Sermon Central
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The Whole Counsel Of God
Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Jun 14, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: In Acts 20, when Paul gives his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, we really see his heart as a pastor. What was driving him? Being aware of the necessity of being God’s "watchman." How did he accomplish this? "For I have not shunned to declare unto
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Ephesus was a city in which many Jews took up residence
+ Here the seeds of the gospel were sown immediately after Pentecost = [Acts 2:9, 6:9]
+ At the close of his second missionary journey (about A.D. 51)
+ When Paul was returning from Greece to Syria, first visits city = [Acts 18:18-21]
+ He remained, however, for only a short time = Hastening to keep Pentecost @ Jerusalem
+ He left Aquila and Priscilla behind him to carry on the work of spreading the gospel.
During his third missionary journey = [Acts 19.1]
+ Paul reached Ephesus from the "upper coasts" (i.e., the inland parts of Asia Minor)
+ Tarried here for about three years
+ So successful and abundant were his labours that = [Acts 19.10]
+ Probably during this period the seven churches of the Apocalypse were founded
+ Not by Paul’s personal labours, but by missionaries whom he may have sent out from Ephesus, and by the influence of converts returning to their homes.
On his return from his journey, Paul touched at Miletus = [Acts 20.15]
+ He sends for the elders of Ephesus to meet him
+ Delivers the touching farewell charge ==> Acts 20:17-35
+ Ephesus is not again mentioned till near the close of Paul’s life = [1 Tim. 1.3]
>>> Easton’s Bible Dictionary
While there is a great deal which we could focus on in this passage
+ I want to focus on "Paul the pastor"
+ Paul fulfilled so many roles in the history of Christianity
+ Theologian / Prophet / Healer / Preacher = Missionary
+ CHURCH PLANTING MISSIONARY = Model for so much of missions today
+ [17-25] = How touching a scene = How the tears must have been flowing!
+ You can really see his "pastor’s heart" in = [26-32]
What was driving him?
+ v.26 = The idea of being God’s watchman = A sentinel on the city walls / hilltops
+ The "outlooker" for those who might come from without and besiege the city
>>> ISBN, W. M. Christie, "watchman"
+ Consider = Ezek. 3.17-19 = But as might be applied to being a PASTOR
And how did he accomplish this? = [27]
Is this every pastor’s desire? = Should be
+ If you were to trace this idea through the Scriptures
+ To determine what this would mean for the man of God
+ Who was truly determined "to declare unto you all the counsel of God"
+ According to God = Judging by His Word = Suggests the following applications
[Ps. 32.11] = Dictates your attitude = No matter what God says
+ Paul and Ephesus = Going, sewing, growing = Going again
[Is. 46.10-11] = God’s Word is = Sure = Eternal = And His Will WILL be DONE
+ Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
+ Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
[Jer. 23.32] = "they"
+ And there is a grave danger in NOT hearkening to God’s counsel
+ Paul and Ephesus = "grievous wolves" (Acts 20.29)
[Matt. 28.20] = "The whole counsel of God" is what He intends to be our doctrine
+ Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
+ 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar
+ Philippians 1:7 ...the defence and confirmation of the gospel...
[Luke 7.30] = False prophets will always rejects "the whole counsel of God"
+ Here we have a good determiner of true and false teachers
+ 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
+ Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
