The Whole Counsel of God

The Whole Counsel of God
Acts 20:20-27
Paul’s Labors in ephesus…
20 I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you,…26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

The Whole Counsel of God …
Word of God
The Truth
The Gospel
The Faith
The Authority of Scripture…
Scripture is complete – 2 Pet 1:3; Jude 3
Scripture is sufficient – 2 Tim 3:17; Isa 55:11
Scripture is authoritative – Titus 2:15

Paul kept back nothing profitable …
Jews and Greeks

Testify Gospel of Grace of God
Pure from blood of all men
Declared whole counsel of God
Duty of Watchman in Ezekiel
6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.'

Responsibility of Preachers…
Preach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Charged before God and Christ in view of judgment
Preach in season and out of season
Many will not endure sound doctrine and turn from truth
Evangelists must endure hardships, preach truth anyway

Responsibility of Elders…
Shepherd the church of God – Acts 20:28
Feed the flock, as overseers – 1 Pet 5:2
Hold faithful word/sound doctrine – Tit 1:9
Watch for souls, give account – Heb 13:17
Personal Love and Care …
Acts 20:18-19 with humility, many tears…
1 Thess.2:5-8 gentle as nurse, affectionately
2 Cor. 12:14-15 gladly spend and be spent
Eph 4:15 speak the truth in love…
2 Tim. 4:2 exhort with longsuffering
2 Tim 2:24-25 gentle to all, with patience
Faithfulness, not Popularity
"It is better to speak the truth that hurts, and then heals, than falsehood that comforts, then kills. It is not love, and it is not friendship, if we fail do declare the whole counsel of God. It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie. It's better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with a multitude.." -- Adrian Rogers

Promise if Faithful..
1 Timothy 4:13-16 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Conclusions …
Duty to declare whole counsel of God …
Knowing truth helps people get to heaven
Faithful want to know whole counsel ..
Must courageously teach whole counsel...
The Whole Counsel of God
Acts 20:20-27