Good Tuesday April twenty first as we seek to learn God’s will by studying His word.
Paul’s calling-
As Paul prepares to go to Jerusalem, he stops and calls for all the elders and teachers from Ephesus to meet him, to share about ministry and the future in sharing the gospel in Asia. Paul uses himself as an example as Jesus had been our example to the Father. John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” And Paul as well said that these elders could follow his example as he was being an example of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Now as these leaders listened to Paul deliver his message, this message asked by Jesus for him to teach and how to teach with a boldness with the confidence knowing that the gospel was the absolute truth for mankind to be made righteous before the Father, by teaching the written word and not adding or subtracting from God’s Holy word. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Let’s read together from Acts 20:23-27 “Except that 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. “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Luke tells us that Paul is preparing himself to go to Jerusalem, but look what he discloses that came from the conversation between Paul and the Lord on the twenty five mile journey. “Chains and tribulations await me.” Do you understand now why Paul stopped to prepare these leaders for ministry. Now many believe by asking Jesus in their lives or saying a simple prayer that this world’s sickness will not affect them as if they have a special shield to stop the evil in this world from coming upon them. Truth is the gospel makes us righteous and this righteousness cleanses us to be presentable and without sin before the Father in heaven for an eternal life, this is the good news. Death on earth is not the good news, life for eternity is. John 17:15-16 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Colossians 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”Paul says something here that we Christians need to get down, he says “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.” The first thing is to enter the race; then run the race to win, not half hearted but with all you have to press forward. Sad many want to wear the racing stripes but not run themselves, Paul says men no matter what lies ahead, you must be ready in body soul and spirit to finish the calling and teach with boldness. Paul says men you will not see me again, this information given to Paul on the road, but regardless finish! Are you ready to finish? Remnant
