GOD’S PLAN: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

JESUS’ OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S PLAN: “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. 

When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11

JESUS COMMAND TO ALL WHO BELIEVE: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

BELIEVERS’ RESPONSE: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:16-21

THE ACTS OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” –Jesus Matthew 16:18, NLT It all began with Peter but did not stop with him.  Jesus taught him to teach others who would teach others…!  And then there was Paul…

So, given God’s plan to save us, Jesus’ teaching and training of the original disciples, led by God’s Holy Spirit; the work of “going and making disciples” is multiplied in and through new believers in Jesus from town to town, city to city—just as He said. 

The ministry of reconciling (reconnecting people to God through Jesus) formed groups of believers (churches) who also would “go and make disciples” causing exponential growth in ways that the powers of hell cannot and will not conquer.  Troubles, disagreements, sacrifices, beatings and jailtime for preaching Jesus will occur, but the apostles and disciples know that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

“I am with you always, until the end of the age.”—Jesus, Matthew 28:20

Acts 18, The Message

Ephesus

¹⁸ Paul stayed a while longer in Corinth, but then it was time to take leave of his friends. Saying his good-byes, he sailed for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila with him. Before boarding the ship in the harbor town of Cenchrea, he had his head shaved as part of a vow he had taken.

^19-21 They landed in Ephesus, where Priscilla and Aquila got off and stayed. Paul left the ship briefly to go to the meeting place and preach to the Jews. They wanted him to stay longer, but he said he couldn’t. But after saying good-bye, he promised, “I’ll be back, God willing.”

^21-22 From Ephesus he sailed to Caesarea. He greeted the church there, and then went on to Antioch, completing the journey.

²³ After spending a considerable time with the Antioch Christians, Paul set off again for Galatia and Phrygia, retracing his old tracks, one town after another, putting fresh heart into the disciples.

^24-26 A man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt, and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John. He preached with power in the meeting place. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story.

^27-28 When Apollos decided to go on to Achaia province, his Ephesian friends gave their blessing and wrote a letter of recommendation for him, urging the disciples there to welcome him with open arms. The welcome paid off: Apollos turned out to be a great help to those who had become believers through God’s immense generosity. He was particularly effective in public debate with the Jews as he brought out proof after convincing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was in fact God’s Messiah.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

How awesome for the well-educated Apollos, gifted in preaching, to listen to those who know even more about Jesus!  He knows and can only preach what he has learned but is open to know more about Jesus!  Because of his open heart and mind toward Aquila and Priscilla, the ministry of reconciliation (reconnecting to God through Jesus) is now preached to even more people who need to know Jesus.  Apollos is wise to listen and learn.  It is wise to have mentors in the know about Jesus! 

How would we respond?  When someone takes time because they care enough to correct us with truth, do we willingly listen?  Are we helping or hurting the cause of Christ?

“Apollos turned out to be a great help…”  Because of his mentors and his willingness to listen with understanding; Apollos grew in faith and knowledge of Jesus.  “Apollos turned out to be a great help to those who had become believers through God’s immense generosity.”  God paved the way, Apollos obediently followed. 

God gifted Apollos with great speaking and debating abilities.  Apollos used his gifts for God’s glory which caused many to believe that wouldn’t normally accept the message.  “He was particularly effective in public debate with the Jews as he brought out proof after convincing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was in fact God’s Messiah.”

Making disciples is the work the Holy Spirit does in each one of us.  Certain gifts are given to believers by God at just the right time to help others know Him and believe that Jesus died and rose again for them, too.  These gifts are not to call attention to us but used in the ministry of reconciliation and growth from the inside out.  Paul explains this to the church in Ephesus:

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16, NLT (Read the whole chapter for what it means to acquire the unity of the Holy Spirit working in and through us!)

Oh, church friends, it is good to revisit the acts and subsequent letters of the original apostles who pioneered “going and making disciples”, taking to a work or art and heart, led by God’s Holy Spirit. 

If we truly want to know what Jesus, the rock of our salvation, wants from His church, the Body of Christ; we must study and take to heart the truth that exudes from the hearts of His passionate, loving, sold-out, committed, and confident apostles with whom the work Jesus began.

Lord,

Wow.  Thank you for those who went before us!  We are amazed by your deep love for us.  We are grateful for your gracious generosity and patience with us as we learn and grow in our own faith and in your work.  Lead us to more like you, dear Jesus.  Give us your wisdom to say the right words at the right time in the right, loving way, so others will know you, too.  Make me a disciple who makes disciples in your Name for Your glory.

In Jesus Name, Amen