Great Expectations

OLActs20-Great Expectations

Series: Acts: We’re on a Mission from God

Message: Great Expectations

Text: Acts 20:32-38

Date: June 27, 2021

Big Idea: The Bible talks about there being an inheritance for believers but what exactly does that mean?

It was Dr. Seuss who said, “Don’t cry because it’s over smile because it happened.”

Background: Paul had called an Elder Board meeting for the church in Ephesus to meet in Miletus with the primary goal of warning them about wolves, false teachers, but it’s not all business. Weeping results in his announcement that they’ll not see each other again until heaven. Losing Paul must’ve felt like a gut punch, he’s irreplaceable. However, Paul has some final words of consolation and encouragement for them that will encourage us as well.

ACTS 20:32-38

And now I commend (NASB=entrust) you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

INTRO: Losing Paul after three years must’ve felt like a “what in the world are we going to do now” moment?” to the elder board of the Ephesian church. In the church world we’d describe Paul as “irreplaceable”. He’s an apostle, a spiritual MVP. How can we possibly move on? Perhaps some had presumed he’d be there forever. They may also be having an “OMG moment” with the realization that all of the arrows and blows he’s taken on their behalf will now directed at them. It’s going to be their turn to lead and protect. He commissions them with the following:

KEY VERSE

v.32 I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified (20:32).

But what exactly does that mean? To our 21st century ears it sounds a bit like religious jargon or Christianese doesn’t it? Christianese is “in-house” vernacular that insiders of a church may know, but can be confusing to outsiders. Not that you should, but if you’ve ever seen the Simpsons there’s a character named Ned Flanders who’s somewhat infamous for speaking in Christianese, i.e., “Hiya hallelujah howdy neighbor”. Every church has some insider language and/or traditions that can seem confusing to others.

Examples of Christianese

ILLUS: “Pass the peace”. I was once at a thanksgiving service being held at a Presbyterian church and the pastor suddenly said, “Ok, at this time we’ll pass the peace”. I was actually a part of the service order and I had no idea what that meant. I have Baptist roots and the only thing we ever pass is an offering plate. Turns out it was their way of saying “meet and greet”, i.e. turn around and say hello to someone and make peace with any enemies while you’re at it.

Have you ever noticed that it seems like every church has a different name for Bible studies? “Small Group”, “Home Group”, “Life Group”, “Missional Community Group”, “Life Transformation Group”, “Connect group”, etc. It’s insider language that. Likewise, there’s simply things about church that it seems that everyone else knows and understands, unless you’re a member.

JOKE: A little boy was observing a plaque in the church lobby with names and dates. He asked his Sunday school teacher who they were. She explained that they were the names of the church members who’d died while in the service. His eyes got big and he asked which one, the 8:30 or 10.

Languages are always morphing and by today’s standards Acts 20:32 may seem a little ambiguous. However, it’s very important that we internalize what Paul is conveying here and unpack the significance of this verse because it applies to us as well.

Remember the backdrop, they’re weeping because Paul is leaving without plans of ever returning. As an elder, these are some big shoes to fill. Without doubt they’re probably also concerned about their own spiritual welfare and future.

Paul consoles and encourages them with three things from this one keystone verse: