Paul tells the Ephesian elders that it is ‘more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). This philosophy, which he directly ascribes to Jesus even though this is not a direct quotation from any of the four gospels, is definitely in line with Jesus’s teaching: ‘Freely you have received; freely give.’ (Matt 10:8) Paul goes on to develop this much more in his letter to the Corinthians, where he reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver and that those who sow generously will reap generously. (2 Cor 9:6-8)

The theme of giving runs throughout the whole Bible, and is even used to describe the advent of Jesus (see John 3:16). We forget this truth at our peril, becoming people who are miserly who find life difficult to manage (Haggai 2:15-19) unlike those whose generosity leads to prosperity (see Prov 11:25). We do not give simply to receive, however, but give as the overflow of forgiven hearts who have received so much from the Lord.

As we approach Christmas, our thoughts once again are turned to gifts and blessing, and it’s worth remembering this principle. As we seek to bless others in our local community and further afield (through our support of Bedline, Amshika and Innocent and through the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas appeal), we can know this truth in practice and teach this truth to our children. Giving is a great blessing, for it signifies the abundant provision of our God.

One of the first rules of first aid is to look after yourself. When you go on a first aid course, you are told, “A first aider can’t look after others to the best of their ability if they aren’t looking after themselves. First aid for the first aider is important and it’s something that is often overlooked as people prioritise the patient.” It’s a similar principle with fire rescue: ‘you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire.’ This is not as selfish as it may sound; it’s simple common sense that you are no use to anyone else if you yourself are in danger or injured.

Paul makes a similar point when he addresses the Ephesian elders, teaching them how to act when he is no longer with them to guide and teach them. He says, ‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.’ (Acts 20:28) Ultimately, we must maintain our own spiritual wellbeing (as Paul wrote later to Timothy: ‘Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.’ 1 Tim 4:16) if we are to be of any use to others. It is only as the leaders themselves remain faithful to God that they can expect the church to do likewise. Leaders need to pray, seek God and spend time in His word if they are to be effective. Please pray for the leaders of churches to seek God first and to persevere in both living as children of light and believing truth so that they may be effective in their ministries.

If Paul’s warnings to the Ephesian elders fill us with disquiet (can we really be distracted from the path of truth so easily?), it is also worth noting that Paul speaks with confidence to these men, saying, ‘I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.’ (Acts 20:32) We do well take the warnings of Scripture seriously – that’s what they are there for, surely? – but we need not live cowed lives, fearful of everything, including our ‘accidental’ falling away from God.

Paul’s warnings are always balanced with hope and grace. Here, he commits or commends the leaders of the Ephesian church to God and to the word of His grace. Like the writer to the Hebrews (who says, ‘we are convinced of better things in your case’ Heb 6:9), he writes with assurance (being confident that God who started His work in the Philippians will bring it to completion, for example – Phil 1:6). He says to Timothy, ‘Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus’ (1 Tim 3:13), and because we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), we can have hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. ‘He gives us more grace,’ James reminds us (James 4:6); we are never left to keep ourselves, but can always be confident that God ‘is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.’ (Jude 1:24)

Heresy is a belief or doctrine that is contrary to orthodox doctrine. It’s a danger to every church, because God’s truth is absolute; Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and we need to hold on to truth to know freedom. (John 8:32)

Heresy does not always look evil, however. It can often appear innocent and even have some basis in truth. Paul, when warning the Ephesian elders about this, said that ‘even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.’ (Acts 20:30) Heresy arises from a distortion of truth, a twisting out of shape, rather like the strange mirrors in the Hall of Mirrors at fairgrounds which make us look tall and thin or small and fat, twisting our bodies into shapes that do not actually reflect reality. Often distortion of truth appears attractive and not a lie: exaggeration is itself a distortion of truth and is not necessarily harmful. But we must be careful with truth and be aware that a distortion of this can easily lead so far away from right belief that we end up a long way from our desired destination.

Paul has already dealt with various distortions of truth, such as the need for circumcision as a necessary part of salvation. In our own day, those who emphasise the love of God without also understanding the justice of God can distort the truth into teaching universalism, that all people will be saved regardless of faith in Jesus Christ. We need wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit so that we are guardians of truth and are not led astray from God’s paths by hollow and deceptive philosophy which may sound plausible, but which is actually a distortion of the truth.

We must, however, also be on the alert for ‘wolves’, those who, however plausible and pleasing they may sound, actually do untold harm to the flock of Christ; Jesus Himself warned about ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ (Matt 7:15). A shepherd’s task in the natural was to feed the sheep (by leading them to good pasture) and to protect them (from the wolves which were their chief enemy.) Spiritually speaking, pastors need to feed the sheep (by teaching the truth of God’s word) and to protect them (by warning of error.) In this way we are kept, nurtured and protected.

