Acts 20:17-38

Acts 20:17-38

• Preaching through the night …
  • Back to Jerusalem…
    • After the riot in Ephesus was over – Paul decided it was time to leave…
    • He spent THREE months in Corinth – encouraging the struggling church there…
    • Then traveled to Troas – where representatives from all the churches were waiting…
    • They were going with Paul to bring an offering for the church in Jerusalem!
  • Teach the Word…
    • When Paul arrived in Troas he spent SEVEN days with the saints…
    • On Sunday he taught them – into the early hours of the morning…
    • A young man named Eutychus – fell asleep and fell out a THIRD story window…
    • But Paul rushed down and picked up the dead youth – and he came back to life…
    • Then after teaching through the rest of the night – Paul departed in the morning!
  • 1^st – The Example… vs. 17-21
  • 1^st – Consistent life… vs. 17-18
    • Miletus… vs. 17
    • From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church!
    • Miletus [Μίλητος] was a PORT city about 50km south of Ephesus…
    • Today it sits about 10km from the Aegean Sea because of river silting…
    • Paul stopped there rather than going to Ephesus because he was in a RUSH…
    • He wanted to get to Jerusalem in time for the feast of Pentecost – Acts 20:16
    • But he still wanted to meet with the ELDERS [πρεσβύτερος] of the church [ἐκκλησία]
    • So he sent for them to come and meet him in Miletus [waiting for around two days]!
    • No variation… vs. 18
    • When they had come to him he said to them:
    • You know from the first day that I came to Asia in what manner I always lived among you!
    • The ELDERS knew [indicative] that from the FIRST day Paul was in Ephesus [Asia]
    • How he had at ALL [πᾶς] times [χρόνος] lived his life among them [example]
    • He was CONSISTENT in his walk – always living his life for Christ!
    • There is a ride called the INCREDICOASTER [Disneyland]
    • It will launch you to 90kph right into an upside down loop…
    • Full of unexpected twists and turns – lots of ups and downs!
    • Sadly that is how many people live their lives for Jesus…
    • The launch out at full speed in their walk with the Lord…
    • But their lives end up getting turned upside down – as it takes unexpected twists and turns…
    • And they become very INCONSISTENT – full of lots of HIGHS and LOWS…
    • Excited for Jesus on Sundays – but falling into foolish sins on Monday!
  • 2^nd – Follow me… vs. 19-21
    • Serving… vs. 19
    • Serving the Lord!
    • Paul had given the Elders an EXAMPLE to follow – I Corinthians 11:1
    • FIRST – he understood his life was NOT his own…
    • He lived to continually [present] SERVE [δουλεύω] the Lord [κύριος]!
    • John 12:24-25 – “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone – but if it dies it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it – and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
    • We get into trouble because we think we have RIGHTS [go where we want – do what we want]
    • But we were bought by God – our lives belong to Jesus – I Corinthians 6:20
    • And only when we are willing to let our life go [seed] – do we become what God intended…
    • CONSISTENCY comes from giving up our RIGHTS – and living to SERVE our Lord!
    • Humility… vs. 19
    • With all humility!
    • SECOND – Paul lived his life with ALL [πᾶς] humility…
    • HUMILITY – to have a MIND [φρήν] that is not far off the ground [ταπεινός]
    • Paul understood that he was NOT special – life was NOT about him…
    • This drove him to trust and depend completely on Jesus!
    • PRIDE says we can depend on ourselves – we are ready for anything…
    • Like Samson who trusted in his strength – or Solomon who trusted in his wisdom and riches…
    • David who trusted in his religion – or Peter who trusted his convictions…
    • What they all had in common – they all FAILED!
    • We are NOT strong – our money and wisdom CANNOT save us…
    • Our religion will NOT help us – and our convictions are NOT the solution…
    • And if we put our TRUST in any of them – we are going to FALL…
    • It is only when we are HUMBLE that we find CONSISTENCY…
    • Because then our walk is NOT based on us – instead it is founded on Jesus!
    • Trials… vs. 19
    • With many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews!
    • THIRD – Paul had gone through many TRIALS [πειρασμός]
    • He was put in PRISON at least FIVE times: Philippi – Jerusalem – Caesarea – Rome [2x]
    • He was beaten [39 stripes] by the Jews FIVE times – II Corinthians 11:24
    • He was even stoned to death – Acts 14:19
    • TRIALS [πειρασμός] have a purpose – God uses them to EXPOSE what is inside of us…
    • We do NOT get to really know who we are when life is EASY…
    • The real test of character is how we act when life falls apart…
    • God uses TRIALS in life to turn up the HEAT – let us see what we are made of…
    • God already knows – but He wants us to see what is in OUR hearts!
    • Impartial… vs. 20-21
    • How I kept back nothing that was helpful but proclaimed it to you.
    • And taught you publicly and from house to house. Testifying to Jews and also to Greeks.
    • Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ!
    • FOURTH – Paul made sure to NOT have any PARTIALITY…
    • He did NOT hold back anything that was HELPFUL…
    • He taught EVERYWHERE – both in the church [public] and in their houses [home studies]
    • And taught EVERYONE – both Jews and Greeks…
    • With the simple message – REPENT to God and put your FAITH in our Lord Jesus Christ!
    • Romans 2:11 – “For there is no partiality with God.”
    • A police officer would NEVER think of pulling over a POLITICIAN for speeding…
    • Because of WHO they know [chief] they get to IGNORE the rules…
    • But that PARTIALITY leads to double standards!
    • God does NOT care about labels: gender – nationality – social status – religion…
    • God is NOT impressed by the outside – the Lord looks at the heart – I Samuel 16:7
    • And it should be the SAME in the Church – there must NOT be PARTIALITY…
    • CONSISTENCY comes when we treat everyone equally!
  • 2^nd – The pattern… vs. 22-27
  • 1^st – Personal obedience… vs. 22-24
    • Bound in the Spirit… vs. 22-23
    • See now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem.
    • Not knowing the things that will happen to me there.
    • Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city saying that chains and tribulations await me!
    • To AMPLIFY his point Paul told [imperative] the ELDERS to SEE [ἰδού]
    • Even NOW he was [perfect] BOUND [passive] by the SPIRIT [dative] to go to Jerusalem…
    • NOT that he had to go [he was still free] – but the Spirit was STIRRING him to go…
    • And although he could [perfect] NOT see [εἴδω] what would happen to him there…
    • What the Holy Spirit was saying [present] in every CITY…
    • Was that Paul would ABIDE [μένω] in CHAINS and TRIBULATION [θλῖψις]!
    • Finish the race… vs. 24
    • But none of these things move me – nor do I count my life dear to myself.
    • So that I may finish my race with joy – and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus.
    • To testify to the gospel of the grace of God!
    • BUT [ἀλλά] none of those WORDS [λόγος] moved [ποιέω] Paul…
    • Neither did he hold his life as IMPORTANT [τίμιος]
    • He was MORE than willing to go and DIE if that is what was needed – Acts 21:13
    • So that he could FINISH [τελειόω] his RACE [δρόμος] with Joy…
    • RACE [noun] – the race course [ministry] God had set in front of Paul…
    • To SHARE [διαμαρτύρομαι] the Gospel of the GRACE [χάρις] of God!
    • Paul did FINISH his RACE – II Timothy 4:7
    • Ten years later he was imprisoned a SECOND time in Rome [Mamertine prison]
    • He would be beheaded for his faith by Caesar Nero [church tradition]
    • What does it mean to be LED [passive] by the SPIRIT of God…
    • It does NOT mean we have the whole picture [we do NOT know the future]
    • It does NOT mean we have an easy life [it can lead to CHAINS and TRIBULATION]
    • It does NOT mean we know WHEN the END will come [Paul lived many more years]
    • But it does mean we will OBEY and FOLLOW the Lord!
    • Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with endurance [μένω] the race [τρέχω] that is set before us.”
  • 2^nd – Solid teaching… vs. 25-27
    • Last message… vs. 25
    • Indeed – now I know that you all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God.
    • Will see my face no more!
    • Paul again told [imperative] the ELDERS to SEE [ἰδού]
    • He had been [aorist] preaching [present] the Kingdom of God to ALL of them…
    • But he KNEW [εἴδω] they would NOT see his face again!
    • Though Paul would be released from his FIRST imprisonment in Rome…
    • We do NOT have any record of him every returning to Ephesus!
    • Whole Counsel… vs. vs. 26-27
    • Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
    • For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God!
    • For this REASON [διό] – knowing this would be the LAST time he spoke to them…
    • He gave the TESTIMONY on this day – he was CLEAN [καθαρός] from the blood of all men…
    • Because he had NOT held back from giving them the WHOLE [πᾶς] counsel of God!
