To Testify The Gospel of the Grace of GOD

081225 Weekly Devotional Bible Study from the Book of Acts 20 KJV

For Mithcah bible Baptist Church – Bahrain

Online Morning Devotional Bible Study and Group Prayer Fellowship 081325

‘24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more

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.”

Lesson: To Testify The Gospel of the Grace of GOD

Acts 20:1-12 KJV -
“1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopaterof Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”

From these verses, noticeably, Apostle Paulseems to have gotten emotional as he is about to depart to be in Jerusalem before the feast of the Pentecost.

Noted from these are his actions driven by strong emotion:

• He embraced the disciples v.1

• He had given the Macedonian church much exhortation. V2

• He sailed into Asia accompanied by five named disciples plus, presumably, the writer of this book: v 4

• He preached until midnight, to Troas at the first day of the week as they celebrated the breaking of bread, continued speaking to them until the break of another day; right after he brought back to life Eutychus: who has fallen down dead from the third loft, as he fell into deep sleep while listening to his preaching. V9,10
Indeed, speaking about GOD’s words and sharing them to other believers sometimes makes speakers preach untiringly; not even mindful of the time; drawing the hearing believers emotionally gravitated to listen.

This was experienced too by the Psalmist David as he has written in Psalm 119:103 “ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
For it is the grace of GOD, by His wondrous works, to move the heart of the wholly surrendered preachers and speakers as they testify GOD’s living words. It drives them to convey to the hearing believers, the Gospel of grace of GOD with strong emotion.

It gives highlight to the truth that what was being teach and preach is indeed a living word by the Living Christ, our Savior and LORD; echoing in the ears of every hearer His amazing grace, marvelous works, and abounding compassion, characterized by His unfailing love.
Sometimes our heightened emotions can’t help to shed our tears; realizing how marvelous our GOD in CHRIST JESUS is; bringing to remembrance how He delivered us and lift us up, from the many circumstances we have gotten ourselves, from troublous occurrence that has driven us in the verge of giving up.

These words are indeed alive and have power to strengthen our weary heart: Lamentation 4:22,23 “ it is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; 23 they are new every morning; great us thy faithfulness!”

Thank be to GOD’s pure and unwavering love!
May we all keep seeking His will every start of the day as we commune to Him in prayer. So that in any disadvantageous event that may come our way, we have the confidence that we will not face it alone, but by the marvelous power who called us to serve.

Acts 20:13-16 KJV
13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Though hasting to be in Jerusalem before the day of Pentecost, Paul was determined within himself to be with the church; because he knew that his presence will make a great impact; proving them that the Gospel of the grace of GOD he led them to be converted, is far greater than any riches one could ever have. Thus, he encouraged them to hold on and press forward in the faith and in the service of The LORD.
He never gets tired of seeing them, nor keep himself privy from them; for his desire for all believers of CHRIST is to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the works of the LORD.
These too, have been our motivating words; encourage us to grow more in the faith, in the works and in the love of our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST; who promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Acts 20:17-29 KJV -
“17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 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.”

Apostle Paul not only exhorted and edified the church’s elders in Ephesus, but also bid them goodbye in a way that the elders were charged with responsibility to take heed; first unto themselves, and next unto the flocks over the which the HOLY GHOST have made them overseers, to feed the Church of GOD.

Words and their meaning:

➢ Flocks-herds: a large group of animals, particularly sheep; allegorically referring to group of believers

➢ Feed – likened to the flocks, believers must be fed and nurtured; likened to physical food that must be taken regularly, spiritual nourishmentis a must for believers to be strengthen. Feeding with spiritual food means, they must be edified and admonished through the preaching of sound doctrine. Just as what Paul admonished these elders. V17-21

This has been his radical preaching that was instilled in the heart of those early believers:
“24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul didn’t know what shall befall him on his return to Jerusalem; for many unbelieving Jews have been boiling hot with anger, after he turn 160 degrees from being a pursuing Pharisee to becoming the disputing, fearless preacher of the Gospel of Christ; converting many people to follow CHRIST, leaving behind, for the grace of GOD, the conservative observance and obedience of the law.
Moreover, he exemplified to these elders his way of leading and teaching they should do; in keeping and securing the flocks against the subtle entering of the “wolves” whose purpose is to destroy; not sparing the flocks.
May Paul’s admonition be to every believers, particularly the elders: a constant reminder to always take heed first to oneself then to the flocks over the which the HOLY GHOST entrusted you. Practically, what he strongly reminding the elders (pastors):

➢ feed them spiritual food which will nurture their spiritual health.

➢ follow the example of Apostle Paul in his manner of teaching and admonishing the church. v.19-21

➢ fear not the adversaries, for they servedtheir purpose; that even it posted dangerous for him, yet it was allowed to test and strengthen our faith.

“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.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.”

Watch and remember…
Paul’s words to them, echo even unto us today, that we must take note of how our apostle live his life to testify the Gospel of the Grace of GOD; that we should:

• Be among the sanctified who are build up, because we know that we have an inheritance from heaven above.

• Support the weak; just as he, with his own hand sustain him; his necessities and them who were with him.

• As his heartfelt supplication in prayers, they kneeled down, made all the congregation to cry; kissing him goodbye; our prayers and supplication for them whom we lead to the LORD will be felt by them through our compassion to their soul.

• Sorrows overwhelmed their heart after they have heard they would not see PAULanymore, we also have that godly sorrowevery time our elders will depart; even we know that we all are but a pilgrim here in this world and nothing or nobody will permanently stay.

To testify the gospel of the grace of GOD, there is always a part of us that goes with the people whom we share GOD’s love. Emotional attachment is valid. But like Paul, we must focus on pressing forward for the journey of our life we have to trudge, no matter how heavy it may have.

No discipling or mentoring is not without emotional attachment. Nevertheless, we should keep in mind, no sacrifice is not without reward, be it here on earth or in heaven. For our Loving GOD and Savior JESUS CHRIST, has something in store for all who are faithfully laboring.

May the LORD find us faithfully obeying His will; particularly in testifying the Gospel of GOD’s grace to others.
Have a a pleasant day ahead!

Thanks GOD always for the blessings of years!