Transition video: Serving in prison ministry
Theme: Unsung heroes
Scripture: Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
Sermon 2: Priscilla and Aquila
Thesis for Series: The ultimate judge of a person’s character is their ability to exceed expectations with little recognition from others or when praise is not given. The Bible is filled with unsung heroes of the faith whose names may be obscure to us but to God they are His heroes of the faith.
Introduction:
Today we live in celebrity culture even within the church and unsung heroes of the faith are ignored, overlooked or even considered non-essential. We cater to people who woo the crowds rather than stand firm in the faith to those who silently yet faithfully serve the Kingdom.
Just look at all the hoop-la this week on TV and in the Media in Cleveland and over the USA for Lebron James coming back to play basketball and getting a contract worth 85 million dollars? To put a round ball in a round hoop – really? Does this make and eternal difference? Is Heaven applauding this? Will it change people’s lives?
I am reminded in Scripture over and over that Jesus always pushed the crowds away to focus on His twelve - then His 70. He was not focused on amassing the crowds or wooing the crowds – He really pushed them away at various times. Most churches in the world are under a 100 people (70-86 on avg. according to studies in the USA and Canada) and in America around 80% of the Christians attend churches considered small to medium size churches. (Churches 0-300) (http://www.usachurches.org/church-sizes.htm).
These Godly leaders and Christians are not in the limelight – their names will go down in history as virtually unknown. They could be called the unsung heroes of the faith. But to the Lord they are important pieces of the puzzle to the growth of the Kingdom of God. These unsung heroes are a vital piece of the overall puzzle of the mission. These unsung heroes will be rewarded in Heaven for their faithfulness and their commitment to the Kingdom of God. These non popular – non headline makers – non church media stars names are however known in Heaven and that’s important to remember in our celebrity world.
Over the next few months we are going to explore unsung heroes of the Bible, the non celebrities, the obscure ones, the not well known crowd and we will learn valuable lessons from these humble lives. We will see that these individuals never made the headlines or had their names up in lights. These are the people who live their lives in the shadows of others as great helpers. They feel the pressure like the famous ones and they deal with responsibility like the stars do but they never get the attention or the pat on the back they deserve. These gifted people are blessed with God-given gifts called “helps” and other lack luster names.
The gift of “helps” is not very glamorous and will never make millions of dollars. Can you imagine the shock when a superstar athlete appears before the Lord? So what did you do you for the Kingdom of Heaven? I played basketball or another sport! Do you think the Lord is going to be impressed? But say this to Him – “I was a helper – in the church – I served others!” For us this does not sound like a big wow but for the Lord it is. He will smile and applaud that kind of life and all of Heaven will rejoice along with Him!
Jesus loves the unsung heroes – to be honest I think their reward will be greater in the Heaven than a person who lives in the limelight or had a public ministry of some sort.
But these unsung heroes accomplished on a daily basis the important tasks of the Kingdom all the while remaining virtually anonymous. These unsung heroes are most likely uncomfortable being in the lime light any way. These men and women do their jobs – use their God-given gifts to fulfill their divine destiny. They do it quietly and efficiently, they serve and give of themselves and I want you to know that God notices and takes notes. The truth is these are the people who make the world a better place and help thrust the Kingdom of God forward in its mission.
Swindoll states, “As the song goes, they are the wind beneath our wings. They are the unsung heroes in the battle, the folks who do the work behind the scenes, the people who pick up the pieces, the ones who make sure everything in the project flows freely. As a matter of fact, if you ever take the time to find out, you’ll discover that many are downright fascinating individuals with stories to tell that hold you in rapt attention. They maybe unknown, but they are not insignificant. They may be overlooked by the public, but in private they fill the roles that are invaluable” (Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives, Swindoll, page XII).
Scripture Texts: Priscilla and Aquila
Acts 18:1-7:
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2There 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 Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,
3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
6But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
Acts 18:18-21: Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
18Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.
19They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.
21But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
Acts 18:24-27:
24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
25He 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.
26He 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.
27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
1 Corinthians 16:19: Final Greetings
19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
2 Timothy 4:19:
19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
Romans 16:1-5:
1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.
2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.
