We are continuing our journey through the book of acts, and we are going to journey through the entire 20th chapter. And we are going to do that shortly, but the way that I wish to approach it is by the way of this introduction.
I read an article about HEROS AND people’s nee for heroes…
Psychology Today - Scott T Allison Ph.D.- Why We Need Heroes
The psychological benefits that heroes provide for us…
1. Heroes produce is us a recently identified emotion called “elevation”
When people experience elevation, they feel a mix of awe, reverence, and admiration.
The emotion of elevation, which warms and uplifts us, also includes a desire to become a better person. According to Jonathan Haidt, elevation “motivates people to behave more virtuously themselves.” The elevation we feel upon witnessing a heroic act transforms us into believing we are capable of heroic acts ourselves.
2. Heroes heal our psychic wounds
Hero stories calmed people’s fears, buoyed their spirits, nourished their hopes, and fostered important values of strength and resilience. We are drawn to good hero stories because they have a way of comforting and healing us.
3. Heroes show us how to transform our lives
Comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell believed that heroes undergo a personal transformation during their hero journeys. In every hero story, the hero starts out missing an important quality, usually self-confidence, humility, or a sense of his or her true purpose in life. To succeed, the hero must recover, or discover, this quality. Every hero story tells of a journey toward vast personal transformation.
Spiritual teacher Richard Rohr notes, hero stories inspire transformation in us all because they call us to transformation.
4. Heroes turn us into heroes ourselves
Good heroes use the power of transformation not only to change themselves for the better, but also to transform the world. In the classic hero journey, the newly transformed hero eventually transforms society in significant and positive ways.
5. Heroes nourish our connections with other people.
The content of hero stories promote a strong sense of social identity. If the hero is an effective one, he or she performs actions that exemplify and affirm a certain community’s most cherished values.
Now I really thing that this is in fact all true….
Steve Jobs
Jobs was given away for adoption by his biological parents and he became interested in electronics after his foster dad showed him the joys of technical tinkering in their garage. He had to drop out of college, because his education was costing his foster parents a lot. He used to return Coke bottles for money and live on free meals at the Hare Krishna temple. Jobs went from a technician in Atari, Inc. to becoming the CEO of Apple Inc.
Oprah Winfrey
Born to a housemaid and a coalminer, Oprah definitely did not grow in the lap of luxury. Living the life of poverty, where she used to have to wear dresses made out of potato sacks and was molested by relatives. She entered the world of media after getting the job of a news-reader in a local black radio station. After she got her first talk-show in Chicago, there was no looking back for this TV personality.
Chris Gardner
This is the man whose life has inspired the Will Smith-starrer ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. Physically abused by his stepfather as a child and placed in a foster home, Gardner’s woes did not leave him even as he grew up to marry and be a father. As shown in the movie, Gardner struggled with homelessness while raising his kid. It was the strength of the lessons he learnt from his mother that he went from rags to riches by tenaciously building himself to be the CEO of his own stockbrokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co.
There is no disadvantage these personalities did not suffer on their journey from birth to where they stand today – but sheer tenacity, confidence and hard work led them to the inspiring figures they are today.
The reason that I brought you through all this is because what our scripture passage today presents us with a person, who was born into sin, just as we were, struggled with the very same things that we do, but was so influential in his Christian walk that historian whether they were secular or spiritual ones put him at the very top of the list of one of the most influential men who ever lived throughout all of the recorded human history.
And that is why I want us to walk through this chapter with this perspective in mind – we are going to see throughout this scripture passage, what I’ve entitled today’s message after from the 20th chapter of Acts…
Characteristics of the Consummate Christian!
Consummate – Someone who is extremely skilled and accomplished; someone of the highest degree or level. Complete and/or competent in every way.
And my proposition to you this morning is this…
A journey through Acts 20 will reveal to us twelve characteristics of the consummate Christian!
I. THE MAN who is the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:1a When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples- NIV
Q: Who is this consummate Christian?
A) Paul.
1. Formerly known as Saul.
2. A former persecutor of the church!
Acts 9:1b Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,
Acts 9:3b he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
B) Point:
1. He is the only man in the New Testament who said:
1Corinthains 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
1Corithians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Imitate – µ?µ??µa? – mimeomai – mimic, follow, imitate.
1Corinthinas 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
C) Possibilities?
1. Though the man said:
Romans 7: 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. –NIV
2 Corinthians 11:23 I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. - NIV
2 Corinthians 11: 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? – NIV
2. Also said this:
Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through ·Christ, because he [L?the one who] gives me strength. – EXB
D) Passion?
Acts 20:1b and, after encouraging them, - NIV
Acts 20:1b and embraced them,- KJV
1. Embrace – hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection
2. Embrace – GK- aspazomai- to draw to one's self.
a) The idea is to draw one to one’s self in order to enable a person to meet some difficult situation with confidence and with gallantry.
3. His passion was for Christ and His Church.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
a) The consummate Christian, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES, the Church!
Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - NIV
E) Proof?
II. THE MOVEMENT of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:2a He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people (disciples),
A) Purposeful
1. "With many words" undoubtedly centered on THE WORD, the best mode of exhortation then and today.
