Unstoppable! 'God's Message and a Gracious Example' — Acts 20:32-35

Sunday, September 29, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More

[To the Ephesian elders, Paul continued,] "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

"I have never coveted anyone's silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

— Acts 20:32-35 NLT

Key Thought

Paul made it clear that church leaders could and should be supported for their efforts,* but he was always mindful of the challenges that church leaders faced. Some of those challenges had to do with temptations to be selfish and self-serving. Other problems and challenges had to do with the dangers of false teachers who could lead away weak followers of Jesus and with criticism and persecutions the leaders may face personally for following Jesus. Paul spoke to each of these issues in his message to the Ephesians elders because he knew that he would likely not see them again before his death.* He wanted them to be fully prepared for their future leadership without him! Paul's example raises a crucial question for each of us: Am I preparing future generations so they can live and lead in faith after I am gone? Paul taught disciples to live for their children and grandchildren in faith so they would pass on their faith to the next generation (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

* See our Related Scripture Readings.

Today's Prayer

O Father, please do not let my faith die with me. Use me, inspire me, and empower me to pass on my faith in and commitment to Jesus to future generations who can pass it on to others. I ask for this power and grace in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
  • Acts 20:22-25, 36-38

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, September 29, 2024

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Does Christ receive us when we come to him, notwithstanding all our past sinfulness? Does he never chide us for having tried all other refuges first?...."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[God] said to me [Ezekiel], "Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, 'GOD, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath...."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, I come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the city of the living God. I join with the thousands upon thousands of angels in..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 20:32-35 NLT — [To the Ephesian elders, Paul continued,] "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

"I have never coveted anyone's silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.