{"id":505,"date":"2014-03-24T17:14:45","date_gmt":"2014-03-24T17:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/?p=505"},"modified":"2014-10-21T13:14:38","modified_gmt":"2014-10-21T13:14:38","slug":"the-courageous-manner-of-pauls-preaching-and-the-fruit-of-his-preaching-in-his-own-conscience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/the-courageous-manner-of-pauls-preaching-and-the-fruit-of-his-preaching-in-his-own-conscience\/","title":{"rendered":"The Courageous Manner of Paul\u2019s Preaching and the Fruit of his Preaching in his Own Conscience"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"robert_martin_conference\"<\/a>Dr. Robert Martin<\/strong><\/p>\n

I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable. . . .
\nI go bound in the spirit . . . I hold not my life of any account as dear unto
\nmyself . . . I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all
\nmen. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God
\n(Acts 20:20, 22, 24, 26-27).<\/em><\/p>\n

In previous chapters, we have been considering Paul\u2019s example as an able and faithful preacher of the Word of God. Thus far we have looked at the scope of his preaching and its focus and recurring themes. In this chapter, we will consider the courageous manner of his preaching and its fruit in his own conscience.
\n
\nThe Courageous Manner of Paul\u2019s Preaching<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\tPaul says several things to the Ephesian elders which indicate that he exercised great courage in the course of his ministry generally and in his preaching particularly. At 20:22-24, e.g., we read,<\/p>\n

\tAnd now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul is on his way once more to Jerusalem, to a city where once he had needed to flee for his life. Under ordinary circumstances, the prospect of coming again to the place where his enemies were most numerous would have occasioned a certain level of anxiety. On this occasion, however, Paul not only suspects trouble in Jerusalem, but at every stop along the way the Spirit has conveyed to him the message that \u201cbonds and afflictions\u201d await him there. There is no doubt in his mind, whatever else may happen, that prison and \u201cpressures\u201d (qli,yeij) will be his portion if he continues to Jerusalem. And yet he goes forward. Not even fear for his life stops him. \u201cI hold not my life,\u201d he says, \u201cas dear to myself.\u201d This is but the latest example of the courage that Paul exhibited in the course of his ministry. Everywhere that he has gone, he has been opposed. Stonings, prison, perils of every kind have been his regular fare. And yet always he pressed forward, courageously serving his Master, preaching the message that his King commanded him to take to the nations.<\/p>\n

\t\tWe must not think, of course, that Paul\u2019s courage came from a lack of fear, for he tells us differently. We know, e.g., that his presence in Corinth was \u201cin weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling\u201d (1 Cor. 2:3), so much so that the Lord has to tell him to \u201cstop fearing\u201d (Acts 18:9).1<\/SUP> The key to his courage was not a lack of fear. In this aspect of serving Christ in a hostile world, Paul was a man of like passions with us.<\/p>\n

\t\tTo what then do we credit his bravery? Surely, in answer to prayer, his courage was the fruit of the Spirit\u2019s gracious working in his soul. In the beginning of the work in Jerusalem, when the Sanhedrin ordered Peter and John \u201cnot to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus\u201d (Acts 4:18), they prayed: \u201cAnd now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus\u201d (4:29-30). Luke continues, \u201cAnd when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness\u201d (4:31). This doubtless was Paul\u2019s experience also, in all those places where he was opposed by the world, the flesh, and the devil. He would have prayed often, \u201cAnd now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servant to speak thy word with all boldness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tIn our text, however, Paul tells us of something else that moved him courageously forward in the face of every obstacle. He speaks of being \u201cbound in the spirit\u201d (20:22). There are various suggestions as to what these words mean; but I think that Paul is describing the compulsion that he felt in his soul to do what he later describes as \u201caccomplishing his course, and the ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus\u201d (20:24). Elsewhere he says, \u201cIf I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel\u201d (1 Cor. 9:16). Paul was compelled in his spirit by a holy passion, by a conviction firmly rooted in his conscience that his Master\u2019s business was more important than his own safety. And with that persuasion fixed deep in his soul, he pressed forward bravely, not regarding the fear of man as a thing which could be permitted to halt him in his course. His Master had given him a task, a ministry to accomplish\u2014and no fear, no obstacle of any kind, must turn him from his duty.<\/p>\n

\t\tAnd what was true of his ministry generally was particularly true of his preaching. Again, he says, \u201cI shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable . . . . I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.\u201d In both of these statements, he uses a word that reveals his state of mind as a preacher. Again, u`poste,llw was used of soldiers who \u201cshrank\u201d (drew back) from their duty from fear of personal suffering. By using this word, Paul is saying that from the first day he set foot in Asia, all the time that he went in and out among the Ephesians, at no time had he been a coward in his preaching. At no time had he retreated from his duty to God and his hearers out of fear of what would happen to him if he preached the whole counsel of God, i.e., everything needed for the profit of their souls. In other words, the fear of man did not determine the limits of what he said or the manner in which he said it. He did not determine the content or manner of his preaching by consulting the faces of his hearers, or by weighing the potential cost to himself. Instead, his only consideration was, \u201cWhat is the business and will of my Master? What may I do for the good of men\u2019s souls? How may I accomplish my course, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God?\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tThe Bible says, \u201cThe fear of man bringeth a snare\u201d (Prov. 29:25). When men are more afraid of their fellow men than of sinning against God, they neglect their duty and fall into the worst of sins. Numerous examples illustrate the truth of this proverb. Twice Abraham endangered his wife rather than face danger to himself (Gen. 12:11-13; 20:11; cf., 26:7). Aaron\u2019s fear of the people led him to make them a golden calf (Exod. 32:21-23). Saul broke the Lord\u2019s command in the matter of the spoils of Amalek \u201cbecause,\u201d he says, \u201cI feared the people, and obeyed their voice\u201d (1 Sam. 15:24). Peter\u2019s fears caused him to deny Christ three times (Matt. 26:69-74). And in Galatia, Peter and Barnabas undermined the gospel by withdrawing from the Gentiles, \u201cfearing them that were of the circumcision\u201d (Gal. 2:11-13).<\/p>\n

