A Consistent Heart (Part One)

In the next few weeks, as churches move into the fall ministry season, we want to consider together the heart of the great apostle Paul: “A Heart for Ministry.” It is beyond dispute that Paul loved the church of Jesus Christ- a love that I share. I do not, however, begin to approach the passion, conviction, and commitment of Paul’s love. Listen…

• “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you–” (Gal. 4:19)
• “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.” (1 Thess. 2:7)

Wow—that is a heart committed to ministry to the church. Paul ministered with such a heart and passion of servanthood that it should challenge each of us to examine our own hearts and see if we too have a heart for ministry.

To do that, we want to consider Acts 20 (Paul’s message to the elders of Ephesus at Miletus). I know of no other place in the New Testament where Paul so completely opens his heart and lets us see what drives him in ministry. Above all, we are to be servants of Christ—and the pattern seen here is, I believe, not to be the trademark of a few but the standard for all who name the name of Christ.

By way of background, Paul is returning to Jerusalem from his 3rd missionary journey. The bulk of this journey was three year stay at Ephesus and now, on his way back to Jerusalem, he stops at Miletus and calls for the Ephesian elders so that he can share some final thoughts with them. The sermon itself is very simple…

• Past ministry at Ephesus reviewed (vv.18-21)
• Present situation explained (vv.22-27)
• Future concerns of elders outlined (vv.28-35)

For all its simplicity, however, it is packed with the passion of one who has a heart for ministry and wants to share that heart—beginning with a consistent heart.

Consistent in Lifestyle (v.18)

“And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time…” (Acts 20:18)

Those are bold words—is he lying? Not to them. They could have refuted it. Notice the key phrases he uses to substantiate his claims…

“you know”; “from the first day”; “in what manner”; “always”; “among you”

These are words that either cannot be refuted or demand to be refuted. What a powerful weapon! Paul defends his ministry and message by appealing to their knowledge of his conduct and character. The issue is—our lives should put on display the truth and integrity of what we claim to believe. Did his?

• “For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.” (2 Cor 1:12)
• “giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God…” (2 Cor 6:3-4)
• “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” 1 Thess 1:5.
• “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;” (1 Thess 2:10)

All Paul’s life was an open book—it was a life of spiritual transparency!

• A life that was honest, sincere (no hidden agendas)
• A life that stands the test, scrutiny of time (3 years)
• A life that deserves to be modeled

Because the quality of his living was what it was consistently, Paul was able to declare words few of us can say to other people…

• “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Phili. 3:17)
• “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)
• “The things you have learned & received & heard & seen in me, practice these things, & the God of peace will be with you.”  (Phili 4:9)

A heart for ministry is marked out first of all by the consistency of character that models Christ and calls others to follow that model! In it all, the key is consistency—not perfection—that stands the test of time. Day in, day out—being what God wants you to be.

We’ll pick up here tomorrow by seeing the need to be consistent in our attitudes…