Pastor focuses on the end of this chapter - Paul's Farewell Address.
Acts 20:16-17 Paul is on the way to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost. He stops in Miletus and requests the elders from Ephesus to come to him.
Paul's Farewell Address Outline
With Then and Now notation
- Deadly plots - Then - Acts 20:18-19 - Paul points to the fact that he has been with them a long time and that he served with humility and tears in the midst of severe testing by the plots of Jewish opponents. (See 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 for more regarding the plots)
- Now - Paul gives us insight into how to handle persecution today as well. When we come to despair we know we have a great God who is with us.
- Faithful witness - Then - Acts 20:20-21 - Paul shares how he has been a faithful witness and has not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful, and had taught publicly and from house to house declaring to all that they must turn to God in repentance with faith in Jesus.
- Now - we are called to do just like Paul in speaking words that lead others to repentance and faith in Jesus. (See Mark 1:15 for Jesus' proclamation of "repent and believe the good news")
- Hardships ahead - Then - Acts 20:22-24 - Paul shares that he is going to Jerusalem, knowing that prison and hardships are facing him. But he goes on to share that he considers his life worth nothing, and that his aim is to finish the race, complete the work the Lord has given him - the task of testifying to the Good News of God's grace. He will follow Jesus no matter what.
- Now - God does NOT guarantee that we will NOT face difficult times. We are called to be faithful to the Lord no matter what, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences. (See 2 Timothy 4:7-8 about fighting the good fight and the crown of righteousness) We too are called to be faithful witnesses no matter the cost and we will receive life forever with Him.
- Innocent watchman - Then - Acts 20:25-27 - Paul goes on to say that those gathered there won't see him and again and that he has proclaimed the whole will of God to them. (See Ezekiel 33:1-6,17 "made you a watchman…"). Paul is saying he did what the Lord Jesus called him to do.
- Now - We need to follow God's call to be faithful witnesses as well - so that people see and hear in us the goodness of God in Christ and the importance of knowing Him.
- Shepherd's shepherds - Then - Acts 20:28 - Paul encourages the elders to watch over themselves and the flock and to be shepherds of God's church whichThe Lord Himself bought with His own blood. God saves us, redeems us, offers Jesus as the payment for our sin. He offers to all who repent and believe, life forever with Him. (See Romans 1:1 "set apart for the gospel of God.."
- Now today we are called to be good shepherds of those God has brought into our lives. We are called to faithfully live and proclaim the good news.
- Repeated warning - Then - Acts 20:29-31 - Paul's final warning that there will be people coming to draw them away from faith, so they must be on their guard. He tells them to "stay Awake."
- Now - we are called to "stay awake" to the things of God. To be awake to the truths of the Bible, awake to the consequences of disobedience and awake to the dangers of false teaching and false living.
- Sacrificial living - Then - Acts 20:32-35 - Paul commits the group to God. And ends by saying that through hard work we are to help the weak.
- Now - we too are to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, "it is more blessed to give than to receive." We are to practice sacrificial living.
Pastor closes with HOPE:
"Among followers of the Lord Jesus …There are no final farewells!!
This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:
Acts chapter 20-21.
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