Embodying Gospel-Shaped Care in Our Lives
Summary
Today, we explored what it means to embody gospel-shaped care in our lives and in our church community. We began by reclaiming the act of giving—not as a pressured obligation, but as a spiritual moment to reflect on the generosity of Jesus, who gave everything for us. Our giving, whether financial or otherwise, is a visible demonstration of our trust in God and our response to His grace. It’s not about the method or the amount, but about forming hearts that are open, joyful, and dependent on God as our provider.
We then turned to Acts 20, where Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders offers a powerful model of faithful care. Paul’s ministry wasn’t defined by accomplishments or recognition, but by his presence among the people, his humility, his willingness to speak the truth, his obedience to the Spirit, and his joyful endurance through suffering. He lived among those he served, sharing in their struggles and joys, and he allowed himself to be emotionally invested, even to the point of tears. This kind of care is costly, inconvenient, and often uncomfortable, but it is the very pattern set by Jesus Himself, who drew near to us, bore our burdens, and loved us sacrificially.
Faithful care also means speaking the truth in love, even when it’s difficult. Paul didn’t shrink back from declaring what was profitable, calling people to repentance and faith in Christ. True care doesn’t avoid hard conversations; it seeks the ultimate good of others, even at the risk of discomfort or misunderstanding. Moreover, Paul’s life was led by the Spirit, not by personal comfort or safety. He followed God’s call into uncertainty and suffering, trusting that obedience was more important than clarity or ease.
Finally, Paul’s example teaches us to finish the race with joy. He didn’t count his life as precious to himself, but poured it out for the sake of the gospel, finding joy not in circumstances, but in faithfulness to Christ. This is the legacy we are called to carry forward: a life marked by presence, humility, truth, Spirit-led obedience, and joyful endurance. As we care for others in this way, we become living witnesses to the gospel, inviting others to see and experience the love of Jesus through us.
Key Takeaways
- True care draws near and is rooted in presence, not just proximity. Like Paul and ultimately Jesus, we are called to live among people, sharing in their lives and entering into their struggles. This incarnational approach to care breaks through the surface-level busyness and emotional distance that often characterize our culture, opening doors for trust, healing, and transformation. [57:43]
- Gospel-shaped care flows from humility and compassion, not from pride or self-protection. When we serve with humility, we recognize that our value and salvation come from Christ, not from our own achievements. Compassion means allowing ourselves to be moved by the pain and needs of others, even when it costs us emotionally or requires us to endure trials for their sake. [01:03:19]
- Faithful care speaks the truth for the good of others, even when it’s uncomfortable. Love is not always affirmation; sometimes it requires gentle correction or a hard conversation. The most loving thing we can do is to point people toward repentance and faith in Jesus, offering them the hope and transformation found only in the gospel. [01:10:34]
- Spirit-led care is willing to follow God’s call into uncertainty and sacrifice. The Spirit often leads us step by step, not giving us the full picture but asking for obedience in the next thing. True faith is revealed not when the path is clear, but when we trust God enough to move forward even when the outcome is unknown or the cost is high. [01:17:22]
- Enduring, joyful care finishes the race set before us, prioritizing faithfulness over comfort or recognition. Paul’s example shows that the goal is not self-preservation, but pouring out our lives for the sake of the gospel. Joy is found not in ease, but in knowing we have run the race Christ gave us, and that our lives have been spent for His glory and the good of others. [01:21:04]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[32:47] - The Heart Behind Passing the Offering Plate
[34:21] - Giving as Worship and Stewardship
[50:21] - Introduction to Gospel Witness and Care
[54:38] - Paul’s Farewell: A Model of Ministry
[56:08] - What Does Faithful Care Look Like?
[57:43] - Care Draws Near: Presence Over Distance
[59:43] - The Incarnational Pattern of Jesus
[01:03:19] - Care Flows from Humility and Compassion
[01:10:34] - Care Speaks the Truth for the Good of Others
[01:17:22] - Care is Led by the Spirit, Not Comfort
[01:20:22] - Care Finishes the Race with Joy
[01:24:35] - The Legacy of Gospel-Shaped Care
[01:26:07] - Responding to God’s Call
[01:30:27] - Commissioning and Prayer for Josiah
[01:34:22] - Closing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Gospel-Shaped Care
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### Bible Reading
Acts 20:17–24 (ESV)
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Acts 20:18, what does Paul say about the way he lived among the Ephesian elders? What stands out about his approach to ministry?
[[57:43]]
2. In verse 19, what three characteristics does Paul mention that marked his service to the Lord?
[[01:03:19]]
3. What does Paul say he did not “shrink from” doing in verse 20, and why is that significant?
[[01:10:34]]
4. In verses 22–24, what is Paul’s attitude toward the uncertainty and suffering that await him in Jerusalem?
[[01:17:22]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize his presence “among” the people rather than just his accomplishments or teaching? What does this reveal about the kind of care he believes is important?
[[57:43]]
2. Paul mentions serving with “humility and with tears and with trials.” What does this combination of humility, emotional investment, and endurance suggest about the cost and depth of gospel-shaped care?
[[01:03:19]]
3. Paul says he did not shrink from declaring anything profitable, even when it was hard. Why might it be tempting to avoid hard conversations, and what does Paul’s example teach about true care for others?
[[01:10:34]]
4. Paul is “constrained by the Spirit” to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen. What does this teach about following God’s call, especially when the outcome is uncertain or costly?
