Partners in Ministry
ACTS 18:1-22 (June 27)
God has blessed me during my years of working in ministry. I have had some special people come alongside me, helping me achieve my calling. I believe that those "partners" God gives us are some of our greatest blessings, and I am sure I would have achieved far less without them.
We all need those partners. The people who see what we see, believe what we believe, and support our efforts. We need those special souls who will jump right in and work alongside us, whether it be sharing the word of God or building a tent in the desert.
And when the going gets tough, when people come against us, and when discouragement has its grip on our heart, we need them even more ... to lift our spirits, soothe our troubles, and push us back into the race.
That is really what today's Scripture is about. Paul leaves Athens to go to Corinth. This city is the political and commercial center of Greece and has a reputation for its wickedness and immorality. They REALLY NEEDED the gospel spoken over them.
He meets up with a couple of new "partners" by the name of Aquila and Priscilla. This couple has a lot in common with Paul, because they are tentmakers by trade, just as he is. This is a great trade for Paul because he can literally work anywhere he goes, making and selling tents.
They work alongside each other daily, and you have to know that Paul is sharing the Good News with them. They are in Corinth because they were deported from Rome, and they willingly accept the message Paul is sharing, becoming not only fellow tentmakers but fellow believers.
Every Sabbath, Paul is in the synagogue trying to convince the Jews and Greeks that Jesus is the Messiah. As usual, he gets opposition from them, over and over again. After one particular time of opposition and insult, he shook the dust from his clothes and said, "Your blood is upon your own heads - I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles."
What exactly did he mean by this? His words were to serve as a reminder that Christians have a blood-debt to pay. Christ shed his blood for our salvation. We are expected to repay that debt by proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. If we don't, God will hold us responsible. If we do, and our words are rejected, our debt is paid. The one who rejects us will then be responsible, instead of us.
Paul had tried, over and over, to share the message with the Jews. Many believed. But many also opposed him. And he was simply saying that he had done what he was supposed to do and was no longer responsible for their acceptance of the Good News.
He went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshipped God. the leader of the synagogue, Crispus, and his entire household believed in God. Many other in Corinth heard Paul and became believers.
One night Paul had a vision from the Lord, who told him, "Don't be afraid. Speak out! Don't be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me." So Paul stayed for another 18 months to teach the word of God.
God encouraged Paul in that vision. Paul was feeling discouraged by the rejection he had faced. But his greatest partner in ministry, God himself, was right there, offering him encouragement to keep going, to keep doing what he was called to do. And he stayed and did so, until felt called to move on to a few other places at the end of his second Mission Journey.
Reading this Scripture reminded my heart of the times I have felt discouraged, rejected, and incapable. God has been my partner every single time. Sometimes it has been through his own words I have heard whispered to my soul. Other times, it has been through the words of those he has surrounded me with, encouraging me to continue my journey.
I hope this reminds you of the times God has shown up for you, to be an encouragement and a source of courage. And I pray it brings to your mind the special people he has placed in your life to partner with you... in work, in life, in ministry to others. Maybe they have even challenged you a little, or a lot?
There have been times when one of these partners in ministry have even spurred me to do things I never thought I would. To step out of my comfort zone and see what God can do. I am so grateful for this kind of ministry partner, even when the challenge is to write devotionals for the Bible in a Year plan!