(2) William Barclay ( Acts of the Apostles

Transcription

1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview February 4, 2018 Delivered Background: Acts 20:1-21:26 Lesson: Acts 20: Motivation: Houston s First Baptist Church seeks to be a relevant, Biblical, Community. In our desire to be relevant, we look forward toward better communication. Biblically we would do well to look back in the first century for instruction in worship, discipleship and giving. Paul does just that in this Bible Study. Examination: I. Saying Farewell (20:1-21) A. Paul Travels to Troas (20:1-6) 1. Farewell After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and, after saying good-bye, departed to go to Macedonia. (1) Paul s relational fondness for the followers of Christ is seen clearly both here and in verse 37. Discipleship is, in many ways, as much relational as instructional. 2. Follow-up And when he had passed through those areas and exhorted them at length, he came to Greece and stayed three months. (2) William Barclay ( Acts of the Apostles, p ), suggests that these few words encompass a ministry of a year. He further suggests that this journey included a visit to Illyricum (Rom. 15:19). 1 / 12

2 3. Foil When he was about to set sail for Syria, a plot was devised against him by the Jews (3) To foil the Jews plot, Paul decided to forego sailing and instead travel overland through Macedonia. 4. Followers These men, went on ahead, waited for us at Troas (5) The men listed in verse 4 were representative of the churches who gathered an offering for the church at Jerusalem. They helped protect Paul (and the offering) as well as demonstrate to the Jerusalem leaders the fruit of the Gentile mission. 5. Friend but we sailed away (6) Luke must have stayed at Philippi (Acts 16:16-17) and now is rejoined with his friend and co-worker, Paul. B. A Glimpse at A First Century Church Service (20:7-12) 1. Position On the first day of the week (7) Sabbath worship (on the seventh day) was holy to the Jews. The impact of Jesus resurrection can be seen in the early Believers changing the tradition of a lifetime to honor their Lord. 2. Purpose we assembled to break bread (7) It has been estimated that upwards of 60% of the Roman Empire were slaves. We may assume that a large part of any early church was also slaves. Because of this, the early church tended to meet at night and to include a meal in their meeting. For the slaves, this may be the only time they could worship and the only decent meal they would have all week. 3. Passion he extended his message until midnight (7) Knowing that he would sail in the morning, Paul wanted to instruct the congregation as long as possible. Even after a hard day s work, they weren t looking at their watches. 4. Peril Eutychus...fell down from the third story and was picked up dead (9) The many lamps (8) in the upper room created a stuffy atmosphere. Perhaps tired from a full day s work (if he were a slave), Eutychus sat by a window to catch the fresh night air. Finally, the length of the 2 / 12

3 service got the best of him, he fell asleep, dropped out the window and was killed. 5. Power But Paul went down, fell on him, and embraced him, and said Don t be alarmed, for his life is in him (10) The resurrection power of Christ was demonstrated by Peter in raising Dorcas (9:40) and now by Paul. 6. Passover After going upstairs, breaking the bread and eating, Paul conversed a considerable time until dawn. (11) From other ancient writings, we know that the typical church meeting included both a meal (agape feast) and a Lord s supper. This second breaking of bread could have been the latter. Believer s Study Bible, p. 1579: 20:11 This incident further illustrates early Christian fellowship. They ate and talked until morning. They treasured every moment with God s people. Sleep was secondary to insights gained through Christ s grace. 7. Product were greatly comforted (12) A church service (as well as a Christian s life) is not immune from upsetting incidents. However, when we trust the Lord, and depend on His power, the end result will be His comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-5). C. Paul s Brief Journey to Miletus (20:13-16) Paul decided to walk the twenty miles to Assos while his companions accompanied their precious cargo on the trip for its thirty-mile journey around Cape Lectum. Perhaps Paul needed the solitude to reflect and pray. His desire to bypass Ephesus (16) was probably the result of his haste to reach Jerusalem as well as his reluctance to face another tearful good-bye with the entire church at Ephesus. (This is the first church listed in Revelation 2; within fifty years they had left their first love. D. Paul s Meeting with the Ephesian Elders (17-21) 3 / 12

4 1. Calling called for the elders of the church (17) Meeting with the elders, rather than the entire congregation, reminded them of their unique calling and responsibilities. HCSB: p : 20:17 In this verse the leaders of the church in Ephesus are called elders, but they are referred to as overseers in verse 28. These terms designate a functional and formal title of church leadership. The Ephesian church appears to have had a formal leadership structure. 2. Consistency how I was with you the whole time (18) One of the keys to Paul s effectiveness as a communicator was that he practiced what he preached. His conduct was observable. 3. Character (19-20) with all humility, with tears, and with trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews-and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you in public and from house to house HCSB: p. 1903: 20:18-35 This speech differs from Paul s others in Acts. It is the only one delivered to a group of believers, and it has several parallels with themes in the Pauline letters reference to his serving the Lord, his persecution, his not shrinking from teaching, his ministry to both Jews and Greeks, the need for repentance, counting his life expendable, and finishing the course. 4. Charge (21) I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. HCSB: p. 1903: 20:20 The mark of a truly faithful teacher of the gospel is that he or she does not shrink back from topics that, though unpopular or personally difficult, are profitable for disciples. II. His Commitment And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit,[a ] not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I count my life of no value to 4 / 12

