Joy in Doing Life Together

I recently attended a memorial service for a lovely lady who had great influence in my church. It was a wonderful time of remembrance and there were numerous stories of how she lavished hope and comfort on many, many people. In looking at those who were in attendance, I was struck with the thought that this is what the body of Christ looks like. These folks had weathered life together, and sometimes it was hard. They has been there for one another in tangible, practical ways, and when that was not possible, they would pray or send a note with encouraging Scripture and a positive word. We need each other, and as we offer help, hope and serve in the name of Jesus, we are spreading God’s love to a hurting world. This brings glory to God, and helps others see His work in our lives.

Following this service, I had the joy of sharing dinner with a group of girlfriends from my Friday morning Bible Study group. It was a fun time of being together, but the conversations were about significant things and not just small talk. There is a trust among us that allows us to be open and vulnerable in our doubts and our shortcomings, and as the evening progressed, we just did not want it to end.

There is joy in doing life together, and we need one another. When life takes an unexpected turn, when we don’t know what to do next, or when we second-guess ourselves, it is great to have a “tribe” to go to for help. That is what I have found in the body of Christ. Whether it is saying good-bye to an old saint, or sharing a meal with girlfriends, I feel honored to be part of this fellowship of God’s people. None of us is perfect, and that is the very reason we are able to be together so easily. When we realize that we all fall short, it takes the pressure off us to try to do everything right. We will always fail, but we also know that we can move forward with confidence because Jesus paid the price for our sin on the cross. Our hope is in our eternal future, and we will be sharing it with all who have put their faith and trust in Him. We are better together! So find your place in the body of believers, and join us as we help one another through life’s storms. Rejoice in the good things that happen, and in all things, show love. That is what we are called to do, as we live out our time here on earth, because we can also look forward to our everlasting life together!

Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Jude, Reading Through the NT 2015

Read the book of Jude today. It is only one chapter long!

Jude is the brother of James, and writes this letter to fellow believers. He identifies these readers with their profile – people who have been called and loved by God, set apart by Jesus for salvation. Jude wishes them mercy, peace and adds love in abundance. This is how we need to view other Christians – and rejoice in the body of Christ, His church!

Jude then writes that he not only wants to share his faith walk with them, but urges them to “contend for the faith” together. The false teachers and prophets among them were infiltrating their churches and they were denying Jesus as God’s Son. Their behavior was also being called into question because of the ungodly way they were acting. They felt above the law and lived for their own selfish desires. We need to be on the alert for those who pervert the gospel to conform to their own agendas, and stay strong in being obedient to what God has called us to do and to be.

We are reminded of several situations in the Old Testament where false teachings and doctrine were prevalent, and Jude wants us to consider the consequences they faced. Judgment, the punishment of eternal fire  and a life in darkness was the outcome of rejecting God and His precepts. We see this rejection of God everyday on the news, as people try to usurp authority, heap abuse on believers and follow their selfish desires for power, pleasure and success. God will deal with these unbelievers, and we can trust that He will prevail. In the meantime, we must continue to fight for what we believe in (I love Jude’s word – contend!) and be strong in living out our faith everyday.

There is much said about the deceivers among us, and Jude gives several analogies to help us identify them in our midst. They are like selfish shepherds who only feed themselves. They are like clouds without rain, trees without fruit, wild waves of the sea and wandering stars. A harsh warning against these foes reminds us that God is coming in judgement and will punish these defiant, grumbling, faultfinding, boasting liars with His conviction of their ungodliness. We must not lose heart in this fallen world as we see unrighteousness appear to be taking over. God will win in the end, and He is still Sovereign and in control, even when we don’t see Him working.

Jude gives us some encouragement, and helps us remember that all of this was prophesied, and we should not be surprised. We who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus have the Holy Spirit, and we can be sure that our future is secure. Verses 20-21 sum this up so well! “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” This is how we cope with the present age. Reading God’s Word, praying and spending time with Him will build us up and keep us focused on our calling and purpose for our lives each and every day.

How should we respond and treat these doubters? Jude tells us to have mercy on them, and some might possibly be saved from eternal damnation. To those who continue to reject God, we can be assured that they will get what they deserve.

A wonderful doxology finishes up this short letter, as a prayer. Jude asks God to keep us from stumbling so He can present us without fault and with great joy before His glorious presence. This is the hope to come, as we praise Him for His glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who was and is and is to come! All praise to God today, as He watches over us and is with us in all things.

