A Long-Winded Preacher Series

A Long-Winded Preacher

Text: Acts 20:7-12

Introduction

1. Illustration: “Preaching is effective as long as the preacher expects something to happen – not because of the sermon, or even because of the preacher, but because of God.” (John Hines).

2. Believe it or not, I’ve been accused of being a long-winded preacher a time or two over the years.

3. But if you think I’m long-winded, wait until you get a load of Paul! He preached until midnight, someone died, he brought him back to life, they had a midnight snack, and then Paul preached until daylight!

4. However, it wasn’t the length of his sermon, but the results of his sermon that count.

5. Read Acts 20:7-12

Transition: Paul teaches us…

I. Importance of the Word (7-8).

A. Paul Was Preaching to Them

1. Last week we talked about how Paul moved on from Ephesus, and in this we saw his Pastor’s heart. We mentioned how every place he stopped he encouraged people.

2. In this passage today, we see Paul moving on to Troas, and how he continued to encourage people through the Word. In vv. 7-8 Luke tells us, “On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps.”

a. The Christians in Troas meet on the first day of the week. This is one of the first, and clearest, references to the early Church meeting on Sunday rather than Saturday, which was the day the Jews celebrated the Sabbath.

b. We are not sure whether Sunday worship had already become a regular practice, or if this church service being on Sunday was just a coincidence.

c. There are some churches today that believe we should meet on Saturday.

d. In my personal opinion, let’s not major in the minors. If you feel church should be on Saturday, meet on Saturday, and if you feel we should meet on Sunday, meet on Sunday. The point is meet together on a weekly basis to worship the Lord.

e. What is important, is the fact that they shared the Lord’s Super and heard preaching from the Word of God.

f. We know from earlier in the Book of Acts that the Lord’s Super was a regular part of the early Church’s worship.

g. “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42).

3. There was another important aspect to their worship, and that is the preaching of the Word.

a. Luke tells us that Paul was preaching to them.

b. For Paul, what God had to say was more important than anything he had to say.

c. Paul not only wanted them to hear him, but, more importantly, he wanted them to hear from God!

d. As he would later tell his young apprentice Timothy, “I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

e. Paul didn’t tell Timothy to give them his opinion, or tell them the latest self-help nonsense, but rather, he told him to preach the Word.

f. In fact, in the Greek it reads, “Preach, preach the Word.” The Word is the substance of what he is to preach.

g. We can be assured that Paul did the exact same thing; he preached the Word to them.

h. You don’t need my opinion on things; you need to hear what God wants you to know. He has already written that in his Word.

i. Now, Paul, was so concerned that they heard what God wanted them to hear, and he knew he was going to be leaving the next day, he kept on preaching, and preaching…until midnight.

j. Now, if you think I’m long-winded, you don’t know how good you have it!

k. But Paul was so concerned that they heard from the Word of God, and he knew this was going to his last chance, he just kept on preaching as the Spirit inspired him.

B. Doers of the Word

1. Illustration: “Preacher - tomorrow - read a text, explain what it means, and make application. Christian - tomorrow - go to a church where the preacher does that.” - Todd Bryant

2. We still need to hear the preaching of the Word of God.

a. “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15).