Having been speaking to a laptop screen for the last 10 months, it feels good to be able to speak to you face-to-face again!
• We give thanks to God for this day. Let us look into His Word, taken from Acts 20.
Read Acts 20:13-38.
LET US PRAY:
Our heavenly Father, we have come again into your presence to worship and acknowledge you. Thank you for the Scripture, from which we see your works and understand your will. Shine your light into our hearts and minds again, so that we may respond to what you show us.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Ps 19:14) In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
Acts 20:13-16 FROM TROAS TO MILETUS
13We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene [met the lean]. 15The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Kios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus [mer let thus]. 16Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
After speaking through the night at Troas, Paul left for ASSOS.
• While Luke and the rest of the team went on board the ship and set sail to ASSOS, Paul decided to walk there on foot. [MAP]
• Sailing takes a slightly longer time because it has to skirt around the jut-out coastline.
• No reason was given why Paul chose to walk. It might have allowed him to stay longer at Troas or he wanted some quiet time for himself on the walk.
He joined the team onboard the ship at ASSOS and they set sail to MITYLENE [met the lean], passed through KIOS and SAMOS, skipping EPHESUS and arrived at MILETUS [mer let thus].
• Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending more time because he wanted to reach Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost, which is about a month away.
• 20:6 “But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.”
• 12 days have already passed from the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they left Troas, and the day of Pentecost is the 50th day from the start of the Feast.
• You would notice Luke giving us a clear timeline in these two chapters (20-21) - where they sailed to and how many days they stayed – to tell us they were on a tight schedule.
At MILETUS [mer let thus] Paul called for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him.
• Believing that he might not get the chance to see them again, Paul wanted to part with some words of encouragement.
• We see the heart of a shepherd for the under-shepherds, for the elders of the church, the overseers and shepherds of the various home-churches (20:28).
In the light of the oppositions which Paul experienced in the province of Asia, he wanted to encourage them before he departs.
• This farewell speech revealed much about Paul – his conduct, his commitment and his concern for the church.
• This was the only speech Paul made to a Christian audience that Luke has recorded for us. [Luke recorded Paul’s message to the Jews in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13), to the Gentiles in Lystra (Acts 14) and the Gentiles in Athens (Acts 17)]
Parting words are significant words; no idle words, no casual talk. Paul shared his deepest concerns.
• This is the heart of the shepherd, and it will do us well if we can note what he says and learn from his conduct, his commitment and his concern for the church.
• For those of us who are serving today – in a small group, in fellowship or worship, or any ministry. Listen and take heed to these words from a shepherd of God’s church.
WE SEE HIS CONDUCT (looking at the past)
Paul set them a good example, in word and in deed, when he was with them for 3 years.
• 20:18-21 He said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
• 20:26-27 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
Paul has taught them everything they need to know, the whole counsel of God.
• Not only that, he modelled the kind of life and ministry they ought to emulate.
• “Forget not the words I said and do the work of God as I did.”
Verse 19 gave us a hint that Paul had a trying time in Ephesus, in the province of Asia.
• We read from his letters to the Corinthians that he faced many hardships and was “severely tested” in this region.
• Yet Paul persevered in preaching the whole truth of God, despite the oppositions.
The elders have not only HEARD the truth from Paul, they have also SEEN it in the way he lived the whole time he was with them – his faith, his conduct, his courage and his tears.
• Paul trusted God and believed His Word. He preached and lived the truth. He was a walking sermon among them.
• Hence he was able to say, 1 Cor 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” ESV: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” And he wrote it while in Ephesus.
• Paul isn't perfect; no one is. He might have some rough spots, but his life is worth imitating, for he imitates Christ.
And while he was with them, Paul said, 20:33-35 “I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Paul made an effort not to be a burden to the church. He worked as a leather-worker for a time to supply his own needs, as well as the needs of his companions.
• Servants of God serve without the thought of material rewards or selfish gains.
• Although we are taught to support them, Paul did not take it as a right.
• He said 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak…”
• He does not say that everyone should follow his way of preaching but he does say that we are to work and earn and help the weak (sick) and those in need, as Jesus taught.
WE SEE HIS COMMITMENT (looking at the present)
20:22-24 22"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Paul was committed to God and the proclamation of the Gospel.
• His motivation and life’s goal was to do the will of God and complete it.
