In the Olympics, the greatest goal is to get a gold medal. We hear a lot about the gold medalists.
But there are other athletes who are often featured.
Those who have overcome great odds and have been qualified to compete in the Olympic games.
Those who were virtually unheard of, but now have become inspirations to many.
Their stories are not inspirational because they have won gold medals, but because of who they were.
The Christian life is exactly the same. The Christian life is compared to the life of an athlete.
1 Corinthians 9:24, 25 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Paul mentions some important people in these closing verses.
They were not apostles or prophets. They were not kings or judges. They did not lead armies.
But they received “honorable mentions” in God’s word.
God’s greatest tools in the church are people. It doesn’t matter what you can or can’t do.
God desires to use every Christian for His purposes.
Vs. 10, 11 Timothy was one of Paul’s special assistants.
1. Brought up in a mixed religious home (2 Tim. 1:5) but led to Christ by Paul.
2. Paul called him “his son in the faith”. (1 Tim. 1:2)
3. Timothy accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys.
4. Timothy highly commended by Paul
Philippians 2:19-22 19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.
5. Timothy became Paul’s successor at Ephesus, which was very carnal city to minister in.
a. He wanted to leave at one point, but Paul encouraged him to stay. (1 Tim. 1:3)
6. 1 Corinthians 16:10, 11 suggest that Timothy had some problems.
a. Sickly-1 Tim. 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
b. Young and inexperienced- 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth…(Don’t be intimidated)
c. He suffered emotionally, and was fearful and sorrowful..
7. 2 Timothy 1:6-8 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God…
7. Timothy was a young, inexperienced, sickly, fearful and sorrowful man
a. Not what we would call a gold medalist. And yet he is commended highly in God’s word.
b. Why? Verse 10-He does the work of the Lord. Honorable mention.
V. 12 Apollos-Turn to Acts 18:24-28
1. Though eloquent and studied, his understanding of the gospel was incomplete.
2. And so he was taught more thoroughly by Priscilla and Aquila. He was teachable/humble.
3. Though he was very popular at Corinth, he didn’t seem to have felt the need to exploit that popularity. He felt it better to stay away for the present time.
4. Though popular/gifted, he was submissive to others. Not self-promoting. Honorable mention
Vs. 15-18 Stephanas & his family were the first converts to Christianity in that area.
1. Paul had baptized them personally. (1 Corinthians 1:16)
2. They were devoted to the ministry of the saints.
a. They saw a need and got to work. They did not push themselves into ministry, so much as they saw opportunity and need, and appointed themselves to that one thing.
3. Apparently, the Corinthian church was showing a lack of respect to the household of Stephanas; something they did to Paul too. Paul said to submit to them and acknowledge them.
a. Place yourself under their leadership, and recognize them in the position that God has placed them in. They receive an honorable mention.
V. 19-Aquila and Priscilla…Dedicated husband and wife team. Turn to Acts 18
1. 18:1-3 They were tent makers who met Paul through bad circumstances.
a. They had to leave Rome because Aquila was a Jew.
2. They were mobile people. They accompanied Paul on his journey.
a. When Paul moved to Ephesus, they were willing to go and help him.
b. They assisted Paul in starting the church at Ephesus.
c. Paul left them to oversee the ministry while he went to Antioch.
3. 18:26- They were able and willing to teach Apollos.
4. NOTE- This couple is mentioned only 6 times in the N.T. 4 times, Priscilla is mentioned first.
a. It is easily assumed that she was the stronger of the two.
b. She seems to have had more leadership qualities, for she is mentioned first more often.
5. 9- Paul wrote 1 Cor. From Ephesus. He said the church in their home greets you.
a. The church at Ephesus met in their home. Hospitable; opened up their lives to others.
6. They were willing to risk their lives for the gospel.
a. Romans 16:3-4 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
b. They were known and appreciated by many in the early church.
7. 2 Timothy 4:6 Greet Priscilla and Aquila. (They had moved to Ephesus to help Timothy)
a. They were able to pick up their tent making business and relocate as needed.
b. Priscilla and Aquila received an honorable mention.
8. Hebrews 6:10-12 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherited the promises.