I. PRAYER
II. Introduction
a. What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world? Years ago that very question was discussed at a Christian leadership conference. Some of the participants argued that Christianity is unique in teaching that God became man. But someone objected, saying that other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? No, it was argued, other faiths believe that the dead rise again. The discussion grew heated.
b. C. S. Lewis, the noted Christian author, came in late, sat down, and asked, “What’s the commotion about?” When he learned that it was a debate about the uniqueness of Christianity, he immediately commented, “: Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”
c. You see, guys, the very heart of the gospel is the supreme truth that God accepts us with no conditions whatever - when we put our trust in the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Although we are helplessly sinful, God in His grace forgives us completely. It’s by His infinite grace that we are saved, not by going to church, or doing good deeds.
d. The Greek words for joy and grace are closely related. I like to think it is because of God’s grace that we have joy as believers. We have seen Paul rejoicing in his trials throughout the Book of Acts – Why? It is simple – the grace that God showed to Paul.
e. We are going to look at the topic of grace today, and a few other things, but I want to take a minute to recap what went on in the first part of Acts chapter 20, that we looked at last week.
III. Background
a. Last week, we saw Paul as he was visiting the church at Troas. It was a short stay in Troas, only seven days. Paul is concluding his third and final missionary journey.
b. Paul and his companions were on their way to Jerusalem, to bring the gifts from the churches in Greece and Asia to the church at Jerusalem. Paul gives his farewell address to the church at Troas, and then walked 20 miles south to Assos, to catch a boat bound for Miletus.
c. We learned a couple of things last week. First we saw when young Eutychus fell out of the third story window, falling asleep listening to Paul teach. So, now you know what happens to you when you fall asleep during the message. Second, as we see from verse 11, we saw that Paul taught all night, until daybreak, and we learned the value of long sermons.
d. But, seriously, it is here in Miletus where Paul makes another farewell address to the leaders of the church at Ephesus, and personally, for e this is one of my favorite passages of scripture.
e. This week, we will finish out Acts chapter 20, as we see Paul giving kind of a re-cap of his ministry to the gentiles to the elders of the church at Ephesus.
f. So, turn with me if you would to Acts chapter 20, and we will pick up reading at verse 17. **If you need a Bible**
IV. Study
a. Intro
i. 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And 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, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 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. 25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 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. 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 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. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ’It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ "
ii. 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 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.
iii. This is some good stuff this morning, guys. If, you have ever wanted to go to a Pastor’s Conference, this was it. Paul was instructing the leaders at the church at Ephesus in ministry. This is one of the richest sections of scripture talking about ministry, right here.
iv. Isn’t it odd that Paul, when he is describing his ministry to these guys, he doesn’t talk about the things that I see a lot of pastors and churches talking about nowadays?
v. If you go to the section called “Pastoral Helps” in your local Christian Bookstore, you’ll find a lot of books on doing this or that to quote-unquote revolutionize your church.
vi. They focus on the latest techniques on how to attract and keep members, or how to raise money for this project or that. I notice that Paul isn’t too concerned with raising money for the local church. He doesn’t talk about being rich or prosperous either. I see a lot of people going around talking abut that in Christian circles today, too.
vii. You’ve seen these guys on TV – Send us your money, and you’ll be prosperous! Or, always be talking about how you are going to get rich, and your positive confession will make it happen.
viii. But, Paul doesn’t talk about those things, he talks about trials, and suffering and tears here. Somehow, I don’t think too many book publishers would want to print that up for pastors, for their “Pastoral Helps” books.
ix. What we do get out of this passage is pure ministry from Paul. Pure concern for the church and their well-being. Humility and sacrifice and hard work on Paul’s part.
x. But the focus, the main thing in Paul’s ministry wasn’t all the sweat and tears. It was God’s Word. Look down to verse 27 – Paul says that he has not shunned to share with them the whole counsel of God’s Word.
xi. He told them the whole story. He didn’t leave anything out. He told them about the trials and tribulations that would befall them as Christians, and he modeled it for them, as well.
xii. But, Paul also lived out his faith in such a way as to let those around him know of the joy that had come into his life through the gospel of grace.
xiii. In our study this morning, we are going to look at five points or divisions in our passage, as we continue our study through Acts. We’ll look at A Review of Paul’s Ministry, A Revelation of Things to Come, Reinforcing the Flock, Remembering the Poor, and last, Paul Riding Away.
b. Review of Paul’s Ministry (Acts 20:17 – 21)
i. 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
ii. Paul was staying a couple of days while his ship was docked in Miletus. Miletus was a small island off the coast of modern-day Turkey, and it was about 30 miles south of Ephesus, the major city in that region.