1 John 1, Reading Through the NT 2015

1 John, chapter 1 is the text for today.

John gives us a firsthand testimony of the life of Jesus, by declaring that he had seen and touched Him and He was the real deal. This evidence of His life from one who traveled and spent time with Him gives us confidence that God did come to earth and live among us in the person of Jesus Christ. John’s message is meant to encourage us and be a reminder that this is not some made-up story, but God’s truth, written for all to see and hear. He can boldly proclaim the hope of eternal life and the salvation that is offered to us through Jesus.  When we know this and believe it for ourselves, we become part of the body of Christ, the universal church, and join in the fellowship and joy of all believers.

John reminds us of some facts about God – first that He is light. God has no darkness in Him, and we need to be walking in His light, not in the shadows and darkness of this fallen world. When we shine His light of truth in our lives, we belong to Him and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.

Another fact about God is that He is faithful. When we confess our sin (because we are all sinners,) He is faithful and just and forgives us from all we have done wrong. We must not deny that we are sinful people, because that makes God out to be a liar and we are denying His holy Word. All we need to know about faith and righteousness is written in the Bible. Spending time getting to know God by reading and reflecting on Scripture will help us grow closer to Him and mature us in our faith. As we read from one who was in the presence of Jesus, John, who was an eyewitness of His miracles and the lessons He taught, we can be assured of His identity and trust this account of His life.

2 Timothy 4, Reading Through the NT 2015

We finish up 2 Timothy today, ending with chapter 4.

Paul ended this second letter to Timothy with a charge to preach the Word and use it to correct, rebuke and encourage the believers in the church. Timothy was to be patient and careful in his instruction, so that everyone would understand the truth of the gospel message he was sharing. There are so many different ideas, philosophies, and false teachings put forth in our world today, and with information available at the click of a mouse, we can read and hear many points of view that are not supported by the sound doctrine in the Bible. Often, these ideas feed exactly what we want to hear and believe, because we are not grounded in Scripture, and are looking for value and significance anywhere we can find it. We are drawn to those worldly ways and are deceived by their appeal to our selfishness and desire for instant gratification. This was what Paul wanted to convey to Timothy as he ministered in a place where false teaching was replacing the truth of God’s Word. He went on to tell him to keep his head on straight, endure the hardships that came his way and continue to evangelize and do the work of his ministry. We must be continually going back to our Bible’s to learn and study how Jesus taught us to live. We need to know the truth and what we believe so that we can share it with others. It is so easy for someone young in their faith to turn away and follow a different path. This was the caution that Paul was issuing, because he understood people and their propensity for living for themselves.

As he concluded this letter, Paul knew his time on earth was limited. He had run the race set before him, and was ready for the finish line. Having kept his faith strong, Paul looked forward to his final reward – a crown of righteousness for eternity  This is what we will also receive when we put our faith and trust in Jesus. It is the hope we have and the strength we need to endure whatever happens in our earthly life. We are living in our temporary home, and our final destination is secure in Christ. Just as Paul did, we can long for Jesus to come again and take us home. In the meantime, we can stand strong and keep the faith!

Because Paul knew his time was short, he eagerly desired to see Timothy once again. He was lonely and felt many had deserted him with only his companion Luke left to comfort him. He asked a couple of favors from Timothy, and hoped he would be able to help him out. He wanted him to bring Mark (whom he had earlier had a conflict with, but they had reconciled) and he wanted his warm cloak and some papers he had left in Troas. What a sweet relationship these two men must have had. Paul wanted to see the one whom he had called “my beloved son,” before he died. He had taught him, given him much advice and traveled with him as he led by example in his ministry. He was now tying up loose ends, giving him advice about some of the people he would encounter, and how to treat them. He gave glory to God for standing by him in all his sufferings, and for helping him live out his calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He was confident that no matter what happened to him, God would rescue him and bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom. All he did and said was for God’s glory. This is the testimony of a true servant of Christ. He was sold out to Jesus and lived every moment for Him. He was certain of his faith and the hope for his future. Paul is such a good example for all of us to follow. His zeal and passion for God and the gospel permeated everything he did. How sold out are we for God? Do we live each and every day for Him to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives? Are we confident that no matter what happens, God is with us and will help us through the hard times? Is our hope in our eternal future and not in what we can have today? These are the tough questions that are raised by reading this passage.

