Developing the heart of a servant part 2 Acts 20:18-38
We discussed, last Sunday, the need for faithfulness…to our families, in our finances, to the fellowship of the body, and to the faith.
Today, as we continue developing the heart of a servant we will need to think about two more things that for many may be hard to handle.
2. Humility Look at verse 19
In spite of all his greatness, Paul was a humble man. Many Bible scholars believe the Apostle Paul was one of, if not the greatest Christian in all of the Bible.
Paul, however, didn’t go around bragging about it. He could have said, “That’s right, I’m Paul and I wrote half of the New Testament.
He never said that, but here’s what he did say, in:
[1Co 15:9 NIV] “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
[Eph 3:8 NIV] “Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,”
[1Ti 1:15 NIV] “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”
We are, each of us, unworthy of the grace that God offers through Jesus Christ. Paul understood and you and I must understand that apart from Christ you ARE nothing and can do nothing.
It’s so easy when God blesses us to develop a big-headed opinion of ourselves. We love to celebrate our “accomplishments.” We tend to forget that God is the One Who made it all possible and He alone deserves the glory!
I read about this flea that jumped on the back of an elephant. One day they crossed a wooden bridge and when they got to the other side, the flea whispered in the elephant’s ear, “did you feel her move when WE walked across?!”
Humility is tough to develop in your life, especially when God does something great thru you!
We sometimes want to take credit for the things that God does in and through us. So often when God does something great we might get to thinking WE’VE done something great, like Grandma Bessie’s rooster who thought he made the sun come up. Every morning, this one rooster’s crow sounded just like he was saying. “Look what I did!”
The truth is that without God working in and around us, we can do nothing.
Jesus said in John 15, “I am the vine, and you are the branches.” If the branch is not connected to the vine there will be no fruit…
[2Co 3:5-8 NKJV] “5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as [being] from ourselves, but our sufficiency [is] from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written [and] engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which [glory] was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?”
Paul says, it’s the Holy Spirit that does the work.
Now don’t get me wrong; we should work hard, and try to use every tool at our disposal. I like the statement I read that says, we must work like it all depends on us but we must pray as if it all depends on God. We should because it does! The work is ours to do but God is the power and authority behind the work.
So as we develop the heart of a servant, we must be found faithful. Also we must be humble.
3. Compassion. Look at verse 19 and notice that Paul says “with many tears”
Some men believe that real men don’t cry. They say that a weak man cries or even shows emotion but Paul was not a weak minded man or some crybaby. He was a man as brave and bold as a lion. He was a man who endured unbelievable things for the cause of Christ. He was beaten on several occasions. He was tortured, imprisoned, slandered, stoned and left for dead. Yet he never backed up and never backed down.
Yet, in spite of having the tenacity of a bulldog, he had a heart of compassion.
We see this in verse 31 (READ) “with tears”
3 things brought Paul to tears, and the same 3 things ought to bring us to tears…
a. Paul wept at the very thought of backslidden Christians. Christians living in deliberate sin.
[2Co 2:4 NIV] “For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”
When is the last time any of us wept over a believer who was backsliding. Too often we’d rather spend our energy gossiping about them or feeling superior to them?
When was the last time you went to someone who has wandered away from God and with tears begged them to get right with God?
b. Paul wept over the threat of false teachers. Look at verses 29-31.
Many, today, are led astray by false doctrine because some people don’t look at doctrine. See they are not focused on the Word but on programs, buildings, etc.
We’re seeing preachers who are willing to go on Christian television and say that God will not send anyone to hell, because Jesus died for the whole world. Theoretically that is a true statement. Jesus died for ALL!
One actually used Hitler’s killing 6 million to argue his point, saying “according to your theology, God won’t send millions to hell, but He’ll send billions. Are you saying God is worse that Hitler.” Scripture is clear that on judgment day there will be some who will not be given access to heaven BUT God will send no one! That is a choice you make!
He went on to say “who are you to say that millions in China aren’t going to heaven just because they don’t believe in Jesus?”
But those of us who stand on the infallible Word of God didn’t say that. It was Jesus Who said, “No man comes to the Father, but by me.”!
If his theology is right and I’ve misinterpreted Scripture, why do we reach out locally and thru missions? Why are we wasting our time spreading the gospel, if everyone will be saved in the end?
This one preacher then goes on to undermine his whole point by saying, “call the # on your screen to donate so we can continue to reach our world…just use your VISA or MasterCard!”
That’s the kind of heresy that brought Paul to tears, just as did Christians living in sin…
c. Paul wept at the very thought of people going to hell.
[Rom 9:2-3 NKJV] “2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,”
That’s a powerful statement. He wanted people to be saved so badly that he would be willing to go to hell.
Would you ever say that about anyone? Your child…your spouse…you mom or dad? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, if You will save my child, my spouse…I will take their place in hell.” Would you really be willing to take their place, because that’s for eternity?
BUT did you know that is exactly what Jesus did for you and for me? He took your/my place on the cross.
We’re not asked to go to hell for our loved ones and friends, nor can we be baptized for them. But we can pray for them and weep for them. How could we not weep at the thought of them burning in the lake of fire, for all eternity?!
I want you to know that compassion can do what nothing else can. No amount of screaming and coercing can reach a lost loved one or friend like pure compassion.
[Psalm 126:5-6 NKJV] “5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves [with him].”
Did you know that the poorest of the poor can be clean, by simply using a little soap? The vilest of sinners can be made clean, simply by surrendering to Jesus.
It has nothing to do with you but it has everything to do with Jesus.
We can be faithful in all that we do. We can be filled with humility and compassion and the cool thing is that there are no special talents necessary.
The only qualification is a willingness to let God do a little spiritual surgery on us and mold our hearts in His image.