Bruce Hurst - When you meet with other disciples for coffee, etc, do you exhort and encourage using the literal Word of God? Don't waste your providential encounters beloved! In your time of fellowship make sure that you give at least some time to focus on the Word of God's grace. You will both walk away more edified and satisfied.
Acts 20:2b and finally arrived in Greece, 3a where he stayed three months.
Robertson – Staying three months literally means, “having done three months.”
Lightfoot - During this period Paul may have written Galatians and certainly did Romans.
B) Practical!
Acts 20:3b Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria,
Ryrie – Their plot probably was to kill Paul on board ship, and throw his body overboard.
Acts 20:3c he decided to go back through Macedonia.
1. The churches of Philippi and Thessalonica had been founded in Macedonia and this would have given him an opportunity to exhort them also in the faith.
C) Principled?
Acts 20:3c as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
1. Set sail (anago) Literally means movement from lower to a higher point- Principal
D) Point?
1. Paul was always moving upward and onward!
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus- NIV
Press on (dioko) means to follow or press hard after, pursue with earnestness and diligence. in order to obtain or go after with the desire of obtaining. It means to move quickly and energetically toward some objective with vigorous activity.
Acts 20:4He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
E) Possibilities?
III. THE MINISTRY of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:7a On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.
Henry Morris - This is the first mention of the disciples meeting on the first day of the week, but this seems to have soon become a regular practice (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Acts 20:7b Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on.
A) Preaching.
1. Very Long Sermons!
J. A. Broadus, D. D. - This is an unpardonable sin in modern preaching!
J. A. Broadus, D. D. - Paul felt himself to be debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians (Romans 1:14). He felt that there was a woe upon him if he did not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). And daily there pressed upon him an anxiety for all the Churches (2 Corinthians 11:28). Such a soul as his, so filled with love to Christ and men, at such a farewell service, would naturally multiply his appeals and warnings.
J Vernon McGee- Sermonettes produce Christianettes!
Acts 20:9b When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
B) Teaching.
C) Point:
Robert L.Deffinbaugh - I get the distinct impression that while neither Luke nor Paul wish to glamorize the resuscitation of Eutychus, they do wish to emphasize Paul’s preaching and teaching. It took a fatal accident to end it, and then after the miracle of healing this lad, Paul broke bread and spoke with the saints until morning light.
Robert L.Deffinbaugh - From Luke’s account, I would infer that the message Paul preached was more important than the miracle performed by his hands. Now we should not sell this miracle short. It accredited Paul as a genuine apostle: (2 Corinthians 12:11-12).
Robert L.Deffinbaugh – But I get the distinct impression that Luke expects us to be more impressed with Paul’s message than with this miracle. The reason for this is simple: Men are not sustained in their faith by non-stop miracles; they are sustained by the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - KJV
Robert L.Deffinbaugh - The message was more important than the miracles, or rather the miracles only served to underscore the message.
2 Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Acts 20:13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost..
IV. THE MANNER of the consummate Christian
Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.
A) Consistent.
1. Paul's lifestyle is in view here.
2. Paul was authentic, transparent, the "real deal," an "open book," a man whose life said "What you see is what you get!"
3. This speaks of Paul's integrity and his character.
B) Contrite
Acts 20:19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
John Wesley – “Neither the Romans nor the Greeks had a word for humility. The very concept was so foreign and abhorrent to their way of thinking that they had no term to describe it.”
C) Clue?
1. Secret of his effectiveness?
Isaiah 57 (NKJV)
15 For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Two Salvation Army officers set out to found a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to the General to close the rescue mission. General Booth sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS." They followed his advice and they witnessed a mighty revival.
a) Contrition
b) Humility -tape???f??s??? - tä-pa-no-fro-sü'-na
1.the having a humble opinion of one's self
2.a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness
3.modesty, humility, lowliness of mind
Jim Davis – What is humility? Humility is an honest estimation of yourself that says about you what God says about you and it results primarily in serving.’’
V. THE MESSAGE of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:20a You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…
A) Complete
1. Every precept, principle, promise and prophecy!
Acts 20:20b but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21a I have declared to both Jews and Greeks….
B) Comprehensive
1. Every person, Jew, Greek, and in-between!
c) Courageous
1. It told people what they don’t want to do, but must do!
Acts 20:21b that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
a) Which is “The Message” in a nutshell!
i. Repent
ii. Believe
iii. In that order!
a. John the Baptist
Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
b. Jesus!
Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 11:20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Luke 13:5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
c. Twelve disciples
Mark 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent.
Bruce Hurst- Repentance and faith. Is this not Luke's "shorthand" for the Gospel? How dangerous to drop "repentance" from the proclamation! Dear pastor, have you jettisoned "repentance" because of some perverse, clever argument of a so called ivory tower Biblical scholar? If so, you had best return to the pattern proclaimed solemnly by the great apostle Paul and also by his Lord Who unapologetically proclaimed... unless you repent, you will perish.
VI. THE MASTER of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: - KJV
Bound - d??- deo - to tie, fasten with chains, to throw into chains
Bound (deo) literally means to tie objects together and figuratively could refer to confining someone in prison or to cause someone to be under authority of someone or something else.
