Band of Brothers -- Acts 20

by ricks 22. January 2010 04:00
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Eight guys from different towns where Paul ministered travelled with Paul. These guys were totally engaged with planting churches and building them up. When enemies of Paul sought to ambush his ship, these guys provided the decoy and got on the ship while Paul took another route and later met with them in Troas. The lesson is that church is not only for our circle of friendship but it is for helping others come to know Jesus Christ. That's true fellowship.

When Paul met with the elders of the Ephesus church, he recalls his ministry with them that was so transformative. Key issues to their transformation was Paul's clear gospel call to repentance and faith (20:21), listening to the Holy Spirit (20:22-23), sacrifice for the gospel shows how much Paul treasured the opportunity to talk with people about Jesus (20:24), confidence in God and His Word that these Ephesian believers would be eternally safe even though Paul would never see them again (20:32), doing the generous, hard work taking care of the weak and needy (20:35).

The final goodbye is one more example of the kind of brotherhood that is shared only by those who are completely invested in growing Christ's kingdom: "there was much weeping . . . they embraced . . ." (20:36-38).

Are you invested in growing Christ's kingdom?

Here's the latest news on Converge Worldwide's (our conference) work in Haiti. Go to: http://www.scene3.org/content/view/8362/68/

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1/23/2010 6:43:05 AM #

Pastor Rick -

Here's my thoughts on Acts 20.

1 - What ingredients are necessary for spiritual transformation?
- Paul preached A LOT!  (v. 2b – …and had given them much exhortation… v. 7b - …and he prolonged his message until midnight.)  We must hear the Word preached.  Wherever God’s Word is preached there is life, there is spiritual growth.  

2 - How were followers of Christ engaged?
- v. 20,21 – Paul “did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This must be one of the clearest representations in the New Testament of Biblical evangelism.  
- v. 35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

3 - What is God saying to our church and me?
- Preach the Word to believers, repentance and faith to unbelievers and serve the weak.

- Brett

Brett H United States |

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