~ Consider 3 Essentials of Paul’s
Preaching in Acts 20 ~
The Passage
~ “From
Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to
them: ‘You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I
always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and
trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back
nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and
from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward
God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the
things that will happen to me there, 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. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all
the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the
church of God which He purchased
with His own blood’” (Acts 20:17-28). Notice three essential aspects of Paul’s
preaching.
The Gospel of the Grace of God (the
message) ~ “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…” (Acts 20:24).
The Kingdom of God (the
object) ~ “… And indeed, now
I know that you all, among whom I have
gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more” (Acts 20:25).
The Counsel of God (the
instrument) ~ “For I have not
shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES:
(1)
The
current
TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very
bottom of this home page.
(2)
There
is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the
left column.
(3)
You
may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.
(4)
You
may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by
prominently displaying the following statement: Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free
blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid
Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/
.
