SCRIPTURE:
Acts 20:17-24 NKJV
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 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, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
OBSERVATION:
As Paul continues his missionary journey, he makes one last stop in Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem to preach the gospel. Paul knew by the Spirit of God that he would face great persecution and be imprisoned. Paul had already suffered much persecution for preaching the gospel during his missionary journeys. And even though he knew that his life would probably end in Jerusalem, he had a calling on his life and he was determined to go anyway. Nothing was going to stop Paul from doing what he was called to do, not even the threat of death. The most important thing to Paul was not his life, but that he finished the work that the Lord had given him to do.
APPLICATION:
In the times we are living in, it can be difficult, even dangerous or against the law to share the gospel. But are we willing to tell people about Jesus anyway like Paul did? Like Paul, we too will run into opposition, rejection, hurt feelings, disappointments, confrontation and such, when witnessing to people in our runaway culture…but will we let that stop us? Are we willing to go through these things for the sake of spreading the gospel? I often have to remind myself that God is with me, I have the victory and the Spirit Who lives in me is greater than the spirit who lives in the world, 1 John 4:4 NLT. We cannot let rejection or anything else stop us from telling people about the only hope they have-Jesus Christ.
PRAYER:
Father God in Heaven, thank You for Jesus. Thank you for Your precious plan of salvation and for giving me boldness to share the gospel. I repent for not sharing the gospel when You opened doors because of fear of rejection and confrontation. You have given me a command in Joshua 1:9 to be strong and brave and not afraid or dismayed because You are with me wherever I go. I stand on Your Word Father knowing that Your Word cannot return to You empty and I know You go before me. Holy Spirit, help me to fulfill the calling which You have called me to and that is to GO make disciples (followers) of all nations…in Jesus Holy Name.