ACTS: Good or Bad? Saved or Unsaved? "For every tree is known by its own fruit!"

From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  (Acts 20:17)

We were first introduced to the church in Ephesus when Paul traveled there with Aquila and Priscilla.  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus. (Acts 18:19-21)  Now, ... Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16)

Therefore, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.  And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,  serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:18-21)

"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:22-24)

How are we supposed to get through the hard times, the chains and tribulations?  With joy!  Society focuses on being happy, but happy is conditional, based on how things are going in our lives.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Joy is a character trait we receive from the Holy Spirit.  We don't have to try and have it; we have joy, along with the other eight fruit of the Spirit .  Joy helps us rejoice in what's at the end of our faith, not what we're presently going through.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

We may have to go through chains and tribulation; but we know what's at the end, victory and eternal life, through our faith in Christ Jesus. Paul knew that oh too well, because the Holy Spirit testified what awaited him.  What a loving God, often times preparing us for the consequence of life choices, if we would listen.  As God prepared Paul, he made sure to prepare the churches he helped start. “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:25-27)

No doubt, as Paul traveled throughout the known world at that time sharing the gospel and starting churches, certain Jews would soon follow and try to create problems.  Surely they would question the people as to why they would believe anything Paul, formerly known as "Saul", would say, because ...a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem;... As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:1, 3) Sometimes the world won't let go of your past, but when God saves us, As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12) Therefore He [Christ Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

"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. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (Acts 20:28-31)

Jesus taught the multitude this same lesson during His sermon on the mount.  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:15-20)

We learned what the fruit of the Spirit are, and now we need to understand that people bear some kind of fruit, whether good fruit or bad fruit.  If anyone professes to be a shepherd the church of God, his fruit better line up with the Word of God and the Spirit of God.  Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (I John 2:3-6)

The fruit of a true shepherd won't just be in what the person says, but also in how the person lives.  Paul concludes by reiterating the importance of a leader setting the example of working and serving, and not expecting to be served.  “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. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 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.’” (Acts 20:32-35) AMEN!

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 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. (Acts 20:36-38) Now, Paul prepared to travel to Jerusalem and to all the Holy Spirit testified awaits him...