SATURDAY October 14, 2023
The Heart of a Leader
After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Acts 20:1-3
Acts 20 is an incredible chapter in the Bible. Paul had left Ephesus and was on his way to Europe, where he continued to preach the Gospel message and minister to people. Eventually, before Paul went to Rome, he passed one more time through Ephesus and deeply expressed his heart to the leadership of the church. He called together all the elders and pastors and gave them one last, final sermon.
As everyone gathered together, it became a very emotional time. Paul spoke to the eldership from his heart and relayed some tremendous truths. I find that what was spoken by Paul relates very much to Calvary Chapel. I believe, doctrinally, Calvary Chapel did not start in 1968; it started way back in Acts 20.
Among the disciples of Christ, Paul was one of God’s greatest servants. He preached the Gospel with such power. Seriously, when I get to heaven, right after Jesus, I want to meet the Apostle Paul. When I look at his heart, I see a leader with such integrity, who had a genuine heart for the people––a heart for the souls, for the lost.
We are about to take an in-depth look at Paul’s amazing heart. In this chapter we shall see a man of immense love and mercy. We shall observe the hand of God on his life. Surely, Paul knew the heart of God, and he was greatly used by Him. If we desire to be used by the Lord, then surely, we also need to know the heart of God.
When a man’s heart is right with God the mysterious utterances of the Bible are spirit and life to him. Spiritual truth is discernible only to a pure heart, not to a keen intellect. It is not a question of profundity of intellect, but of purity of heart.
~Oswald Chambers~
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