GET OVER IT! & TELL SOMEBODY!
Notes
Transcript
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Verses 18-21, Paul recounts to the Ephesian Elders what he did in the past. Then in verses 22-24, he speaks about his present and future plans. My plan is to expound both sections to encourage us all to “GET OVER IT! & TELL SOMEBODY!”
Stop living a secret life - V. 18
They knew how Paul lived. Paul had his flaws like everybody else, but he did not live a secret. The fact that he’s reminding them that they know demonstrates the genuineness of his life.
Serve through IT - V. 19
One of the IT’s that often stops us from telling people, is the trials of life. We must learn to see that serving through trials magnifies the goodness and faithfulness of GOD.
Stop retreating - V 20-21
He says he did not shrink back, which means to recoil or retreat or hold back from saying something.
For many of us, it is fear of lack of knowledge, no eloquence, people’s response, our past, etc. Paul dealt with all of that and some. “Nothing beats a try but a failure.”
Also, see it as helping people. I don’t need to be an expert, but I should be able to say how GOD has benefited me!!
See it as your Spiritual duty - V. 22-23
I believe as Paul talks about his present and future plans, it helps us know why and how we can GET OVER IT! & TELL SOMEBODY!
We must be fastened to the Spirit and his guidance. If so, we will see what we do as a Spiritual duty! The IT of chains and afflictions don’t stop me, Spirit done already warned me. The IT of the unknown and unable to control my future, don’t get in my way. Because I see as my duty!! Soldiers know when they take the oath, I must obey!!
See it as your Sacrificial lifestyle - V. 24
If we see our lives as more precious, we won’t focus on completing what we’ve received from our Lord Jesus! Again, that was Jesus’ point in saying to follow him requires self-denial. Paul embraced this, showing that he saw telling somebody part of his sacrificial lifestyle. And it’s not complete until we receive our death orders or Jesus’ returns, because that’s when Paul says in 2 Tim 4:6-8 “6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”