4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Introduction to sermon on Priscilla and Aquila:
There are only six references to the husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla in the New Testament, but the available details can reveal some interesting spiritual principles we should know. This faithful couple might be considered as one of the first lay people within the early church.
There are no Bible references to either Aquila or Priscilla, without mention of the other showing the two were a inseparable team. They worked together in a trade (tent-making) for their livelihood, and they worked together in the body of Christ, which is the church as a faithful team of unsung heroes of the faith.
They served faithfully the Kingdom of Heaven in quiet service-behind the scenes but vital to the growth and explosion of the early church.
As I read through our six references to our heroes I see a team – a couple that was focused on Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to raise up churches and empower His people for service within the Kingdom.
They did not want the spot lights - they just wanted people to find Jesus and flow in the power of Holy Spirit.
T.S. - We learn from their story three life lessons so let’s look at the first one.
I. Priscilla and Aquila were lay leaders in the early church.
a. They served in Corinth, in Ephesus and in Rome.
i. They were tent makers – this is how they made their living.
1. They worked this job to pay the bills and to help out others within the Kingdom.
a. Like the apostle Paul.
2. They were not supported by the churches offerings or giving but by their trade.
3. They truly shared what God blessed them with for the sake of the Kingdom.
ii. They housed in their home the early churches.
1. Too them their house was a tool to use to spread the Good News about Jesus.
2. They used it even at their own peril.
3. They wanted the church to have a place to gather to fulfill the Acts 2 purpose of the church:
a. Acts 2:42-47: The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
b. Priscilla and Aquila hearts were for the Kingdom and they used whatever God has blessed them with for His purposes.
i. Their business.
ii. Their home.
iii. Their time.
1. Are you willing to use your home for the Kingdom?
2. Are you willing to use your business for the Kingdom?
3. Are you willing to use your time and talents for the Lord?
iii. These two taught and discipled new converts in their home and at work.
1. These two worked as a ministry team.
a. Not just in the church but in the business world too!
2. When Apollos came along they invited him to their house to explain that there was more to the message and the ministry of Jesus.
a. This is an example of someone who they helped discover the baptism in the Holy Spirit and empowerment for ministry.
b. They ministered to this young up and coming evangelist and teacher.
c. There ministry helped this young man go to another level in the ministry of the Holy Spirit!
b. Some people have a misunderstanding of what a lay leader is in the church? (The following thoughts are adapted and used from Dr. Richard J. Krejcir.)
i. President John F. Kennedy gave a speech early in his presidency that went something like this: "Ask not what your county can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This greatly applies to the church, because throughout church history, we have had a skewed idea of the role of the lay person. There is the mindset that we have a hired a pastor, or minister to do this or that, so we do not have to. The typical "pew-sitter" sees their role as a spectator, so that actively engaging in the church is not deemed necessary. All that is needed is to throw a few bucks in the plate. After all, someone else has been hired to do the ministry.
1. Actually this is not a biblical mindset.
a. Christianity is not a ranch where we have hired hands who work the spread.
i. It is a Co-op were we all share the load of ministry!
b. Christianity is an adventure of faith, where we each help to build one another up and cooperatively do the work that Christ gives all of us to do.
i. It’s not a job or career – please here me on this!
c. Christianity is not an individualistic organization; rather, it’s a team!
i. A football team cannot possibly score if only the quarterback plays while the rest of the team sits on the bench. But, this is how most Christians play out their faith and walk in the Kingdom.
1. We must have a proper understanding from Scripture of the role for the people of God, and the offices we occupy.
ii. Priscilla and Aquila teach us that ministry takes place by all Christians, as we are all called to do it, and the ministry takes place wherever we the Christian might be-home, work (when appropriate), shopping, recreation, even at Taco Bell.
iii. We are all called as a Christian to engage the world, not just sit in a pew expecting a hired hand to serve them.
1. Christianity is not about what I get but it’s about what I give back!
iv. We are not to carry out ministry only if we get a paycheck; we are to accomplish ministry because this is what our Lord has called us to do. We can only achieve this task with the understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it.
