September 13, 2009, Acts 20:17-32
September 13, Acts 20:17-32 "I Commend You to God"
Icebreaker: What mentor has had a big influence in your life?
As Pastor Fred says 'good-bye' to the Trinity family he desires to leave a parting challenge from the Lord and from his heart."
Acts 20 17From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22"And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. 25"And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26"Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27"For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 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.
V17-23 - How would you describe Paul's ministry from these verses?
V20 - What does this verse tell you about the consistency of Paul's testimony?
V23 - What bonds or afflictions, real or imagined prevent you from doing your ministry for God more effectively?
V24 - From this description, what do you think is required to give a solemn testimony?
V25 - Paul here expresses his personal convictions and fears, why is this an important quality in a leader?
V28 -How could this verse encourage those believers with a passive faith to take their Christianity more seriously
V29 - 32 - They say that when a leader leaves, that a leadership shaped vacuum is formed. What is the protection mechanism needed to battle the "savage wolves"?