INDUCTIVE LESSON NINETEEN

Transcription

1 INDUCTIVE LESSON NINETEEN PAUL S FAREWELL ADDRESS Since George Washington published his farewell address in a Philadelphia newspaper in 1796 near the end of his second term in office, the farewell address has since become an institution maintained by virtually all American presidents. Following virtually the same format for over 200 years, the departing president briefly reviews some of their accomplishments, adds some personal nostalgic remembrances, and issues a warning of future challenges or perils to the people. In our study this week we will read Paul s farewell address to the church leaders of Ephesus. His speech to the elders is the longest recorded discourse to a group of believers in our study this year. Paul s message to the elders breaks down nicely into two sections: his example while with the Ephesians, and his exhortation or warnings to them after his departure. Paul spent three years in Ephesus and as he reflected back on the landscape of his ministry, he could honestly say he had no regrets. Regret or remorse grips over 90% of Americans according to Happify, a website dedicated to applying the principles of science to creating happy people. 1 Interestingly, this site quotes from a book by Bronnie Ware, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, in which the author s top two strategies to prevent remorse when reviewing your life are: 1) Live a life that feels meaningful to you, and 2) Have the courage to express yourself. It s amazing how science eventually lines up with the truth of God s Word as seen in the example of Paul. In surveying his own life, Paul, while awaiting execution in a Roman prison, would later write the following to Timothy, his true son in the faith, For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6 8 NKJV). How can we guarantee our life s summary will look like Paul s and not the 90% of Americans in the above study? John Piper, in his book Don t Waste Your Life, writes of growing up with a plaque hung in his kitchen which later served as the filter through which the worth of all activity was measured, Only one life, twill soon be past; only what s done for Christ will last. 2 Paul had a light touch, or grip, on the things of this world and his gaze was fixed on the things of eternity. If you read about the saints recorded in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11, you will see they regarded themselves as aliens or strangers on earth with their true citizenship in heaven. The Hebrews writer then writes, For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come (Hebrews 13:14 NLT). One of the newest concepts in both business management and education is planning how to reach the desired endpoint from the beginning. Realizing that many businesses or educators churn along a path of seemingly random activity without a goal in mind has led to Backward Planning. Backward Planning 1

2 makes all decisions strategically aimed at reaching the desired goal or endpoint. Theologians would call this living in the light of eternity. C.S. Lewis says it is precisely because many Christians, unlike Paul, have focused on things of this earth rather than the things of heaven that their lives are ineffective and remorseful. A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in : aim at earth and you will get neither regrets/?srid=hfp&c1=healthyliving 2 Piper, John. Don t Waste Your Life. Wheaton: Crossway Books, Page 12 3 Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, Page 62 Memory Verse 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. Acts 20:24 NKJV Prayer Start by praying over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Study Text / Worksheet Write down your observations, comments, or questions directly on the text as you go over it. Ministry in Troas 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 2

3 Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. 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. My Observations Digging Deeper Interpretation: Application: Farewell, Part 1: Paul s Example 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 3

4 spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. 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. 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. My Observations Digging Deeper Interpretation: Application: 4

5 Farewell, Part 2: Paul s Exhortation 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. 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. My Observations Digging Deeper Interpretation: Application: 5

6 Take Away / Summary To avoid walking in circles when lost in the wilderness, survival instructors teach their students to pick out the most prominent point in the distant landscape and walk toward it. In a similar sense we need to pick out the single most important truth in this week s study, and apply it in our life as we walk toward Jesus and out of the wilderness. Please share with your group what that truth is for you and how will you apply it this week: Memory Verse 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. Acts 20:24 NKJV Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key phrases. Both of these are a blast from the past reflecting Old Testament concepts that are being brought into the New Testament by Paul. How would these phrases instruct us today? Innocent of the Blood of All Men (Acts 20:26) The Whole Counsel of God (Acts 20:27) 6

7 Tool Box Step 1: The Bible. Read the passage in a couple of different versions. If you are having trouble understanding a passage, choose a more dynamic version such as New Living Translation or The Message. To focus in on the exact meaning of a verse, choose a more literal translation such as New American Standard Bible or New King James Version. Step 2: Study Tools. Use these to help you dig deeper. Background Information: 1) Unger s Bible Dictionary 2) Bible Dictionaries online at biblestudytools.com and blueletterbible.com. Word Studies: 1) Zodhiates The Complete Word Study New Testament 2) Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary 3) Strong s Dictionary of Bible Words. Step 3: Commentaries. Commentaries should not be used in place of studying God s Word directly, but they can give you additional insights. Some good commentaries include: J. Vernon McGee, The Expositors Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, H.A. Ironside, William Barclay (great for background and culture but be careful of his spiritual applications). Step 4: Online Assistance. Should you have a specific question about the study please your inquiry to: markn.valor@gmail.com 2015 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. 7

8 Timeline for the Life of Paul 8

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10 Message Notes 10

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12 Message Notes 12