Strengthening others
Weakness. We can define it in many different ways. Physical weakness. Mental weakness. Emotional weakness. Financial weakness. Relational weakness. There are many ways people in our society are viewed as weak. But how do we respond when WE are weak?
What are your weaknesses? What are the areas of your life you'd like to see made stronger? How important are they?
In Acts 18, there's a man named Apollos. He's a strong guy - in faith. From verse 24...
Acts 18:24-25
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.
Smart guy. Knew his Bible. Spoke with great fervour. Knew Jesus but only knew the baptism of John. He hadn't yet learned of the work of the Holy Spirit. So he was a little "out of date" with the progress of Christianity. No big deal - it was the early days of the church. There were no training colleges, no Bible commentaries, no social media to keep people updated. Then two people - a husband and wife named Priscilla and Aquilla (a great gospel couple who partnered together in gospel work) - went and listened to Apollos speak...
Acts 18:26
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.
Priscilla and Aquilla noticed there were a few things Apollos wasn't aware of. So they invited him to their home and filled him in.
It's a small little thing in the book of Acts, but it's the kind of strengthening we need to see more of. It's not judgmental, it's not vindictive. It's not argumentative - here are three people working together to strengthen each other for the sake of the gospel. There is not a hint of arrogance or pride. There is just a real and mutual desire to work together in the best way possible for Jesus.
Apollos was a pretty gifted guy - smart and a bold preacher. Yet off he goes for lunch at Priscilla and Aquilla's place to learn more from this man and woman of God about Jesus.
The result is a stronger church...
Acts 18:27-28
27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters 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. 28For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
We all have weaknesses. Some of the time we are not even aware of them. And so we need each other - to strengthen, edify, encourage, and sharpen one another. What will that look like for you today? Will you strengthen another? Will you humbly seek to learn from others? We should be both givers and receivers of this work in our lives.
Are we?
See you on Sunday - that's where a lot of this strengthening happens!
Prayer
Father, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for the opportunities you give us to strengthen one another in our faith for the purposes of your gospel. Help me to offer help to others and to accept help from others, so that your church might grow stronger each day.
Amen.