The David Spoon Experience 12-7-23 part 2
1) As the Apostle Paul concludes his speech to the elders at Ephesus in Acts chapter 20, verse 32, he entrusts them to God and to the word of His grace. It doesn’t take much time to understand that the word of His grace is His written word, which speaks of His grace from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.
2) What’s fascinating is what the Word demonstrates for each and every one of us. The Word of Grace is able to build us up, which is why we need to engage with the Bible as often as we can. Through this building up, the Word of Grace also gives us an inheritance because it enables us to do partnership works with God that will last forever. Moreover, the Word of Grace connects us to each other, allowing us to be separated from the world but connected to one another in this mission of the kingdom.
3) Paul continues by stating that he has never coveted anyone’s possessions. He has worked hard with his hands and tried to make himself as unburdensome as possible. To illustrate how hard work enables us to help the poor, he quotes Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is one of the few texts in the New Testament where Jesus is quoted, but it is not found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These words of Jesus—“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—are not recorded in the Gospels. Obviously, since not all of Jesus’ words were written down (see John 21:25), this saying must have been passed on orally through the apostles.
4) As he concludes this meeting with them, he kneels down and prays. Let’s abandon any pretense of dignity because there’s no room for that in true Christianity. They’re all weeping with him, and he’s weeping with them. Everyone is deeply saddened because they know they’re never going to see Paul on this earth again. It’s not that they won’t ever see him again; they just won’t see him on this planet. It’s a powerful thought, a sad thought, but also a happy thought because the next time they see him, they’ll all be dancing on streets of gold.
