So Long, Farewell & Amen
0 comments | Posted by Monica Hu on 02 Aug 2009 in Sermons ::
Today (2 August) we came to the last episode of our scriptures on the book of Acts.
The bible reading began with “We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.” (Acts 20:13-38)
To me Acts is the book that you can picture it with scenes in a movie. Luke was such a powerful writer that he described all the necessary details. Whenever I read Acts I can feel that I’m also witnessing the journey of Paul and others.
While I listened to the verses from 13 to 38, I was stricken by the words and could feel the tears running down my face. It seemed that I was feeling as if how Paul was feeling then. On one hand he had the strong feeling of the dangers ahead but he was ready to step into them for the sake of Christ. On the other hand he knew about the vulnerability of the flock he was going to leave behind. He tried all his best to warn and encourage the elders of Ephesus. Last of all, Paul was sadden by the feelings that he would never see them any more. Here, the scene was interwoven with the scene after the Last Supper – Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-46). Jesus knew that he was approaching the house of sufferings and yet determined to enter it just to fulfil his mission on this earth. He also knew that there would be lots of temptations which could tear his flock apart. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked his disciples. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
If you have missed the sermon delivered by Matt today, listen to it now and find out what you can get from it.
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