Most people
answer the question, What’s most
important to you? Is to Live life well. There are two ways to live life
well and lead a legacy. One is honoring God and one is honoring self. The world
does a good job showing us how to honor self, so let’s look at what God’s Word
says about honoring Him. This is the account of Paul leaving the church in
Ephesus. Let's look at several characteristics of one who does life God's way.
Keep watch
over each other, and follow your leaders.
27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of
God. 28 Keep watch over
yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers. (vv. 27-28a)
Leaders
follow God and care for the flock.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his
own blood. 29 I know that after I
leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the
flock. (vv. 28b-29)
Remember the
truth.
30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in
order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never
stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. (vv. 30-31)
Live a life
of worship.
32 “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. (v. 32)
Give of
yourselves, and take care of the poor and needy.
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own
needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work
we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself
said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (vv. 33-35)
Pray for and
love one another. Cherish each day as a gift from God.
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them
and prayed. 37 They all wept as they
embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see
his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. (vv. 36-38)
It’s not in the physical things you leave, but the
effect you have on each other’s lives. - Live Life Well for God!
