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Thursday, 8 July 2010

Acts 20:25-38

Paul knew that this would be the last time he saw the Ephesian leaders, so he gives them guidance for the future. "I am innocent of the blood of everyone". Paul saw himself in a similar light to Ezekiel. He had preached the whole will of God to them, so the responsibility now lay with them. They knew the truth, so they now had to believe and live the truth. 
They had to watch themselves, and also the whole church in Ephesus, for God had given them oversight of the church. Leadership is about responsibility. The church is precious to God, because He bought it with the blood of Jesus.
Paul also knew that the church would face dangers. There are those who will come and try to steal the flock like wolves. We always need to be on our guard against such dangers. One of the ways in which this is done is through false teaching. Correct teaching matters, and Paul had gone to great pains to warn them about this.
Finally Paul committed them to the word of grace. It is the word of grace that saves, not the word of law. Paul's own life had been an example to them, and he followed the principle of Jesus that it is better to give than to receive.

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