Scripture Reading: Acts 20:1-38, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Romans 15:18-19
During my senior year of high school, each student was given a writing assignment: What is the good life? It was a tradition at my school for each graduating senior to reflect on what they believed made a good life, almost like a farewell address to this chapter of their life. Then, we had to stand before a faculty board and support our theses. We were being held accountable for the ideals of the good life we believed in.
I centered my thesis around Acts 20:24 where Paul wrote, “My purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” Everything else that made up the good life I imagined, like finding the right vocation, establishing healthy friendships, creating a Christ-centered family, and maintaining a walk with Jesus, were all motivated by finishing the course Jesus gave me. My good life was to be a testament to the grace of God.
Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians reminds me of his own personal paper on what he believed was the good life. Before he left the Ephesians, he reminded them of all he had done on behalf of Jesus. He had taught the hope of Jesus fearlessly and had held the church accountable to the truth of Jesus’s word. He encouraged them to continue to build a life around the same biblical values that he demonstrated for them—never shrinking back from living a bold life for Jesus.
Looking back, I see why our teachers asked us to write the paper. It wasn’t so that we could walk into the adult world with a perfect path toward our own version of the good life. It was to give us an opportunity to decide for ourselves what truths we would stand by when things got hard and our morals were tested.
In the same way, Paul knew when he left the Ephesian church, “savage wolves” would hide amongst them and try to twist God’s truth (Acts 20:29). It was necessary for them to be alert, remembering Paul’s example so that they would not turn away from everything he had taught them about Jesus.
If you were to give your final address, what would you point to in your life that demonstrated what was most valuable to you? Would it sound a lot like Paul’s address—a life dedicated to the message of Jesus? My prayer for us is this: “As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). If you build a legacy for Jesus, I have no doubt your life will be a “good” one.
Written by Bailey Hurley
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33 thoughts on "Paul’s Farewell Address to the Ephesians"
In the SRT bible it says, Paul exchanged the universal human obsession with self for an obsession with Christ. What would change if we saw our lives as nothing and the gospel as absolutely everything?
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At our life group Sunday a friend shared this quote: Obedience determines the destiny of souls.. and so does disobedience. Whoa, I cannot stop thinking about that!
In something unrelated, thank you SRT for enabling comment editing on the website! Just noticed this today. Can we have that option on the app? Sometimes, I push the ‘post comment’ button too fast! :)
my app gives me the opportunity to edit already
I have used it
I’ve been going through “something” these past few weeks where I feel myself drifting for a variety of reasons. Then these words– “If you were to give your final address, what would you point to in your life that demonstrated what was most valuable to you? Would it sound a lot like Paul’s address—a life dedicated to the message of Jesus?” Talk about a moment to pause.
Reading this, my first instinct is for an immediate yes, but then a little voice in my head “Does it, honestly?” Ooph, I love those moments when the Spirit convicts me and gives me clarity that points to an area of my life that needs more reflection and prayer. Thank you, Jesus for the moments you make us pause and take notice. My prayer for all of us that we recognize that in every moment of our lives, you are present and ready for us to turn to you, our anchor.
Our anchor, our firm foundation! ❤
“If you were to give your final address, what would you point to in your life that demonstrated what was most valuable to you?”
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Great question to chew on
❤ I watched a remembrance video yesterday (pucture collage) for a funeral. What do the pictures from our lives say about us?
Yes it is. So simple yet so deep in what means to each one of us.
The account of Eutychus in the window always cracks me up! It would appear that Paul talks like he writes… with his run-on sentences. I also think of Winnie the Pooh saying “but Rabbit would talk”! (I am like that too sometimes. ❤️)
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Have a blessed day, loved ones!
Same
That scene reminds me of a family visit. My sisters and I used to stay up talking almost all night when we knew our time together was coming to and end with the travel home the next day. So endearing!
I definitely write and talk like Paul..I could go on forever (as ya’ll know! :))
If you have the SRT Bible, the devotion that goes with Acts 20 is spot on today. Paul gave his own eulogy of sorts and warnings of what was to come. I can’t imagine sitting there to eulogize myself, let alone the congregation realizing it would be the last time they saw Paul. He knew his time was coming to an end and still wanted to preach to them.
Thanks, April! That’s exactly what I thought as I read! ❤
Years ago, in my late 20’s or early 30’s I was a part of High School ministry. (I came back in my late 50’s, but no longer attend there, a story for another day) I remember a student leader senior sharing with our group regarding their “senior quote.” She mentioned that her mom had shared with her that “we” will be remembered by our “senior quote” I was very proud of this young lady who was a strong christian young lady in public high school, later went on to marry a nice guy, and I even got to meet her children! I still remember my own senior quote and often think will I be remembered by it. For God’s Glory and only for His Glory! Phil 3:14
❤ Funny you mentioned senior quote! I thought of mine this morning, too! I was a Christian then, but my quote wasn’t from Scripture. It was ‘to love is to care is to share’- quote from a classic I had read. Les Mis, maybe, and it expressed my view of what is important in life. I still believe that 54 years later.
I’m not usually close to first in the comments at what is my early time(MST) of the morning but I am today. Slow start for others? :)
“If you were to give your final address, what would you point to in your life that demonstrated what was most valuable to you?”
