Paul, God’s Servant On A Mission

        “First I preached to the people in Damascus , and then I went to Jerusalem and all over Judea . Finally, I went to the Gentiles and said, "Stop sinning and turn to God! Then prove what you have done by the way you live.”     Acts 26:20 (CEV)

 Lead by the Holy Spirit, (v20) Paul worked three years in Ephesus ministering to the believers there.  Knowing he was going to be arrested, persecuted and falsely accused of insurrection, he went anyway on to Jerusalem .  Paul knew, according to Acts 9:15,16 that God had a greater mission for him to accomplish.

Read: Acts 20:17 -38   Looking into Paul’s spirit of tenderness, we can see several important qualities :

I. v18-21  Faithfulness

*  Paul’s faithfulness over those three years, “from the first day..”  he never quit or gave up through many difficulties and hardships

            1 Corinthians 4:1,2  faithfulness is a quality which God requires

*  faithfulness involves establishing and maintaining proper priorities

*  faithfulness is expected toward our family

*  faithfulness is expected in our finances

            Luke 16:10,11  can God trust you with what He gives you?

*  faithfulness to the fellowship you are called to

            Romans 12:5  we are a vital part of each other

            Hebrews 10:25   encouraging one another in difficult times

*  faithfulness to God’s Word  (v24)  no doubts about your mission

II.  v19  Humility

*  in spite of his greatness, Paul was a humble man!

            Corinthians 15:9-11  all glory is given to God

            Ephesians 3:7-9  sharing with others the Grace of God

III.  v19, 28, 31  Compassion

*  with many tears, Paul cared for the early church believers

       “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.”    Jeremiah 23:4  (NKJV)

 Each one of us, like Paul, who have tasted God’s Grace and Mercy, has a responsibility to teach and help one another mature in Christ !