Daily Worship

Apollos encounters friendship to the moon and back

Dan Harper November 27, 2024 0 0
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Acts 18: 27 (NRSVA)

27 And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, 

My daughter and I watch a lot of Scooby Doo. I’m sure we have seen very nearly every episode and film. I have always loved Scooby Doo. I think this is because within the joyous cartoon nonsense there are two truths evident in every episode and film. 

Firstly, we learn that ghosts and monsters aren’t the bad guys. The bad guys are those who make and horde money at the expense of others. The second great truth that Scooby Doo teaches us is that true friendship encourages you to be the best ‘you’ that you can be, and supports you when times are tough. 

It sounds overly simple, but I promise all Scooby Doo storylines are about supporting and encouraging friends and solving a mystery. A mystery that when solved is almost always about a rich person who wants to get richer at the expense of other people. 

Apollos knows the value of good friendship. He received hospitality, encouragement, and all-round support from Priscilla, Aquila, and the church in Ephesus. And as he moves on to Achaia, they send a letter ahead of him asking their friends to welcome him as a friend. 

Priscilla, Aquila, and the church in Ephesus, are supportive and encouraging of Apollos. And with their support he learns and grows in faith and goes on to do wonderful things in the Kingdom of God. 

In seeing what this did for Apollos, it begs the question: who has encouraged you as you grow in faith? Once we recognise the support of others, the real challenge is to be supportive of others growing in faith. Asking yourselves: who can I support? Who can I encourage? What can I do to help others grow in faith?

  

Let us pray:

 

God, help me to accept support and encouragement from you and your people. And help me encourage and support others to the moon and back. 

 

Amen