“Testimony Of Service!”

“Testimony Of Service!”(Acts 20:17-27).
This week has been devoted to messages which tell how God decides to rescue his sheep from bad and hired shepherds so that he himself becomes the shepherd of his flock. In fulfilment he sent his son who came as the good shepherd and readily laid down his life for us.
Since the son had to go back to the Father where he intercedes for us, he still left the work to be continued by fallible humans. “As the Father sent me so I send you…” The continuing work of Christ is therefore at two levels. Firstly, in the heavenly realm is his continuing intercession for us. Secondly, that which has to be done here on earth is given to us. As stewards we have to take proper care of that which has been entrusted to our care.
While we are to present a balance sheet of our services to God himself, we nevertheless have to remind those we serve of who and how we were in their midst and the services we rendered.
Our services would never be fully appreciated by everybody.
Among the people we serve will always be those who think that our ministerial stringency are limiting their freedom to play over the psychics of the gullible flock.
A lesson from apostle Paul is that ministers of the word should look back and be proud of the services they rendered.
While Paul was leaving Ephesus, he called the elders to bid them farewell and to instruct them on how to comport themselves and how to continue the work of shepherding.
He reminded them of his life and ministry while with them from the time he arrived.
He said to them, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came…I served the Lord with great humility…I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly…I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus… 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.”
You see my friend, sometimes we the shepherds miss the essence of our calling and devote our time to mundane – though necessary – areas of church work.
We have always emphasised that church growth cannot be measured by numerical and financial growth; unless it is accompanied by spiritual growth. Reason why numerical and financial growth cannot be a proof of spiritual growth.
Numerical and financial expansion without the teaching ministry may not lead the sheep to full union with Christ; since it lacks spiritual maturity.
Like Paul, when the time comes to leave a place we should remind the elders: “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God”
Therefore dear messenger of the gospel, be you Wo/Man of God, Elder or Christian, Do not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God to others. At the end of it all, your work will become your testimony of service.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage me not to hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.