Unstoppable! 'Authentic Ministry' — Acts 20:18-27

Saturday, September 27, 2025

When [the elders of the Ephesian church] arrived [Paul] declared, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

"And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don't know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

"And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault, for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know."

— Acts 20:18-27 NLT

Key Thought

As Paul reminds the Ephesian elders about his ministry with them, he is giving us a good list of the traits of authentic ministry:

  • Humbly doing the Lord's work.
  • Willingness to display emotion and love for those one serves.
  • Faithfulness in the face of adversity, opposition, and persecution.
  • Doing ministry both publicly and privately as circumstances and opportunities warrant.
  • Consistently teaching the full message of Christ to all who will listen.
  • Calling people to turn from sin and commit to living for Jesus.
  • Giving the highest priority to one's mission given by God.
  • Commitment never to stop life's mission of sharing the Good News about God's wonderful grace.

I don't know about you, but that list is a challenge worth my life!

Today's Prayer

O, Father, forgive me when I lose sight of my goal as your child. Convict me and reawaken me to the high purpose you have for my life. I want to live with purpose, mission, and meaning. Stir my passions and teach me how to fulfill your mission for me. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:1-19
  • Philippians 2:12-13; Romans 8:28-29

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

20 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Heart of a Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, Paul was finally on his way back to Jerusalem. His trip had been delayed because of the plots against his life. So he had..."
Hard Times in the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about..."
Acts 20:24
Devo: Today's Verse
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the..."
Acts 20:24
Devo: Today's Verse
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the..."
See All 20 Related Resources about Acts 20:18-27

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 20:18-27 NLT — When [the elders of the Ephesian church] arrived [Paul] declared, "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord's work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. "And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don't know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. "And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault, for I didn't shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, September 27, 2025

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 1 Peter 5:10
"You have seen the arch of heaven as it spans the plain: glorious are its colours, and rare its hues. It is beautiful, but, alas, it passes away, and....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Compassion over Cares' (Mt. 14:13-14)
"As soon as Jesus heard the news [about Herod executing John the Baptist], he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Where Is God?' (Is. 63:11)
"Then [the Lord's people] remembered the old days, the days of Moses, God's servant: "Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock up and out of the sea?....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 16:20
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!