Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:21-24)
Paul reviewed his history with the elders and people of Ephesus prior to his departure to Jerusalem. He knew he would not return to them and wanted them to remember his character and actions among them and be forewarned of those who would come after he departed, as they always did, and what the church at Ephesus was to do to carry on without him. Though they would be sad at his departure they must stand strong in the Lord as Paul had done for the sake of the Gospel. They must remain true to the Scripture, preaching repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary that others might be saved as they were.
All we are and all we have in Christ and in this life we live in and through Him who is our life is to be used for the Gospel. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto the good works which He has ordained for us to do, the ministry, missions, and discipleship we are to be about that others might be saved. Paul had devoted his life and all that he had become after he met the Lord on the road to Damascus to reach the lost, both Jew and Gentile, for Christ and that they might be saved. He wasn’t offering a self-help program, or social justice to make people better but twice the child of hell, he was offering those who would hear forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ. It wasn’t a promise of a better life here but eternal life in Christ both here and always through the grace of God.
Each of us must face ourselves and come to that realization that we need God, we need the salvation which Christ has already purchased for us, and we need the forgiveness that His sacrifice provides in satisfying the wrath of God. We must come to that place where we believe that we are undone and lost without God and only by being born again can we know Him and have eternal life. For those who are in Christ and secure in His grace, we must remember that all the people around us are either lost or saved, either secure in Christ or condemned to the second death, either born again by God’s power and grace or dead in their trespasses and sins. Knowing this, and the power of God to save others just as He saved us, should stir us, as it did Paul, to go where God sends, do as God says, and take His message of Hope to this lost and dying world. All the things of this life are temporary, but the punishment of God for sin is as eternal as the new life He offers to those who will repent and trust in Him.
To reach others with the Gospel, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
All we are and all we have in Christ and in this life we live in and through Him who is our life is to be used for the Gospel. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto the good works which He has ordained for us to do, the ministry, missions, and discipleship we are to be about that others might be saved. Paul had devoted his life and all that he had become after he met the Lord on the road to Damascus to reach the lost, both Jew and Gentile, for Christ and that they might be saved. He wasn’t offering a self-help program, or social justice to make people better but twice the child of hell, he was offering those who would hear forgiveness of sin and a new life in Christ. It wasn’t a promise of a better life here but eternal life in Christ both here and always through the grace of God.
Each of us must face ourselves and come to that realization that we need God, we need the salvation which Christ has already purchased for us, and we need the forgiveness that His sacrifice provides in satisfying the wrath of God. We must come to that place where we believe that we are undone and lost without God and only by being born again can we know Him and have eternal life. For those who are in Christ and secure in His grace, we must remember that all the people around us are either lost or saved, either secure in Christ or condemned to the second death, either born again by God’s power and grace or dead in their trespasses and sins. Knowing this, and the power of God to save others just as He saved us, should stir us, as it did Paul, to go where God sends, do as God says, and take His message of Hope to this lost and dying world. All the things of this life are temporary, but the punishment of God for sin is as eternal as the new life He offers to those who will repent and trust in Him.
To reach others with the Gospel, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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