when you are not knowledgeable in a particular area or subject. You are only hurting yourself. You can act like you are so anointed with your 5 inch thick bible and that big 6 inch thick dictionary you carry around like you really doing something but the truth is…..the proof is in the pudding. I have found that the reason why a lot of preachers only focus on one particular book in the Bible or one particular subject is because they are narrow minded/limited in there ability to comprehend what is God’s exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Ephesians 1:9 God wants us as preachers to have the ability to transcend, surpass, exceed, excel in the inherent power of the Holy Ghost that is residing in us by virtue of the anointing, but we can’t do that if we are only running off of our zeal. Apollos was down for the cause, he was enthusiastic, he had a goal in mind, he was tireless in his endeavour to build up the kingdom, he was fervent (on fire) but not with Holy Ghost fire.
When we look at the life of Apollos we see that he was a Jew born in Alexandria, he was saturated in the Jewish religion with it’s traditions and Old Testament Scripture. Somehow he either came into contact with John the Baptist or with his
Message on the Baptism of Repentance. This meant that he knew about John’s declaration that Jesus was the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, I believe he knew about Jesus’ death and resurrection and I also believe that he knew about Jesus as Savior but he didn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit coming to live within believers, empowering them to live righteously and to have the ability to minister in the power of the Holy Ghost. Remember what John’s disciples told Paul when he asked them had they received the Holy Ghost since they believed? They replied they hadn’t heard such a thing. (Acts 19) Like Apollos they only knew the message of repentance only. I want you to notice his sincerity and commitment and his fervor to what he knew. Hebrews 11:6 say’s ……….. Apollos was operating on the little bit that he had but it wasn’t all. I am glad today that I can say I have a full knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just don’t have Jesus but I also have the missing ingredient that Apollos needed. Which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Apollos was instructed in the “way of the Lord”, he is fervent, he is teaching, he is speaking boldly, but he has no power from the Holy Ghost. When Aquilla and Priscilla hear him the Bible say’s that they took him unto them , and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly, the Amplified say’s “Definitely and Accurately”. They could tell that he had not heard the full story of the gospel, so they began to share the full gospel with him I believe they told him,” Apollos yes Jesus did die for your sins but you have to realize that while he was on this earth he healed the sick, he raised the dead, he opened up blind eyes, gave hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak…..but that’s not all Apollos before he left here he said that we would be able to do the same things as a matter of fact he said “greater things” but the key to performing the miracles is that you need to be empowered with the Holy Spirit. Apollos you need to know that God is still moving today by His Spirit , He is still the same God he doesn’t change for He is the same yesterday, today and forever more. Don’t be afraid to preach this Gospel because it has power to do the same thing that Jesus did. If you don’t believe me just preach Jesus and watch the thousands come to the kingdom of God. Tell them of His saving power….tell them of His healing power….tell them of His delivering power but make sure you do it under the influence of the Anointing because miracles, signs and wonders are going to follow you …………
* One thing I like about Apollos is that he was teachable. He was willing to be taught, he was willing to learn that which he didn’t know. Once you learn you to can go and be effective in the things that God has called you.
I read a statement from Dr. Lester Sumrall he said " One of the disturbing things about Christianity is that very few Christians ever advance beyond their first revelation."
Walking with God is (or at least, should be) an unfolding process in which we get to know Him better and better. One of the exciting things about the Christian life is discovery, daily getting fresh bread from His table. Acts 3:21 describes a time of restoration of all things which God has spoken through the mouths of His holy prophets. There is no "new" truth, but there is plenty of neglected truth, life changing truth, just waiting to be drawn out by those with a teachable spirit who are willing to learn God’s Word.
Now that he has the full gospel and is anointed. Apollos say’s “I must preach and evangelize” before there was something missing in my message as a matter of fact I didn’t realize that I was “incomplete” but now that I have the full gospel I’m looking for the miraculous, I’m ready for the supernatural in my meetings.”
6/4/2006
Bishop C.Jones
