Remember His Great Love

Acts 20:22-24, 32

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul was a determined man. Once he had his encounter with Christ, on the road to Demascus, there was no stopping him.  In today’s passage we see him following the leading of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, knowing that hardships and prison are a reality.  But he is determined. Determined to finish the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.  

You see, he experienced that grace first hand when God spared him is life. Once a man persecuting the church, hunting down Christians to be stoned to death, he now relentlessly shares the good news of Christ, counting his own life as nothing in comparison.

How passionate are you for Christ?  We, like Paul, have been given the same task.  Take some time today to consider how the grace of God covers you.  How in his mercy he has called you to him.  He does not see your flaws, your failures, your foolish decisions.  He sees someone with hope and a future.  He sees someone worth dying for.  

Do not fall weary. Finish the task set before you, go where the Spirit leads and testify to someone TODAY the good news of the grace of God.

Passing the baton

“When he had said this, he knelt down with all of [the Ephesian elders] and prayed.... What grieved them most was that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:36-38

[To read today’s entire text, Acts 20:13-38, click here.]

One of my (few) favorite things about airports is watching families eagerly anticipate the arrival of loved ones and then joyfully greet them with smiles, hugs and kisses. Even stoic handshakes between father and son are strengthened in the silent speech of admiration and affirmation, and warmed in the moisture that brims their eyes.

The Apostle Paul was big on greetings. Really big on them!  Not only did Paul begin his letters with an elaborate “hello,” he was still scribbling out greetings as he closed them!  “Greet Priscilla and Aquila ... Epenetus ... the churches in Asia ... all the saints ... Andronicus ... Archippus ...”  It was as though he held a fun-loving “hi” quill in his left hand that trailed behind and undid all the responsible work of the “bye” quill in his right hand.  “And by the way, Epaphras says to say ‘hi’ ... and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke.”  It’s a good thing the churches didn't have phones back then, because this guy would never hang up!  “Oh, and tell Onesiphorus ...”

But now his time on earth was nearing the end. It was time for this “Paul-mart” greeter to say farewell. And it was time for this leader to leave the Ephesian elders one more life lesson: how to pass the baton. Let's learn from his example ...

Paul identified and removed the obvious distraction to his message. Wherever he went, he had been warned about the hardships that awaited him in Jerusalem.  Anticipating the same concern in the minds of the elders, Paul took the initiative to name it and address it. Whatever he had to say to them would be heard.

Paul relied his “full body of work” as credibility for his final instruction. Having led a life of faith and obedience, Paul’s integrity was not a question, but rather an inspiration. Whatever he had to say to the elders would be trusted.

Paul cautioned the elders and committed them to God: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock.... Be shepherds of the church.... Be on your guard!”  Whatever their leadership status, it would pale compared to their leadership responsibility.

Paul knelt down with the elders and prayed.  And what could be more important?  For there is nothing more unifying ... nothing more comforting ... nothing more clarifying ... and nothing more powerful ... than prayer.  Whatever these leaders asked of God in faith would be done.

Paul moved on. The baton had been passed. There was no need to look back, no need to second-guess, no need to fret.  Whatever unknowns lay ahead of him, he was going forward ...

... to a place where there are no “bye” quills … only “hi” quills.

Be Humble - Acts 20:13-27

Humility has been a real issue for me over the years. Before my walk with Jesus I was constantly looking for the approval of others and I found this practice was one of prideful self-service. By putting myself down I was providing opportunity for others to build me up. There is not much humility in that exercise.

Walking around with head hung low, waiting for someone to ask, "what's wrong?", is once again putting the focus on me. We learned yesterday of the importance of encouragement, but dealing with someone with low self-esteem requires a new approach. I found that someone who showed me my good points, was the best medicine. Many of us grew up without positive reinforcement and are lacking in the ability to think we have value - hence we build up a wall of false pride.

I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. …However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. (Acts 20:19-20,24)

Paul served Jesus and His people with humility and confidence. I love the verse in John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less." As I learn the only way to truly serve God and His people is with humility, I am loving life and I feel empowered and confident.
Read the Acts 20:13-27 text here.