Loading... REMAINING FOCUSED AND FAITHFUL TODAY - Acts 18:28
Tuesday, October 31st, 2006Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Apollos was ready to move on from Ephesus to continue to preach the gospel to the Jews. The disciples in Ephesus wrote references for the disciples in Achaia so that they understood that Apollos has already proven himself faithful. Apollos may have had a great gift from God in that he was an eloquent speaker who was bold in proclaiming the truth. However, because he was new at preaching the gospel, he did not have a reputation that would cause the Christians in other communities to open up their doors to him.
When Paul was first saved, Paul had a reputation of killing Christians and as such, before Paul was accepted in Jerusalem, Barnabas had to vouch for the change that occurred in the life of Paul. It appears that the church was very careful with new Christians being given much of a platform. Both Paul and Apollos were required to prove themselves faithful and then others were required to vouch for them before they were given new authority. The New Testament church was very careful whom they listened to.
Apollos had proven himself faithful in Ephesus and now God was blessing him by allowing his ministry to spread to Achaia. God gave Apollos great gifts and as Apollos used the gifts God had given him for God�s glory, God expanded his ministry. Apollos may have been given great gifts, but he was also humble in that he accepted instruction from Aquila and Priscilla so that he drew closer in his understanding of God.
In the same way you do not start at the top in your profession, so too, God does not start your spiritual journey at the apex of your ministry. Instead, God tests your faithfulness in that which is small and as you prove yourself faithful, God will expand your ministry. It is very easy to get caught up in all the ways God could use you, but the most important thing is to remain faithful in the place that God has placed you today.
In the same way that the New Testament church was careful in receiving unproven preachers, so to must you follow their examples by studying the word of God to ensure that the words that are being shared conform to the truth of the scriptures. You cannot afford to be led astray by every eloquent speaker. The most important thing is that you remain faithful to God and that HE is properly reflected by your life.
You have been instructed to add virtue to your faith. This means that you must learn to put on the mind of Christ. You understand that Satan does not want your mind to be upon the things of God and as such, he is going to try to distract you from thinking upon those things that are pleasing in HIS sight. Satan could distract you by simply causing your focus to be put upon the future and how God should be using you rather then what HE has instructed you to do now. Satan could distract you by brining persuasive speakers with no credentials to slowly move you from God’s perfect will.
The battle for your mind is never easy. You must keep your heart right before God. When God is ready to expand your ministry, HE will open the doors for you so that HE receives the glory. Do not allow Satan to have a victory in your life by taking your mind off of God’s purpose for your life today. Remain faithful to your calling today.