The body of Christ is such a powerful thing, and as Paul closed this writing, he asked Timothy to greet some of his friends for him, and sent greetings from other mutual brothers and sisters who would read this epistle. Telling others about our faith, supporting it with God’s Word, sharing the gospel and doing everything for the glory of God is the work of each of us as we attempt to live a Christian life. This was Paul’s goal, and what he wished for Timothy and those he had the opportunity to lead and mentor. When we focus on God’s purposes for our lives and live out our calling to the best of our abilities, we bring honor to His name. We may face opposition or rejection, and even persecution. We can rest in the knowledge that this is not our final home, and we can look forward to what God has in store for us in heaven. Grace and peace to you today.

2 Thessalonians 2, Reading Through the NT 2015

Read chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians today.

Paul wanted to correct any misunderstandings the Thessalonians had on the Second Coming of Christ. There apparently was some thought that this event might happen very soon, and some believers were listening to false teachings about it. Paul warned them not to be deceived, and that certain events must precede Jesus’s coming back, and they had not yet taken place. We are to always be mindful of the fact that Jesus will come again, and as believers we have hope as we look forward to our eternal home. In the meantime, we are to live our lives the best we can as we follow the example of Jesus and His instructions in Scripture.

Paul went on to explain what needed to happen before Jesus came back. There would be a time of rebellion and “the man of lawlessness (some versions say sin,)” would be revealed as he opposed all things of God and set himself up to be worshiped in His place.  This evil man was and is being held back until the proper time for him to be revealed. At that time, Jesus, coming in splendor, will overthrow and destroy him. Before Jesus returns, the lawless one will deceive people with false signs, wonders, lies and wickedness. Those who have not put their faith in Jesus will perish for both refusing the truth of the gospel and turning away from God’s salvation. They will delight in their wickedness and therefore will be condemned to death. It may seem like the time for Jesus’s return will be soon, because we see these things happening in our modern world. We need not fear, and should eagerly anticipate our future, despite the everyday scenes of persecution of believers and rejection of God by many around us. None of us knows the time of His return. We can watch for the signs, and wait in expectation for His coming.

Paul thanked God for his brothers and sisters in Christ, and assured them that they were loved by God and considered His chosen people. He reminded them of their salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit coupled with their faith. They had responded to his gospel message, and were called to share in the glory of the Lord. We need to remember this ourselves. God so loved us that He gave us His Son as a sacrifice for our sin, and now we can live confidently in the knowledge that we have been redeemed to live with Him forever. We can thank God for what He has done in our lives, and stand firm in our faith, despite the lies and deceptions around us. We can remind ourselves of God’s goodness to us by reading His Word, remembering His answers to our prayers, and thinking about all the blessings He has bestowed on us in our lives.

Paul ended this chapter with a prayer for them to be encouraged by the love and grace of God, who gives us eternal encouragement and good hope. He wanted them to be uplifted by his words and strengthened to keep on keeping on. Who do you know that needs encouragement today? Who might be wavering in their faith because of bad influences in their life? Being connected to the body of Christ is a wonderful thing, and when we see one part faltering or struggling, we can comfort them and pray for them. We can let them know they are not alone and encourage them in their faith. Share a favorite verse or worship song that has blessed you. Write a note or card that tells them you are thinking of them. We all need to be reminded of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Pass it on to someone you know, and spread God’s love to those around you today.

Colossians 4, Reading Through the NT 2015

Read Colossians, chapter 4 today.

The first verse in chapter 4 is a continuation of how slaves and masters relate in God’s economy. After telling slaves to be obedient, he then told masters to be fair and just to their slaves. They were under the authority of their heavenly Master, and should treat those they oversaw just as God treats them.

Paul gave further instructions on how to live, emphasizing prayer and staying alert and being thankful. We need to be watching what God is doing in our lives and remembering His goodness and mercy towards us. Giving thanks for all He has done should be a daily habit, and it helps bolster our faith when we recall the things we have seen Him do. Paul asked for prayer for himself and for those serving with him in ministry. He wanted strength and wisdom to present the gospel clearly and to be easy to understand. Even though he was in prison, he wanted his life and testimony to have impact. He cautioned his readers to be wise in how they treated others, because they were being watched. He wanted all of us to take advantage of any opportunity to share our faith. What we say and how we say it is important. Our speech should be full of grace and as we learn and grow in our knowledge, we can relay that information with credibility to non-believers.