• They have a similar calling to keep the faith and shepherd the church of God.
Paul says that he is "compelled by the Spirit" (NIV), "constrained by the Spirit" (ESV), bound in the spirit" (KJV)… to go to Jerusalem and testify to the Gospel of God’s grace!
• Earlier while in Corinth, he wrote in Rom 10:1 “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”
• Paul was motivated by the will of God. His focus has been the purposes of God.
• He wants to “finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given him.”
In some ways, the Holy Spirit has indicated to him of the hardships that he would be facing in Jerusalem.
• Yet, even though he has an inkling that he would be facing afflictions and possible imprisonment, self-preservation wasn’t his goal.
• It is so easy for us to rationalise away God’s will. "God will not want you to suffer, or to be imprisoned, or to fall sick and to be poor."
• If we give in to temptations on the basis of comfort and convenience, we can really miss God's purposes for our lives and for His work.
Paul asked the Romans to pray for him. Rom 15:30-32 “30I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.”
This is one line that we can echo for ourselves - Paul’s words in 20:24:
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Paul felt he might not get the chance to return this way and see them again.
• He has done all he could to plant the seed of the Gospel, now the church elders would have to continue the work of watering it and protecting it and letting it grow.
• Like the watchman mentioned in Ezekiel 33, Paul had sounded the trumpet loud and clear throughout the region. If the people pay no heed to the warning, then their blood would be upon their own heads.
• Paul has done all that he could.
WE SEE HIS CONCERN (looking to the future)
20:29-31 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Keep the faith and hold fast to the truth of God’s Word, in the midst of false and erroneous teachings that will arise. It is not IF but WHEN they arise.
The Lord has already warned us of false prophets, false teachers, false christs in the last days.
Paul has been there for 3 years and knew the context well.
• False teachers will continue to come against the church, to distort the truth and divide the flock.
• They will come not just from OUTSIDE the church, but also from WITHIN, the wolves in sheep clothing.
• 20:30 “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”
Therefore the need to 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
• The use of elders, overseers and shepherds (pastors) refer to the same responsibility – they are entrusted with the care of the flock, the believers in Christ.
But Paul said, keep watch over YOURSELVES first before ALL THE FLOCK.
• ESV: “Pay careful attention to yourselves…” That comes first. Shepherd yourselves before you shepherd others.
• Paul said the same to Timothy - 1 Tim 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul has already taught to them the whole counsel of God.
• They have to keep watch over their own faith and then the faith of the flock, following the example that Paul had set for them.
• 20:31 “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Constant vigilance and prayer.
20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
• And then Paul entrusted them to God and His Word, knowing that the light of God’s Word will build them up and keep them safe.
• Paul cannot be there for them always, but God and His Word will keep them safe.
• The heart of the shepherd is to help connect the flock to God through His Word.
• We lead the people to the living water and to help them drink deeply.
Did Paul’s warning about the false teachers come true?
• Yes. The Lord revealed that when He spoke to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, some 30 years later.
• Rev 2:2-3 “2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.”
• Rev 2:6 “But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
• It showed that they did heed Paul’s words. They were however admonished for another issue, for having forsaken their first love (Rev 2:4).
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Finally, they prayed and said their goodbyes. It was not easy for them to part with Paul.
• They wept greatly and Luke said in 21:1 that they have to tear themselves away from them. It was the most moving scene in the book of Acts.
• Paul has been their good shepherd and they loved him deeply.
Let me conclude with this thought. What kind of an influence are we?
• The question is not, are we an influence? We are, whether you know it or not, consciously or unconsciously, we are influencing others.
• All of us are influencing someone, by the way we speak and live and conduct ourselves. The question is what kind of an influence are we?
Paul was able to say, 20:18 “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.”
• He said to the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)
• He preached Christ excellently, he lived Christ fully. He models the message he proclaims.
• That’s the exemplary life of Paul. What a wonderful life!
May the Lord help us live the same. Let us be a positive, spiritual, godly influence in the lives of those around us.
PRAYER:
As the hymn says, take our lives, Lord and let it be consecrated to you.
Take our moments and our days, and let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take our hands and let them move at the impulse of your love
Take our feet and let them be swift and beautiful for you.
Take our voices and let us sing always, only for you our King
Take our lips and let them be filled with messages from you.
Make our lives a blessing, to the glory of your Name.
This is our prayer. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
