GOD Morning! July 17, Example

GOD Morning! July 17

Example

Paul was headed to Jerusalem to be killed. His parting words encouraged his fellow believers to follow his example. What kind of example did he leave them?

Acts 20:17-38

¹⁷ However, from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church [to come to him there].

¹⁸ And when they arrived he said to them: You yourselves are well acquainted with my manner of living among you from the first day that I set foot in [the province of] Asia, and how I continued afterward,

He was transparent. Everyone was well acquainted with his lifestyle.

¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility in tears and in the midst of adversity (affliction and trials) which befell me, due to the plots of the Jews [against me];

He humbly served God in the face of trials.

²⁰ How I did not shrink from telling you anything that was for your benefit and teaching you in public meetings and from house to house,

He was straight forward and consistent with teaching the believers anywhere and everywhere the opportunity arose.

²¹ But constantly and earnestly I bore testimony both to Jews and Greeks, urging them to turn in repentance [that is due] to God and to have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ [that is due Him].

He consistently shared the Gospel wherever he went.

²² And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there—

He continued to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

²³ Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.

The Holy Spirit is telling him time and time again that suffering and prison is ahead.

²⁴ But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).

He is not concerned about suffering or the loss of his life! He is only concerned about finishing his life with joy, basking in God’s Grace!

²⁵ And now, observe, I perceive that all of you, among whom I have gone in and out proclaiming the kingdom, will see my face no more.

²⁶ Therefore I testify and protest to you on this [our parting] day that I am clean and innocent and not responsible for the blood of any of you.

²⁷ For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God.

He never shrank back from sharing God’s purpose and plan for everyone!

²⁸ Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.

²⁹ I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock;

³⁰ Even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party].

³¹ Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears.

He never stopped exhorting them, night and day, with tears! He was incredibly devoted! I feel ashamed of myself right now. I am not single minded like this man. I let people go too soon. I just figure I’m right here, they know where to find me!

³² And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God’s set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).

³³ I coveted no man’s silver or gold or [costly] garments.

Paul didn’t look, longingly at others who enjoyed a more pleasant lifestyle.

³⁴ You yourselves know personally that these hands ministered to my own needs and those [of the persons] who were with me.

Paul took care of himself, not expecting hand outs, even though he devoted his whole life to the believers.

³⁵ In everything I have pointed out to you [by example] that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, It is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.

He left them an example of helping the weak. Giving, rather than receiving.

³⁶ Having spoken thus, he knelt down with them all and prayed.

³⁷ And they all wept freely and threw their arms around Paul’s neck and kissed him fervently and repeatedly,

³⁸ Being especially distressed and sorrowful because he had stated that they were about to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

“Dear Jesus, thank You for Paul’s example of being joyful in the face of suffering. Thank You for speaking to my heart about sacrificing my life. It’s not about me. It’s about what I can do to encourage the weak. It’s about what I can give. Not what I can receive. I am responsible for the souls of those that You have placed in y life. I must keep reaching, loving, and exhorting. I must not shrink away from suffering for You. You left us Your perfect example of suffering. Paul left us a beautiful example as well. I must sacrificially give my all to follow You. How I love You. AMEN.”