    • Many churches teach TOPICALLY – skipping around the Bible…
    • Yet EVERY part of the Bible is Gods inspired Word – ALL of it is necessary!
    • Therefore we teach the WHOLE counsel – book by book – chapter by chapter…
    • We study through the New Testament every Sunday morning – from Matthew to Revelation
    • And during the Midweek we study through the Old Testament – Genesis to Malachi
    • Context…
    • TOPICAL Bible studies also have the danger of NOT knowing the CONTEXT…
    • It is easy to change the meaning of a single verse when taken out of CONTEXT!
    • In the wilderness temptation – satan took Jesus to the top of the TEMPLE…
    • He told him to JUMP – then quoted this Word of God – Psalm 91:12
    • Satan knows the Word of God – and he is willing to misuse it to confuse people…
    • Satan did NOT misquote the Psalm – what he did was take it out of CONTEXT!
    • Our ENEMY knows the Word of God – and he is willing to misuse it…
    • He will misquote it – and take the WORD out of CONTEXT – so he can confuse people…
    • That is why of the most important concepts in understanding the Bible is CONTEXT…
    • We study the WHOLE Bible – teachings chapter by chapter…
    • So we learn the Bible in CONTEXT – to have an accurate understanding of the Word!
  • 3^rd – The Instructions… vs. 28-38
  • 1^st – Protect the sheep… vs. 28-29
    • Oversee…
    • Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock.
    • Among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers!
    • THEREFORE [οὖν] – in light of his EXAMPLE and PATTERN…
    • The ELDERS must [imperative] GUARD [προσέχω] their WALK…
    • And the WALK of the FLOCK whom the Holy Spirit made them OVERSEERS…
    • OVERSEERS [ἐπίσκοπος] – to WATCH [σκοπός] over [ἐπί]!
    • There are THREE words used to describe a LEADER in the church [all used here]
    • These terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
    • ELDER [πρεσβύτερος] – describes their age and EXPERIENCE…
    • OVERSEER [ἐπίσκοπος] – describes their RESPONSIBILITY to lead and protect the people…
    • PASTOR [ποιμήν] – describes their PURPOSE to teach [feed] the people – Ephesians 4:11
    • Satan is a LION who wants to devour us – he wants to HARM the sheep – I Peter 5:8
    • The job of the OVERSEER is to GUARD the CHURCH!
    • John 10:11 – “The good PASTOR [ποιμήν] gives His life for the sheep.”
    • Church of God…
    • To shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood!
    • The reason why the Holy Spirit made them OVERSEERS…
    • Was so that they could SHEPHERD [ποιμαίνω] – FEED the sheep…
    • Feed the Church of God [variation τοῦ κυρίου] – that He purchased with His blood…
    • Powerful statement of the DEITY of Jesus [the blood of God] – I Peter 1:19
    • It is important for LEADERS to remember that it is GODS church…
    • Since its HIS church He is the one responsible to build it…
    • Since its HIS church He is the one who makes the decisions…
    • Since its HIS church He is the one who gets the credit…
    • The job of the PASTOR is to PROTECT the sheep – by giving them the Word of God!
    • Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
    • The Wolves… vs. 29
    • I know this – after my departure savage wolves will come in among you – not sparing the flock!
    • Paul could SEE [εἴδω] that after he LEFT…
    • Savage WOLVES would [future] come into the church to DEVOUR the SHEEP…
    • Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep clothing!”
    • We might ASSUME – we could easily recognize a WOLF from faraway…
    • But WOLVES do not announce their entrance – they look like SHEEP…
    • Because they are like their MASTER – who looks like an Angel of light – II Corinthians 11:14
  • 2^nd – The Tests… vs. 30-35
    • Selfish… vs. 30-31
    • Also from among yourselves men will rise up speaking perverse things.
    • To draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch and remember.
    • That for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears!
    • Even from among the ELDERS wolves would RISE [future]
    • So how could they recognize the WOLVES [four tests]
    • FIRST – true SHEPHERDS point people to Jesus…
    • Wolves say CORRUPT things so they can draw the DISCIPLES after them…
    • For this REASON [διό] – the OVERSEERS must [imperative] WATCH…
    • Remembering that Paul spent THREE years warning them NIGHT and DAY!
    • John wrote a letter warning the church about DIOTREPHES [Διοτρεφής] – III John 1:9
    • He would NOT listen to John because he wanted the PREEMINENCE…
    • PREEMINENCE [φιλοπρωτεύω] – to LOVE [φίλος] to be FIRST [πρῶτος]
    • He would MOCK other churches – because he wanted everyone to ONLY look to him!
