Acts 20

Acts_20
12/28/08

Acts_20
I. Greece
Acts 20:1-6 (NKJV)
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
A. A challenging consideration.
1. Picture of George Washington kneeling by his horse in the snow and I was thinking how soft we have become.
2. I consider the sacrifices made by so many so that we might enjoy freedom, and I pondered how little we are willing to sacrifice for freedom.
3. And as I read the accounts of the Apostle Paul's ministry I am impressed and challenged by his example.
a. His was not a soft or easy life; he sacrificed much for the sake of the gospel, the glory of God, and the church of Jesus Christ.
B. We read here that after the riot at Ephesus, and when the uproar that led up to it settled down Paul called the church together to say goodbye and departed for Macedonia.
1. He evidently had arranged to meet Titus in Troas for a report on how things were going in Corinth before crossing the Aegean sea to Macedonia We read in 2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
2. They eventually met up in Macedonia and Paul was encouraged by the report of Titus concerning the Church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (NKJV)
5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
3. Traveling through Macedonia encouraging the church and then on to Greece for three months undoubtedly doing the same there.
C. After three months as Paul was about to depart from Greece and sail to Syria, he uncovered a plot against his life by the Jews who were evidently plotting to kill him at seas, Paul decides to return back through Macedonia and sail from Philippi to Troas and then on around to Syria.
1. Imagine how wearisome it would be to constantly have people plotting to kill you on account of your service to Christ and His church and not letting it stop you.
a. Commitment and sacrifice like that surely must be born out of love.
b. I have a pastor friend that has had numerous credible death threats over the years I have known him, but never let it stop him.
2. But I would also like you to note that at least at this point Paul has a group of faithful men traveling with him and what an encouragement it is to know that there are others whom you can trust in the thick of battle, to know they have your back so to speak.
a. Partners like that are few and far between today.
b. Now these seven men sailed ahead to Troas and Paul and Luke who appears to have rejoined Paul at this time, went around by land and sailed from Philippi to Troas staying there for seven days.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas
II. Ministry at Troas.
Acts 20:7-12 (NKJV)
7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.
A. The day before Paul and party were to depart from Troas they were gathered together on the first day of the week which would be a Sunday for a communion service.
1. They were in an upper room till late in the night with many lamps flickering in the room, and Paul had much to say before his departure, speaking to them through the night.

2. And there during the coarse of Paul's message as he went on and on, a young man named Eutychus got sleepier and sleeper as Paul's message went on and on, not only did he fall asleep but he fell out of the window, a third story window and apparently killed by the fall.
a. But Paul went down and fell on the young man and embraced him much as the prophets Elijah and Elisha in the OT had done and his life came back into him.
(1) And they were much comforted by this.
3. Paul had something to say and he said it, God had something to say for God and the people listened to it.
a. Today we must have our three point or five point message and don't dare go over, in fact they say the average adult attention span today is around twenty minutes.
(1) What a sad commentary this is on our society, on our desire to hear what God wants to say to us!
(2) I've watched the clock many times, and it wasn't because the speaker or the message was boring, it was simply because I had a competing priority.
4. And at daybreak Paul departed for the next part of his journey toward Jerusalem, and Rome.
III. Troas to Miletus
Acts 20:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
A. The group sailed to Assos and Paul went there by foot, Paul evidently sent them ahead because it took longer to sail than to travel by foot which probably gave him more time in Troas than he had intended to spend.
1. From Assos they sailed to Mitylene, then Chios, Samos, and then Miletus, the voyage to these last three ports taking one day each.
2. Paul was trying to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost, so he sailed past Ephesus, but sends for the elders from Ephesus to meet him in Miletus.
IV. Exhortation to the Ephesion Elders
A. Paul the Pastor
Acts 20:17-21 (NKJV)
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.
1. When the Elders from Ephesus arrived he began to exhort them and while we often see Paul the evangelist we catch here a glimpse of Paul's heart as a pastor and what was important to him as a leader and shepherd of the church.
a. His example to them was as one who lived and worked among them not as a celebrity or VIP.
b. He kept nothing back that was profitable to them, but told them the truth, whether it was popular to him or them or not popular...
c. And he didn't limit his message or his audience but taught the truth to all regardless of who they were.
(1) The demographics of churches today are a tragedy I believe.
B. Paul's heart and mind.
Acts 20:22-27 (NKJV)
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.
1. Paul feels compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what awaits him there, only that every indication is that is trouble and will be a difficult road for him.
a. But he is not concerned for his own safety only that he finishes well the race God has set before him.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(1) Let me encourage you, if you have gotten yourself out of the race somehow or you have not got your eyes on Jesus, put them back on Him now.

2. Paul lets them know that this is the last time they will see his face, and declares himself to be innocent of the blood of all men, because he did not hold back, but taught the whole counsel of God.
a. He considered himself to be a watchman.
Ezekiel 33:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.
8 When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.
9 Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
b. Desire the whole counsel of God and nothing less...
C. Continue in Godly ministry
Acts 20:28-35 (NKJV)
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.’ ”
1. Take heed to yourselves and the flock
a. Ministry is the outflow of life not an act, so keep yourselves in and encourage the flock to maintain relationship with God the flock Christ purchased with His own blood and whom the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
(1) Be shepherds who feed and protect the flock, not those who prey upon her.
(a) Feeding is the first duty of the shepherd.
2. He warns them that after he departs savage wolves will come in (false teachers from outside, as well as false teachers from within.
a. Those fro outside are often easier to guard against than those from within.
(1) Those from within Paul says are looking for a following, they want to be popular and have impress others.
b. He warns them to beware and to remember his example, his heart for them and for God, which came through in his tears, and his message.
c. Also reminding them that he wasn't in it for money and thus watch out for those who are in it for money.
3. I am amazed at how many times I have warned and my warnings have gone unheeded...
D. Finally an emotional goodbye
Acts 20:36-38 (NKJV)
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.
1. Then with a prayer he says goodbye and we see their heart of love expressed for him as they weep on him and kiss him farewell.
a. Grieved not only by the typical sadness that comes when we say goodbye to someone who live far away and we don't see often, but even more so because his words to them that they would not see him again.