Dedication to God & the Word (10/10/23)

Acts 20

10/11/2023

Life Lesson(s)…

Acts 20 focuses on the importance of dedication to God in "Spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). The Lord used Paul to exemplify a dedicated life to the Lord in mind, body and Spirit. He showed all the good, bad and the ugly of being a follower of Jesus Christ. As He is led by the Holy Spirit, Paul's worship came in the form of teaching the Jews and Gentiles about the Word.

He taught the literal Scriptures and also taught the Word became flesh -a.k.a. Jesus (John 1:1-5). Paul's Scriptural lessons were daily in every city and ran into the night at times. He taught and encouraged followers by declaring God's counsel to them (v. 27) and reached unbelievers through their intellect through testimony and Scripture and by body–i.e. resurrecting the young man that fell (v.9-10). He remained obedient to the Holy Spirit going and staying to where the Holy Spirit instructed (v. 1-6). Paul's dedication to God and the Word occurred no matter what was to happen to him (v. 17-27).

Paul encouraged the pursuit and worship of Jesus and God both in Spirit and in truth. He brought the ekklesia together for a final farewell and warned each and every member that each had to be aware of their own and others' walks in accordance with the Word and the Spirit (v. 28-29) because lack of accountability would allow the rise in men "teaching twisted things."

Your Thoughts…

Study, pray, ponder and journal the following:

  1. How would you rate your dedication to God in "Spirit and in truth" on a scale of 1-10? What improvements can you make to your daily walk to align your worship of the Lord? Where are your dedication strengths (e.g. intellectual, emotional)? What ways can you balance it out? What are your gifts and how can you implement them in your worship and dedication?

  2. Turn your eye to Paul's warning to the church and the overseers. Do you agree with his assessment of being aware of yourself and what is taught? Do you believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God? How does this perspective affect your interpretation of the Word? If so, how does it affect your behavior and moral standard?

Subscribe here:

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I/[Paul] did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

ACTS 20:31-32 (ESV)

Read: Acts 20 (ESV)