MUSIC BLOG 01-23-2025
MUSIC BLOG
01-23-2025
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Church
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,[a] which he bought with his own blood.[b] 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Americans seem to appreciate everything as long as its “new”. Which is to say, that we as a people have a difficult time appreciating old things. I, for one, love old things. I appreciate older homes, and museums, reading about history, and speaking with the elderly. I appreciate old ways of doing things even if it takes a few more minutes. I watch on occasion home design and redecorating shows on TV. Like many of you, I can get passionate about the décor or the crazy situations of the buyer. My favorite shows are the rare ones which include homes from the turn of the last century and the designer is purposefully intent on keeping many of the design elements of the era.
Paul is giving instructions, warnings and explanations of what is about to happen in his life and in the life of the fledgling church. Paul realizes that his time and influence are waning. He also admits that his life has nothing of worth to himself or God except to complete the task given to him by God. It is amazing to think that Paul has been on the same path since His encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. Paul was given his marching orders and to date had not given up nor had he varied his course.
Can I say that?
Can you?
Why is the apostle Paul so revered? There are many reasons, but one foremost was his tenacity to follow Jesus wherever it led. He never relented in his duties no matter the circumstances. The litany of trials from 1 Corinthians 11 is exhausting: 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.” Compare this to the common churchgoer who sometimes struggles to get out of a warm bed to get to church.
Maybe you feel that your life has lost its purpose. Perhaps you feel out of step. Use this time right now to remember when God’s purpose in your life was always at the forefront of your thoughts. Think about what got in the way of those thoughts. Repent and return right now. God is still at work and your presence on earth is a testimony that He still has something left for you to accomplish. Let’s say with Paul, that “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the ask the Lord Jesus has given to me.”
Remember that time, return and receive all the encouragement from the Lord and all His help to accomplish those things you could never do without Him.
Blessings,
Marty