PROCLAIMING THE COUNSEL OF GOD

King James Version Chapter 20

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Paul makes the testimony of a clear and pure heart. Paul made an astounding claim, a claim which he meant to be a challenge to the ministers who stood before him and thereby to all ministers of all ages.

The reason he was free was that he had proclaimed all the counsel of God. He had proclaimed the truth, warning every man.

Ezk. 33:6 “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”

Church, the testimony of Paul should be the claim of every preacher and teacher in the church. This is the last words of Paul to church leaders that are recorded. It’s a critical message, a message that needs to be studied time and time again by every church leader.

Verse 28 tells us the Pastor must look after his own life, his character and his conduct, before he can look after the flock of God. he must “take heed”, that is, give attention to , concentrate upon, focus upon, attend to, watch after, and guard his life.

He must guard against false teaching.

Lk. 12: 1 “1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

He must guard against an unforgiving spirit.

Luke 17:3-4 “3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

He must guard against self-indulgence, drunkeness, and the possessions of this life.

Luke 21:34 “ And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”