There Were Others

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Session 11 | Aquila and Priscilla, Ananias Big Ideas : • Posture of these others • Aquila and Pricilla • Ananaias Every day, average obedience in the same direction is the simple thing that changes the world. Posture of these others • Humble- • Selfless and sacrificial-They gave up for God’s plan • Available-They were willing to put aside their current plans for what God spoke. They also didn't sit around just waiting for God to do something. They were living life as usual but welcomed God's interruption. • Desperate and needy for God to move-Many of them were at a place of brokenness before God. • Not blind obedience-Many times they questioned God and asked for clarity and confirmation. • Quick obedience- • Experienced the supernatural expressions of the Spirit of God. • Discipled others- • Their larger narrative in life was the gospel. God's will is not hindered by the current political and social structures. Aquila and Pricilla http://www.about-jesus.org/paul-second-missionary-journey-map.htm#map Paul's second missionary journey lasted approximately three years, from roughly 49 AD to 52 AD. This journey involved extensive travel through Asia Minor and into Europe, including key locations like Philippi and Corinth. Start: The journey began in Syrian Antioch, where Paul and Silas revisited churches established during the first journey. Asia Minor: They traveled through parts of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), including Derbe, Lystra, and Antioch in Pisidia. Europe: Paul then received a vision to go to Macedonia (part of modern-day Greece). They traveled to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Corinth: A significant stay of 1.5 years was spent in Corinth, where Paul met Aquila and Priscilla. Return: After Corinth, Paul traveled to Ephesus and then Caesarea, before returning to Jerusalem and eventually back to Antioch. The places that Paul visited during his second missionary journey are listed below in chronological order. Jerusalem Paul begins his second mission journey. Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and other evangelists, first travel from Jerusalem to Antioch. Acts 15:22. Antioch Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement. They part ways. Barnabas goes to Cyprus. Paul and Silas travel through Syria and Cilicia. Acts 15:36-41. Tarsus Paul travels through Cilicia, which includes the city of Tarsus. Acts 15:36-41. Derbe Paul travels to the towns of Derbe and Lystra, both of which he had visited during his first mission journey. Acts 16:1-5. Lystra In Lystra, Paul meets Timothy, who becomes an evangelist. Acts 16:1-5. Iconium It is possible that Paul travels through Iconium, on his way to Troas, given the information in Acts 16:1-6. Pisidian Antioch It is possible that Paul travels through Pisidian Antioch, on his way to Troas, given the information in Acts 16:1-6. Troas After arriving in Troas, Paul has a vision telling him to go to Macedonia and evangelize there. Acts 16:6-10. Neapolis Paul and Silas sail from Troas to Neapolis, en route to Philippi, a city in Macedonia. Acts 16:11-12. Philippi Paul evangelizes to Lydia, a successful businesswoman. "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message." - Acts 16:14. Lydia becomes the first known Christian in Europe. Her family converts, too. Paul and Silas are wrongly imprisoned. An earthquake destroys the prison. Paul and Silas comfort the jailer. The jailer and his family become Christians. Acts 16:16-40. Amphipolis & Apollonia After being released from prison, Paul and Silas pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia on their way to Thessalonica, which has a Jewish community. Acts 17:1. Thessalonica In Thessalonica, Paul preaches in a Synagogue. Some Jews and Greeks are brought to faith. Later, a mob tries, unsuccessfully, to capture Paul and Silas. Acts 17:2-9. Berea In Berea, Paul again preaches in a Synagogue. Many Jews and Greeks convert to Christianity. Others, angered by Paul, seek to harm him. Paul's associates send Paul out of town to protect him. He goes to Athens. Acts 17:10-15. Athens In Athens, Paul is distressed by the extent of idol worship. He preaches about Jesus and the resurrection. Some oppose him. Others become believers, including a man named Dionysius and a woman named Damaris. Acts 17:16-34. Corinth From Athens, Pauls travels to Corinth and evangelizes. He meets a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who moved to Corinth after Roman Emperor Claudius ordered Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1-4. Cenchrae Paul leaves Corinth, with Aquila and Priscilla, and goes to Cenchrea (or Cenchrae) and has his hair cut off. He does this to fulfill a vow, but we are not told what that vow was. He later sails to Ephesus. Acts 18:18. Ephesus Paul, Priscilla and Aquila, sail to Ephesus. Paul evangelizes at a synagogue. Paul leaves for Caesarea. Priscilla and Aquila stay behind in Ephesus. Acts 18:19-21. Caesarea From Caesarea, Paul travels to Jerusalem, which is inferred from verse 22, before traveling to Antioch, from where he later would begin his third mission journey. Acts 18:22. Acts 18:1-4 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. • They were refugees from Rome. • Tentmakers by trade Hosted a house church 1 Corinthians 16:19:-20 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. • 59% of all churches in America account for over 9 million worshipers. The average attendance is 60 per Sunday. (177,000 churches) • 35% of all churches in America with 100-499 average attendance. These 105,000 churches account for 25 million total worshippers. • 4% of churches with 8 million attendees nationwide gather in groups of 500 to 999 worshipers. They represent 4% of churches with 8 million attendees nationwide. • Churches with 1,000 to 1,999 attendees represent 2% of churches overall with 9 million attendees. • Mega churches have roughly 2,000 to 9,999 attendees. There are 1,170 “mega-churches” making up only 0.5% of the total churches in America, serving 4 million attendees. • If we add up the bottom 3 church groups this accounts for only 6.5% of all churches in America. 73.5% of all church attenders are in small to medium sized churches. Sacrificed and traveled with Paul Romans 16:3-5 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Acts 18:18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. 2 Timothy 4:19-20 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Discipled others- Acts 18:24–28 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:19 (ESV) 19The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. Ananias Acts 9:1-19 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Take Away: • As we have looked at the characteristics of so many obscure people used of God in the Bible, what are some of my most glaring take-aways? • When I examine my own life and ministry, do I exhibit the common characteristics to be able to say yes to God when He calls? • What are some obstacles that would hinder me from being someone who God uses for His glory?