August 7, 2005
T.E.A.M.- Two (or Three) Enjoying A Ministry
Isaiah 58:12; Acts 18:1-3
For whatever reason Naomi and I seemed to be involved in our church in some way. We led the youth group for a few months after our wedding and then moved to Florida. After we checked out a few churches we settled in on Community Bible Chapel. The next week we were being recruited to work in the bus ministry- which we did for all two plus years we were there. We taught Sunday School, were on clean up crews and the like.
I cannot imagine ever being a part of a church and not doing something to contribute. And here we are today partnered with you in building a ministry at the corner of State and Ferry.
God has called us to be the restorers of the streets to dwell in. The call to the believer is that we would so live our lives and build our family life in such a way that the streets of our community are safe and secure. The true calling of holiness is not that we would shut ourselves out of the world but that we would live in the world and among those who desperately need Christ. In fact, to live a holy life is about more than eradicating sin out of our life; it is about loving the most sinful that we encounter. The scriptures give us some great examples of men and women who strived together serving God. And I have looked in recent weeks to a husband and wife who teamed up and changed the world.
Priscilla and Aquila is certainly a couple from scripture who ordered their lives around the ministry of the church. Where you find ministry you will them- side by side together. They worked together with the Apostle Paul and other believers and spread the way of Jesus Christ for salvation. If they were to have a mission statement as a couple it might be something like this: “As a married couple committed to Jesus Christ we are committed not only to each other but committed to reaching and teaching others in the name of Christ.”
Could we as married couples here today adopt such a mission statement for our marriage?
What is it that makes the difference in our marriages so that we can minister effectively in our church and community?
1. THE EQUATION OF A MARRIAGE.
One plus one plus One equals one. Any marriage that is going to glorify God must have Jesus in its equation.
But sadly, too many marriages dismiss Jesus as an afterthought or incorporate Him as a “lucky rabbit’s foot.”
The most obvious fact about Priscilla and Aquila is their commitment to Jesus Christ. There can be no question about this for them.
Consider your marriage. Is there a strident commitment to Jesus Christ in your home? I don’t mean a commitment to the Church but a commitment to Jesus Christ and the cause of the gospel?
You see, if Jesus is the epicenter of your marriage then everything else will be added to it. You cannot build a solid home on the foundations of sand. You cannot build a lifetime together worshipping other gods.
This couple gives us a tremendous example of a couple who love Jesus and his people more than their own lives.
What do we learn about the marriage equation in the their life?
a. Jesus was Lord of their marriage.
There is no doubt that by their fruit we know them. They bore the fruit of Christ-centered living. To go from Rome to Corinth to Ephesus and back to Rome shows a couple who are flexible in how they live. As Jews they were kicked out of Rome because of a ruling by the Caeser Claudius. They arrive to Corinth and meet up with the Apostle Paul.
b. Jesus was Lord of their faith.
When the eloquent Apollos showed up in Corinth to preach and teach they saw that there was some misunderstanding on his part concerning faith in Jesus Christ. Apollos was teaching through the message of John’s baptism. However, he was unaware of the complete baptism of the Holy Spirit. And so they privately spoke with Apollos. They weren’t out to try to set him straight but they saw this man’s heart and took him under their wing. Rather than dress down Apollos in public they chose to lovingly speak with him in private.
The Apostle Paul closes his letter to the Romans by greeting Priscilla and Aquila. Immediately following this he refers to Epaenetus who is the firstfruits of Achaia- the area surrounding Corinth. It seems to many scholars that he is crediting them with his salvation and that they were the ones who led the first convert in the Asia minor to Christ.
This shows us a confidence in their faith. They did not feel any need to get public acknowledgement for their understanding nor credit for bringing someone else to Christ. Jesus was Lord of their marriage. They just lived by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
c. Jesus was Lord of their home.
They not only allowed Paul to earn a living with them making tents out of leather and goat’s hair but they even let him live with them. Not only this, but their home became a church home in the places they went. Their hospitality was worn on their shirt-sleeve. They obviously didn’t have much but what they had they gave to the Lord. And so they gave their home to the Lord.
Jesus Christ reigned supreme in their marriage. Who they were as a couple they were in the name of Christ. The equation 1+1+1=1 was true enough for them.
But more than being in it together we learn that they probably didn’t regard the other any less important.