    • One way to spot WOLF – is they LOVE to be FIRST [draw men to themselves]
    • They attack THEOLOGY – other Pastors do not teach the right things…
    • They attack PERSONALLY – other Pastors do not live a godly life…
    • But their ATTACKS come from a SELFISH motivation…
    • What they want to is to get people to LISTEN to and FOLLOW them [not the Lord]!
    • Grace of God… vs. 32
    • So now brethren – I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.
    • Which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified!
    • SECOND – true SHEPHERDS teach the GRACE of God…
    • Paul commended [παρατίθημι] the ELDERS…
    • Through [instrumental] God and the WORD of his GRACE [χάρις]
    • They had the POWER [δύναμαι] to be BUILT up [mature]
    • And receive an INHERITANCE among those who are [passive] HOLY [ἁγιάζω]!
    • True SHEPHERDS do NOT give the SHEEP a list of RULES…
    • READ your Bible – PRAY every day – GIVE to the church…
    • Because the problem with RULES is they do NOT change our heart!
    • It is only GRACE that has the POWER to change our heart…
    • Jesus changes our DESIRES so we do NOT want to continue in SIN…
    • Instead we want to do those things that please the Lord…
    • We MATURE in our walk by walking in the POWER of the SPIRIT!
    • Hard working… vs. 33-34
    • I have coveted no ones silver or gold or apparel.
    • Yes you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities.
    • And for those who were with me!
    • THIRD – true SHEPHERDS are hardworking…
    • Paul did NOT covet MONEY or POSSESSION [clothing]
    • The ELDERS knew [γινώσκω] that Paul worked with his hands to PROVIDE [ὑπηρετέω]
    • NOT just for himself – but also for those who traveled with him [seven men]!
    • PROVIDE – the verb form of the NOUN [ὑπηρέτης]
    • MINISTER [ὑπηρέτης] – a slave on a Roman ship that rowed under the deck…
    • No one would ever see and under rower – it was HARD work!
    • MINISTER has become a title – the church has lost sight the real meaning…
    • Rather than working hard for God – it describes one who tells others what to do…
    • A good shepherd is a MINISTER – comes early and leaves late – SERVES the people…
    • Therefore any pastor who longs to be in CHARGE – is to be AVOIDED…
    • Because the PURPOSE of a pastor – is to MINISTER to the people!
    • I Peter 5:3 – “[Do not] lord over those entrusted to you!”
    • Not the money… vs. 35
    • I have shown you in every way by laboring like this that you must support the weak.
    • Remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He said: It is more blessed to give than to receive!
    • FOURTH – true SHEPHERDS are NOT in it for the MONEY…
    • Paul had SHOWN them by WORKING [κοπιάω] like this…
    • That they were HELP those who are WEAK [ἀσθενέω]
    • And REMEMBER the words of the Lord – it is more BLESSED to GIVE [only recorded here]!
    • The great APOSTLE Paul – writer of THIRTEEN books of the New Testament…
    • Worked HARD to provide for his personal needs to be an EXAMPLE!
    • The typical stereotype of a Christian Pastor is one with his hand held out…
    • Giving the impression that God is broke – that He needs our money…
    • Leaving people with a BAD taste – because the pastor wants their money…
    • But the calling is NOT to TAKE – it is to GIVE our lives for others!
  • 3^rd – Closing prayer… vs. 36-38
    • When he had said these things he knelt down and prayed with them all.
    • Then they all wept freely and fell on Pauls neck and kissed him.
    • Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke that they would see his face no more.
    • And they accompanied him to the ship!
    • When Paul had finished giving these INSTRUCTIONS he knelt down with them ALL and PRAYED…
    • Then all the ELDERS wept – and embraced [καταφιλέω] Paul…
    • They were NOT overly INSPIRED by his EXAMPLE and PATTERN…
    • Nor were they overly CONCERNED with his INSTRUCTIONS…
    • They were the MOST hurt by Paul saying they would NOT see him again!
    • We often MISS what is MOST important…
    • We get caught up in the EMOTIONS of the moment and forget the MESSAGE…
    • If we want to DISCERN the motives of people – stop the WOLVES…
    • Then we need to be in the OBEDIENT to the Spirit – and FOUNDED in the WORD…
    • Only then are we going to find we are CONSISTENT in our WALK!