\t\tPreaching on this text before my own congregation, I confessed: \u201cEach Lord\u2019s Day, I must stand before you and mortify every fear that Satan may suggest to me. I must not fear your frowns. I must not fear your departure. I must not fear the loss of my living. I must not shrink back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God or anything profitable to your souls. Fear of you will be a snare to me, halting me in accomplishing my course, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus. I pray for boldness. I am bound in my spirit, compelled by a conviction that I must do my Master\u2019s business at whatever cost to myself. I can do nothing else and still face my own conscience, much less face my Lord.\u201d If you are a minister of the gospel, imitate Paul\u2019s example in not fearing the faces of men, and take as your own your Lord\u2019s promise to Joshua: \u201cI will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them\u201d (Josh. 1:5-6).<\/p>\n

\t\tLikewise, believer, the fear of man will stop you from accomplishing your course, and the ministry which you have received from the Lord Jesus. The Lord calls each of us to snatch brands from the burning; but we will not even reach out our hands if we are ruled by the fear of men. Fear of how we will be received will be a snare to us, leading us to abandon our duty. Fear of how our family or neighbors perceive us will cause us to hide or compromise the truth. Fear of what our witness will cost us will close our lips. I urge you to pray for boldness. The courage that you need is from the Spirit. Then, armed with courage from God, do not shrink back. Trust in the Lord who sends you forth. He will be with you. He will go before you. Say to him, \u201cWhat time I am afraid, I will put my trust in thee. . . . In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; what can man do unto me?\u201d (Psa. 56:3, 11).<\/p>\n

\t\tThe Fruit of Paul\u2019s Preaching in his Own Conscience<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\tPaul tells the Ephesian elders, \u201cTherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God\u201d (20:26-27). He is going forward to Jerusalem to \u201cbonds and afflictions.\u201d His opportunity to minister in Ephesus is over. \u201cI know,\u201d he says, \u201cthat ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more\u201d (20:25). But there is no anxiety in these words\u2013no fear that his work is not done or that he has been unfaithful in his ministry to them. No, he has testified to them \u201crepentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ\u201d (20:21). He has \u201ctestified the gospel of the grace of God\u201d (20:24). He has \u201cpreached the kingdom of God\u201d (20:25). He has not withheld \u201canything that was profitable\u201d (20:20). He has bravely preached to them \u201cthe whole counsel of God\u201d (20:27). In a word, Paul\u2019s conscience is clear concerning his ministry among them. If any perish, their blood is not on his hands. \u201cI testify to you this day,\u201d he says, \u201cthat I am pure from the blood of all men.\u201d He had delivered his Master\u2019s message. He had pleaded (even weeping) for their souls. He now goes to Jerusalem\u2013to bonds and afflictions, and (for all he knows) to his grave, in peace, because his conscience is clear and his hands are clean.<\/p>\n

\t\tWhat a wonderful companion a clear conscience must have been as Paul came to the day when he would write, \u201cI am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come\u201d (2 Tim. 4:6). My ministerial brethren, this is the kind of conscience each of us should labor diligently to acquire in this business of being stewards of the mysteries of God. Soon, before we realize that the years have passed, the time of our departure will come. Then we will take to our death beds. The day of our service will be over. Our part in the harvest will be done. Then we will stand before our Master to give account of our stewardship. Then our conscience will either condemn us for our fear of men and dereliction of duty or testify for us, \u201cHe is pure from the blood of all men.\u201d What witness will your conscience bear on that day? May the Spirit grant you courage to go forth fearlessly with the gospel of the grace of God, in obedience to the command of your Lord. We are called to snatch men from the burning and to feed Christ\u2019s sheep with the wholesome food of the whole counsel of God. Brethren, let men\u2019s blood not be on our hands in that day. As John Dick says,<\/p>\n

That minister alone can adopt the same [i.e., Paul\u2019s] language, who is not accused by his conscience of having omitted any thing, which he might have done for the salvation of his people; who has not lulled them into security by his doctrine or his example, nor flattered them in sin, nor withheld necessary counsels and admonitions, how unwelcome soever they were likely to prove, nor ceased to urge and beseech them to mind \u201cthe things which belonged to their peace.\u201d2<\/SUP><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Here, the present imperative fobou\/, used with the negative particle mh., forbids the continuance of an action already in progress.
\n2. Dick, Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles, 361.<\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2014 Robert Martin. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr. Robert Martin I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable. . . . I go bound in the spirit . . . I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself . . . I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of … Continue reading The Courageous Manner of Paul\u2019s Preaching and the Fruit of his Preaching in his Own Conscience<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,13],"tags":[23],"class_list":["post-505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pauls-farewell","category-preaching","tag-robert-martin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=505"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":507,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions\/507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/heraldofgrace.org\/biblicalexpositions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}