As mentioned last week, numerous lessons can come from the life of Paul. This week the lessons will continue from the same context we looked at before (Acts 20:17-38). In hopes of helping each of us be better servants for the Lord, another six lessons will be given from this section of Paul’s life.
First, service to God must be with adaptability (v. 20). Now, if you were able to read last weeks blog, you will remember that one of the six lessons was that our service needs to be without compromise. The reasoning behind these two is easy to rectify. We must be adaptable in our approach, style, etc., not in the message that we teach. The Word of God is God’s. We can’t make it something we want it to be to make it easier on people or to make them happy. The adaptability part is where the compassion, understanding, and wisdom come into play. We have to teach the truth, unadulterated, in a way that reaches people wherever they may be in life. That means, as verse twenty gets at, we may have to proclaim the Lord publicly or from one house to another. We have to find people where they are in life and connect them to Christ. That is the true meaning of adaptability. It is not about whatever is simply easiest for us.
Second, service to God must be without partiality (v. 21, 31). God shows no partiality (Gal. 2:6). God doesn’t not care about a person’s background, wealth, status, skin-color, etc. All God desires is that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). Jesus came into the world for the purpose of saving sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). All have sinned and fallen short (Rom. 3:23). God desires us all to be saved and we all need to be saved because we have all chosen sin at some point in our life. Jesus came to help us all. All truly means ALL! No one gets left out. If we are truly going to serve God, then it must be in the same way that Jesus came to serve, with no partiality.
Third, service to God must be with courage (v. 22-24). The Holy Spirit made Paul aware that every place he went to preach and teach was going to bring struggle and difficulty. He walked the path regardless. He stepped up to the challenge before him and continued to press forward amidst the trials. Joshua tried to teach us a lesson like this as well. He said we must take courage and act like men, meaning face whatever is coming at you with courage and don’t waiver from the truth. On top of that Joshua said to choose this day who you would serve. Will you choose to serve God? Will you serve Him with courage?
Fourth, service to God must be with integrity (v. 33). As a Christian, integrity is one of the most important aspects of your life’s walk. Without integrity, people will look at the things you do in life and say to themselves, “if this is a Christian, why would I ever want to believe in Christ?” Your integrity can sway the minds of those that you try to teach about Christ. It can impact the service you render moot if lacking. Paul did everything possible to maintain his personal and professional integrity as an apostle of Christ. With that said, there is no denying the impact of his service for the Lord. Do you want to make an impact on those around you? Live what you preach everyday.
Fifth, service to God must be with concern for the future (v. 28-32). In these verses, Paul warns the elders from Ephesus what they need to be prepared for. The truth is we all need to be prepared. If our focus is not on the future, why are we even serving? The hope we have is everlasting life with God because of the sacrifice of Christ. We live to serve so that we will be prepared to serve God when we come into the Kingdom. However, it is also a focus on defense and encouragement. Paul tells them to be on guard for yourselves and the flock. He says some will come in and speak perverse things. This means we need to prepare for our earthly future in the sense of preparing ourselves to not be deceived and defend others who people may try to deceive and lure away from Christ. Paul also mentions the word being able to build up also. We are to build each other up in the word of God so that we can defend ourselves and stand firm in the truth when future threats arise. This is a way that we can serve, by preparing the church and defending it.
Lastly, service to God must be demonstrated (v. 33-35). This may seem odd, but is maybe more significant than one may imagine. Talking about service is a fine thing. Planning service to be done is a great thing. Rolling up your sleeves and doing the work is the real thing. No one is above service to the Lord! We may not all serve in the same way or put in the same amount of time and that is okay. But everyone must find what they can do and actually get involved. Paul showed that he did whatever was needed for the ministry effort or providing for himself. He was willing to work hard for the church. Jesus was willing to work hard to start the church and bring you salvation. What are you willing to work hard for? I pray it is Christ!
