Audio Sermons

Building Up the Church of Christ:

Living Before the Face of God

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 5^th November 2023

Text: Acts 20:17-38

• To live before the face of God means living one’s life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and to the glory of God every moment of every day.
• Towards the end of his third missionary journey, Paul called the elders of the church of Ephesus to come for a conference with him.
• What Paul said to them answers two questions about living before the face of God:

1. What desires are found in those who live before the face of God?

 a. The desire to deny self in the service of God willingly

“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations...” (v.19) 

• Paul was willing to deny self in serving the Lord. (v.24a)
• He was heading for Jerusalem in obedience to the Lord’s direction despite knowing the trials he would have to face there. (v.22,23)
• He did not covet this world’s riches. (vv.33,34)
• By doing this, he set the example for others to follow. (v.35)

b. The desire to do every work assigned by God diligently

“…so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (v.24b)

• Paul did this work at Ephesus for three years (vv.18,31):

⃝ Teaching (v.20)

⃝ Testifying to Jews and Greeks (v.21)

⃝ Preaching the kingdom of God (v.25)

⃝ Warning everyone (v.31)

• The Ephesian elders are now told to do their work of:

⃝ Feeding the church of God (v.28)

⃝ Keeping watch against false teachings (vv.29-31; cf. Rev 2:2)

• Application: Every work God assigns to us is to be done diligently.

c. The desire to declare the counsel of God comprehensively

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (vv.26,27, cf. v.20a) 

• Paul did not withhold any teaching of God’s Word from them.
• All Scripture is profitable for us. (2 Timothy 3:16)
• The whole counsel of God includes the need to repent of one’s sins and to receive Christ not only as Saviour but also as Lord. (v.21)
• It also includes the “word of His grace which is able to… give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” (v.32; cf. 1 Pet 1:4)

2. How can we be faithful in living before the face of God?

 a. By Guarding Ourselves 

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves…” (v.28; cf. Pro 4:23) 

• Cf. 1 Tim 1:19 – “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” (cf. 4:16)
• Cf. Rev 2:4 – “…thou hast left thy first love.”
• Application: Has your love for the Lord grown cold?

 b. By Building Ourselves Up

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up...” (v.32) 

• Paul had to leave the Ephesians, but they would always have God’s Word to build them up.
• Application: Are you giving sufficient time to read God’s Word?

c. By Looking to God for Help 

• God was Paul’s confidence that they would remain faithful. (v.32a)
• God had purchased them with His own blood. (v.28b)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What practical steps can you take to live before the face of God?
2. What are the works that you should be diligent in doing?
3. How can you help a Christian whose love for God has grown cold?