1. Aquila and Priscilla knew this.
2. The love they received from Jesus compelled them to serve within the church that Jesus died for.
3. They did it for Him not for money or applause from others – they served the cause – the mission!
ii. Our question to ourselves today should be “How can I be more effective, not how can the pastor be more effective?”
1. As pastor’s we do get the blame if a church does not grow or meet its budget.
a. We do need to take responsibility (and I do) but a key component for growth in a church is lay leadership within the church.
2. When we function as a body of Christ effectively, then we can break the bonds of dependency on professional ministers being the “Only One’s”.
a. When each of you see how important your leadership is to Kingdom then CHC will be bringing in the Harvest for the Kingdom.
i. Really there is a responsibility we all must take for the Kingdom of Heaven!
ii. Let me challenge you – are you regularly inviting people to church, to life groups to church events?
b. We all have a role to play and a piece within God’s vision for this church and His Kingdom.
iii. The minister or pastor’s cannot be everywhere teaching all the small groups, bible studies, chapels, services but they are to train other people to do it.
1. Their role actually is to train and equip the lay person (all of you) to do the bulk of the ministry.
c. We see through the lives of Priscilla and Aquila a couple that understands their role in the church. They are the A Team the first string – the front line contact people for the Kingdom?
i. Can you imagine the greatest receiver in football history on your team? What about a team of just great receivers? Who would block, or pass the ball to you so you could receive it?
ii. We cannot have an effective relationship with Christ by ourselves, nor can we be a witness to the non-Christian as a solo effort. For us to know Christ and make Him known, we have to have a love for the church and its purpose, not just a love for our own whims and or plans.
iii. We cannot have a vital impact on our community without that connection with the Body of Christ. We cannot do it alone.
iv. God works through people; He works through us like he did Pricilla and Aquila.
1. We must believe this about the church and Jesus!
2. It's not so much that Christians are lazy; it is that we get comfortable and familiar with what we know, and the ability to go beyond our experiences and knowledge can be scary and disconcerting. So the Christian, or any person for that matter, will resist and fight change even though it is to our best interest, and even though this is what God calls us to do.
v. We must ask the question, “Do we have a healthy understanding of the purpose and mission of the church and the role of the lay person versus the pastor?”
1. The pastor or pastor’s cannot do it all, especially when the congregation puts on the bathrobe of laziness instead of the armor of Christ.
2. We at CHC place a high value on the lay person to be the feet and hands of this ministry.
3. We at CHC need to take ownership that we are not here for the sake of the meeting, but for the sake of the Lord, and we must release the gifts of the Spirit and in this we release the power of the congregation to impact this world.
4. We at CHC want you to assess your gift and use your gifts for the Kingdom. Yes we will train and equip you the people for the Lord's service, with ongoing encouragement and training but you have to use your gifts - everyday.
a. The above taken from © 1999, Richard J. Krejcir, Ph.D. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership,www.churchleadership.org
vi. The role of the Lay Leader and their responsibilities are lived out with a great deal of diversity:
1. Lay leaders are the following:
a. They are advocates for others
b. They model responsible and faithful discipleship of others
c. They build awareness within the congregation of the vision and mission
d. They recognize and celebrate the ministry of the priesthood of all the believers
e. They partners with the pastor or pastors to reach their community
f. They serve in various ways, ministries, task forces, departments and committees.
g. They help others grow spiritually
h. They serve within the church where God has called them.
i. They actively use their gifts in the church and in their community.
d. Aquila and Priscilla were called as Lay Leaders – just like our unsung heroes of the faith were called last week to build the Tabernacle!
i. All of God’s people, in all places and at all times, are called to love and serve. (This is the Ministry of the Laity not just pastors.)
ii. Ministry of the laity includes, but is not limited to:
1. Living faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ in our everyday life.
2. Responding to God’s gifts of grace and call to serve.
3. Using our gifts and resources to serve others.
4. Loving our neighbors and the church.
5. Living out the Gospels in all of our relationships – at home, at school, at work, at play, in our communities and in our world.
a. As described in the Gospels, Jesus Christ calls all persons to do a variety of things. Yes – you - You are called to be in lay ministry as a Lay Leader.
6. Become a partner in ministry with your pastor by praying, visioning, sharing, and working together to see the harvest come into the Kingdom.
a. This is what Pricilla and Aquila did and it changed the world!
