Through the Bible - Psalm 23-24, Acts 21:1-16
Good morning,
A while back I read "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. After that I began listening to his sermons on line while I've worked with and stretched our son Jeff on his excercise table. It became evident that he was not afraid to tackle some of the tough questions and passages in the Bible such as the end of Romans 1.
He has recently felt the call to head out into a new ministry. All this reminded me of the Apostle Paul as we read and consider his life and ministry, especially in yesterday's New Testament reading in Acts chapter 20 where we'll go for today's verses.
Acts 20:26-27 (Amplified Bible) Therefore I testify and protest to you on this [our parting] day that I am clean and innocent and not responsible for the blood of any of you. 27For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God.
Francis Chan can probably look back at his ministry and say that he had not held back from teaching the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God. We need more of that today in our churches, Bible studies, and yes devotionals.
John MacArthur describes the "whole counsel of God" as "The entire plan and purpose of God for man's salvation in all its fullness; divine truths of creation, election, redemption, justification, adoption, conversion, sanctification, holy living, and glorification. Paul strongly condemned those who adulterate the truth of scripture."
The verses and MacArthur's comments should cause us to step back and take a look at our churches and ministries. Are we, am I, falling short of "declaring" the whole counsel of God? If we are we are likely to challenge the beliefs of some and ruffle some feathers. If we are not, what are we doing by holding back from the whole truth?
Francis Chan has felt the call to leave the comforts of his church to reach out to the inner city. As far as I know, he does not know where as yet. Would you say a prayer for Him today?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Acts 20:22 "And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don't know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
25 "And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault, 27 for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
28 "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
32 "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. NLT
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