MORE PLACES TO GO TO: DESTINATION JERUSALEM P/4

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                  PART XX - IV

"I, Paul, watched the faces of the elders of the church in Ephesus before me... My heart flooded over with love for them... I knew too that they loved me... It was, therefore, very hard for me to tell them that I was going to Jerusalem.... This despite the fact that I would face difficulties.... I knew these men would want to prevent me from going there... They would do so out of love and concern for me...So I had to make sure they understood that I was willing to face these challenges,... The needed to know as well that I would not be seeing them again.... That too would be very difficult for them to accept.... Because of their love for me....But I had to share that truth with them... So that would be prepared to live life without my guidance....Thankfully, the Lord will continue to guide them".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn further details  about the meeting Paul had with the elders of the church in Ephesus....

                       ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                         PART XX - IV

Paul continued sharing with the elders of the church in Ephesus his urge to go to Jerusalem as you can read in Acts 20:22-23

"And now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me."

Paul made it clear that he was not concerned for his life - all he ws concerned about was finishing the task God had given him as you can read in Acts 20:24

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -  the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Paul had to tell them as well that they would not be seeing him again as you can read in Acts 20:25

"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again."

However, Paul's conscience was clear for he had proclaimed the gospel among them, whether or not they had received his message, as you can read in Acts 20:26-27

"Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."  

Paul knew he had done what he had come to do; he had preached the Gospel in all its fulness to them. 

Read Part Five HERE