Paul said good-bye to the beloved Ephesian elders.  He reminded them of the three years he had spent with them in the past.  He had faithfully preached the kingdom of God and now he was saying good-bye.  Paul knew that he would not see them again.  (Acts 20:25)

Paul testified to these men that he was “innocent of the blood of all men.”  Why could he say that?  Because he went on to say “…I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.”  (Acts 20:26-27)

Paul was a messenger of God and he was freed from the responsibility of other people’s eternity.  He faithfully proclaimed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

When you and I hear God’s word taught, we have a choice, to accept or reject it.  The messenger is to faithfully give out God’s words and the hearers become responsible before God to respond to that message.

First, are you faithful in giving out God’s words, not what you think God says, but what He actually says?

Perhaps you believe that there are myths or made up stories in the Holy Bible.  You are going to be held accountable to God Who wrote those true stories.

All of God’s words are true.  Do you need to choose to believe God or will you continue to believe those who mislead?

(NIV) Psalm 119:160 “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

Second, how do you receive God’s words for yourself?  Faith in Jesus Christ is based on God’s words…all of them.  The Old Testament is important, it contains the facts of the promise of Messiah found and fulfilled in the New Testament.

At times you will be the messenger of the gospel of the grace of God.  Other times you will be one of the hearers of God’s message.

Being the messenger of God’s grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ demands faithfulness in giving out that Good News.

Keep it simple…who you were before you knew Jesus (a sinner in need of Jesus as your Savior) and who you are now as a follower of Christ…forgiven!  Freed from bondage, freed from the slavery of sin!

Being the recipient of the Good News also is a responsible position.  The Lord God continues His teaching, reminding us, disciplining us and loving us.

The question: are we listening and putting what we learn into action?