The role of shepherds and sheep is a recurring one in Scripture. Many of God’s people were shepherds (Moses, Jacob, David), and the relationship between the two is often used metaphorically to describe God and His people (see Ps 100:3, Ps 23, John 10.) The prophets use this metaphor to describe the relationship between Israel and its leaders (see Ezekiel 34) and in the New Testament, we see the word ‘shepherd’ (or ‘pastor’) being used to describe a leader in the church (Eph 4:11, Acts 20:28).

So familiar are we with this metaphor that we often fail to pause and reflect on it. Many of us have little idea what being a shepherd is really like these days and have a very idealised view of it based on cartoons and cuddly toys sold in North Yorkshire. John Stott reminds us that ‘sheep are not at all the clean and cuddly creatures they may appear. In fact, they are dirty, subject to unpleasant pests, and regularly need to be dipped in strong chemicals to rid them of lice, ticks and worms. They are also unintelligent, wayward and obstinate.’ (John Stott, ‘Acts’, P 329) Paul reminded the Ephesians elders also of the dangers facing sheep (namely, wolves), which provided an added hazard to the shepherd’s tasks.

People are rather like sheep (including having a tendency to go their own way, as Is 53:6 reminds us), and we have an enemy who seeks to lead us astray by all manner of means, including (as Jesus reminded us in Matt 7:15) dressing as sheep. Paul warns the Ephesian elders about this, saying, ‘Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.’ (Acts 20:28) It is interesting to note that the call to leaders to both feed the flock and protect them from error comes in the context of a reminder that the church belongs to God. He has bought it by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit is the one who is overseeing its daily life. This puts things into perspective, keeps leaders humble (it’s God’s church, not ours!) and inspires us to faithfulness, for however wayward and obstinate the sheep may seem at times, they are ‘the flock of God the Father, purchased by the precious blood of God the Son, and supervised by overseers appointed by God the Holy Spirit.’ (ibid.) Paul’s reminder to the elders rings out to all church leaders today. We have a ‘double duty: to feed the sheep (by teaching the truth) and to protect them from wolves (by warning of error.)’ (ibid., P 328)

Here are some Scriptures to start you off as you delve into these important Biblical truths.

The grace of God

This is one of the key themes in Paul’s writings and in the whole Bible. Grace is defined as the ‘unmerited favour of God.’ Quite simply, God is good to us and we don’t deserve it! Read these passages:

• Ephesians 2:8-9

• Romans 3:23-24

• Romans 5:1-5

The kingdom of God

A key theme of Jesus’s teaching (see Matt 6:33, Mark 4:26-34), the kingdom of God shows us what it looks like when God is reigning and ruling. Read these verses:

• 1 Thess 2:12

• 2 Thess 1:5

• 1 Cor 15:50

The purpose or will of God

What’s the point of life? Paul tells the Ephesians ^‘in him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.’ (Eph 1:11) The most important thing we can ever discover is God’s will for our lives. Read these verses:

• 1 Thess 5:16-18

• Romans 12:1-2

• Ephesians 2:10

Repentance & Faith

Repentance means turning away from our old, independent way of living and faith means turning in trust towards God. These key words are at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Read these verses:

• Romans 2:4

• 2 Cor 7:9-10

• Romans 1:17-20

• Ephesians 2:8-9

The Church of God

God’s church is made up of people who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. We find so many metaphors for the church in the New Testament (bride, body, household, flock, building and family, to name but a few.) Read these verses:

• Ephesians 4:13-16

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

• 1 Corinthians 14:12

The Inevitability of Suffering

None of us likes the idea of suffering, but we have to be realistic about its presence in a fallen world, and also the fact that God uses this redemptively for our good. Jesus taught much about this (see Matthew 5:10-12, John 16:33) and Paul not only lived through many trials and sorrows but taught us to expect the same. Read these verses:

• 2 Tim 3:12

• Romans 5:3-5

See also James 1:3-5 and 1 Peter 3:8-22.

The Danger of False Teaching

Does it really matter what I believe? Yes! Don’t all paths lead to God? No! Paul makes it very clear that we must be on our guard against false teaching; much of what he wrote to churches was to correct false teaching or to help Christians discern the truth. Read these verses:

• 2 Timothy 2:16-18

• Colossians 2:16-23

• Galatians 1:6-10

The Need For Vigilance

We are called to be on our guard, to be alert and to be ready and waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus. (Matt 25:1-13). We need to train ourselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14) Read these verses:

• 1 Corinthians 16:13

• 2 Timothy 4:15

• 1 Peter 5:8

Life As A Race

Life is a race – a marathon, not a sprint! There are many Scriptures which use this analogy:

• 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

• 2 Timothy 2:5

• 2 Timothy 4:7

• Hebrews 12:1-3

How’s your spiritual fitness? Paul says, ‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Tim 4:8) We need to get spiritually fit if we’re going to run the race and finish well.

Our Final Inheritance

We have so much to look forward to in God! We have the Holy Spirit in us as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. (Eph 1:14) We are now children of God and therefore heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. (Rom 8:17) Read these verses:

• 1 Peter 1:4

• Colossians 1:12

• Hebrews 9:15