Meditation
THE MANNER I ALWAYS LIVED AMONG YOU
Text: Acts 20:17-35
6 October 2019
PAUL’S FINAL WORD TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS
This final message was given at Miletus to a group of leaders (elders). Paul was bidding them farewell. He would not see them again. The focus of this word featured the following thoughts that were meant to be an example to them.
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. Acts 20:17-21
- In what manner I always lived among you Acts 20:18
a) Paul paid attention to how he lived
b) Ministry and manner or life are closely related
c) From the first day of his ministry at Ephesus he determined how he should live
- Serving the Lord Acts 20:19
a) With all humility
b) With many tears
c) Amidst trials
- Ministry of the Word
a) I kept nothing back that was helpful
b) Preaching and teaching
i) Publicly
ii) From house to house
c) Contents faithfully proclaimed
i) Repentance (toward God)
ii) Faith (toward the Lord Jesus)
PAUL- AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE
Thank God for the example of the Apostle Paul. May our hearts be challenged to emulate his example of life and ministry.