religiousaffections

My heart has been encouraged each morning as I have been reading through Acts.  It has been beneficial for me to acknowledge the countless ways the early church exploded onto the scene even with the absence of money, buildings, or pop-star preachers. It has been especially encouraging as we continue to plan for and think about church planting in the next 8 to 10 months because we have none of the above.  Those first Christians knew the gospel well; they talked about it a lot and lived it in community.  They knew the gospel, they prayed a lot, and they relied on the Holy Spirit for influence.

This morning though, I was confronted by Paul’s simple encouragement to the elders of the Ephesian church.  Paul prefaces his encouragement to the elders with these words:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.  But I do not account my life of any value nor a 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.  And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.”    Acts 20:18-25

Paul charges the elders to care for and lead the church with these words:

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”       Acts 20:28-35

There are a handful of things that stood out to me in this passage this morning that I think are beautiful encouragements for all of us.  First, that we should pay careful attention to ourselves and to one another because of the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:12-14).  It is the deceitfulness of sin that will lead false teachers (fierce wolves) to arise from within and lead many astray.  Second, Paul says follow my example and “be alert” - do not cease to admonish or warn the people about the devastation sin brings.  Third, though he must leave them, Paul leaves them with God and with his word.  It is the word of God’s grace to us, which is able to build you up, to give you and inheritance, and sanctify you.  I am stunned by the number of Christians I happen across that have no disciplines in place for spending regular and consistent time before this great gift - the word of God’s grace.  Fourth, Paul’s example was one of simplicity - “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.”  The drug of materialism is dangerous and addictive and can lead to much sin.  Fifth, work hard!  Waste your life for something that matters.  Sixth, Paul says, “we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

Christ obtained us as his church by his own blood.  Fight temptation; fight sin for you are dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.