iii. Paul had spent some two years there in Ephesus teaching first in the synagogue, and later in the rented hall of a schoolmaster named Tyrannus.
iv. Paul didn’t want to stop off in Ephesus, because he thought that he would loose too much time, and he was trying to reach Jerusalem by the feast of Pentecost, to deliver a gift to the church there from the other churches.
v. It was here on this little island that Paul called the leaders of the church at Ephesus. This wasn’t a long distance, and they could make the trip easily. So, these guys all arrive from Ephesus, and they start their meeting.
vi. But, before we get to that I want us to look at something. I want us to look at the word Elder. In the original language, this word is – presbuteros, and we get our word Presbyterian from it.
vii. There are three words in the New Testament used to describe ministers, people who do the work of the ministry in a leadership capacity. One is used here – elder. It describes the man. What is means is “mature person” it’s talking about the spiritual maturity of that person.
viii. Another is the word bishop. It describes the ministry. It talks about being an overseer of others in a spiritual sense. A third word is the word pastor. It describes the method. It means simply “feeder” or “shepherd”. All of these words are used interchangeably in the New Testament, and all describe the work of the people on the front lines, ministering to the flock of God.
ix. So, Paul called for the Pastors, the leaders of the church at Ephesus, and we see them arriving in verse 18. 18 and 19 says - 18 And 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, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
x. So, the leaders from Ephesus come together to meet with Paul and Paul begins by re-capping or re-hashing what he has done among them.
xi. Perhaps the greatest ability in ministry is availability. These Ephesian elders were available. These guys had jobs, and families, and responsibilities, but they made the time to travel to Miletus from Ephesus some 30 miles, on foot, because they wanted to be more effective in their ministry. They wanted to be better ministers. They showed where their priorities were. Their priorities were on God, and not on their own personal lives.
xii. Jesus talks about this. We read this account in Luke chapter 9, starting in verse 57 – we read here - 57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." 61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
xiii. A lot of people get confused when they read this passage, and think that Jesus is cruel by telling the guy to not bury his father. When I studied this passage, I found out that this is just a Middle Eastern figure of speech. What the man was saying was that he would follow Jesus, after he took care of his parents in their old age. The guy’s father wasn’t dead yet.
xiv. These Ephesian elders were folks who weren’t looking back. They were bent on following Jesus Christ, and were willing to sacrifice their own wants, their own desires to follow Jesus Christ. They wanted to minister, and ministry takes sacrifice, as we covered last week. Ministry IS sacrifice.
xv. Paul begins his message to them by reminding them of the manner in which he lived while he was among them. Paul is telling them, hey! Don’t you guys remember that I had trials and tribulations while I was ministering to you?
xvi. Why does God allow His servants to fall into trials and tribulations? Good Question. Well, I believe that the answer to that is two-fold.
xvii. First, we are answered by Paul right here. He says that in humility he served the Lord. Humility is a quality that God values. God wants people who minister for Him to be humble, so that the spotlight is not on them, but on God, just like God wants.
xviii. God didn’t want Paul to take the spotlight. God wanted the spotlight on Him, he wants our total attention, and He doesn’t share the stage.
xix. The second reason that God allows things like this in the life of the minister is really for the minister. You see, God wants us to rely on Him for direction and strength. God’s grace is played out on the stage of the minister’s life through God meeting their needs, despite the bad circumstances.
xx. So, Paul was a broken, humble servant of God while in Ephesus. He summarizes his message to them in verses 20 and 21. Here we read- 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
xxi. Paul tells the Ephesians that he gave them all he had. He didn’t hold anything back, but he proclaimed it to them. Why? Well, for their benefit. Paul cared deeply about these folks, he loved them, and he wanted them to know everything they could possibly know about the faith, before he left.
xxii. Paul was facing more trials and tribulation as he left for Jerusalem. He even knows that he will be facing this. We see this in the next few verses.
c. Revelation of Things to Come (Acts 20:22 – 24)
i. In verse 22 we read – 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
ii. You see, Paul knew about the fate that would befall him. It didn’t catch him by surprise, when he was arrested in the temple, and beaten by the Jews, and taken into custody by the Roman soldiers.
iii. Paul says that he is bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, and what this means is that Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem. He was determined to go to Jerusalem under the direction of the Holy Spirit, though.
iv. Even though Paul didn’t know the actual events that would unfold, and he tells us that here, he did know this – He knew that the Holy Spirit had given visions or revelations to others in the church that Paul would be chained and bound while he was in Jerusalem, and that he would have many tribulations befall him while he was there.
