Welcome to Jill Hamming, a friend of mine from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and a regular participant on this web page. She will share her reflections on the readings from Acts 20-23.
Scripture: Acts 20:13-38
Paul is warning the Ephesians about false teachers. He is so concerned. Christians can get mislead by false teachers. How do you know if it is false teaching?
Paul reminds the leaders of how he has been with them.
He served with humility, he worked hard to provide for his own needs and to help the needy. He did not covet other people’s things. He kept teaching them even when he was persecuted. Paul taught Jews and Gentiles alike, he was not biased to one race or culture. The Ephesians knew that Paul was going into danger for Christ’s sake.
Perhaps the Ephesians can compare new teachers to Paul, see if they live like him, would that help them recognize the false teachers?
What about us? Not every teacher has to be just like Paul to be a true teacher; but how do we know?
I’m not sure if you can spot all false teachers right away. We can see if what they teach lines up with God’s word. We can look at their life style and watch how they treat people. We can pray for discernment.
Please Lord, protect me from false teachers. Holy Spirit open my understanding so that I can discern what is of You and what is not of You. Show me where I have followed false teaching so that I may repent and turn from it. Thank-you God, Amen
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I am struck by Paul’s passion and drive, so focused on his calling and purpose, not even suffering and death or tearful farewells can deter him. And not even knowing that wolves will invade his flock can hold him back. Like the Energizer bunny, he keeps going and going and going…. What drives him? A devotion to the Lord Who rescued Him! A passion for those who do not yet know His grace. A commitment to fulfill his task given by the Lord, no matter what. A confidence in God’s grace (v.32).
What drives me? Am I driven by such a devotion, a passion, a calling? Can I look beyond the trials, hardships, frustrations, wolf-invasions, tearful experiences, etc., to keep my eyes on the race set before me? Am I confident in God’s grace, that He can protect me and those I serve from the savage wolves?
PRAYER:
Lord, once again I am humbled and inspired by Your servant Paul, my fellow servant, called like me to be a servant of Jesus. Help me to look beyond the trials and tears to the task that You have laid before me. Help me to entrust myself to Your grace! Amen.
Paul was a servant preacher, with singleness of mind – to proclaim the message of salvation in various ways to different people. That message was always the same: turn away from sin and turn to Christ in faith. In spite of the hardships, Paul continue to put into life – living for Jesus as his theme. He did not live for the output of his life – fame and fortune. Lord help me also to make it my goal to tell others of God’s saving grace.
One is known by the friends he keeps. Lord help me to build relationships with others by sharing, caring, sorrowing, rejoicing, and praying with them. I will gather others around me only by giving myself away to them.
May your Word continue to be a Light unto my feet. Help me to be Your servant.
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.