Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 NABRE
Paul is journeying to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Before the final leg of the journey he meets with the church leaders from Ephesus. Having spent three years living and founding community together, and being warned from the Holy Spirit about future hardship and imprisonment, he knows this is the last time he will see these leaders. They were all very close and so it is a sad farewell. It is also a farewell where Paul is telling them of all the good he tried to do and how he only worked for the church and took nothing for himself. He is anointing them in a special way and in so doing saying, I tried to be a good leader and hopefully you learned from me. Paul served the Lord, he told the truth, he let them know the entire plan, and he was a witness to both Jew and Greek alike, he didn’t play favorites. Paul tells them it does not matter what happens to him, his life is not important. What is important is the ministry that was given by Jesus and their witness to the gospel of God’s grace. It is a great declaration of knowing who he is and whose he is. It is a sign of love that Paul wants to speak to these leaders, his friends, knowing their ministry is the most important activity.
Paul is turning the mission of the church of Ephesus to these leaders. He has confidence in them and wants them to know they will be good leaders. It is always important to build a team, anoint leaders and let them take over and lead. The church exists today because Paul trusted these leaders; as Jesus trusted the apostles. It is how we must help build church as well.
Do you hold on to your team or small group too long? Are you able to cast off new leaders from your team?
Paul is turning the mission of the church of Ephesus to these leaders. He has confidence in them and wants them to know they will be good leaders. It is always important to build a team, anoint leaders and let them take over and lead. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion #farewell#mission #leaders #acts #everybodyalways#god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer#goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat#bocaraton #youversion #everythingalways