Sermons From Acts - Paul's Discourse To The Ephesian Elders (20:13-38)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

           Paul's Discourse To The Ephesian Elders (20:13-38)

INTRODUCTION

1. After "The Eventful Sunday At Troas", Paul continued his third
   journey...
   a. Walking from Troas to Assos (about 20 miles) - Ac 20:13
   b. Joining his companions at Assos, and sailing to Mitylene - Ac 20:14
   c. Sailing past Chios, on to Samos, Trogyllium, arriving at Miletus 
      - Ac 20:15

2. Paul's plan was to bypass Ephesus...
   a. So he would not have to spend time in Asia (SW Turkey) - Ac 20:16
   b. Hoping to arrive in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost - ibid.

[Though in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, Paul called for the elders of the
church in Ephesus to come to Miletus (Ac 20:17).  When they arrived, Paul
spoke to them.  In his discourse with the elders...]

I. PAUL REVIEWED HIS HISTORY

   A. HIS SERVICE AT EPHESUS...
      1. They knew his manner of life - Ac 20:18
      2. How he served the Lord with all humility - Ac 20:19
      3. With many tears and trials amid Jewish persecution - Ac 20:19

   B. HIS TEACHING AT EPHESUS...
      1. He kept back nothing that was helpful - Ac 20:20
      2. He taught publicly and house-to-house - Ac 20:20
      3. He testified to both Jews and Greeks - Ac 20:21
      4. He taught repentance toward God, and faith toward Christ - Ac
         20:21

[Having reviewed his history of service and teaching at Ephesus...]

II. PAUL SPOKE OF HIS FUTURE

   A. HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM...
      1. He was going to Jerusalem "bound in the spirit" - Ac 20:22
      2. Not knowing what will happen to him there - Ac 20:22
      3. Except the Spirit has testified in every city that trials and 
         tribulations await him - Ac 20:23
      4. Yet none of those things moved him - Ac 20:24
         a. For he did not count his life dear to himself
         b. For he wanted to finish his race with joy
      5. He wanted to finish his ministry - Ac 20:24
         a.  Received from the Lord Jesus
         d. To testify to the gospel of the grace of God

   B. HIS SUMMARY OF HIS FUTURE...
      1. They, among whom he has preached the kingdom, will see his face
         no more - Ac 20:25
      2. Yet he is innocent of their blood, for he has proclaimed God's
         counsel - Ac 20:26-27; cf. Eze 3:18-20

[Having thus spoken of his own future...]

III. PAUL WARNED OF THEIR FUTURE

   A. TO FULFILL THEIR DUTIES AS ELDERS...
      1. Take heed to themselves - Ac 20:28; cf. 2Chr 19:6-7
      2. Take heed to the flock among them - Ac 20:28; cf. 1Pe 5:1-2
      3. As overseers (bishops) and shepherds (pastors) of the church
         - ibid. 
      4. The church of God purchased with His own blood - ibid.

   B. TO BEWARE THE COMING APOSTASY...
      1. The that will occur after his (Paul's) departure - Ac 20:29
      2. Savage wolves from without will come in, not sparing the flock
         - Ac 20:30
      3. Even from within the church men will arise, drawing disciples 
         away - ibid.
      4. Therefore watch, even as Paul did for three years, night and
         day - Ac 20:31

   C. TO ADDRESS THE COMING APOSTASY...
      1. Paul commended them to God, placing them in His providential
         care - Ac 20:32
      2. Paul commended them to the word of His grace, able to build them
         up and give them an inheritance among all the sanctified - ibid.
      3. By remembering Paul's own example while with them - Ac 20:33-34
         a. He coveted no one's silver, gold, apparel
         b. He provided for his own necessities, and for those with him
         c. His labor exemplified how to care for those who were week
      4. By remembering that Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than
         to receive." - Ac 20:35

[Then Paul and the Ephesian elders knelt down and prayed.  The elders
wept profusely and kissed Paul, sorrowing that they would see him no
more.  Then they accompanied him to the ship (Ac 20:36-38)...]

CONCLUSION

1. From Paul's discourse and the tearful departure, we can learn much
   about...
   a. The work of an evangelist (both subject and methodology)
   b. The duties and limitation of elders (limited to shepherding the
      flock among them)
   c. The danger of apostasy (from whence it comes, how to address it)
   d. The importance of selfless service (from Paul's example, Jesus'
      words)
   e. The love that ought to exist among brethren (an emotional bond)

2. We do well to ask ourselves...
   a. How do we carry out our work, whatever our duties?
   b. Do we take the danger of apostasy seriously, looking to God and His
      word?
   c. Do we remember what Jesus about the blessedness of giving over
      receiving?
   d. Are we developing the kind of love for one another exemplified in
      our text?

As members of the body of Christ, the church purchased with His own
blood, should we not seek to apply and emulate what we can from "Paul's
Discourse To The Ephesian Elders"...?
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