Acts 20
Bible Passage: Acts 20
In the youth service yesterday, there were two short sermons being shared by two brothers. Each sermon were focused around two important characteristics that we Christians should possess. Courage and love.
And coincidentally, I feel that both attributes can be highlighted in today’s chapter.
Courage
“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
– Acts 20: 22-24
This was what Paul told the Ephesian elders before he left. Paul may not have known what would happen to him exactly, but he knew through the Holy Spirit that “chains and tribulations” awaited him. In other words, he was not going to have a smooth ride, and he would be faced with problems in his work.
But did that intimidate Paul? No sirey… As we can see from above, none of those things made him waiver in his mission to continue preaching the gospel to the world. He knew he had a race to finish, a job to do, and he was not going to back down just because of the impending tribulations he would face. Paul had the courage to move forward and not back down from this commission, no matter the things waiting for him.
In the sermon this morning, the speaker shared these verses:
“Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
– Hebrews 10: 38-39
As we do divine work, whether it be going out to preach the gospel, or anything else, make no mistake that we would definitely face certain difficulties and tribulations. Well… Maybe not exactly being bound in chains and hauled off to somewhere for a trial and then imprisonment… But still, we would face some form of persecution. The devil would do anything he can to try and scare and discourage us.
But we have to be like Paul, who was not moved by these dangers. He had the courage and the faith to carry on. He was dedicated to serve God till the end. He trusted in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And he did the work, as we all know, right up to the end…
Love
“You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord will all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews, how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house…”
– Acts 20: 18-20
“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood…”
– Acts 20: 27-28
“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears…”
– Acts 20: 31
Paul had told the brethren that they would not be seeing them again. He knew this, but he was also concerned for them, for he knew that the church would be faced with problems of their own. He cared for them, like he does for the other churches.
Despite the problems and persecutions encountered in his work, he was still willing to go to the churches to aid them and teach them and preach the gospel to others. When it came to preaching and teaching the Word of God, he held back nothing. He dedicated his time and energy and did these works wholeheartedly, for he truly wanted them to grow in spirit and in the truth. He had this love for the people, for he wanted them to be saved.
The speaker for that sermon shared with us, to reflect upon our level of love for our own brethren, let alone to other people. We were reminded that this is a very important commandment of God.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another…”
John 13: 34
Indeed, we do have to look at ourselves now and then, and think about Paul’s example. Do we truly love our brethren? Are we willing and able to give our time and effort for the church? We know that in the end times, love will grow cold, and we certainly cannot fall into this category.
We have to remember, that God had first loved us. It’s not unreasonable that He had commanded us to love our brethren wholeheartedly.
Like what the speaker felt about himself, I too feel that I’ve been very lacking in this department. I’m pretty sure many of us feel the same way too. Let us strive to learn from Paul’s example, and be more loving for our brethren.
May God guide us and teach us that we may become good watchmen for Him, looking out for our brethren…
3 Comments
biblereadingcompanion
It’s hard to read what Paul said to the elders of Ephesus and not be moved…
… serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials….
… how I kept back nothing that was helpful…
… But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself ….
… I am innocent of the blood of all men….
… For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
… I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears…
… I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel…
… I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak….
… And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
I have now underlined (ok highlighted in my electronic bible) the above phrases found from verses 17-35. Each of them shows us a little bit more of Paul and a very big part of my shortcomings.
How many of us dare to say openly what he said? Very few of us I believe because we simply just cannot say it.
Paul’s life, like that of Jesus, consisted of always giving and giving and giving…. because he firmly believed it was more blessed to give than to receive….
What have we given to men? And especially to God? After all He giveth and giveth and giveth again….
appleofHiseye
I like Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian elders in this passage. Some verses I highlighted:
…”But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testisfy to the gospel of the grace of God.”
…”I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
He kept giving, and giving. His thoughts were always on saving others, sharing with others, and serving God. He’s a good model worker which reinforces in me what he said: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
PS
Acts 20:28 “…shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
i underlined this few words in my bible.
Whenever i read Acts 20, these few words stand out.
Lord Jesus is God.
He became flesh.
He purchased sinners with His own blood to put them together as His church, His body.
His purchased subjects are to come in and make good His body on earth.
This Master set down footwashing so that the subjects can have a part with Him.
The church is purchased with His own blood and that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word (Eph 5:26).
What motivated Pual to keep back nothing which was helpful and have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God? (Acts 20:20 and 27)
my childish thought: Paul’s conviction that the church of God which is purchased with HIs own blood.
Do i share this same conviction of Paul?
Have i been changed by this conviction?