What a great question. Reflecting on our reading of Acts the last few weeks, we have seen over and over Paul’s faithful, committed example to the cause of Christ. He has been bold, courageous and persistent in the face of hardship, opposition and persecution. There is no question as to what is most valuable to him. Can I say the same? I think so. I love my Jesus more than anything or anyone else but the question from Bailey today does give me pause to think on as to if i have truly, faithfully authentically demonstrated that. it is my hearts desire and longing for it to be so. Lord, find me faithful. Let the evidence of you being Lord of of my life and most valuable, be found in me. May the truth of who you are be on my lips and help me to be bold, courageous and true to you in every way. Amen❤️
The app is problematic this am a bit. Maybe others are trying to navigate that. Ya, I am not often early to post, either. (Crazy emoji face!)
Figured it was something glitchy.
Amen, Wendy! ❤
It wasn’t posted till here a bit ago! :)
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BAILEY, thank you for sharing that exampke! How brilliant of your staff to lay this on each student! I marvel at your maturity. ❤
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Bailey left us with this:
If you were to give your final address, what would you point to in your life that demonstrated what was most valuable to you? Would it sound a lot like Paul’s address—a life dedicated to the message of Jesus? My prayer for us is this: “As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). If you build a legacy for Jesus, I have no doubt your life will be a “good” one.
Written by Bailey Hurley
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2 Corinthians 5:
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” (NLT)
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From He Reads Truth:
The secret to continuance in Christian service is found in serving others with transparency, diligence, and tears.
Nick Batzig
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Are we following God closely enough to show someone else the way? We should all be ready and willing to share our personal story of reconciliation with God – what He has done for us. Are we willing to serve?
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
SONG SHARE:
We The Kingdom – Let It Be Jesus (Official Audio)
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I can imagine us singing this together and clapping our hands! ❤
“Are we following God closely enough to show someone else the way? We should all be ready and willing to share our personal story of reconciliation with God – what He has done for us. Are we willing to serve?”
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Oh, amen, sister!
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The readings and comments of the last few days have been so thought provoking and convicting for a few reasons. First is my church attendance. My husband and I were leading the care team in our church previous to my brother’s passing, but to be honest, we were not supported by church leadership and stepped down when caring for my bother got more intense. That led to some church hurt because we were really in need of care ourselves and did not get it. After my brother’s passing, we decided to start going to our other campus for a reset. But we really haven’t found our traction there. This is on us though because our attendance is spotty, sometimes for valid reasons and other times not. Because of our upcoming mission trip to Honduras, we have been back at the old campus for some meetings and it just feels like home because of the people, and some of the leadership. Anyway, the devo the other day hot home. Am I looking to get something or give something?
Second thing is being bold and spreading the gospel. I think Rhonda would call me lukewarm lol. I am so uncomfortable with it, and to be honest, it does not occupy my thoughts. I have my time with God, with my safe Christian friends, and can talk about the gospel freely with them. But when it comes to others… I get tongue-tied. I don’t want to “step on toes” or offend anyone. I try to be the light of Christ in my actions (doesn’t always work lol) but where I really lack is in my words. I was struck by Paul’s words today. He was going into the battlefield and knew it. “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
I’m thankful for all of you who teach me daily what it is to reflect Christ:)
Strange, yours is the only comment I can see this morning. But it’s a good one! Thanks for sharing your heart. I listened to a podcast from The Deep Dish on church hurt awhile back and it was really impactful for me-maybe it would encourage you as well. ❤️
Tami, sister, many of us identify with you on this. We don’t have to preach a sermon; just be willing to share the hope of the gospel, hand someone a Scripture card, or invite them to church to break the ice. You are going to Honduras! That means you are no shrinking violet, sister!
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“Am I looking to get something or give something?” t seems like more often than not, I am on the “getting” side. Ouch!
Yes, always a good periodical question to evaluate our motives! I loved a study I did called Free of Me, by Sharon Hoode …! It was so good of getting the focus off ourselves and to the Glory of God, which is why we were created!
I don’t know whether to laugh or apologize, lol! I often say things to offend people. But, I know it is SO important to let our lives shine for Christ, and that comes also with bearing our cross, which is not easy, not comfortable, and not warm. I think the old adage was you don’t have to say you love the Lord, just let your life reflect it. And it is good to reflect, but I feel like we are in the generation where that has backfired and led us to where we are. I don’t think anyone is fearless..but we can be fearLESS through God. When I started my first group I couldn’t do an introduction without feeling sick to my stomach and stumbling my words…so I referred to myself as their fearLESS leader. It became cute with them knowing I was cutting my knees off trying to run the class! But..they just wanted to come together and love the Lord with me. That was about 10 or more groups ago! I start a new one on Saturday, and guess what, still nervous! BUT I know it all falls in to place because that still gives me dependence on Him. Praying the whole way there, lol. That’s what we need. Not those that are full of themselves in their own charisma and self- importance! Here I am running on again. But I hope I can challenge us all, and be challenged myself! “For you were created at such a time for this!!”
Oh..I also have to say just last year I was on the baptism team, basically getting it running better, for months behind the scenes. They switched the person over us, and I got bypassed in the whole thing. It was like I had never spent my free time doing so much work for them. And my attitude- mad, offended. I didn’t really want to go back, went to the other campus like you, and just like you, it wasn’t right, I returned back and knew they were my home. I had to chose to move forward, because it wasn’t about me, it’s about people getting baptized. They still ask me to help sometimes, and yes, I give an eye-roll I hope is only in my mind..but I love it so!!
Love that you go on mission trips! No uke warm there!!! That has always been my dream, but I can’t physically do it!! Can’t wait for you to share some photos with us and tell us all about it!! And how you prayed for so many people! :)
Gotta go to jail—Love ya’ll!