Don't Grieve For Me

I have this friend that I have been close to for a long time. We have been through many things together. We have been through great times and rough times. We have even had some things that could potentially come between us. Yet we have always been able to remain close. Although we don't see each other much, when we do, it is as if we have spent every minute together for the time we were away. We just pick up where we left off. That is a rare thing to have in a friendship. So I treasure this friendship. When I spend time with this friend I am sad when the time is over.

This week, we will be back in Acts. We will pick up in Acts 20:13 as Paul says his final goodbyes to the Ephesian Elders. When I study a passage to preach I usually just read through the passage before I read anyone else's work on the subject or the passage. This helps me to steer away from imposing a meaning on the passage that may or may not be present. While reading this passage something hit me pretty hard...

As Paul finishes his farewell warnings and says his final goodbyes, the elders gather around him and we are told that they were deeply troubled. Luke tells us that the reason for their grief was that Paul told them they would never see his face again. I believe the Holy Spirit has laid this Scripture on my heart to expound upon for our congregation over the next few weeks. What causes men to grieve over the loss of another man? Why were these men so attached to Paul and so concerned for him, his ministry and his life? I believe Acts 20 will reveal the reasons why Paul had such and IMPACT on these men, on this region, and on this church.

What enables a man to have such an IMPACT upon people? I believe it is the mission of grace. A mission is a purpose...or as Paul calls it in Acts 20...it is a race that is to be run until completed. Paul labored for the Gospel and this is why these elders so grieved him--he was on a mission for grace--he made the ultimate IMPACT in their lives.

I hope you will join me over the next few weeks as we talk about the IMPACT Jesus Christ has on our lives and on those affected by this message of grace.