Week 25, Acts 20 Hook

Transcription

1 Week 25, Acts 20 Hook Main Point: Christians are called to the work of the ministry even in difficult times. Historic Event: Things do not always go as we expect; too many times the odds against us are overwhelming and it seems as though we cannot win no matter what we do. In times like these, we receive the strength that God gives us to persevere. In 1980, one group faced an undefeated opposition and prevailed through overwhelming odds. Their story is as famous as the announcer s call at the end of the game. It was the 1980 Winter Olympics and the USA hockey team faced the Soviet juggernaut on ice for a chance at a gold medal. The USSR team had won the last four Olympic gold medals in hockey, and the team rarely lost. They had played together for years; these veterans were prepared to take home another gold. The USA team, on the other hand, was comprised of amateurs with an average age of just 21. They hadn t played together long and were expected to lose the match handedly. The Soviets had routed the NHL All-Star team 6-0, and demolished the USA Olympic team in an exhibition match just three days before the opening of the Olympics. But this time, Team USA came from behind to win the game 4-3.

2 That game is famous, but what you might not know is that the USA didn t win the gold medal that night. They still had to beat Finland to win the gold medal, and coming from behind again, they did. Despite the odds and the opinions of the experts, this ragtag group of young men met their challenge with courage and became legends. 1 What are some other underdog success stories that come to your mind? Describe a time when you pushed through opposition and endured. What did you learn? 1

3 Week 25, Acts 20 Book Main Point: Christians are called to the work of the ministry even in difficult times. Text Summary: Acts 20 Immediately after recording the chaos of chapter 19, Luke reminds his readers of Paul s dedication to his present missionary journey. Undeterred by the uprising he experienced in Ephesus, Paul continues to travel throughout the region in fulfillment of his calling to preach the Gospel. God continues to work miracles through Paul s ministry, both physically (resurrection) and spiritually (conversion). As Paul senses his time with these churches is drawing to an end, he solemnly calls upon local leaders of the church to continue walking in his pastoral role of preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth. In this passage, we read one of Paul s most eloquent mission statements, one that convicts and inspires us today as we are faithful to carry on his encouraging work of sharing the Gospel. Read: Acts 20:1-12 [Read] Sub-Point: Ministry grows when we press on through opposition. Verses 1 2 Here we see Paul s surprising response to the persecution his ministry endured. Instead of complaining about his difficulties, Paul uses his time to offer encouragement to the other disciples (vv. 1 2). Three times in this passage, Luke uses the same Greek word translated as encouragement, twice in the first two verses and then again in verse 12 as a bookend. 2 He wants his readers to glimpse the surprising fruit of perseverance, namely, the divine encouragement that wells up in faithful followers hearts when they rely on the power of God in uncertain times. Paul will write about this in more detail in a letter to the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 1:3 7). As he plans his journey, a plot against his life emerges and he decides to change course so his mission can continue undeterred (v. 3). Q: How has God encouraged you and strengthened you to persevere through difficult times? Verses 4 6 Luke records the names of the men who accompanied Paul on his journey (v. 4). The relationships with these men were most likely the fruit of previous missionary activity. 3 They served now as both companions and firsthand witnesses to the authenticity of Paul s preaching. In other words, these names represented the local leaders who would back up his report to the church at Jerusalem, where many Christians were still suspicious of what he was doing. 4 Though seemingly a minor fact, this detail helps us witness the ongoing growth of the early 2 Peterson, Peterson, Marshall, 342.

4 church as God raised up new believers and trustworthy leaders who followed in the footsteps of the initial evangelists. Q: How would you describe the ideal process of someone moving from a believer to a Christian leader? What is your class strategy for developing leaders? Verses 7 12 In verse 7, Luke includes two details about the lives of the early Christians. At this point in history, believers had already established a weekly routine of gathering for a worship service, during which they were obedient to Jesus command to celebrate His final meal. 5 It is at one of these gatherings in Troas that Paul is a guest preacher, expounding on the Word of God for several hours into the night ( there were many lamps, v. 8). One attendee is overcome by sleep and falls out of the window he had been sitting in, and Luke the physician pronounces the young man dead (v. 9). The seemingly irreversible consequence of this fall doesn t discourage Paul, however, and in a series of actions that parallels Old Testament prophets, he throws his living body upon the dead one and proclaims a resurrection (v. 10; cf. 1 Kings 17:21 23 and 2 Kings 4:32 34). The words he speaks also echo Jesus words to the crowds mourning the death of the synagogue official s daughter (Matthew 9:24). Paul returns to the service and breaks bread with the believers, finishing his time of fellowship until it is time to depart (v. 11). Luke concludes this narrative by emphasizing that, one, the boy is alive, and two, the overall experience of this community was one of encouragement rather than fear or despair (v. 12; cf. vv. 1 2). We see that the power of God is sustaining Paul s ministry efforts despite incredible opposition, and His Spirit is working to grow, instruct, and encourage His faithful Church as they continue to gather in His name. Q: In what ways has God been faithful to your church? In what ways has God been faithful to you and your family? Read: Acts 20:13-38 [Read] Sub-Point: Faithful ministry guards the health of God s Church. Verses Luke records the next portion of Paul s journey as Paul hurries to remain on course for his trip to Jerusalem. Verses list several of the cities his team passed through, and in verse 16, Luke emphasizes Paul s urgency to arrive in Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost. 5 Peterson notes that this is the first time the Lord s Supper is mentioned since Acts 2:42 (557). The followers of Jesus are still faithfully following this tradition throughout the ongoing expansion of his church.

