The Power of a Teachable Spirit

For those of you who lived before GPS, Have you ever been on a trip to somewhere you've never been before? You stopped by the gas station, and picked up one of those dusty maps off the rack, and set out with wild abandon? Well, maybe not wild abandon, but you get beyond the civilization you're familiar with, and you unfold that map in the front seat, and it feels like it's about 6 feet wide and covers the whole windshield. And you begin looking for highway numbers, and things get a little confusing. All of a sudden, you realize you've been trying to navigate with an old, outdated map.

You might end up taking wrong turns, getting lost, or missing out on the best routes altogether. It's frustrating, right? Now, think about how this relates to our spiritual journey. What if we're navigating life with incomplete knowledge or understanding about the things of God? That can affect ours and others' eternities.

This morning, we get to the section in the Book of Acts that introduces a man named Apollos. He was a passionate and enthusiastic follower of God, much like many of us. He had a lot of zeal, but there was a catch—his understanding of the gospel wasn't complete. It's like he had the map, but it was missing some key details. And that got me thinking: Are there areas in our own faith where God might be calling us to grow? Are there parts of our spiritual map that need updating?

This morning, let's open our hearts and minds to the possibility that God wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of Him. Just like Apollos, we might have the passion, but God is inviting us to pair that passion with a fuller knowledge of His truth. That only comes from knowing God's Word, the Bible, better. So, let's see how we can grow in our faith and understanding, so we can live out and share the gospel more effectively.

We find Apollos in Acts 18:24-25.

Read Acts 18:24-25

Acts 18:24–25 NKJV

24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

The Bible tells us that Apollos was well-educated and well-versed in the Old Testament Scriptures. He was very eloquent and eager to teach others about God. Apollos was from Alexandria, the second most important city in the Roman Empire. It was a very cosmopolitan city of about 600,000. But here's the thing—his understanding was incomplete. He knew about the baptism of John, which was all about repentance and preparing the way for Jesus, but that's where his knowledge stopped.

He knew nothing about Calvary, the resurrection of Christ, or the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He had zeal, but he lacked spiritual knowledge (Rom. 10:1–4). Zeal without knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

I. So Let's Work to Grow in Our Understanding (24-25)

Now, why is this important for us? Well, Apollos' story shows us that even when we have a strong foundation, there's always room to grow in our understanding. It's like having all the ingredients for a recipe but not knowing how to put them together to create the dish. We might know a lot about the Bible or have memorized verses, but God invites us to go deeper to understand the bigger picture of His love and plan for us.

Proverbs 4:7 tells us, "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." This means that pursuing a deeper understanding of God is worth everything we have. It's a lifelong journey, and God calls us to be students of His Word, continually learning and growing.

So, let's think about this for a moment. Are there areas in our spiritual knowledge that we need to explore further? Maybe it's understanding more about who Jesus is, the work of the Holy Spirit, or how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament. Whatever it is, let's commit to pursuing growth in our understanding, just like Apollos did. God has so much more to reveal to us, and as we grow in knowledge, we become better equipped to live out and share the gospel with others.

Now, let's see how Apollos responds when he's confronted about his limited knowledge.

Read Acts 18:26

Acts 18:26 NKJV

26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Apollos is speaking boldly in the synagogue, sharing what he knows with great enthusiasm. But Priscilla and Aquila, who had been taught by the Apostle Paul, hear him and realize that his understanding of the gospel isn't complete. Instead of criticizing him publicly, they take him aside and fill in the gaps in his knowledge.

Like many preachers, what Apollos said was true. What he left out showed his incomplete understanding of Christian truth. We can assume that he had no idea about the coming of the Holy Spirit, the founding of the church, and, I'm sure, the mission had expanded to include the Gentiles.

What we see here in these verses is a powerful example of humility and teachability.

It teaches us that we need to be...

II. Be Humble and Teachable (26)

Apollos, despite being well-educated and passionate, was open to correction and eager to learn more. It takes a lot of humility to accept that we don't have all the answers, especially when we're already confident in what we know. But Apollos shows us that true growth happens when we're willing to listen and learn from others, even if it challenges our current perspective.

James 1:19 reminds us, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to wrath." This verse encourages us to be open-minded and receptive, qualities that are essential for spiritual growth. Just like Apollos, we need to surround ourselves with people who can help us fill in the gaps in our understanding.

So, who are the Priscillas and Aquilas in your life? Who can you turn to for guidance and wisdom? Let's be intentional about seeking out those relationships and being open to their insights. By doing so, we allow God to deepen our understanding and prepare us for even greater things in our journey of faith.

Now, what if you could be the guide for someone else? Let's take a look at verses 27-28.

Read Acts 18:27-28

Acts 18:27–28 NKJV

27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

What does Apollos do? He uses his newfound knowledge to make a difference. In verses 27-28, we see Apollos moving on to Achaia, where he becomes a big help to the believers there. With his more complete understanding of the gospel, he powerfully refutes the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. His growth didn't just benefit him; it strengthened the entire community.

That's why God uses others to teach us. Not just for our benefit, but for the benefit of others.

III. Use Your Gifts to Strengthen Others (27-28)

Please don't leave today without getting this: God equips us not just for our own benefit but so we can build up others. Each of us has unique gifts and talents, and when we grow in our faith, we're called to use those gifts to serve and encourage others. It's like a ripple effect—when we invest in our growth, we create waves that impact everyone around us.

1 Peter 4:10 says, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." This means that whether you're gifted in teaching, serving, mentoring, or any other area, God wants you to use those gifts to strengthen the body of Christ.

So, let's ask ourselves: How can we use what we've learned to help others? Maybe it's leading a Bible study, volunteering in a ministry, or simply being there for someone who needs encouragement. Whatever it is, let's commit to using our gifts to make a difference. Just like Apollos, when we step out in faith and use what God has given us, we become a powerful force for good, helping others grow in their faith and understanding.

God doesn't want us to settle for a surface-level faith. He invites us to go deeper, to explore the richness of His Word, and to let that knowledge transform us. And as we grow, He equips us to make a difference in the lives of others. Just like Apollos, we have the opportunity to impact our communities, our families, and our world with the love and truth of Jesus.

Go out this week with confidence, knowing God's at work in you.