Able Servants
The True Human Community
January 7, 2024
Rev. Dr. Gabe Sylvia
To be useful servants of the Lord we must be committed students of Scripture and submissive members of the church—learning from examples like Apollos, accepting correction, protecting doctrine, and centering worship on Christ.
Summary
This sermon on Acts 18 emphasizes that effective Christian service depends on two commitments: being devoted students of God's Word and being humble, submissive members of the church. Apollos is held up as an example whose foundation came from the Old Testament, reminding us that the whole Bible shapes our faith. Believers are urged to cultivate regular Bible reading (not distracted by phones), to receive and give correction lovingly (as Aquila and Priscilla did), and to help the church guard true doctrine by assessing teachers by their fruit. The Lord's Supper is presented as a vital, worship‑shaping check on our gatherings, and the message closes in prayer for forgiveness, provision, and protection.
Key Points
- Resume of Acts 18: continued study and learning from more experienced believers
- Main call: be committed students of God’s Word and submissive to the church
- Apollos as example: grounded in the Old Testament—‘we are Bible people’ not just ‘New Testament people’
- Practical challenge: regular, focused Bible reading (put down phones; use a plan/hard copy)
- Submission to the church: serve faithfully but accept correction for the good of the body
- Church’s responsibility: protect doctrine and distinguish false teachers by their fruit
- How to correct error: private, gracious confrontation (Aquila and Priscilla model)
- Worship check: the Lord’s Supper centers the church on Christ and assesses morning worship
- Conclusion: God builds his church through Word and faith; prayer for forgiveness, provision, and protection
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