2. THE EQUALITY IN A MARRIAGE.
Every marriage is different. Most couples are opposites and as they say, opposites attract. And in the case of Priscilla and Aquila, opposites attracted.
We find that they are both Jews. They both love Jesus. They are both from Rome. They were both tent-makers. But after that, the similarities seem to change.
Earliest versions of the Bible have Priscilla’s name preceding that of Aquila. A few possibilities.
First, Priscilla was noble born and Aquila may have been a servant. It is suggested due in part that Aquila was from Pontus- the so-called “other side of the tracks.”
Second, Priscilla may have been more gifted than Aquila. She may have been more talented and more out-going.
Third, Priscilla may have been more dominant.
Or fourth, a combination of the three.
They were opposites. And in their different personality traits we see a couple equally yoked.
So here is my advice to you as couples.
a. Strive to be one in Christ. As you travel together on this incredible journey, live your marriage so that it is pleasing to God. If you know someone who is a Christian but married to an unbeliever, encourage them to live a holy life that will draw their spouse to the feet of Christ. And allow me this indulgence of an idea. I have this theory that a typical wholesome marriage will work through three stages in life. These stages are not separate (and I don’t suggest separating them) but they are dominant stages in life.
b. Strive to be one in flesh. Practically all marriages begin with a high emphasis on the physical relationship. This is why it is vital to keep the marriage pure even before you get married. And even as the marriage carries on in years, there should be a mutual satisfaction in the physical realm. One should not hold out against the other. You are to be one flesh
c. Strive to be one in soul. The soul is the seat of the mind, will and emotions. As you grow together in your marriage there should be a merging of your minds, your wills and your emotions. This is vital for the marriage to grow. Our world puts so much emphasis on sexuality that marriages in the later years are experiencing frustration because they are putting all their eggs in one basket. Learn to talk and to walk together. Learn who the other person is.
d. Strive to be one in spirit. This is very important. As a marriage grows from the physical being dominant, to the soul issues being dominant we need to also be aware of the spiritual. In those closing years of life a marriage can experience something very valuable- a sort of entire sanctification of their marriage. A place of holiness in their relationship. Couples married into their elder years should be able to experience a wholesomeness in marriage that they have never experienced before.
All of these issues are important in every stage of marriage. But it seems that the deeper a marriage goes the more spiritual that marriage will become.
And as long as Jesus Christ is kept in the equation there is no reason a married couple should lose their zeal for ministry. As the Holy Spirit works in their hearts there will be a balancing effect in the home.
3. THE EQUILIBRIUM IN A MARRIAGE.
Every marriage will encounter enormous differences. And this calls for equilibrium. What do I mean?
What you do in the marriage will either keep it centered or will knock it off center.
I have a boat that is off center. When I row it wants to go into a circle so I have to keep adjusting my rowing. When I use my trolling motor it wants to still go in a circle.
The problem is that the weight is shifted to one side because of a boat repair years ago. And so I have to adjust constantly.
I suggest to you a few things that will keep the equilibrium in your marriage.
First, learn to adjust. Naomi and I have learned the things that upset the marriage. And so we have learned to respect each other and the quirks that we each have. It doesn’t mean we ignore serious issues. I’m afraid that too many couples simply pretend that the elephant in the living room doesn’t exist.
Second, acknowledge when there is a problem. The worst thing you can do is ignore a marital problem. We can so fill our life with activity that bury our head in the sand that we don’t see the problems. Everyone else does except us. Learn to say “I’m sorry.” Learn to do things for each other without grumbling and complaining- out loud or to yourself.
Third, make necessary repairs. Sometimes we will assume that saying “I’m sorry” is all that is necessary to repair a damaged relationship. The reality is that saying “I’m sorry” is the beginning of the process of real change in our self. It is important to know that an apology is the beginning of true repentance. After the apology we begin to implement the changes in our own life.
Conclusion
Aquila and Priscilla gave of their home to ministry, and even risked their lives for the Apostle Paul. But even more so, in the end they were martyred. They truly stand out as an outstanding couple who love Jesus and others more than life.
What about your marriage? Are you committed to each other? Are you committed to Jesus Christ as a couple? Are you committed to ministry together?
This is the high calling of the faith: that we would love others more than ourselves.