Aquila and Priscilla

Bobservations Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

    Aquila and Priscilla are a delight to read of in the scriptures. As Jesus sent the Apostles and Disciples out two-by-two, it’s a natural fit when the two are a married couple. When God said in the Garden of Eden that the two shall become one, there are then male and female insights that mesh and bond together like no other pairing. We don’t hear of Aquila or Priscilla without hearing also of the other. Their individual ministries meshed like hand and glove understanding and supporting one another.

    Norine’s Uncle and Aunt spoke to us about the ministry shortly after I was ordained. More specifically, Auntie spoke up and encouraged us strongly to travel and minister together. This Aunt and Uncle had been in ministry for 40 years at the time, and these were words of wisdom from folks experienced in ministry and who loved us in the Lord and in the family.

    It was just a piece of counsel shared casually, and the wisdom of it has born out over the 30 years of our ministry. Being one-in-the-spirit on most everything is a blessing that blesses over and over again. The benefits are mutual support, immediate input from another point of view, and protection for the ministry and the marriage against foreign accusations. These things are immeasurable, and they also take the exercising of our faith to accomplish.

    At times it comes easily, and at other times the requisite humbling of one’s self, as both are encouraged, directed, and then guided to decisions. Aquila and Priscilla’s ministry is not necessarily Earth-shaking, but it is profound and life-changing for others, and a blessing to each other.

    The issues of marriage are the issues of the Church. The Apostle Paul expands upon this in 1 Corinthians 7, and in Ephesians 5, he reminds us that the marriage relationship is as Christ and the Church.

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, 

and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”   

~ Ephesians 5:31,32 ~

ONWARD TO CORINTH

Bobservations: 
By Pastor Bob Lawrenz 

  There is no scriptural reference to a church having been founded in Athens, it proved to be a strong-hold of Satan.

    And from that frying pan, into the fire Paul went as Corinth was his next stop. Corinth is located on the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow spit of land which commanded two harbors, one to the north and the other to the south. It was a shipping and commerce center, wealthy and rich in Hellenist culture. It connected Athens with Greece’s Peloponnesian Peninsula. On the peninsula, we find Olympia, Sparta, and that well known source of olives, the city and region of Kalamata.

    But there on the Isthmus, we find the Temple of Aphrodite which housed a thousand Temple Prostitutes, to assist in the “worship” of the goddess. It was said that those that “acted the Corinthian” were given over to much fornication. Where the Athenians worshiped many gods, including Athena (the virgin), the Corinthians focused on Aphrodite.

    It reminds me of the scripture “where sin abounds, grace doth much more abound.” Like Las Vegas vs. Los Angeles; both given over to sinful vices, and it’s hard to decide which is worse. Yet in those cities there are vibrant churches full of dedicated believers. God does not leave His children without resources for their faith, regardless of the character of their cities.

    In Corinth though, Paul found fellowship with people who had things in common with him. Like Paul, Aquila and Priscilla were a couple who were tentmakers by trade. We can see the benefit of being able to relate to people when sharing Christ with them. Paul found a common thread in Athens by pointing to their shrine to the Unknown God, but little fruit followed. And now, a personal thread through tent-making (no pun intended). We find the Apostle to be able to identify with many because of his background.

    Building on the things we have in common is a great way to break the ice, and broach the subject of Jesus with others. Brothers and sisters encourage us, and God blesses our meagre efforts and opens doors that we could not imagine.

Relate to people, and then let them see Christ in you!

Glorious Liberty

Bobservations Column

by Pastor Bob Lawrenz

    On this July 4th Holiday weekend, there will be an endless stream of platitudes about our Nation’s freedoms, and remembrances of great victories in the past. From the American War of Independence, to World War II, there is no mistaking the battles won, and the battles lost, all bringing ultimate victory over tyranny of all sorts, from all over the world. Liberty and freedoms came at a high cost in human lives, and continue to do so. 

    But evil and cruel leaders existed long before the United States won her wars. And there is one battle that has gone on since the Garden of Eden. A cruel and jealous ruler wanted to raise himself up to the level of God, and that battle cannot be won, but Satan continues to try to recruit as many as he can. 

    Satan’s lies will never cease. His fiery realm means death for all the souls he wins. The wars that our nation has fought pale in comparison. Even the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have rebuilt and are among the most vibrant cities of the Far East. 

    However, Satan’s kingdom is eternal; there will be no rebuilding, and there will be no vibrant life for those who are duped by his lies and enticements. The familiar picture on the front depicts a victory on a faraway island, and it came at a high cost: many died trying to win the battle of Iwo Jima, and even in victory, the battle raged on. Some of the men raising that U.S. Flag never made it home. The battle continued in spite of our victorious flag raising.

    Because the war with Satan is a spiritual battle, God sent His only begotten Son to enter the fray, and to win our battle for us, paying with His life. In victory, Jesus rose from the dead and lives on at the right hand of the Father. So while we have victory in Jesus Christ, we know that Satan’s battle rages on, deceiving and tempting every new generation. And, 0ur own battles will not cease until the Lord calls us home. They will continue because we live out our lives in enemy territory. There are pockets of peace and joy here and there, but none can compare with the Glory that lies ahead in God’s Holy presence.

“Because (we ourselves) also shall be delivered from the bondage of

corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” - Romans 8:21