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by Sandy Shaw
At the end of Acts 20, we read of this moving scene, as Paul has this final meeting with these leaders of the Ephesian Church. He speaks of what he had done and how he ministered during his time in Ephesus. He gives us the core - the heart of his preaching.
He speaks about what he thinks is going to happen to him. Then Paul exhorts them to look after themselves - 'watch over yourselves' - 'be shepherds' - attacks will come from the outside - people on the inside will attempt to undermine - and he speaks with tears.
They part on the beach. It is highly charged emotion, but not out of control - not hysterical - real emotion at its richest.
These elders were upset. They were sorrowing because Paul had said they would not see him again. Here is love - real love. These are real men of God - with real tears streaming down real faces. They now had to make their way back to Ephesus from Miletus, and get on with leading and pastoring the Church, over which the Holy Spirit had made them elders - feeding and teaching these young disciples.
Chapter 21. Paul has to tear himself away from these elders. There was so much to say - so much to share. He was so concerned that they had everything they required to fulfil this high calling in Christ.
They sail south of Cyprus. As he saw the island, did the memories of 15 years ago flood back into his mind? Cyprus was where he first preached on that first missionary journey. Much had happened in these 15 years. I recall being in Cyprus in 1972 to minister at a Conference - 34 years ago - memories of that week still flood my mind. What was Paul thinking as he sails past? The very mention of Cyprus is significant.
The ship calls in at Tyre, to unload some of its cargo, and the first thing Paul does is look for some disciples of Jesus. As soon as he is ashore he searches for the Fellowship.
He wants to meet with these disciples of Jesus. He wastes no time. He discovers where they gather and spends seven days fellowshipping with them.
Again, we see the quality of this man. We see something of what makes Paul tick.
It is not enough merely to admire what he did, but we need to see what he was like in his heart. Here is an example. Here is a pattern to follow.
Paul has this close relationship and communion with Jesus Christ - there is a companionship - a friendship - almost an understanding. And he also has this desire and longing to be in close fellowship and communion with all the others who believe in Jesus and who have become disciples of Jesus Christ.
It is the second one which can be the harder, but it is just as essential and necessary as having a close relationship with Jesus. We do not choose our brothers and sisters when we come into the family of God. You must learn to live with all the other brothers and sisters in Christ - and sometimes that is not easy. You have to work at it, at times.
The world has got to see a fellowship of believers where the reconciling love of Jesus Christ is visible. Paul, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, sets us the example to follow, and gives us a pattern we can imitate.
"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from
Choking can be Hazardous to Your Eternal Health
Read Article »Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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