5 When he docks in Miletus, Paul sends for the elders in Ephesus, where he had spent several years discipling new Christians and strengthening the leadership of their church. Calling the men to the nearby port of Miletus was a wise use of time, given the proximity of the city to Ephesus. 6 The urgency in Luke s forceful vocabulary of Paul having sent to Ephesus and summoned (v. 17) communicates the same idea. 7 Paul is keeping his eye on the ultimate goal of Jerusalem while ensuring he has a chance to pass on final instructions to the Ephesians. Verses Here, Paul recounts important aspects of his missionary work in order to remind the Ephesians of what is essential to maintaining a healthy philosophy and practice of ministry. Paul reminds them of his steadfast dedication to them, serving with humility through all suffering and opposition (vv ). He speaks of his devotion to preaching the entire message of the Gospel, no matter the circumstances (vv ). Paul s delivery of the Gospel remained the same whether he spoke in intimate settings or public venues and whether his audience was made up of Jews familiar with God s Word or Greeks whom God called out of a foreign culture. Q: In your opinion, what fuels Paul s boldness? How does a believer become bolder in sharing his testimony? Verses Paul s most significant declaration of faithfulness in God s calling is found in these three verses. In verses 22 23, Luke writes perhaps with bittersweet hindsight, recording Paul s faithfulness to follow the Spirit s leading, even into a future of uncertainty and possible danger. 8 Verse 24 sums up Paul s philosophy serving Jesus faithfully, even unto death. Paul s words in Galatians 2:20 reveal how the knowledge of Jesus greatest sacrifice fuels his own sacrificial devotion to missions, and Luke preserves his faithfulness as a witness to future generations. Marshall notes the humility woven into Paul s pursuit of spreading the Gospel to the nations. He writes, Paul saw his task as the faithful preaching of the Gospel. What was important was that he should faithfully perform his particular share in the task, and it rested with God to determine how great that share would be. 9 6 Marshall, Peterson, Commentators are unsure whether or not Luke recorded this farewell speech with the knowledge that Paul ultimately did not make it any further than Rome, where he was imprisoned and martyred (Marshall 531). Regardless, we can still believe in confidence that the Holy Spirit sovereignly preserved these words for us as a summary of Paul s eager attitude to spread the Gospel and his willingness to do so at all costs, even the cost of his own life. Intentionally or not, Paul s departing words to the Ephesians end up serving as his final words to the entire New Testament church. 9 Marshall, 351.

6 Q: What character qualities would you expect to find in a faithful servant of the Gospel? How might a believer develop these qualities? Verses Paul continues to exhort the elders by applying his examples of leadership to their calling as shepherds and ministers of God s people. In these verses, Paul reiterates his dedication to preaching the entire message of the Gospel. He references Ezekiel 33 in his defense, declaring his innocence when those he instructed end up rejecting the salvation of Jesus Christ (v. 26). 10 Fearing no man (1Thessalonians 2:4), Paul does not shrink back from teaching everything God has commissioned him to share. Q: What part of the Gospel are you most tempted to skip over? Why? Verses Paul impresses upon the leaders the weight of their responsibility to oversee the flock of God s people. This language purposefully reminds the reader that God is our ultimate shepherd and that we, His people, are His flock (cf. Psalm 23; Isaiah 40; John 10). In verse 28, Paul employs a beautiful merging of metaphors as he references Jesus sacrifice, the innocent blood spilled when the Good Shepherd became a spotless Lamb for the wayward flock who refused to follow His voice. 11 Paul is captivated by his duty to serve a Savior who purchased him by His death on the Cross, and he now encourages these leaders to do the same. Paul calls for a fearless proclamation of even the hardest truths. He warns that, when he leaves, others will develop false ideas about salvation and attempt to lead people astray by their teaching (vv ). These misleading voices will rise up both inside and outside the church, a truth we read about in his later letters (cf. Galatians 1:6 9; 2 Corinthians 11) and are still experiencing today. 12 Q: What are some examples of teaching that you ve encountered that steers people to a healthy understanding of salvation? Verses Paul finishes his exhortation by reminding the Ephesian church of the integrity of his work ethic and his approach to generosity. Paul has not used his leadership role to extort unnecessary provision or wealth as repayment for his ministry (v. 33). Instead, he has shown diligence to work just as hard as his church family in the daily responsibilities of meeting one s needs and finding ways to exercise generosity (v ). Today we still see that those in positions of leadership can easily be tempted to take more than their share of resources from 10 As the watchman who warns people faithfully of the coming of an enemy is not guilty if they choose to ignore the warning, so it was with Paul as a preacher of the Gospel (Marshall 351). 11 Peter does the same thing when he references Isaiah 53 (1 Peter 2:21 25). 12 History shows that in every generation it has been all too easy for Christian leaders to attract others to their own way of thinking, to satisfy a deep seated need for approval or popularity (Peterson 571).

