Acts 20: Will You Finish Your Course?
Verse of the Day: (V24) “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.”
1. Comforted (V1-20)
V9 “And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.”
Before the Bible was completed, God gave the apostles sign gifts, such as healing and raising the dead, to affirm them before the people that they were God’s apostle. Hence when the young man, Eutychus, fell off and died, while hearing Paul’s long preaching, Paul immediately raised him from the dead. When the people saw God’s miracle, they were greatly comforted that Eutychus was alive, and Paul was indeed God’s apostle.
V12 “And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”
2. Course (V21-27)
V24 “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.”
Before Paul left Ephesus, he met the leaders of the church at Ephesus, and encouraged them not to be distracted by crises and even death, but to boldly keep on, keeping on preaching the gospel of the grace of God, and finish their course and ministry with joy.
V25 “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”
3. Church (V28-38)
V28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
God’s church is precious to Him, as He bought her with His only Son’s blood. This was why Paul’s last words to the church leaders were not only to feed the church with God’s word, but to ensure that there would be no grievous wolves or false leaders who would deceitfully enter into the church to ultimately divide and destroy God’s precious church.
V29 “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to finish my course and ministry with joy.
