TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” Acts 20:18-19
Read: Acts 20:18-19
Listen: Acts 20
TODAY’S MESSAGE
In Acts 20:19, Paul focuses on the attitude with which he served in Ephesus. He is talking about not only doing the right thing but doing it in the right way. Paul’s life points to Jesus but with humility and service. It’s important to note that the Ephesian leaders spent a great deal of time with Paul. If he is not telling the truth about his humility and service, they would have called him on it. However, a consistent part of Paul’s life and message to each church he speaks to is—it’s not about me, it’s not about me, it’s not about me.
Paul doesn’t come up with this concept of humble servanthood on his own. This repeated theme is all throughout Jesus’s ministry. Jesus tells his disciples that one must be a servant to be great, because even he did not come to be served but to serve and give his life (Matthew 20:27-28).
There are many ways for us to follow the examples of both Jesus and Paul by serving humbly today. It might mean simple things like shoveling the neighbor’s driveway, making meals for a friend who could use some support or always being the first to help and serve those in your spheres of influence. It also might mean serving faithfully at our church in children’s ministry, student ministry, hospitality or small groups. It may mean finding ways to serve around our city. May our gracious God use our humble service to influence others toward himself.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Find a place where you can serve humbly. For some of us, this might mean serving with a renewed humility and faithfulness in a place we are already serve. Or maybe you need to jump into something new. Check out Grand Rapids area opportunities at adabible.org/bethechurch or find a place to serve at Ada Bible at adabible.info under SERVE.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse!
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