A) Point?
1. Paul saw himself, the way every Christian should see themselves as a bondservant of Jesus Christ!
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.
James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.
2Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ
Bondservant (doulos from deo = to bind) is an individual bound to another in servitude and conveys the idea of the slave's close, binding ties with his master, belonging to him, obligated to and desiring to do his will and in a permanent relation of servitude. In sum, the will of the doulos is consumed in the will of the master.
Bondservant (doulos) is the most abject servile term in the Greek to describe a slave who completely surrenders himself to the will and authority of another. Paul is saying that he has sold himself into slavery to His God and now his will was "swallowed up" in the will of his Master. Here the "Master" is "The Spirit" who is “The Lord.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
What about you beloved? Are you a "bound" man or woman? Would you call yourself the Lord's bondservant? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit compel your spirit? Is your will consumed and subsumed by His good and acceptable and perfect will? Yield to the Spirit of Christ. Heed His invitation (He is speaking to the church!) Take Jesus' yoke. Abide in Him as your sustaining, invigorating Vine (Jn 15:5) and live life to the full just as did the apostle Paul, a bound man!
Acts 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
VII. THE MINDSET of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
A) The Mindset of his Master – Christ!
Philippians 2 (NKJV)
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Acts 20:25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.
VIII. THE MORAL CODE of the consummate Christian:
Moral Code - The code of ethics, standards, principals of right and wrong, standard, principle of behavior.
Acts 20:26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you
Acts 20:27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
A) Practiced Principal – Old and New Testament!
Ezekiel 3: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
Ezekiel 33: 7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have [b]delivered your soul.
David Guzik - Paul thought of himself as a watchman, there to bring forth the whole counsel of God's word. This doesn't guarantee the people will be saved, but it will guarantee Paul is without guilt before God. He has done his job! Where are those who today declare the whole counsel of God? Paul warned that in the last days, people would not endure sound doctrine, but look for teachers who would tell them what they want to hear - teachers who will scratch their itching ears (2Ti. 4:3-note).
David Guzik - Many preachers today simply use a Bible text as a launching pad, and then go on to say what they want - what the people want to hear. Others throw in Bible quotations to illustrate their points, or to illustrate their stories! But who will simply let the Bible speak for itself and let it declare its own power? Taking Paul's testimony at full strength, we must say that those preachers who deliberately fail to declare . . . the whole counsel of God are guilty of the blood of all men!
B) Popular with men?
C) Pure before God?
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
IX. THE MISERY of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Bruce Hurst - From among your own selves - Do not miss Paul's crystal clear warning - false teaching is often an "inside" job. The enemy has his deceiving ambassadors of light situated amongst the flock of genuine sheep.
X. THE MEANS of the consummate Christian:
Means – resources, capital, assets.
Acts 20:32a “Now I commit you to God ….
A) God!
Alexander Maclaren - "I lay you down beside God." That is beautiful, is it not? Here had Paul been carrying the Ephesian Church on his back for a long time now. He had many cares about them, many forebodings as to their future, knowing very well that after his departure, grievous wolves were going to enter in. He says, "I cannot carry the load any longer; here I lay it down at the Throne, beneath those pure eyes, and that gentle and strong hand." For to commend them to God is in fact a prayer casting the care which Paul could no longer exercise upon Him. And that is the highest expression of, as it is the only soothing for, manly Christian solicitude and affection.
Acts 20:32b and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
B) Gospel of His Grace.
Alexander Maclaren – “The word of His grace” is the revelation of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, with all the great truths that cluster round and are evolved from it, is the all-sufficient source of enlightenment and security for individuals and for Churches. And whosoever will rightly use and faithfully keep that great word, no evil shall befall him, nor shall he ever make shipwreck of the faith. It is ‘able to build you up,’ says Paul. In God’s Gospel, in the truth concerning Jesus Christ the divine Redeemer, in the principles that flow from that Cross and Passion, and that risen life and that ascension to God, there is all that men need, all that they want for life, all that they want for godliness.
XI. THE M.O. of the consummate Christian:
Modus operandi – Latin for the way in which something or someone operates or works.
Acts 20:33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.
A) He worked.
B) As a witness.
1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel
Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
1. I WORKED AS AN EXAMPLE FOR YOU TO IMITATE OR FOLLOW!
A) I showed you (hupodeiknumi) literally means to show by placing under (as under one's gaze or before one's eyes) and so to show or instruct plainly, to set before one's eyes, to exemplify by words or actions.
XII. THE MOTHERLINESS of the consummate Christian:
Acts 20:36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
Acts 20:37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
J Vernon McGee- Paul states he was “a nursing mother,” like a mother bird. This is Paul’s positive expression of his relationship to the Thessalonians: “I’ve been a nursing mother, a mother bird to you.” Oh, the gentleness of Paul! He was as tender as a woman in his dealings with the church at Thessalonica.
Closing….
1. When you hold yourself up to these standards which ones would you fall short of?
2. Paul was a man just like us! Are you making excuses?
3. Inspired to sail, climb higher?
