Acts 20:27-31

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. ²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,^[a] which he bought with his own blood.^{[b] 29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Paul is telling the Ephesians to go and be disciples of men.  Just as Jesus sent out His disciples, Paul is sending out the Ephesians.

Now just as Jesus called his disciples & Paul called the Ephesians, we are called to be God’s disciples.  We are called to” watch over ourselves and all the flock.”  Paul even warns us that there will be “wolves”-(doubters) that will question our motives.  Paul warns that there will be people that will “distort the truth”-gossipers that will draw away disciples.  I have witnessed this as people have left Point of Grace & other churches that I have attended because they were “offended” by something said or done.

My first thought when I read this is-Me, a disciple?  A Shepherd? Surely not me, I know there must be others more qualified, more knowledgeable, more versed in the scriptures.  Surely you don’t mean me?

But then I think back at Jesus’ disciples.  They weren’t the scholars or the church leaders.  They were fishermen, tax collectors.  Ordinary people just like me.  I look at Acts 20:24 “…complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace”.  There is my blueprint!  All I need to be a good shepherd or disciple is to be a witness.  I just need to quit being a fan cheering on the sideline & get on the field & proclaim that Jesus is my Lord & Savior and let everyone I come in contact with know the grace that He offers each & everyone of us.  Grace that is freely given for all to receive.

I don’t have to be a scholar!  I can just be a vessel of God’s Love & Grace.  Knowing that I have God’s Love & grace then the rest is easy.  All I have to do is offer that same love & grace to everyone I come in contact with.

That seems simple enough-I think I can handle that!  I can be a disciple!

Lord I come to you humbled that by Your grace I may have a new life.  Please use me as your willing & loving disciple reaching out to all as the light on the hill.  Please clear my mind & spirit as I listen to your words so that my words & actions become a symbol to all that I come into contact with today & in the future until I sit at the right hand of Jesus.   Amen.

Are you a disciple?  Can you be a disciple?  I would love to hear from you.

Jerry