The Kind of People God Uses

Intro: Theme/Topic (What’s the problem, the question, etc.)

You might have missed it through all the costumes and candy but this past week also marked Reformation Day — remembering that time in church history when God used an ordinary monk named Martin Luther to spark a movement that changed history. Luther wasn’t trying to become a celebrity reformer. He simply wanted to be faithful to Scripture and to call the church back to the gospel. And God used him mightily.

When we look at someone like Luther — or any great figure in church history — it’s easy to admire their names, their platforms, and their accomplishments. We can quietly begin to think, “Sure God used Martin Luther…he was Martin Luther — I’m not him.”

The same thing happens today when we look at well-known pastors on big stages, authors, or Christian influencers with massive followings. We can start to believe that God only works through the unusually gifted — the bold reformer, the dynamic preacher, the strong personality, or the person with a platform.

And when we think that way, the danger is subtle but real: we take ourselves out of the story.

We start believing: “I’m just ordinary. I don’t have a special gifting. I can’t speak boldly like others can. God can’t use someone like me.”

So, as we approach this passage this morning, the question we’re going to wrestle with is: “What kind of people does God use to advance His Kingdom?”

Scripture

Let’s discover the answer now by grabbing our Bibles and turning to Acts 18:18-28. If you need to use a pew Bible, you’ll find today’s text on page _________. Once you’re there, please stand with me if you are able and follow along with me as I read...

Acts 18:18–28 ESV

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

This God’s Word!

Prayer

Father, as we spend time in Your Word this morning may it be a delight to our souls and may we receive it as a treasure more precious than fine gold or precious jewels. We ask this in Christ’s Name — AMEN!

Intro: Formal (give context to passage, setting the scene, big idea)

As we step into this passage, it helps to remember where we are in the story of Acts. Paul is nearing the end of his 2nd missionary journey. And remember that just before the events of this text, Paul had been laboring in Corinth where God strengthened and encouraged him. And because of this he spent over a year and a half there.

Now Luke traces Paul’s continued ministry, and if you blink you will miss it, but he actually ends this journey in verse 22 when he arrives back at his sending church in Antioch. Then in the very next verse he embarks on a 3rd missionary journey.

And as this is happening, Luke widens the camera lens to show us other faithful believers — Priscilla and Aquila, and then Apollos — stepping into the mission as well.

What’s striking is that these are very different people.

Paul is an Apostle and church planter.

Priscilla and Aquila are ordinary tentmakers and disciple-makers.

Apollos is a gifted preacher and debater, eloquent and educated.

Different roles. Different backgrounds. Different gifts. Yet God uses each of them in meaningful ways.

So let's return to our big question: What kind of people does God use to advance His Kingdom?

This passage gives us a simple, powerful answer: God’s kingdom advances through faithful, loving, and humble disciples.

Not the loudest voice.

Not the biggest personality.

Not the person with the most impressive resume or platform.

But believers whose hearts are shaped by Christ.

And in this text, Luke gives us three portraits — three examples — that will shape the rest of our time together:

Paul — A faithful servant submitting to God’s will

Priscilla & Aquila — Loving disciplers guarding gospel truth

Apollos — A gifted leader with a humble, teachable heart

These aren’t three different paths — they are three dimensions of the character God delights to use.

So as we walk through these verses, ask yourself — not, “Do I have a platform?” but rather, “Am I growing in faithfulness? In love? In humility?”

Because that’s the kind of person God uses.

Let’s begin with Paul.

Paul: A Faithful Servant Submitting to God’s Will

In verse 19 of our text Paul arrives in Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. Here Paul begins his familiar pattern of ministry by resoning with the Jews in the Synagogue. And Luke tells us in verse 20 that Paul is experiencing some success because hearts are open and they ask Paul to stay longer with them.

This is a preacher’s dream. Doors are open. Hearts are receptive. No opposition in sight. Ministry fruit is visible. People are saying, “Don’t go. Stay here and teach us!”

From a human standpoint, this seems like the obvious green light to stay. If we were advising Paul, we might say, “Brother, clearly God is blessing this place — why would you ever leave?”

But listen to Paul’s response in verse 21: “I will return to you if God wills…”

In other words: “My call is not determined by ministry success, by open doors, or even by good desires — but by the Lord’s will.”

That’s a beautiful picture of faithfulness.

And notice — Paul doesn’t say, “No, I’ll never come back.” He holds his plans with an open hand: “I’ll return if God wills.”

And we will see next Sunday — God did will it because Paul does come back to Ephesus in Acts 19 — but in God’s timing, not his.

And remember that Paul has already been obedient NOT to go to Ephesus in chapter 16 when the Holy Spirit forbid him, at that time, to minister in the province of Asia.