T.S. – We at Christian Hills need you the laity to step up and lead in you areas of gifts and respond to the calling God has for you. Why? So we can see lives transformed for the Kingdom! But to do this it means you will have to take a risk like Pricilla and Aquila did.
II. They risked their lives for the Kingdom – would you?
a. Risk takers are headline makers in the Kingdom of God – maybe not here on earth but definitely in Heaven.
i. Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Duet. 31:6 NIV)
ii. Illustration- Risks
1. To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing, your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing and is nothing. They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or live. Charmed by their attitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who risks is free
iii. Risk taking should be an indispensable part of the Christian walk.
1. When we look back over church history we see Christians who risked all to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
a. Our unsung heroes did this!
b. These individuals and couples had courage to begin something or take a stand for God in the midst of difficult and dangerous circumstances. For some it meant ridicule, slanderous remarks, becoming laughing stocks in their community, it meant being condemned by their community, it meant imprisonment, it meant personal loss of family, friends, and finances. It meant facing a dangerous situation. For some it cost them their lives – it did Priscilla and Aquila. But all these risk takers made an eternal impact for the Kingdom of God.
i. They may have been unsung heroes here but not in Heaven!
iv. Yet, sadly, on the other side of the coin where the ones who where Christians but refused or where to afraid to take a risk for God. They waited for a better time, a safer situation, or a guarantee of assured results which never came. These people we have never heard about because their names are not known in the Kingdom of God archives. It's a sad fact that throughout history there have been many opportunities to make a difference but individuals refused to step forward. They refused to take the risk for God. No names - nobody knows about - names lost in history forever!
v. Sheila states, "What good would big thinking be if it stopped short of taking risks that turn dreams (and visions) into reality"(129).
1. The truth is -- when risks are taken for God things happen - visions from God become realities. Lives are changed and miracles happen.
a. The leaders of the early church and members of the church where risk takers who left impressions on our minds and spirits as inspiring examples of fearlessness in the face of ridicule, harassment, deprivation, and even death for the spread of the Kingdom of God.
2. These risk takers changed their future and our life for the better.
a. How about you? Do you want to take a risk for Him?
3. Risk-takers have the character trait of having faith in the Lord.
b. What is true faith in God?
i. Cymbala in his book "Fresh Faith" explains it this way: What is faith? It is total dependence upon God that becomes supernatural in it's working. People with faith develop a second kind of sight. They see more than just circumstances, they see God, right beside them. Can they Prove it? No. But by faith they know he's there nonetheless (16).
ii. He goes on to say: Without faith, says Hebrews 11:6, it is impossible to please God. Nothing else counts if faith is missing (16).
iii. In other words faith in risk taking is centered on the belief that God will use you to achieve the desired result of your risk. The key to learn here is that a risk-taker for Him places his faith in God , his confidence in God that the risk taken will be achieved.
1. The key to faith is realizing that it is not faith in what you can do but it is the belief that God will use you to do the task that is a risk.
2. We Christians today, need to have courage to take a risk for Him.
a. Illustration: Among the Japanese, the bamboo is a symbol of prosperity; the pine, a symbol of long life; and the plum tree, a symbol of courage. The plum tree seems an unlikely candidate. One would expect a much larger and sturdier tree to be the symbol of courage. The explanation is that the plum tree blooms very early in the spring when there is still snow on the ground. So our courage is not marked simply by what we do, but by where and when we do it. The one who stands firm even in the face of difficulties and opposition has true courage.
b. The movie called the "Right Stuff" tells of the true pioneers of the jet age and of space exploration. We see and observe how these men risked their lives to explore the unknown. They are all possessed with the quality of courage to reach the unreached parts of the world.
c. Courage is the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful instead of withdrawing from it.
d. Courage means the ability of going into the unknown or uncertain and taking it head on. It's the quality of being brave in a seemingly impossible situation.
