After laboring for three years in the city of Ephesus, the apostle Paul left for the next step in his journey. He knew it would be the last time he would see the Ephesians believers.
Three years of blood, sweat and tears had been invested in that church. And now it was out of his hands.
So Paul committed the church to the care of two capable guardians.
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 20:32
First, the living God. Paul would no longer reside in Ephesus, but God would! He was there in the midst of his church. The living Christ would abide with the church he bought with his blood.
Second, the word of His grace. The message of the gospel is truly a capable guardian. It’s capable of building up believers. And it’s capable of seeing them through to their ultimate destination – the eternal inheritance of the saints.
The gospel is not just the key that gets us into the kingdom of God. It’s the master key to the Christian life.
The message of the finished work of Christ is powerful to justify sinners. And its powerful to sanctify saints.
Friend – hold tightly to the word of grace. You’ll never outgrow it. It’ll never grow old. The gospel will carry you through to the finish line.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown