Acts 20

Paul isn't known as the encourager, but here he is showing his love for these people who are "in battle" with him for the Lord. Within the first two verses, Luke comments that he encouraged disciples before he had to leave (Ephesus) and then went to several other regions and encouraged the disciples there. Every church (or set of churches) needs someone like this. There are several people who immediately come to mind when I think of encourages within my church. These people are always quick to thank me for the service that I am doing within the church. While I know that I should be working for the Lord and not for individuals, it is motivating when people say thank you. I need to make sure that I am working for the Lord and not for myself, however.

Verse 7 gives the first insight into a new day of meeting and worshiping the Lord. Luke states that they met together on the "first day of the week". This would mean Sunday and not Saturday, as was previously referenced as the "Sabbath". Here, Paul and the followers of Christ met together and would celebrate the Lord's Supper (breaking of the bread). While there is nothing explicit in the Bible that teaches us we should meet together on Saturday or Sunday, this helps us to understand that we aren't required to meet on Saturday (the seventh day of the week). By meeting on Sunday, Christians are upholding the Sabbath.

Then, in verses 9 through 12, we see the example of a young man who falls asleep while Paul is preaching (is it just me or does this give everyone a bit of encouragement?) This young man falls three stories and "was taken up dead". Instead of over reacting or freaking out, Paul simply states "do not be alarmed". He goes down, gives the guy and hug and all is well. I'd like to see Bobby do that when someone falls out of their chair one Sunday!

Paul is trying really hard to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost (a festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples after He ascended into heaven) so he avoids going into Ephesus on his travels again. Instead, he calls the leaders of the Ephesian church to him in Miletus. Once they all arrive, he begins to preach to them about:

• The past (v18-21)
• The present (v22-v27)
• The future (v28-35)

Paul explained how he loved them and served them through all kinds of suffering and that he did not consider his life worth anything except for finishing well in his ministry (he states similar emotions in 2 Timothy 4:6-7 and Philippians 3:7-8). That is the kind of eternal perspective we all need to have.. or stated more directly: that is the kind of eternal perspective I must have.

As an elder, verses 28-32 are given as a command from Paul: tend to their own spiritual well-being and to that of the church (flock). He tells the elders that there will be "fierce wolves" who will come in and divide the flock. The image is that of a wolf going after a flock of sheep (which tend to be completely helpless against the wolf -- the shepherd is the one who watches over the sheep and defend them). Paul continues to say that there will be people who will rise up from within the flock that will teach false truth, or doctrine. The elders are to guard against that as well. It's funny to me how one half of this command comes quite easy while the other is so difficult for me. I have no problem guarding the truth and helping to defend the church from false prophets or those who would speak against the Biblical truths God has laid out for us. However, I struggle greatly with the relationship aspects of guarding the flock. The image of the shepherd is exactly what I need in my life right now. I need to look at people in my church as sheep that I am responsible for right now. This doesn't mean that these people are defenseless or incapable of defending themselves, it means that I need to protect them even when they don't know they need it. I need to live my life in a way that mimics Jesus Christ as the one true Shepherd. The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15) comes to mind as an example of how I should care for people in my church. Likewise, I want someone to look after me in that same way. I want to know that there is someone (or a group of someone's) who would immediately jump in to help defend me, take a bullet for me, etc. I am confident that there are a group of men who would do just that on the elder board (and some others). That really encourages me and helps remind me why I love this church! If someone else at our church doesn't have that same relationship with someone, they need to get involved in discipleship and take it seriously. That's how it happens. That's how relationships are built that will pass the test of time.

Father, thank you for Paul. Thank you for his encouragement to the leaders of the church. Thank you for moving the Spirit within his life to direct him and guide him in everything that he did. Lord, help our church to be marked as men and women who would be shepherds of others within the church. Through Your Spirit, place that call on the hearts of the people who call themselves Your followers. Help give them clear next steps on how they need to get into a discipleship relationship or serve you in a way that moves them closer to this overseer or shepherd. Lord, give me a heart to love people the way You do -- to see people the way You do. Father, help me to encourage others who are giving sacrificially of their lives to make a different for you. Lord, thank you again for my church which exists because of Jesus. Thank you for letting me be a part of something so much bigger than myself. Thank you for letting me serve you in a way to shows others love, encouragement and truth. In Jesus Christ's holy and precious name I pray... Amen!

JASON WORTHEN | Elder

Jason and Larissa were part of the founding members of Hutto Bible Church in 2007. Previously, they attended Hill County Bible Church Pflugerville for nearly six years. They have been married for 16 years and have three daughters: Elisabeth, Sarah and Rebekah. Jason is employed by General Motors and Larissa is a stay-at-home mom who works three times as hard. Jason put his trust in Christ in 2003 when he was attending Bible Study Fellowship in Austin. Both Jason and Larissa have served in Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry and in an elder capacity. - See more at: http://www.huttobible.com/elders#sthash.y5gPRGXs.dpuf