The final greeting from Paul was written in his own hand. (The rest of the letter was most likely penned by a scribe.) In this last section, Paul mentioned the people who were close to him and were helping him communicate messages about his situation, and deliver his letters to the various churches to whom he was writing. Paul wanted these churches to know they had not been left alone, and that there were many praying for them and wanting the best for them. Paul was interested in their steadfastness in their faith and their spiritual formation was utmost on his mind. He was a pastor to these people, and gathered many believers around him to help him fulfill his mission. He was not stopped by difficult circumstances, and he was full of joy for the believers to whom he had helped come to know the Lord through God’s grace as the put their faith in Jesus.

The letter ends with a call to remember his situation, most likely so they would pray for him, and then Paul blessed them by saying, “Grace be with you.” Paul had a pastor’s heart for his people, and it was evident in what he wrote to them and how much he thought of them. He included other people to share his messages, and showed us how to act as the church – the body of Christ. His example is one we can follow today, and be an encouragement to help our brothers and sisters in Christ stay on a steady path as we pray for them and remind them of all God has done.

Ephesians 4, Reading Through the NT 2015

Ephesians, chapter 4 is the passage to read today.

In the second half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he now began to write about practical matters of living by faith. He reminded his readers that he was still imprisoned, but it was because of his faith, and not for anything he had done wrong. He urged all of us to live our lives worthy of God’s calling and for His purposes. This is something we should consider each and every day, and ask God to show us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. We all want to make a difference in this world, and when we are following the path that God created for us, we will find our “sweet spot” where we feel the most content, alive and useful.

Paul continued on with ways to live out our calling. We are to be humble and gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. We are to be unified by the Spirit and live in peace. He showed how to live out our unity in the “ones” that need to be in place – we are to have one…body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and one God and Father of us all. This is the unity that all believers need to aspire to, and it is crucial to peace in our churches, as well as in our relationships.

We have all been given gifts by God’s grace, to use in His Kingdom for His purposes. We are part of the body of Christ, and each one has their part to do. Jesus was sent to us (descended) so that we might know God and learn how to live like Him. He ascended to sit at the right hand of God, and left us with the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us. He has equipped us, individually, with gifts, to do works of service so that the body of Christ might be built up. We are to discover what those gifts are, develop them to the best of our ability, and grow in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus as we mature in our faith. We must not remain stagnant or complacent, but continue to learn to live as His disciples, using our gifts and serving others in love. This is living a life worthy of His calling (as Paul stated in verse 1!)

Beginning with verse 17, Paul shared instructions on how to live a Christina life. We need to be strong and know what we believe, so that we are not swayed by the temptations of the world. We need to stand firm in our faith, and grow in our understanding of God’s Word, so that we will not be easily deceived by the enemy. Knowing the truth and keeping our thoughts centered on Jesus and His teachings will transform us into a new creation in Christ, living by His Word in righteousness and holiness as we leave behind our former way of living.

Because we are new creations, we must live differently. We need to stop lying and be careful that when we get angry we don’t sin. This gives the devil an inroad and is a bad witness to a non-believer. We must not steal or be idle, and work so that we can help others in need. Watch our mouths, and speak only words of affirmation to build others up, and not tear them down. Those who listen to us will see our sincerity of faith, and be encouraged. Live according to the Holy Spirit, not against Him. He is our seal and guarantee of protection in our redemption. Throw off all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice. These have no place in the life of a believer. Instead, we must be kind and compassionate, offering forgiveness to one another, as we follow the example of Jesus. He paid the debt for our sin and we can now come before God forgiven and free.  This then is how we should live! Let this chapter be a reminder to us, as we grow, learn, and make a difference for Jesus, living out our calling worthily, every day of our lives.

1 Corinthians 12, Reading Through the NT 2015

The passage for today is 1 Corinthians, chapter 12.

In this chapter, Paul wrote about spiritual gifts. He taught that their origin was from God alone to be used for His purposes. Before coming to Christ, the Corinthian society was influenced by idols and pagan thinking. Now that they had put their faith and trust in Jesus, they were under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit and were given gifts to use in the church. Paul cited some of the spiritual gifts that were manifested in these new believers, and reminded them that all of them came from God. Not everyone was given the same gift/s and so everyone was needed so that the work of the church could be accomplished.  They were distributed for the benefit of the church, to edify the body and spread and advance the gospel.