i. For example: Christ Shall Be Magnified
1. A brilliant Chinese student was offered a fine position with the government. When Bishop Wilson S. Lewis asked the young man why he refused the splendid offer and volunteered to preach the Gospel for a mere pittance, he said: "During the Boxer Uprising I lived in an inland village where there was a temple for devil worship. The Christians were led by the soldiers to that temple and ordered to renounce their religion and bow before the devil image or they would be executed. I saw one hundred and sixty-three of my townsmen walk by the devil god with heads erect, when a little bow would have saved their lives - then out to a great beam over which they placed their heads for the swift stroke of the executioner's sword that sent their heads rolling in the dust. My father was one of that number. It was the unshaken integrity of their faith that thrilled me and gave me a longing for the new life. I must go back and tell my fellow townsmen of Christ who loves them, and of His power to save." -- The Upper Room.
ii. Courage is a necessary ingredient needed in the Body of Christ, if God's Word and principles are going to be revealed to the world. Every soldier of Christ needs courage if they plan on winning their battles with the enemy.
iii. We need courage to face the enemy in battle.
1. God desires us to face the enemy head on in His power. (I Samuel 17: 1-52)
2. Courage comes from the man of God who trusts in God's protection and guidance.
3. Goliath was a huge man and all feared him but David. David was a man of courage and faith. Note:
a. I Sam. 17:26
b. I Sam. 17:32
T.S. – Priscilla and Aquila risked all for the Kingdom and paid with their lives according to church tradition but we too should be willing to give all for the Kingdom of Heaven and use our gifts to see our community transformed.
III. They were a ministry team that supported and stood by each other.
a. Priscilla was considered by many as the teacher – some feel because her name comes first 4 out or 6 times they are referenced in Scripture.
i. In a male dominated culture of the day Aquila released his wife to be all she could be for the Kingdom.
1. To teach and lead the church Jesus was birthing!
2. Aquila did not want to hinder his wife from using her gifts for the Kingdom – it was about the Kingdom not his personal needs and wants.
ii. He supported her and never from what scholars see or I see was he intimidated by her success in the ministry of the early church.
1. He was there beside her – the two of them were a spiritually dynamic team for the Kingdom.
2. They were willing to go were God sent them and support Paul in his vision to birth the Church of Jesus Christ among the Gentiles and the Jews.
b. Was she the anonymous Author of Hebrews – yes- I am talking about Priscilla?
i. In more recent times, some scholars have advanced a case for the authorship of Hebrews belonging to Priscilla. A.C. Headlam, in the "Dictionary of the Bible", Vol. IV, p. 102, wrote: An interesting suggestion...has been made by Professor Harnack, that in Priscilla and Aquila we have the authors of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Prisca and Aquila were, we know, teachers of prominence who had turned Apollos to Christianity; they belonged to the intimate circle of Paul's friends.... They had for some time been connected with a small Christian community in Rome, and the Epistle to the Hebrews was clearly, he argues, written to Rome.... They were with Italian connection, but living outside of Italy. In the Epistle there is a curious interchange of 'We' and 'I'. Lastly, the authorship of Priscilla will explain why the writing is now anonymous. The church of the Second Century objected very strongly to the prominent position of women in the Apostolic Age. This had caused the gradual modification of various passages in the Acts and the desire to separate this work from the name of Priscilla.
ii. Perhaps the most thoroughly presented argument that Priscilla authored Hebrews came from Adolf von Harnack in 1900.[31] Starr's book[30]:p.189 contains Harnack's own summary of his research:
1. We can undoubtedly be assured that the Letter to the Hebrews was written to Rome—not to the church, but to the inner circle.[Romans 16:5]
2. It is an amazing fact that the name of the author is lost. All names mentioned as possible authors do not explain why the earliest tradition blotted it out.