7 those in lower positions, but Paul cautions against an attitude that does not mimic Christ s example of humble sacrifice (cf. Philippians 2:3 8). It s clear to see that all of these instructions flow from the spiritual principle found in verse 32, that blessings come through commitment to the Word. 13 Peterson adds, once more the gospel is identified as a message of grace from God, which not only brings people to Christ in the first place but is also powerful enough to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 14 Paul isn t teaching about a work ethic rooted in one s achievements. He is commanding the Ephesian leaders to hold fast to the Word of God for a particular purpose, that their lives may be enriched by His power and overflow with generosity and a sacrificial attitude. These things can only stream from a heart that is being sanctified by God Himself. Q: How does a deep understanding of the Gospel produce a generous heart? Q: In your opinion, how does our culture view the idea of self-sacrifice? How does this view mirror or diverge from Jesus perspective concerning self-sacrifice? Verses In the final verses of this passage, Luke records a moving scene between Paul and the Ephesians. Paul finishes his instructions by praying with the group (v. 36). This intimate moment produces a heavy sense of loss as they all feel the finality of his mission (v ). Though some of Paul s critics consider him a hard and rigid man, devoid of kindness or compassion, we see here that this is simply not true. 15 These leaders have become like family to Paul through their years serving together on the mission field of Ephesus. While they seek to be obedient to God s leading, walking Paul to his ship (v. 38), they still express honest grief over the closing of this earthly chapter of their lives. Paul will later encourage the church in Thessalonica to grieve such losses with hope, for the promise of Christ s return guarantees the eternal reunion of the family of God (1 Thessalonians 4:13 14). Q: What are some misconceptions about grief that swirl in the Christian community? Q: What does it look like to grieve but still maintain hope? 13 Marshall, Peterson, Peterson, 574.

8 Week 25, Acts 20 Took Main Point: Christians are called to the work of the ministry even in difficult times. Historic Event: On September 7, 1940, the Nazi Luftwaffe began a merciless bombing campaign on London and other major British cities. 16 This offensive was known as the Blitz. It lasted for a total of eight months and claimed the lives of 43,000 civilians. Winston Churchill is a historical character that certainly embodies the principle of perseverance. Five months after the conclusion of the Blitz, Churchill delivered a commencement address at Harrow School in London. Below is an excerpt of his speech: Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never in nothing, great or small, large or petty never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. We stood all alone a year ago, and to many countries it seemed that our account was closed; we were finished. All this tradition of ours, our songs, our School history, this part of the history of this country, were gone and finished and liquidated. Very different is the mood today. Britain, other nations thought, had drawn a sponge across her slate. But instead our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside these Islands, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer. 17 What benefits does perseverance in the Christian walk produce? Describe a time in your life when God helped you to persevere. What did you learn through the process? Lesson Conclusion: By recording a deeply intimate time in the history of Paul s church-planting mission, Luke allows us to learn more about the deep convictions that guided Paul s life and

9 provided the necessary fuel to persevere in ministry despite opposition and loss. We can be encouraged to know that the same God who captured Paul s heart is at work in our lives, providing us boldness to declare the Gospel, while forming in us the character of Jesus. We can have confidence in the faithfulness of God to help us shepherd His Church and keep us faithful to His mission of carrying forth the encouraging message of salvation. Challenges Seek ways to persevere When you experience opposition in ministry or undeserved trials in life, what is your first instinct? Do you complain? Get angry? Nurture your hurt and disappointment? How can you take steps to seek God s help in those difficult times? Take time to prayerfully discern your default responses, and ask Him for the power to change. Pray that you would learn to find your sense of encouragement and joy in Him. Share the whole Gospel It s not always easy to know what to say, especially if you give in to a fear of rejection or persecution. Sit down and read Romans 5, and practice writing a brief summary of the Gospel. Use words to best explain, and keep in mind the people God has already placed around you. How can you be faithful to say everything about Jesus work that saved you? Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you discernment about when to speak up and boldness to say it all. Cultivate godly leadership In a culture that thrives on celebrity and encourages the selfcentered use of power, Paul s wisdom for leadership is especially timely. Ask your close friends or mentors if they see evidence of self-centered leadership in your life. Welcome their criticism and thank God for His work of conviction through them. Pray for God to cultivate in you the humility and integrity that Jesus modeled in His own life.