A More Excellent Way
By Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 02/25/2024
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 18:24-28
1. Paul.
a. Paul, at first, fought against the Gospel.
b. He was very learned pertaining to the Law, but not concerning the Gospel—until his life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.
c. He spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching both Jews (those who would listen) and Gentiles—and writing the anointed epistles we have and treasure today.
d. Acts 18:1-4 KJV –– After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
e. Two faithful disciples, who were instructed by Paul, were Priscilla and Aquila.
2. Apollos.
a. Acts 18:24-25 KJV –– And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
b. Eloquent (Greek logios) –– fluent, i.e. an orator; cultured; learned; a man of letters; skilled in literature and the arts, esp. versed in history and the antiquities; skilled in speech; rational; wise.
c. Mighty (Greek dynatos) –– powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); able; mighty; excelling in something; having power for something.
d. A certain Jew, Apollos, who was born in Alexandria, was mighty in the scriptures.
e. Scriptures—the written Word— (in this case) the Law.
f. Apollos was highly educated in the Law and instructed, or well-versed, in the Way of the Lord.
g. He was eloquent and a great communicator.
h. He was fervent in the Spirit—burning with spiritual zeal.
i. He taught diligently the things of the Lord.
j. He taught everything he knew—which was the baptism of John.
k. The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance.
l. John was the forerunner to Jesus and instructed people to repent, and to receive the One Who was to come—the Messiah, Jesus.
3. A More Excellent Way.
a. Acts 18:26-28 KJV –– And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
b. Apollos, was speaking freely, fearlessly, and boldly in the synagogue.
c. When Pricilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and expounded unto him a more excellent way.
d. They expounded to him the Way of the Lord more definitely and accurately.
e. They preached Jesus to him—and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
f. Apollos was a learned man and Pricilla and Aquila were tentmakers.
g. But Apollos was humble enough to receive what they had to say, and he gladly became born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.
h. Afterwards, he too was more excellently instructed by Paul, and became a valuable fellow-worker in the Truth.
i. As Paul told the Corinthians: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Cor. 3:6)
4. A Better Way.
a. Have you ever considered for one moment whether there might be a better way of doing what you are doing?
b. Like Apollos, you could have an understanding of certain aspects of the Word, or ministry, or business, and yet, still be missing something.
c. You have to be sensitive and teachable and to recognize when God has anointed someone to come your way to help you.
d. Through the years, there were men of God, sent across our path, who showed us a more excellent way in a particular area of the Word of God.
e. And as we appropriated it in our own life, we received the benefits of the revelation we had received.
f. We must put the Word of God into action in order to receive His benefits.
g. The Holy Spirit is our Helper—He leads us into the Truth and reminds us of what God’s Word says.
h. When you cry out to the Lord for help, He will send someone your way.
i. There were times I prayed: “Lord, there must be a better way of doing what we are doing.”
j. And I have seen the Holy Spirit help us as we cried out to Him.
k. Often, over the years, it has broken my heart that there were people that I could not help, because they would not receive the instruction or make the changes.
l. It is vital that we remain open and teachable, with an expectation that the Lord will show us a better or more excellent way of doing what we already do.
m. If we are willing to receive instruction and make the changes necessary, we will experience:
n. Another level.
o. Another realm.
p. Breakthrough!