Church, we need this kind of posture in our lives. Sometimes God calls us away from what looks like success. Sometimes He moves us out of comfort, out of fruitfulness, out of the place where people value us — not because He is done with us, but because He has a different assignment.

In a few weeks Joe and Julie Emmett will be moving on from us to a new assignment in Missouri. They are dearly loved here. We don’t want them to leave. Joe has been a faithful elder and Julie has led our Children’s ministry and nursery school faithfully for many years!

The world’s wisdom would say, “Stay where it’s working. Don’t move unless things fall apart.”

But kingdom wisdom says, “Obey God even when obedience pulls you away from success and approval.”

Sometimes faithfulness means leaving a good thing to obey a greater call.

Think of Abraham, who left Ur — prosperous, comfortable, established — because God called him.

Think of the disciples who left nets full of fish — their best fishing day ever — because Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Think of Jesus Himself, who left the crowds that loved Him to go preach elsewhere.(Mark 1:38).

Sometimes the clearest sign of God’s will is not that something is working, but that He says go.

And let’s be honest: this is hard for us.

We like familiarity because it’s comfortable.

We like being needed because it feels good.

We like seeing fruit from our labor.

We like staying where ministry feels successful and secure.

But God is sovereign over His work through us. We are not CEOs of our ministries — we are servants of a King. And servants go where the Master sends.

So here’s the question for us: Are we willing to follow God’s will when it disrupts our comfort and success?

Sometimes faithfulness looks like staying when we want to leave. Sometimes faithfulness looks like leaving when we want to stay. Either way — faithfulness is measured not by results but by obedience.

———————————————-

Now look with me at verse 23 where we see another example of Paul’s faithfulness.

“he departed and went from one place to the next…strengthening all the disciples.”

Paul begins his third missionary journey here not by planting a brand-new church, but by returning to strengthen those who were already disciples.

Church, evangelism matters. Church planting matters. But so does strengthening God’s people through the slow, steady, sometimes unseen work of helping believers grow.

The Great Commission is not, “Go make converts.”

It is,“Go make disciples… teaching them to obey all that I commanded” (Matthew 28:19–20).

Paul didn’t measure ministry only by new ground that was taken. He also measured it by roots going deeper and stronger.

Our culture loves the new, next big thing. But God delights in faithfulness over time —

In strengthening marriages,

grounding children in truth,

encouraging weary saints,

discipling new believers,

restoring those who have wandered,

and shepherding people toward maturity in Christ.

Church, don’t underestimate the ministry of strengthening disciples:

The parent patiently discipling children at home

The small-group leader pouring into five or six souls

The member who takes a struggling brother to lunch to pray and encourage them

The saint who writes notes, makes phone calls, and quietly strengthens the body behind the scenes.

That work matters. This is also God’s will. And Paul was faithful to do this work too.

God does not advance His kingdom only through explosive revival moments — but through ordinary faithfulness and long obedience.

Pastoral Application:

Let me speak to your hearts here:

Are you so focused on finding a bigger ministry platform that you’re missing the ministry God has for you right now?

Are you resisting God’s nudge to pursue a new ministry because where you are feels successful and comfortable?

We have a real need for Children’s Sunday School teachers, for youth group leaders, for people to disciple new believers.

Or are you someone who is discouraged because your ministry feels small, unseen, or ordinary?

Hear this: God isn't looking for sensational. He's looking for faithful.

If God moves you — go. If God tells you to stay — stay. If God opens a new door — obey. If God calls you to strengthen one soul quietly rather than impress crowds loudly — rejoice!

Because the God who used Paul’s preaching in Athens also used his tentmaking in Corinth. The God who used Luther to shake the church in Europe can use you to shape a soul, a family, a child, a neighbor, a coworker, a classmate.

Faithfulness is never wasted. Obedience is always significant. And God’s will is always better than our plans.

Transition:

So first — God uses faithful disciples who submit to His will. Next, we will see that God uses loving disciples who guard gospel truth — even when it requires hard conversations among friends.

Priscilla & Aquila: Loving Disciplers Protecting Gospel Truth

While Paul is out strengthening churches in v.23, Luke pans the camera back to Ephesus and introduces us to Apollos. And right away, he wants us to feel the impressiveness of this man.

He’s from Alexandria. The intellectual center of the ancient world. Home to the greatest library on earth. Where minds like Philo shaped Jewish thought. Where the Old Testament was first translated into Greek.

That’s where Apollos is from. He’s well-educated. He knows the Scriptures. He’s been instructed in the way of the Lord. He’s fervent in spirit. He speaks boldly. He teaches accurately about Jesus.

In our day, this is the kind of man churches would invite to conferences. Publishers would want to give him a book deal. Podcasters would want him on their shows. You’d scroll his sermon clips online and think, Wow, God is really using that guy.

