Serving the Lord Jesus Christ Faithfully Even in Trials

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Theme: "Serving the Lord Jesus Christ Faithfully Even in Trials."

Text: Acts 20:17-23

17. Then Paul sent from Miletus to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18. When they came to him, he said to them, "You know how, from the first day I came into Asia, I have been with you all the time, 19. serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with temptations brought upon me by the plots of the Jews. 20. You know that I have held back nothing that was profitable to you, but have not been afraid to preach to you and teach you publicly and from house to house, 21. proclaiming to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22. And now, bound by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23. Only, from city to city, the Holy Spirit warns me that bonds and tribulations await me.

Remember:

This message takes place in a context where Paul is shunned by the Jews. His teaching is rejected by the Jewish leaders, and he is sometimes driven out and threatened with death when he preaches the name of Jesus. But each time Paul is threatened, he redoubles his efforts and conviction. The threats do not deter him, even though his companions warn him not to go to Jerusalem or risk dying there. This is proof that Paul served the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully even in trials. Such an undertaking requires great courage, because if we are informed that death awaits us wherever we are going, it is a reason for ordinary mortals to give up. But Paul persists in going there, even at the cost of his life. Paul is no coward, nor is he reckless, but God wants us to serve Him faithfully even in trials. Thus, from Miletus, Paul summons the elders who resided in Ephesus to show them how to serve the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully even in trials. He describes his journey, strewn with persecution and other threats of death. His message is an encouragement to redouble our efforts to be able to serve the Lord Jesus Christ faithfully even in trials. Even when we are bound, as long as our mouths can still speak, we must proclaim the gospel of salvation. Let us serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all humility but faithfully even in trials. Have a wonderful Sunday. Amen.

Alain Louz.-