19th Jun 26 | 04:39
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Paul’s love for the church
📖 Acts 15:36-35
Acts 15 - Series 3/Episode 01 - Thu, 07th May 2026 - Paul's love for the church - Acts 15:36-41 - THE SEPARATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS - II Corinthians 11:28
Acts 15:36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing."
Paul felt in his spirit that Paul and Barnabas should go and visit the churches which were established on their first missionary journey. The revisit to the churches was to strengthen and establish the churches. Acts 16:4-5 And as they went through the cities, *they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem*. (5) So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. He longed to see them grow and be established in the Lord. He was deeply concerned for the churches. II Corinthians 11:28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
Paul's longing for the churches was that Christ be formed in them. Colossians 1:28-29 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may *present every man perfect in Christ Jesus*. (29) To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. / Galatians 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Paul's objective was to see that Christ be formed in the believers and that he had established those who could teach the word. Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established- / Acts 20:28 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.
Paul carried the churches in his heart as a parent. I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. / I Thessalonians 2:11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
He was willing to give his life for the churches. I Thessalonians 2:8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
We can see the different prayers that Paul prayed for the churches. Ephesians 1:18-20 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (20) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
His longing was that they would know Christ. Ephesians 3:16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- (19) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Consider the specific things he desired for the churches. Philippians 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, (10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, (11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
He wanted the churches to be strengthened in the inner man. Colossians 1:9-11 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
He longed for the churches to grow in love and holiness. I Thessalonians 3:12-13 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, (13) so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
In all of this, Paul laboured tirelessly. I Thessalonians 2:9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
Do we have such passion and concern for the growth of the church?
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