But even with all those gifts, Luke tells us Apollos still lacked something—he only knew the baptism of John (A baptism of repentance). This was not false teaching. Just incomplete teaching. He hadn’t learned about the practice of Christian baptism that Jesus instituted—A baptism that identifies us with Christ in His death and resurrection (Rom 6:3-5).

And here’s where the camera shifts again—not to another big-name leader—but to a humble, faithful couple: Priscilla and Aquila.

Tentmakers. With no title. No platform. No spotlight.

They hear Apollos preach. They spot the gap. And how do they respond?

Verse 26 tells us, “They took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.

Notice they did NOT publicly correcting him. They didn’t embarrassing him. They didn’t blast him in the synagogue lobby. They didn’t whisper about him with others after service. They took him aside.

Probably into their home. Probably over a meal. With love and Spirit-filled humility.

Church—this is Christlike correction. This is Ephesians 4:15 in action — speaking the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

This is what Paul commanded Timothy — to correct with gentleness (2 Tim 2:25).

They didn’t shrink back in fear saying, “Who are we to speak? He has more degrees than we do.” They didn’t idolize gifting and ignore truth.

Instead, they loved him enough to speak. They were humble enough to do it privately. They were faithful enough to put the gospel above ego.

And God used this mightily. Because after this conversation — Apollos becomes one of the most powerful defenders of the gospel in the early church (v.28; 1 Cor 3:6).

But don’t miss this: The growth of a mighty preacher came through the quiet, loving, faithfulness, of ordinary saints.

Application:

Most of you will never preach a conference sermon. You may never write a commentary or lead a movement.

But you can open your home. You can open your Bible. You can humbly guide another Christian into deeper truth.

And to be honest, that’s where most real discipleship happens anyway—not on a stage, but at a kitchen table. Not with applause, but with patience and prayer.

Some of you need courage: You see a doctrinal gap in a brother or sister. Don’t gossip about it. Don’t criticize from a distance. Invite them to coffee. Ask questions. Open Scripture. Speak gently and humbly.

Remember Luther who stood courageously against the powerful Catholic Church — and God used him. Now His is situation and context was a bit different and made his confrontation with the church publicly necessary. But his rhetoric could be very sharp, and biting. Priscilla and Aquila show us another side of gospel faithfulness — the courage to correct, paired with the humility and love to do it gently and privately.

Gospel faithfulness is not just about what we say — but how we say it.

If Luther reminds us not to be silent, Priscilla and Aquila remind us not to be sharp. Christ calls us to be both bold and gentle — people who love the truth enough to speak it, and love people enough to speak it with grace.

Let’s be a church full of Priscillas and Aquilas— faithful, humble, loving, courageous, Bibles-open disciples who build others up for the glory of Christ.

Now, if Priscilla and Aquila have shown us the courage to speak the truth in love, Apollos now shows us the humility to receive the truth with grace. Because God doesn’t just work through those who correct others — He works through those who are humble enough to be corrected. So let’s shift our focus in my final point to Apollos.

Apollos: A Gifted Preacher With a Humble Spirit

We’ve already looked at the fact that Apollos was 

“an eloquent man” (v. 24) — trained in rhetoric.

“Competent in the Scriptures” — he knew the Word.

“Fervent in the spirit”

And “spoke and taught accurately about Jesus.”

If there was anyone who might be tempted to say, “I’ve got this — I don’t need input from others,” it would be Apollos.

From a human perspective, he was the one who belonged on the stage. He was the one others would have deferred to.

But when Priscilla and Aquila pulled him aside and lovingly filled in the gaps in his understanding, Apollos didn’t bristle. He didn’t defend himself. He didn’t say, “Well actually, I studied in Alexandria. Who are you to teach me?”

No. He listened and received their correction with humility.

And because he did, look at what God did through him. Verse 27: “He greatly helped those who through grace had believed.” Verse 28: “He powerfully refuted the Jews in public.”

His ministry expanded. His usefulness multiplied. Why? Not because he was gifted — he already was. But because he was humble.

And church, let’s be honest for a moment — it’s often harder to receive correction than to give it.

Especially when:

You’ve been a Christian a long time

You know your Bible well

You’ve even been in leadership

You’ve seen God use you

You’ve studied, trained, read, and served

But we must guard our hearts against the fact that the more capable we are, the more tempted we are to protect our ego.

But maturity isn’t measured by how much we know — It’s measured by how teachable we remain.

When I was preparing for my ordination, I was given some advice. Often an ordination council of examining pastors will ask difficult questions to see how humble the man is. they want to see that he can admit there are some points of doctrine that are difficult and that he does not have fully worked out. — So the advice was to not shy away from admitting that there are things that you don’t fully understand.

A soft heart is not a sign of weakness; it is a mark of grace.