v. Wow. How many folks would sign up for that? Sounds a little bit like Mission Impossible to me. Paul, your mission is to go to Jerusalem and fall under tribulation and get thrown in jail. But Paul is bound to do it; he is bound by his love for the Lord, and the direction of the Holy Spirit. We are told how Paul actually does that in verse 24. 24 says -
vi. 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.
vii. So, we are told that Paul is able to do all of these things because he didn’t hold his life dear. All of the foreboding revelations about what was going to happen didn’t affect Paul, because he didn’t care about his life – No, he cared more about sharing the gospel.
viii. We read this in Mark, chapter 8, verse 34 - He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
ix. Paul was denying himself, even his own safety and life, for the gospel of Christ. That is a life of sacrifice. Sacrifice and self-denial aren’t very popular subjects nowadays. We are more focused on ourselves rather than others.
x. You, know, I read that the most popular magazine in the fifties was LIFE. In the sixties, it was PEOPLE. In the seventies, the most popular magazine was US, and in the eighties, the most popular magazine was SELF.
xi. Nowadays, you can sign up on a magazine website, and fill out a marketing survey, and you only get the articles and advertisements that they think will appeal to you.
xii. We are consumed as a society with ourselves. We are a selfish people, and this has invaded the church. A lot of churches I see hire their worship band and childcare workers, because they can’t get enough people to give up their time, to serve the body of Christ.
xiii. Our consumer society has influenced the church to the point that nowadays; churches exist to cater to the needs of the people. If you read any church-planting materials, the first thing that they tell you to do when you move into an area is to go around and talk to people, asking what they want in a church, and them model your church to fit that.
xiv. We have “seeker-friendly” churches now. These are churches where you walk in, listen to a light message, some music, and maybe a play. The problem with this is that people don’t grow in that environment. People aren’t told the whole counsel of God’s Word. Their gospel is – Hey, follow Jesus! Its fun and you get to hang out with these neat people.
xv. I don’t see that in the Bible. Especially in this passage. Paul is talking about a gospel of pain, and tribulation, and tears, because that is where each and every one of us is in our real lives.
xvi. People have bad things happen in their lives. I know people that have had children die, or they get cancer, or a spouse dies suddenly – we ALL know people like that.
xvii. In our society though, people just try to gloss over it. Sales of Prozac are high, replacing valium from the eighties, because everybody wants to be HAPPY.
xviii. Happiness is defined as an agreeable feeling or condition arising from good fortune or propitious happening of any kind; the possession of those circumstances or that state of being which is attended enjoyment;
xix. The problem with happiness, as we all know is that it is fleeting. As people, we always want more, and as a father, I see this first hand from my children. They can be happy one minute, and crying the next.
xx. But Paul, Paul, the man of self-denial, sacrifice, pain and tears had found something much more valuable than happiness, and guys, that’s joy.
xxi. Happiness exists because of circumstances, but joy exists despite of the circumstances. Joy translated here is the Greek word chara. It is closely related to the Greek word for grace, which is charis. Paul had found joy, true joy through the gospel of grace, in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is how he could have joy despite the circumstances that he was now in, and the ones that he knew would soon befall him.
xxii. In the next verses, Paul shifts the focus from his own relationship with Christ, to the church there in Ephesus. We read in verse 25 -
d. Reinforcing the Flock (Acts 20:25 - 31)
i. 25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
ii. Paul knew that he would no longer see these men who had labored alongside of him again. This was true; they would no longer see Paul again, because God had more things in mind for Paul. Paul had taught all that he could teach to the Ephesians, and now, he was going to follow God’s leading, and move on. Paul goes on to say in verse 26 -
iii. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Paul is referring to a passage of scripture in Ezekiel chapter 3.In this chapter God tells Ezekiel – I have given you a message to take to the people, Ezekiel. If you don’t do it, their blood will be on you. Paul had done all he could do, in 27 we read where Paul says -
iv. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
v. There are things in this book that I’d rather not talk about on Sunday mornings with you guys. It would be nice to share a watered down gospel that only talked about happiness and prosperity.
vi. I could get wound up about giving, or the atonement of Christ, and teach for weeks on end about certain subjects. That’s tempting for anyone in ministry – to only talk about the things that we know about best.
vii. But, I feel like if I did that I would be short-changing you guys. That is way we study the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, Book by book, line upon line, precept upon precept. So that you and I will be fully equipped to do God’s work.