Some of the gifts listed here were: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. There are others not listed here, in various chapters of the Bible. God distributes these gifts to each one as He determines. All come from the same Lord, and we are to serve and work in God’s Kingdom using these gifts to the best of our ability. If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, you can do a search for a spiritual gifts assessment online and find out your primary spiritual gifts. (Note that spiritual gifts are only given to believers once they have made a commitment to Christ!)  It is worth the time and effort to see if you are operating in the area of your giftedness. When you are doing what God has gifted you to do, there is passion and excitement for the tasks set before you. If you are helping out, but don’t really feel gifted to do a specific job, it will be evident by the lack of energy you have for doing it.

Paul likened the body of Christ to the human body, with many parts working together to form one fully functioning person. Each part is vital to the whole body. It is the same in the body of Christ. We all need to do our part, using the gifts God has given to us, so that the church can be most effective in bringing people to Christ and helping them learn and grow in their faith. We are all a necessary part of the whole. Don’t think you are not important! We are all needed, and play different roles in our congregations. We might be the one to connect with someone and be a new friend. We might be gifted to teach the children in our church, or encourage a young mom. We might be gifted in helping people understand Scripture or lend practical help by preparing a meal for someone who is ill. Whatever your gift, we are called to use our abilities for the glory of God and His church.  We should be aware of our gifts, and develop them so that we are ready to serve the body and work together for the good of the whole.

Romans 12 Reading Through the NT 2015

Read Romans, chapter 12 today.

Paul started this chapter with the word “therefore,” giving us instructions on how to live life as a believer. To be dedicated to God’s way of living, in light of all He has done for us, we should offer ourselves in sacrifice, totally to Him as an act of worship. Every day we can recommit ourselves (body, soul, mind and spirit) to Him as we lift up our hands in praise and worship Him. We can turn over all control to His mighty hand, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

By God’s grace, Paul wants us all to be humble, not thinking of ourselves more highly than we should. We are to look at ourselves with sober judgment in faith and use the gifts God has given us to glorify Him. We are part of the body of Christ, and are called to do our part, for each one of us is vital to the health of the fellowship of believers. We need to be aware of our spiritual gifts, given to all who follow Him when we accepted Jesus as our Savior. There are many spiritual gift assessments that can help you find out what your gifts might be, and it is worth the time to take one of these for yourself.

Verses 9-21 could be used as a mandate for all of us on how to treat others. Paul reminded us that our love for one another must be sincere. We are to hate evil and cling to good. Devotion to others in love is best, and we should give honor to people above ourselves. Our zeal and spiritual fervor for the Lord is key to serving both Him and the people around us. Joy with hope, patience in affliction and faithfulness in our prayer life are character traits that would be excellent to concentrate on cultivating. Share with those in need, and practice hospitality. If we are to become more like Jesus, following this path that Paul presents is a good way to do this.

We are to bless persecutors, not curse them. Rejoice with those who are gleeful. Mourn with those who have lost loved ones. Don’t argue, but live in harmony with people. Put pride aside, and don’t be conceited or feel above anyone. Talk to people out of your comfort zone!

Be careful not to retaliate, but do what you have learned to be right at all times. Attempt to live at peace with everyone, as much as you can control that situation. Sometimes it is difficult when there are those who want to stir up trouble, continue an argument or hold a grudge. Leave it to God to avenge, and don’t look for revenge when you are wronged. We are to feed our enemies when they are hungry, give them a drink if they are thirsty, and our good treatment of them will convict them as they see us take the higher road.

The last statement in this chapter states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Living for good, showering His love and grace on those we encounter every day is the prescription for a life well lived. We can offer ourselves to God and ask Him to work through us each morning before we start our day. When we behave as Paul describes in this chapter, we are showing salt and light to a lost and lonely world. Read this chapter over and over again as a reminder of how we are to conduct ourselves as devoted disciples of Jesus.

Acts 20:17-38 Reading Through the NT 2015

Finish up Acts, chapter 20, verses 17-38 today.

