We find one more purpose for our fellowship in Acts 20.

Acts 20:31-38 says, “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. 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. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.”

Let us note several aspects of Paul’s ministry to and with the Ephesian pastors. First, love drew him back to these dear brothers in Christ. He had spent three years among them, which was a long time in Paul’s ministry. We as a fellowship have the privilege to have several pastors who have ministered in one church over the period of several decades. Love is a commitment, and you cannot minister in one location with longevity for any other reason but love. I appreciate the ministryContinue reading “Purpose #9 — The Fellowship of Love”

Acts 20.29-30 says, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

We live in a day when we enjoy the blessing of more spiritual communication than any other period in human history. By the same token, the tremendous freedom of religion and speech we enjoy to disseminate the Gospel is also enjoyed by those who teach false doctrine. These wolves have led many astray. I dare say that they made religion using Christian terminology acceptable in a social setting. In doing so, they have weakened the language of the Gospel so that the umbrella of redemption is so wide open that virtually anyone may fit under it.

We may be aware of doctrinal issues, and we may hold to purity of doctrine, but can we identifyContinue reading “Purpose #8 — The Education of Ministry”