PASSIONATE PURSUIT...I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU IN ALL SEASONS

ACTS 20:18
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO HIM, HE SAID UNTO THEM, YE KNOW FRO THE FIRST DAY THAT I CAME INTO ASIA, AFTER WHAT MANNER I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU AT ALL SEASONS.
SERVING THE LORD WITH ALL HUMILITY OF MIND, AND WITH MANY TEARS, AND TEMPTATIONS, WHICH BEFELL ME BY THE LYING IN WAIT OF THE JEWS:
AND HOW I KEPT BACK NOTHING THAT WAS PROFITABLE UNTO YOU, BUT HAVE SHOWED YOU, AND HAVE TAUGHT YOU PUBLICLY, AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE,
TESTIFYING BOTH TO THE JEWS AND ALSO TO THE GREEKS, REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, AND FAITH TOWARD OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
There had been an uproar with Paul on his missionary journey through Ephesus and the provinces of Macedonia. He was determined to go to Jerusalem. Paul called forth the Elders from their posts of the cities and gave an encouraging word that would keep them through his departure.
He pointed to the fact that he had been with them through all seasons. He had been abased. He had been abounding in the faith and love. He had been through the storm. He had reminded us in I Cor 2 that he had been with us in weakness and in much trembling and fear. Yet through all the afflictions his own brethren and the Jews plotted against him and laid in wait secretly. Nevertheless, he kept disbursing the word in season and out. He confirms how he has been obedient to teach repentance and keeping the faith. Everything that was profitable, he gave.
22-27
AND NOW, BEHOLD, I GO BOUND IN THE SPIRIT UNTO JERUSALEM, NOT KOWING THE THINGS THAT SHALL BEFALL ME THERE:
SAVE THAT THE HOLY GHOST WITNESSETH IN EVERY CITY SAYING THAT BONDS AND AFFLICTIONS ABIDE ME.
BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH THE COURSE WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY, WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
The prophets had prophesied to Paul the things that would happen to him if he traveled to Jerusalem, yet the word says he was determined to go and give the word. His fellow brethren pleaded with him not to go. He had been turning the world upside down with the word of truth and he was creating an uproar. People had suggested he was teaching the word contrary to the laws of Moses that had already been established. Nevertheless, Paul was “bound” with a zeal to preach the word of God to the highest levels of authority. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded that we go forth with our feet shod with the gospel and that everywhere we go, we make his presence known. He mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about his own life as much as he was for the mission to dispense the word of the Lord. By doing the Lord’s will, he said, not only would he finish the course, but he would do it with joy because what he has received concerning ministry, he has received from the Lord Jesus above.
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