New Beginnings
Acts 20:17-38
[17] From Miletus [Paul] 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] and 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 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; not 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 who 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 arise, 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] And 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. [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.
INTRODUCTION
The Pastor’s Cat –
The pastor had a kitten that climbed up into a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, called to it, got catnip, etc., but the kitty would not come down.
The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
Once securing a rope to the top of the tree and to his car he began to slowly drive away from the tree carefully watching his progress. With only a little bit further to go to bend the tree sufficiently for him to reach the cat he kept moving the car slowly. Just as he was about to stop – the rope broke, the tree flipped back, and the cat went flying into the air out of sight.
The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they’d seen his little kitten. No, nobody had seen the cat, but assured him if they saw it they we let him know. So the pastor prayed, “Lord, I just commit this kitten to your safe keeping,” and went on about his business.
A few days later while at the grocery store, the pastor ran into one of his church members. While they were talking He happened to look into her shopping cart and was surprised to see she was purchasing some cat food as well as other items to be used in the care of a cat. The reason he was surprised is that this woman just absolutely hated cats and she made everyone aware of that fact whenever cats came up in a conversation.
So the pastor curiously asked her, “Why are you buying stuff for a cat when you hate them so much?”
She replied! “Pastor, you will not believe this,” and began telling him how her little girl had been begging her and begging her for a cat. But she kept telling her, “No!” She said, “This went on for days. Her daughter would not stop begging her for a cat. Finally, out of frustration, she told her daughter, “If God gives you a cat, then and only then will I let you keep it.”
She said, I watched my daughter go out in the backyard, get on her knees, and asking God for a cat. Pastor, you won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. As my daughter was praying suddenly a kitten came flying out of the clear blue sky, its paws were outspread, and landed in front of my daughter. So, this is why I am buying all of this stuff for her!” [Adapted from an email story concerning Dwight Nelson’s (?) pastor].
A. This story has a common theme throughout – i.e., facing life with new beginnings -
1) The pastor – life without his kitten.
2) The mom – having to overcome her prejudice of cats.
3) The little girl – now had a kitten.
4) The kitten – had a new owner.
B. Just as in this story, so too, are we at this juncture of our lives as a pastor and a church for we too are facing new beginnings.
1) Today is my last Sunday in the pulpit as your pastor.
2) Therefore, tomorrow will bring to each of us; new opportunities, new hopes, new memories, and new beginnings.
C. In our text Paul, too, was found at a similar juncture in his life with the church of Ephesus –
1) He was soon to leave for another direction in his ministry of the Lord Jesus.
2) However, just before he departs he calls the elders of the church at Ephesus together and addresses them as follows:
TEXT
Acts 20:17-38
In this passage of God’s Word, we are given the opportunity of observing a church’s minister and pastor (Paul) saying goodbye to them (Ephesus), a church that he loved and labored with over a period of three years.
Since, we too are in a similar situation, let us take advantage of this opportunity and glean a few items from the Lord’s Word and observe – A faithful minister exhorting faithfulness to the Lord’s saints [the Elders of the church at Ephesus] to be about God’s work faithfully – as their pathways now Y off into different directions of service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I. FAITHFUL
Vs. 17-27
The Minister of God Must:
A. Serve the Lord – Vs. 17-20
[17] From Miletus [Paul] 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] and how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
1 Corinthians 3: 5-9, 21-23
Who … is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. … Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or thins to come – all are yours. And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
NOTE: My purpose has been to be faithful in building up and exhorting the saints here at God’s NT church, Underwood Baptist, for the glory of Jesus Christ and none other.
B. Present the Gospel – Vs. 21
[21] testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:16
… I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
NOTE: My aim has been to be faithful in presenting to you the Gospel of Christ as your only hope for salvation before God.
C. Finish the Course – Vs. 24-27
[24] But none of these things move me; not 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 who 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.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
NOTE: My goal has been to be faithful in following the Lord’s leading as we attempted to serve Him.
II.FAITHFULNESS
Vs. 28-35
The Saints of God Must:
A. Be on Guard – Vs. 28-30
[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 arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
… know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
NOTE: Your purpose is to watch out for yourselves as a church to protect the integrity God’s blood bought people.
B. Be Alert – Vs. 31-32
[31] Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. [32] And 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.
Acts 17:10-12
Then the brethren [of Thessalonica] immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
NOTE: Your aim is to be aware of what God’s Word teaches in order to build you up and to separate you from the world.
C. Remember God’s Love – Vs. 33-35
[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.
1 John 3:16-18
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
NOTE: Your goal is to share with others – share because God shared the Gospel to you.
III. FAITHFULLY
Vs. 36-38
[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.
All of us must:
A. Pray – Vs. 36
[36] And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NOTE: Our purpose is to look to and call upon God.
B. Remember – Vs. 37
[37] Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
… what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.
NOTE: Our aim is to reflect on what has been done in the name of Christ together and seek to continue on with our labors though our paths will now go in different directions.
C. Begin Anew – Vs. 38
[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.
Romans 8:27-31
Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover who He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then can we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
NOTE: Our goal is to do whatever our Lord asks of us, it is to go wherever our Lord sends us, and to go whenever our Lord ask us.
CLOSING THOTS
As we now begin our journeys anew going onto separate paths – may we make it our purpose, our aim, and our goal to serve the Lord Jesus with all that we have.
Jesus, Savior, All I Have Is Thine
(Herman Voss)
Jesus, Savior, all I have is Thine,
Body, soul and will I now resign.
Make me, keep me faithful unto Thee,
Savior, through eternity.
Jesus, Savior, I would die to sin,
Come, O come and live in me again.
Mold me, fill me till the world shall see,
Jesus, Savior, living now in me.
Jesus, Savior, in this quite hour,
May I feel Thy Spirit’s strength and pow’r;
Take me, use me as Thou wilt each day,
Jesus, Savior, this I humbly pray.
Amen
[Hymns of Faith - 316, Tabernacle Publishing Co., 1992]
. Thank you for giving me the privilege and opportunity to serve as your pastor.
. On the behalf of Cindy and I, thank you for the honor of being a member of Underwood BC.
. For both of us – May I say: Goodbye until the Lord allows our paths to cross once again.
INVITATION
.. For those outside of Christ – You need to trust in His finished work – John 3:16.
.. For those who know Christ as their Savior – You need to be found faithful in your service – Romans 12:2.
Come Worship The Lord
.. Our Invitation is open to all –
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Revised:
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
www.prilgrimskeyboard.blogspot.com
July 13, 2008
Original:
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church
November 23, 2003