Listen — even the Apostle Peter received correction from Paul in Galatians 2:11–14. David prayed, these words in Ps. 141:5

Psalm 141:5 ESV

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived wrote these words in Proverbs 27:6

Proverbs 27:6 ESV

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Apollos embodied this wisdom and so should we.

Pastoral Application:

Some of you have incredible gifts — intellect, leadership, influence, communication, knowledge. Praise God for that! Use it for the kingdom!

But hear me with love: If you are unteachable, you are unusable.

God delights in gifting His people — but He delights even more in shaping their humility.

The path to greater usefulness in the kingdom is not platform, position, or polish — it is a teachable spirit. — And even this is a gift of grace we should be thankful to possess if we have it!

So ask yourself:

When someone brings correction, do you become defensive?

Do you only listen to those “above” you?

Do you welcome godly input, or avoid it?

Our posture should be, “Lord, keep me humble. Keep me teachable. Use me.”

And like Apollos, when we receive correction in humility, God doesn’t shrink our ministry — He often expands it. He multiplies our ministry fruit. And He strengthens His church.

Conclusion/Response (Gospel & Repent/Believe)

When we started this morning, looking at Martin Luther — an ordinary monk God used in an extraordinary moment. Not because he sought fame. Not because he built a platform. But because he feared God, valued His Word, and walked in humble repentance.

And that brings us back to our big question:

What kind of people does God use to advance His Kingdom?

Not just the bold reformers. Not just the dynamic speakers. Not just the leaders with big personalities and platforms.

No — God uses faithful, loving, and humble disciples.

We’ve seen this so clearly in our passage:

Paul — faithful to follow God’s will, even when it meant leaving success behind.

Priscilla & Aquila — loving enough to speak truth gently and privately.

Apollos — humble enough to still receive correction and grow.

This is the kind of character God delights to use. This is the kind of person God forms in His people. And by His grace, this is the kind of person you can be.

But before we close, I need to say this — for some of you, the lesson of Apollos may be exactly where God is pressing on your heart today.

Apollos loved Scripture. He spoke boldly. He had passion. He had knowledge. But he had a gap in his understanding. And he needed someone to lovingly correct him.

Some of you have been around churches for years. You know the language. You appreciate the Bible. You respect Christian community.

But maybe — like Apollos — there’s still a gap. Not in your knowledge — but in your heart.

The gospel itself is a loving correction.

It tells you something you don’t naturally want to hear: You have sinned against a holy God. You cannot save yourself. Your goodness is not enough. Your church attendance is not enough. Your Bible knowledge is not enough. Your sincerity is not enough.

That’s not easy to hear and receive. It confronts our pride. It requires humility.

It’s like a friend handing you a book on dieting — It feels offensive because it implies something is wrong. And our first instinct can be to throw it back in their face. Saying, “I don’t need that.”

But, hear me with love right now — Don’t throw away the gracious correction of God.

The gospel says:

You are a sinner. You stand guilty before a holy God. You deserve His judgment.

But — Jesus loves you enough that He took your place.

He died to pay for your sin. He rose to give you new life. And His Forgiveness is free — by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!

The question today is not, “Are you religious?” “Do you know Bible facts?“ “Are you a nice enough person?” “Have you been around church long enough?”

The question is: Will you humble yourself like Apollos and receive the grace of Jesus?

Will you say, “Lord, I need You. I cannot save myself. I turn from my sin and trust in Christ alone.”

That’s humility. That’s faith. That’s the beginning of new life.

And if you are in Christ already — praise God! Then walk in the same humility you began with. Be teachable. Be faithful. Be loving. Let God use you in your ordinary obedience — that’s how His extraordinary kingdom advances.

Let’s pray.

Prayer

Closing Song: In Christ Alone

Benediction

No guilt in life, no fear in death — this is the power of Christ in us.

Church if this is true (and it is) — then we leave here today not in our own wisdom, not in our own strength, not in our own gifting — but in the power of the risen Christ who lives in us and goes with us.

And as we go from here, we go on the same mission as Paul, Priscilla & Aquila, and Apollos — to tell others about Jesus, making disciples…

As faithful servants, who submit to His will… as loving disciplers, building others up in grace and truth… and as humble learners, ready to receive correction and grow.

And if you are here today and you haven’t surrendered your life to Christ as your Savior… If you’re still carrying sin and guilt, still trying to build your identity in your own strength — Don’t leave here today without humbling yourself to receive Christ as your Savior. Come to Christ today. Turn to Him in faith. He will save you, forgive you, and make you new.

People will be here at the front after the service who would love to pray with you and help you take that step.

And speaking of taking steps — If you God is nudging you to take a next step in your faith, we’d love to help you do that with us here at FBC. Just fill out the orange NEXT STEPS card in your pew and drop it off at the welcome counter on your way out today.

Now receive this benediction from 1 Corinthians 15:58

[Go, now church], be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.