Acts 20:17–35—The devil hates Jesus, and hates all whom He has
redeemed, that is, the Christian Church. In this farewell address by St Paul to
the pastors at Ephesus, where Paul had served for a year and a half, he warns
that the devil will try to attack the flock of God by way of false
teaching. False teaching slips into a congregation subtly, speaking things
which appeal to people and their feelings, shifting the focus from what God has
done for us in Christ to what we can do for God. We must ever be on our guard,
that the whole counsel of God is taught among us, especially the
forgiveness of sins earned for us by Jesus Christ, by the shedding of His
own blood.
This passage taken from Acts 20 is given to an
entirely Christian audience. It’s Paul’s handoff of ministry responsibility to
the Ephesian elders before he departs for Jerusalem. The LORD gave Paul a message and a mission
that created a ministry. The reading can
be broken down in this way.
Paul’s Message
(vv.17-21) Paul did not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable.
Paul’s Mission (vv.
22-27) Paul is headed to Jerusalem even though imprisonment and afflictions
await him.
This Ministry (vv. 28-35) Be alert, knowing you are
commended to God and the word of His grace.
Collect
for the Fourth Sunday of Easter:
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd
of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our
Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads;
through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. -04 May, 2022
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