ANGLICAN COMMUNION DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL Date: 2023-OCT- 03 (Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther's Day) TOPIC: Acts 20:28-38(NKJV)

 

TEXT: Acts 20:28-38(NKJV)

20:28. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

20:29. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

20:30. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

20:31. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

20:32. "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

20:33. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

20:34. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

20:35. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

20:36. And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

20:37. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

20:38. sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

STUDY: Christians generally, whether in a leadership or followership position, should emulate the characteristics of Christ in service: In humility, He left His glory to come and die a shameful death for humankind. This is the mind that should be in us all (Phil. 2:5-8)-to obey the Great Commission of 'Go ye' (Matt. 28:19-20). This was the attitude found in Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (the first black Bishop). He is a bishop, evangelist and missionary. He sacrificed his life, comfort and all to see to the spread of the gospel of Christ in West Africa and particularly in Nigeria, even in the face of opposition and challenges. This is serious example for us as leaders in various spheres of life(v.28).

We should be conscious of our responsibility to heed to God's instruction in feeding, tending and taking care of the sheep of God purchased with the blood ofJesus (vv. 28,33-35;John 21:15-21;1Pet.5:2-

3). We are to ensure that none gets missing, either by their own ignorance and carelessness or as prey to the enemy. We are in perilous time (vv. 29-30) where false teachers who distort the word of God are everywhere (Matt. 7:15; 2Pet. 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:1-2). There is therefore the need for stability in the word of God and maintenance of a balanced gospel. Again, we should be good examples and imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 4:16; Phil. 3:17) like Apostle Paul and Bishop Ajayi Crowther. We must examine our attitudes towards wealth and comfort (Luke 12:15)and learn to care for brethren. When we do this, we attract others to Christ and fulfil the ministry of reconciliation given to us, just like Bishop Ajayi Crowther.

PRAYER: Lord, give me the strength and grace to be an effective witness in advancing your kingdom.