Tag: Acts 20
It’s Christ’s Church!
Scripture reading for June 2: Acts 20
“And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. I know that after My departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:25-30
Paul was meeting with the overseers of the Ephesian church as he was on his way to Jerusalem. He knew that this was his last meeting with them in person, after preaching there for two years. He wanted to share critical information that would help the church and its leaders during the difficult times to come. The first truth was that he had shared with them the whole counsel of God. God’s Word is able to save those who believe from death and destruction. It is the calling and responsibility of overseers to preach all God’s Word fearlessly because there would be those who would arise who were ‘fierce wolves’ that would seek to kill and devour Christ’s flock of believing sheep. They would twist the Word of God to draw disciples for themselves and for money. The Church was God’s Church, however, and He had bought it with His Son’s blood. God was watching and all leaders, true and false, would be judged and rewarded!
Overseers are to watch over their own lives to make sure that they are living by faith in the whole counsel of God. Then they are to watch over the flock of God, protecting them from them from the wolves and warning them through Scripture. Paul warned them that some of their own in leadership would prove to be false and like wolves, would be destructive. Paul’s preaching and example was his legacy passed on to the next generation. These instructions are as appropriate today as then.
Have you ever experienced a leader who turned out to be a wolf? What things can you do to protect yourself from this deception happening in the future? What is your responsibility towards the church and its leadership?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are the head of the Church and that You bought the Church with the blood of Your Son. Help me as an overseer to be watchful of my own life and of the flock of which I am a member. May my life, preaching, and example reflect the whole counsel of God. Amen.
Overseers of the blood-bought Church!
Scripture reading for June 1st: Acts 20
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 20:26-28 “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”
As he visited them again, Paul warned the elders and pastors that he had raised up to lead the new church at Ephesus about their need to be watchful and shepherd the flock of God. Paul told them that “savage wolves” would arise from their own number and try to divide the flock. (Acts 20:29-30) Paul had preached fully the whole counsel of God and had properly equipped them with all the truth. The Holy Spirit had anointed and placed each person in the leadership role that they occupied. Paul reminded them that it was God’s church that they were to watch over–purchased with Christ’s own blood!
Observations for over-comers: Watchfulness is needed to live successfully against the hosts of darkness arrayed against us. Stay under godly pastors and know God’s word! “See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11)
Faithful Gospel declaration!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: Acts 20
After leaving a pastorate of fourteen years, I understand that parting is hard, even for believers who know that eternity awaits and we will be together forever. Before departing Asia for Jerusalem, Paul sent for the elders to join him in Miletus and he spoke to them there, giving them a strong message and warning.
“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both the Jews and the Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:18-21) Paul’s ministry there was marked by humility and tears. He served humbly and wept for the lost and needy in Asia. He boldly declared the simple Gospel of repentance (turning from self to Christ) and faith in Jesus. He did this publicly and personally in their homes when invited.
Paul ended his farewell with a warning: “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” (Acts 20:29-31) Luke recorded that they wept and prayed together as Paul departed, saying “that they would never see his face again.” (Acts 20:38) Paul fully declared the Gospel as an example for us!