3. The problem is this: Since the letter (according to the closing verses of Chapter 13) was written by a person of high standing and an apostolic teacher of equal rank with Timothy. And if Luke, or Clement, or Barnabas, or Apollos had written it, we do not understand why their names or signatures should have been obliterated, hence we must look for a person who was intimately associated with Paul and Timothy, as the author, that we may understand why the name is not given. This can only be Priscilla.
a. She had a so-called inner circle in Rome—"The church that is in their house". [Romans 16:5]
b. She was an Apostolic teacher of high standing, and known throughout Christendom of that day. [Romans 16]
c. She was the teacher of the intelligent and highly educated Apollos. [Acts 18]
d. She and Aquila labored and taught together, and thus we see "I", and then again "we" used.—Prof. O. V. Harnack
c. Starr finds thirteen attributes of the author that are internal to the "Epistle to the Hebrews" itself. She addresses eight of them directly and in detail, showing how Priscilla meets all eight descriptions:
i. Its writer was undoubtedly a Jew. Priscilla was a Jew. [Acts 8:2]
ii. The writer was a Hellenist. Priscilla was a Hellenist. [Acts 8:2]
iii. Its author was a nonresident of Palestine. We find her in Rome, [Acts 8:2] Corinth, [Acts 8:2] Ephesus, [Acts 18:18,19,24-26] and she was known to "all the churches of the Gentiles", but nowhere in Scripture or ecclesiastical literature that she ever visited Palestine.
iv. Its writer was evidently unacquainted with the details of the Temple ritual. If she had never visited Palestine, she would have no personal knowledge ot the minutia of the Temple worship at the dawn of the Christian era.
v. The contents of the Epistle to the Hebrews show that it was written after the release of Timothy[Heb. 13:23] and before the destruction of Jerusalem and the finality of the Temple worship. [Heb. 8:4-5]
vi. The writer was a disciple of the "great Apostle to the Gentiles" (Paul). Priscilla clearly meets that criterion.
vii. Its author was a friend of Timothy. When Paul came to Corinth, he lived with Priscilla and Aquila. [Acts 18:3] While still there he was joined by Silas and Timothy.[18:5]
viii. The author of the "Epistle to the Hebrews" was personally acquainted with the parties addressed therein. In 13:19 is what Starr calls a "significant expression" which reads: "...that I may be restored to you the sooner". She says that could only mean that the author was a fellow-townsman, absent for a season, and contemplating a return. She thinks that while the letter was written in Rome (rather than to Rome as Prof. Harnack had written). Her belief is that it was addressed to a group of believers residing in one of the provinces—probably the church at Ephesus. Four pages in her book contain detailed justification for this conclusion.
1. Starr lists the other five criteria of the Epistle's author without specific comment:
ix. Well versed in Old Testament Scripture
x. Had access to Alexandrian Jewish literature, and knowledge of the teachings of Philo
xi. Within the Pauline circle, and attached to Pauline theology
xii. A scholar of marked ability and attainment
xiii. An individual of prominence and of authority in the primitive (first century) Church
1. Other commentators have disagreed with the Priscillan authorship on the basis that the self-reference in Hebrews 11:32 employs the masculine participle διηγούμενον ("describing in full"), implying that Priscilla could not have been the author; or else she was masquerading as a male in order to gain credibility.[32] On the other hand, Ruth Hoppin has suggested that the participle in question is either masculine or neuter, and that the use of a neuter participle in this context would be appropriate regardless of the gender of the author.[33]
d. These two definitely accomplished more as a Team – they achieved and did great things behind the scene in the founding of the Church in Corinth, Ephesus and Rome.
Conclusion:
What we need to know from this message?
1. We are all called to lead within the church to help fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus.
2. We are to use our homes, talents, time and businesses for the Lord Jesus to grow His Kingdom.
3. We are called to lead people to Jesus and to disciple people for Jesus.
4. We are to be willing to take risks – steps of faith for the Kingdom of Heaven.
5. We are to be willing to works as a team with others and use our gifts like these two did to impact this world for Jesus.
Why do we need to know this?
1. We need to know that we have each been called to make a difference for the Kingdom with our lives and with our talents. When we realize we can be a part of seeing people’s lives transformed then we will have a passion like Aquila and Pricilla had for Jesus that fulfills our deepest desires of having a life that matters eternally.
What do we need to do?
1. Learn what your spiritual gifts are and then put them into action within the church.
2. Call me – email and say Pastor Mike this is my gift how can I serve the church with it.
3. Get involved – quit just being a pew sitter and spectator become a participant in the greatest adventure of a life time.
Why do we need to do this?
1. If we all did our part like Priscilla and Aquila we could see our culture return back to God and Bible values. If we sit back and do nothing our culture and way of life will disappear!
