Christmas Grace

The Gospel of grace…Acts 20:24

Paul often referred to his ministry as a ministry of grace. And why wouldn’t he? He was saved by grace. His authority as an apostle was by grace. He preached grace. For by grace, we are saved through faith…is a truth we stand on even today. 

His decisions were made according to the grace of God. Paul desired to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost, Acts 20, verse 16. Even so, moved by grace, he paused on his way to meet with the elders of the church in Ephesus, verse 17. 

Luke records his comments to these elders, verses 17 thru 38.  He commissions them to preach the kingdom of God, verse 25, whole counsel of God, Verse 27, just as he did. He warned them of wolves in sheep’s clothing, verse 29. He encouraged them to oversee and shepherd the church, verse 28. The church which was purchased by His own blood, verse 28.

Then he said, So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified, verse 32. All of which points back to verse 24: But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

A ministry shared by us all who live in the grace of God. For it is by grace that we have courage, strength, power, and faith to teach the full counsel of God; leaving nothing out.