Leading, Guarding, Giving God's Way

Acts 20:17-21 (ESV)

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth/consequence

Live by example

Acts 20:18 (ESV)

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving

Serving The Lord

Servant-Leadership

Serve with humility

Acts 20:19 (ESV) 19 serving the Lord with all humility

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant[a] of Christ.

Matthew 11:29 (ESV)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Tears and Trials

Acts 20:19 (ESV)

19 serving the Lord with tears and with trials

Acts 20:29 (ESV)

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

Matthew 7:15 (ESV)

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Diligent work.  Acts 20:20 (ESV)

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable

You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia

“How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Titus 1:9 (ESV)

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound. doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Difficult work

Acts 20:19b (ESV)

tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews

“The will of God, to which the law gives expression, is that men should defeat their enemies by loving them.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Dedicated work Always worked for the Lord

Acts 20:20-21 (ESV)

teaching you in public and from house to house,21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad. In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God. Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God. Hoarding is idolatry.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Be constrained by the Spirit

Acts 20:22-23 (ESV)

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Acts 21:13 (ESV)

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

John 16:13 (ESV)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Sacrificial

Acts 20:24-26 (ESV)

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again

Sacrifice

2 Tim 3:12 (ESV)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Full surrender

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Mark 8:34-35 (ESV)

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

Run the race to finish\

Acts 20:26-27 (ESV) 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.