viii. If I have to learn about things in the Word I don’t know about, it makes me a better pastor, and if you learn about things you didn’t know about, then it makes you a better Christian.
ix. Here at Calvary, we are all about this, because I want to see you guys built up in the faith, equipped for service in whatever capacity God has called you to, not for my benefit, but for yours – so that you can experience the joy that Paul is talking about. That joy that comes from the grace of God, serving others.
x. I could get wound up here, but we need to press on, Paul warns the leaders of what is going to happen in their church after he leaves. In verses 28 and 29 we read
xi. 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. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
xii. Paul is saying watch out! People will come from the outside to disturb the flock that God has given you to shepherd. He says take heed to yourself – he’s talking to the elders. He is warning them to keep up their prayer life, and their own personal study of God’s Word.
xiii. Satan will try to bring down the church by taking out its head. The spiritual attacks that we have faced since I became a senior pastor have been ruthless and painful.
xiv. But, I find that if I keep my devotional life in shape, if I am spending time with the Lord, I can deal with all of the attack, because I tap into that joy, that grace that God has apportioned for me to meet the task he has for me.
xv. So, remember me and Stacie and the kids if you can, in your prayer life. I covet your prayers. My family needs them, and so does this church.
xvi. Paul warns them about wolves coming in. Pastors feed the flock. Wolves fleece the flock. They stir up trouble and dissention, and seek to draw people away from the church, and God’s Word. It may be something that would otherwise be good, but they take the focus away from Jesus.
xvii. This would happen to the church at Ephesus. In Revelation chapter 2, we read this addressed to the church at Ephesus, starting in verse 4 -
xviii. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
xix. They wound up leaving their first love, in spite of Paul’s warnings. So, Paul warns them about attacks from outside, but then Paul goes on to describe a more insidious attack – the attacks from within the body of Christ itself. In verses 30 and 31 we read -
xx. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
xxi. Paul is talking about wolves in sheep’s clothing. A wolf in sheep’s clothing looks like a sheep, smells like a sheep, and may even bleat like a sheep. The only difference between a sheep and a wolf in sheep’s clothing is their diet. Wolves eat sheep; and you can always identify a wolf because inevitably there will be sheep carcasses in his wake.
xxii. They destroy lives, and if not confronted, they will destroy a church or a ministry. So, as a pastor, I have to be on the lookout for folks like that, and ask them to either start acting like a sheep, or leave the flock alone.
xxiii. Paul changes gears again in the next four verses. In verse 32 we read -
e. Remembering the Poor (Acts 20:32 – 35)
i. 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.
ii. Paul commends them, or turns them over to God, because he had done all that he could do, he was moving on, and he had to let go of them. They were like his kids. He fed them, he warned them, but ultimately, he had to turn them over to God’s grace. 33 says-
iii. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
iv. Paul didn’t covet anything that anyone else owned. A young bride flashed her diamond ring at the party. It was the biggest rock anyone in attendance had seen. `Wow,’ they said. `Where did you get that diamond?’
v. `This is the famous Rabinowitz diamond, the second largest diamond in the world,’ she said. `But it comes with a curse.’ `A curse?’ asked her friends. `Yes,’ she answered. `It comes with Mr. Rabinowitz.’
vi. Have you found that the objects you desire have become a curse once you obtained them? You have to maintain them and keep track of them. Paul was free from all of that. Paul found joy in giving what he did have away; we see this in 34 and 35.
vii. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ’It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
viii. I think especially at this time of year, when everyone is so obsessed by getting this toy for their kids, of making their lists so that they get everything they want, we need to remember this – we need to remember those who are less fortunate.
ix. We do it as a family, often anonymously, simply because we want to be a blessing to the people around us. Paul winds down his message here, and we will finish up our message today as we close out the chapter.
f. Riding Away (Acts 20: 36 – 38)
i. 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. When there’s nothing else left to say, pray. Talk to God. Tell Him about it. Things may not change around you, but your heart sure does, and it makes the circumstances easier to deal with.
ii. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 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.
iii. They cried because they knew that they would never see Paul again this side of eternity. They had a solemn walk down to the ship, where they said their last goodbyes to their beloved Apostle, their father in the faith.
g. Conclusion
i. I’d like to leave us with three things to take away from this message. Three things for us to remember and consider, as we leave this morning.
ii. First, serving God means sacrifice.
iii. Second, to have a strong church, you have to teach all of God’s Word.
iv. Third, those of us that are more fortunate need to help support those that aren’t, especially this time of year.
v.
vi. ***********Evangelistic appeal*********
h. Let’s Pray.
