Good morning. Paul continues: but I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. (we keep hearing from the pulpit testimonies of people in other countries who feel the same way – that their lives are not dear to themselves when it comes to spreading the gospel). I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. We all go about our lives assuming that we will see the people we know once again. We never think that this time will be the last time. Of course if we conducted our lives like this time would be the last time, we would not treat our friends and relatives badly like we do sometimes. I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. It would be easy to leave out something, if we thought that that would bring a disagreement with those to whom we were speaking. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (bishops), to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Overseer was their title or label; shepherding was what they did. King James translates it “over which“ the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Some groups have used that to say that they “rule over“ the flock. People must come to them for advice on every major decision; and they must obey the overseers. Father help us to treat others as though this will be the last time we will ever see them; instead of speaking and acting as though we will always have a chance to redeem our words and actions.

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