As Paul arrived in Miletus from Troas, he sent for the elders from the church at Ephesus, which was about 30 miles away. When they arrived, he had some things he wanted to tell them before he left for Jerusalem, because he was fairly certain this was the last time he would be with them. He recounted his ministry and how he had lived his life after devoting it to spreading the Gospel. He had faced many difficulties as he preached, by the Jewish opponents and plots against his life. He was not bragging to this group, but humbly telling them that the focus of his mission had never changed, despite hardship and rejection. Turning to God in repentance and putting faith in Jesus was the message he was compelled to share. These young leaders of the new church in Ephesus would need to remember these words when they faced opposition and hardship. They would be tempted to turn away from their faith when persecution and suffering became part of their everyday lives. Paul was encouraging them and admonishing them, so that they would keep their focus on the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. What do you do when suffering comes your way? Do you shake your fist at God and blame Him for what you are going through? Are you angry that things seem so easy for non-believers and yet your life is hard? We can take Paul’s words to heart, and stand firm in our faith when circumstances are less than wonderful. The enemy is working to turn us away from God and to discourage us as we face tough times. But Jesus promises us that our hope is not in this world, but in our eternal home with Him. This is the truth we can count on, despite what our current circumstances may be.

Paul gave his farewell address to these elders, and shared the mission that the Holy Spirit had laid on his heart. He was to go to Jerusalem, despite the warning that prison and suffering were in his future. He knew he could withstand these hardships, if he could continue His job of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. He was sure of his purpose and calling from God, and was willing to suffer anything the world threw at him, as long as he could preach the Gospel. What are we willing to withstand in order to share Jesus with others? Do we suffer for Christ, and persevere in order to get the message across to people who need to hear the good news? We are much more concerned with our own comfort most of the time, and if we get insulted or mocked for our beliefs, we usually just turn away from those hurtful remarks, and go our own way. Paul did not hesitate to complete the work that God had called him to do. What has God called you to do, and are you willing to complete the task, despite opposition from our culture and liberal society?

A challenge to shepherd God’s flock was rendered here by Paul, and he told this group of disciples to watch themselves, because they were now overseers of God’s church, empowered by the Holy Spirit. He issued a warning that there were wolves out there who would come and try to ravage the flock. Even some within the church would try to distort the truth and turn people away from God. Paul’s impassioned plea was full of love as he reminded them of the time he had spent with them and the tears he shed on their behalf. Our church leaders sacrifice much in order to care for our congregations. When sickness, despair, hard times and the threat of turning away from faith arises within our churches, our church leaders are praying, visiting, interceding, shedding tears and teaching us through it all. As one of God’s children, we need to help our brothers and sisters in Christ remain hopeful and faithful when life gets hard. God’s grace is available always, and we need to tap into His strength when we feel weak. The body of Christ is a wonderful thing, and we can work together to further the Gospel message within and without our church walls. Our society is very individualized these days, but we need to be together in unity and connect in fellowship so that we don’t become discouraged. This was Paul’s message to these Ephesus elders. This is still the message to us today.

Paul then committed this group to God and to His Word, which would be their source of encouragement and hope for the future. He reminded them that he had supported himself and even some of them with his work as a tentmaker, and they could follow his example of servant leadership as they helped their people at home. Such a great leader to follow, and we can learn a lot from him. Commit our churches to God and His Word, and rely on the Bible as our source of help and hope. Serve one another as we give of our time, talent and treasure, and use the gifts that God has given us for His Kingdom purposes. This is the ideal picture of a thriving church!

As Paul got ready to leave, he knelt in prayer with these friends, and they all embraced as they got ready to send him on his way. There were tears and kisses, and they were sad to think they may never see him again. They walked him to his ship, and most likely watched until is sailed off into the horizon. Prayer is such an important part of our lives as believers, and we need to pray for our leaders now, and for the next generation coming up. As less and less young people embrace traditional church attendance, we need to raise up those who will lead them to faith. Whether it is in the brick and mortar walls of a sanctuary or in a small home gathering, we need to find ways to reach these potential young disciples and share the good news with them in a way they will understand and embrace. Bill Hybels says the local church is the hope of the world, and this is still true today. Paul’s charge to the church at Ephesus is the same charge we can issues to the leaders in our churches. Shepherd the flock, serve one another, pray for the future, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, and learn from God’s Word. Thanks be to God for teaching us through His Word!