Acts 20:18-27 English Standard Version
18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.[a] 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[b] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as 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. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
In his meeting with the Ephesian elders, prior to returning to Jerusalem, Paul reminded his brothers in the faith that the manner of his living and teaching among them had been authentic, transparent and sincere.
In no way had his conduct resembled of a dishonest salesman who desperately hopes you will purchase the used car and then drive it away from the lot before you notice the brakes do not quite brake and the rusted floor beneath the mats.
Let Our Lives Preach Louder Than Our Lips
Paul’s time in Ephesus wasn’t a flying visit by a traveling evangelist who shot into town, like a carnival, endearing himself to the people, and then left again.
No, he had spent at least two years there, staying involved, teaching the gospel, planting and building the church (Acts 19:1 – 20:1).
The people in Ephesus had seen him in the streets and in the marketplace.
Many had seen, heard him, teaching and preaching in the local synagogues.
Many of them had had the opportunity to have private conversations with him.
They would have known that when he said that he served the Lord with great humility, he was telling the truth.
They had seen and heard about the tears he’d wept over them and the trials he’d faced among them.
In other words, Paul’s ministry and Paul’s heart were openly transparent.
There was nothing to hide, and he would never have sought to do so.
Paul later wrote to the Corinthian church about the need for transparency, saying,
“We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
He also has emphasized the great importance of transparency to his protégé, Timothy: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Paul exceedingly, abundantly fervently believed that Christians ought to close the gap between what they said then, what they say now, how they now live.
The power and effectiveness of preaching God’s Word can be undermined if there is not any transparency on the part of the one bearing the good news.
When one shares the hope and truth of the gospel, those who listen should be able to investigate the authenticity of your life and confirm that you genuinely believe the truths you are proclaiming – your Christian talk is also your walk.
Inside and outside the church, the way you live should commend the gospel just as much as the words you say.
This doesn’t mean you will be without errors in judgment, failure, mistakes both small and large and sin; it does mean, however that your life will reflect that you a “work of God in progress,” have been transformed by God’s grace.
Pray that God would lead, guide, direct and help you, by His grace, to be a living testimony, defender of the faith, the truthfulness of the message you proclaim.
Authenticity, Transparency in Paul’s Words?
There are many things Paul says in Acts 20:18-27, but I just want to point out authenticity and transparency, humility in trials and and serving like Christ.
Being authentic, transparent, is not something that many of us Christ followers allow ourselves to be these days.
We live lives of seclusion and don’t want anyone holding us accountable for how we can become stronger in our walks or stop letting ourselves sin.
Paul was authentic.
Paul was transparent.
As a leader he needed to be transparent.
As a leader he needed to be authentic.
He was an example of what it was to walk in the Holy Spirit and follow Christ.
He repeatedly tells the elders of the church in Ephesus that they watched, they observed, know how he lived since he lived among them in Asia (Acts 20:18).
Paul also selflessly served.
I know that sadly is not something common in this “gimme gimme” society we live in, but a leader of the church spreading the word of Christ was serving.
He served with humility and with visible tears and trials for all the things that happened to him while spreading the word of Christ and avoiding capture from the Jews (Acts 20:19).
Authentic Transparent Christian Ministry
Acts 20:32-35 English Standard Version
32 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. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 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.’”
In verse 35 he really breaks down the true essence of serving and quotes Jesus.
He says he has shown them that when you work hard you must also help the weak, remember what Jesus said that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
For anyone who is a believer and is not authentically serving from their heart to honor God’s will for their lives and show love and be caring be loving to others, then they may have missed the most authentic point of being a Christ follower.
Philippians 2:1-11 English Standard Version
Christ’s Example of [Authentic] Humility
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
As Paul continually, repeatedly reminds the Ephesian elders about his ministry with them, he is also giving us all a good list of the traits of authentic ministry:
- Humbly doing the Lord’s work.
- Willingness to display emotion and love for those one serves.
- Faithfulness in the face of adversity, opposition, and persecution.
- Doing ministry both publicly and privately as circumstances and opportunities warrant.
- Consistently teaching the full message of Christ to all who will listen.
- Calling people to turn from sin and commit to living for Jesus.
- Giving the highest priority to one’s mission given by God.
- Commitment never to stop life’s mission of sharing the Good News about God’s wonderful grace.
I don’t know about you, but that list is an authentic challenge worthy of my life!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God, the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for my great salvation. Thank You that when I was deep in sin, I was convicted of my sinfulness and turned to Christ for forgiveness of sin and life everlasting. Thank You that the gospel of grace is not complicated, but simple to understand. Keep the eyes of my heart on Jesus, I pray, lest I turn away from Him and dishonor to Your holy name. I pray that when I allow myself to be enticed away from my focus on Christ that I would be authentic enough to quickly repent, acknowledge my sin, and return to You for forgiveness, knowing that if I confess my fault to You – You are faithful to forgive and return me into fellowship. Thank You for showing me that repentance towards God is synonymous with faith in Christ. May I authentically live and authentically work for Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus’ name.
God, my Father, Author of Consolation and Mercy forgive me when I lose sight of my goal as your child. Pray Convict me and reawaken me to the high purpose you have for my life. I want to live with purpose, mission, and meaning. Stir my passions and pray teach me how to fulfill your mission for me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 