[[01:17:22]]
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### Application Questions
1. Paul’s care was marked by presence, not just proximity. Are there people in your life—at church, at work, in your neighborhood—whom you are “around” but not truly “with”? What would it look like to draw near and be more present with them this week?
[[57:43]]
2. The sermon talked about humility and compassion, even when it means being emotionally invested or enduring trials. Is there a situation or relationship where you’ve been holding back emotionally or protecting yourself from discomfort? What would it look like to serve with humility and compassion there?
[[01:03:19]]
3. Faithful care sometimes means having hard conversations and speaking the truth in love. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear a gentle but honest word from you? What has kept you from having that conversation, and what step could you take this week?
[[01:10:34]]
4. The Spirit often leads us into situations where the outcome is uncertain or the cost is high. Can you think of a time when you sensed God leading you to do something uncomfortable or sacrificial? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
[[01:17:22]]
5. Paul says he wants to “finish the race with joy,” pouring out his life for the sake of the gospel. What does “finishing the race” look like for you in this season of life? Are there areas where you are tempted to prioritize comfort or recognition over faithfulness?
[[01:21:04]]
6. The sermon challenged us to let our giving—financial or otherwise—be a visible demonstration of our trust in God and our response to His grace. How does your current approach to giving (time, resources, attention) reflect your trust in God? Is there a next step you feel prompted to take?
[[34:21]]
7. The legacy Paul leaves is one of presence, humility, truth, Spirit-led obedience, and joyful endurance. Which of these qualities do you most want to grow in, and what is one practical way you can pursue that growth this week?
[[01:24:35]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to form in us hearts that care deeply, draw near to others, and reflect the love and presence of Jesus in our community.
Devotional
Day 1: Care Draws Near—Living Among Others with Presence
Faithful care begins with drawing near to others, not keeping a safe distance or offering support only from the sidelines. True gospel-shaped care is incarnational, reflecting the way Jesus left heaven to dwell among us, entering into our pain and walking in our world. This kind of presence means slowing down, seeing people as image bearers, and being emotionally and spiritually available, not just physically present. It’s about sharing life, entering into others’ rhythms and struggles, and being a consistent presence even when it’s inconvenient or costly. When we choose to live among others, we open doors for trust, healing, and transformation, just as Jesus did for us. [01:02:25]
Acts 20:18 (ESV)
“And when they came to him, he said to them: ‘You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia.’”
Reflection: Who in your life needs you to move beyond surface-level interactions and truly draw near—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—this week? What is one practical step you can take to be more present with them?
Day 2: Care Flows from Humility and Compassion
Gospel-shaped care is marked by humility and compassion, not pride or self-protection. Paul served with all humility, with tears, and through trials, allowing himself to be moved by the pain and stories of those he cared for. This humility comes from knowing we are saved not by our own merit, but by the grace of a Savior who humbled Himself for us. Compassion means letting others’ grief touch us, being willing to feel deeply, and not walking away when care becomes costly or inconvenient. Real care is not about recognition or reward, but about loving others with the same love and compassion Christ has shown us, even when it stretches us. [01:09:38]
Acts 20:19 (ESV)
“Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.”
Reflection: Where is pride or self-protection keeping you from truly serving or feeling compassion for someone? How can you allow God to soften your heart toward them today?
Day 3: Care Speaks the Truth for the Good of Others
Faithful care doesn’t shrink back from speaking the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable or risks disrupting peace. Paul declared everything that was profitable, teaching both publicly and privately, calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus. Real love is not just about affirmation but sometimes about correction, delivered with gentleness and clarity. Withholding truth when it’s needed most is not love; it’s silence that can hinder growth and healing. Gospel-shaped care means being willing to have hard conversations, to speak what is spiritually beneficial, and to invite others to turn to Christ, because their ultimate need is to know Him. [01:14:56]
Acts 20:20-21 (ESV)
“How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to hear a loving, honest word from you? What is one step you can take to speak truth in love to them this week?
Day 4: Care Is Led by the Spirit, Not Just Personal Comfort
Gospel-shaped care is guided by the Holy Spirit, not by what is comfortable, predictable, or easy. Paul was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, even though he knew suffering awaited him. He didn’t have all the answers, but he trusted God with the next step, showing that faithfulness often means following the Spirit’s leading into uncertainty or sacrifice. True care is shaped more by calling than by comfort, requiring a readiness to obey even when the outcome is unclear. The Spirit may lead us into blessing or into hardship, but He never leads us away from the mission of loving others and sharing the gospel. [01:19:01]
Acts 20:22-23 (ESV)
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.”
Reflection: Where might the Spirit be prompting you to step out of your comfort zone to care for someone or serve in a new way? What is one uncertain or uncomfortable step you sense God calling you to take?
Day 5: Care Finishes the Race with Joy
Faithful care is not about self-preservation or comfort, but about finishing the race Christ has set before us with joy. Paul did not count his life as precious to himself, but made it his highest priority to complete the ministry he received from the Lord—to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. Joy is what sustains us through hardship, slow results, and lack of recognition, because it is anchored in obedience to Jesus and the hope of hearing “well done” from Him. The call is to pour out our lives for others, letting the gospel shape not just our beliefs but our entire trajectory, so that we finish well, filled with joy, having given all for the One who gave everything for us. [01:24:35]
Acts 20:24 (ESV)
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Reflection: What would it look like for you to run your race with joyful endurance, prioritizing God’s calling over your own comfort or reputation? What is one area where you need to shift your focus from self-preservation to joyful faithfulness?
Quotes
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