Are you truly walking in humility?
As I wrote yesterday, there is a profound difference between merely “possessing the Holy Spirit” and being “possessed by the Holy Spirit”. Paul transformed from the high-powered Pharisee (Philippians 3:5) to a true servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He completely surrendered to God and had fruit to prove it.
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 20:
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
Paul operated in God’s miracle power with great humility and served faithfully with many tears. He endured numerous ordeals because of the plots of the Jews.
We must open our eyes to recognize human helplessness and human insufficiency. Let us no longer rest on human plans, human devices, and human energy. We will continually look to GOD for HIS Thought, for HIS Voice, for HIS Power, for HIS all sufficiency in all things.
When Paul spoke of being “bound in the Spirit”, he referred to himself as being fully possessed by The Holy Spirit.
23 Yet I know that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town, saying, ‘Chains and afflictions are prepared for you.’
24 “But whether I live or die is not important, for I don’t esteem my life as indispensable. It’s more important for me to fulfill my destiny and to finish the ministry my Lord Jesus has assigned to me, which is to faithfully preach the wonderful news of God’s grace.
Effectively, Paul said, “I am all in!” He had no fear of what lied ahead because he knew he had to fulfill his destiny. How many of the five-fold ministries of today, have this same mindset? How many seek to serve rather than to be served?
Luke continues recording:
25 I’ve been a part of your lives and shared with you many times the message of God’s Kingdom Realm. But now I leave you, and you will not see my face again.
26 If any of you should be lost, I will not be blamed, for my conscience is clean,
27 because I’ve taught you everything I could about God’s Eternal plan and I’ve held nothing back.
Paul held nothing back. As we read, he preached 9 to 12 hours through the night before he left. When is the last time you heard of such a meeting in a church? Most megachurches preach about 30 minutes in their Sunday morning services.
28 So guard your hearts. Be true shepherds over all the flock and feed them well. Remember, it was the Holy Spirit who appointed you to guard and oversee the churches that belong to Jesus, the Anointed One, which He purchased and established by His own Blood.
What does feed them well mean? Oh my, how times have changed! Many pastors have become “milkmen” rather than meat providers.
29 “I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock will come among you like savage wolves.
30 Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the Truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus.
31 So be alert and discerning. Remember that for three years, night and day, I’ve never stopped warning each of you, pouring out my heart to you with tears.
32 “And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of His grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of His grace, which He provides as the Spiritual inheritance given to all of His Holy ones.
What an example for the five-fold ministry to live by today!
33 “I haven’t been after your money or any of your possessions.
How many “senior pastors” rely totally on the flock for their income? Paul was NOT counted among them.
34 You all know that I’ve worked with my hands to meet my own needs and the needs of those who’ve served with me.
Paul’s work ethic not only met his needs but also those who served with him.
35 I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak. For we must always cherish the Words of our Lord Jesus, Who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.’ ”
What an excellent example of being “possessed by The Holy Spirit” for the benefit of others! Paul walked in true humility.