5 myself, so that I may finish my course[ b ] and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God s grace. (20:22-24). A. Consequence now I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem... (22) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1580: 20 :22-24 Paul was convinced that God s Spirit wanted him to go to Jerusalem. Others who were equally led of the Spirit prepared Paul by warning him that imprisonment was imminent if he persisted in his journey to the Holy City (v. 23). Paul s evaluation of the situation was that none of the threats concerned him (v. 24). Life on earth was no longer a real concern except as it related to the completion of his mission. (Acts 9:15; Phil 1:21-23; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). B. Courage chains and afflictions are waiting for me Often fears arise from unknown future events. However, in this case, Paul declared that he knew exactly what lay ahead and was facing it with courage. C. Course so that I may finish my course HCSB: p : 20:24 Paul put his trials in perspective by declaring that he counted his life of no value. What was important was that he would finish the course that had been set for him by the Lord Jesus, which involved testifying to the good news of God s grace. III. His Concern And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone s blood, 27 for I did not shrink back from 5 / 12

6 declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears. (20:25-31). A. Ciao none of you will ever see my face again (25) After a three year ministry to these Ephesians (19:10), Paul s farewell caused them all much sorrow (37). HCSB : p.1904: 20:25 Either Paul realized that things might go badly for him in Jerusalem, or he had no intention of returning to this part of the Mediterranean. His intention after visiting Jerusalem was to head to Rome and beyond. This is why he declared to the Ephesian elders that he would not see any of them again (cp. V. 38). B. Clean I am innocent of everyone s blood. (26) How could Paul make this bold declaration? (Ezek. 33:1-16) 1. Paul witnessed continually I did not shrink back from proclaiming (20) 2 Tim 4:2 2. Paul witnessed universally Jews and Greeks (21) Rom 1:16 3. Paul witnessed truthfully repentance...faith (21) Rom. 10:9-10, 13 6 / 12

7 4. Paul witnessed unselfishly But I count my life of no value to myself (24) Phil 1: Paul witnessed intentionally that I may finish my course (24) 2 Tim. 4: Paul witnessed submissively the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus (24) Acts 9:15 7. Paul witnessed passionately to testify to the gospel of God s grace (24) Eph. 2: Paul witnessed personally everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to. (25) (Matt. 6:33) 9. Paul witnessed comprehensively for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God (27) (2 Tim. 3:16) C. Caution Be on guard for yourselves and all the flock... (28) 1. Responsibility that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, 2. Requirement which He purchased with His own blood (28) Peter reminds us that His blood was precious (I Pet. 1:19). Paul implies that it is priceless (2 Cor. 9:15). Leadership in the church is a big deal because the church was born out of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus (Eph. 5:25). 3. Rivals 7 / 12

8 a. From the outside savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock (29) Peter comments on the nature of these false teachers in 2 Pet. 2: b. From the inside And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. (30) One hallmark of a false teacher is that he/she values his/her own interests above those of the church. John writes: They went out from us, because they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (I John 2:19). IV. His Commendation And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. 35 In every way I ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (20: 32-35) A. The Teaching The message of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified (32) Growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ is a process of grace guided by obedience to the Word. (Rom. 8:28-29) produce fully devoted followers of Christ; they are built up through knowing and applying His Word which leads to sanctification. B. His Testimony I have not coveted anyone s silver, or gold, or clothing. (33) Paul was the ultimate bi-vocational pastor, earning a living through tent making. However, he did receive love offerings from other church which sustained his ministry and perhaps allowed him to devote full attention to pastoring. (18:3-5) 8 / 12

9 C. Our Test It is more blessed to give than to receive (35) Giving is the theme song of Christianity. God set the pattern (John 3:16) Christ willing became an example of giving (Phil. 2:6-8). Therefore, giving is a test of our priorities (Matt. 6:21), and is commanded by God (II Cor. 9:7) We all love to receive; but, God clearly says the greater blessing is in giving. V. Receiving Warnings (21:1-15) A. Journey to Jerusalem (1-9) Three things stand out in the verses: 1. Mission we came by a direct route to Cos (1) The narrative begins to speed up; we catch a sense of the urgency Paul felt of being drawn to Jerusalem. In spite of hardships and warnings (4, 11), Paul steadfastly stayed the course. 2. Multiplication Tyre...So we found some disciples (3-4), Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers (7) Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist (8) In an astonishingly short period of time, the gospel had penetrated the culture. It seemed everywhere Paul went, he found disciples. 3. Ministry This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied (9) While we don t believe there s Biblical precedent for a woman to be the senior pastor of a congregation, there s ample evidence of the vital roles performed by women in the New Testament. B. Prophetic Warning (10-16) 1. Warning In this way the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt (11) This prophecy was in keeping with Paul s original call (9:15-16), the experience of Jesus (Matt. 20: 18-19), and warnings from other believers (4). Agabus had earlier predicted the famine that necessitated the relief gift for Jerusalem (11:28). His enacted prophecy was in the tradition of Isaiah (Isa. 20:2-6) and Ezekiel (Ezek. 4:1-17). 9 / 12

10 2. Weeping What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? (13) The genuine love of Paul s companions ( We ) and the Christians of Caesarea ( those 13) was apparent. Proverbs 24:66 says And in a multitude of counselors there is safety. However, this incident is an excellent example of why we don t operate on the basis of opinion polls. Other well-meaning Godly Christians may be quick to advise what they feel is best. Yet, each Christian (and church) must seek to discern God s direction and the Spirit s leading. 3. Word For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (13) Some Bible students called this Paul s Gethsemane (Luke 22:42; John 10:17-18). Paul s courage and determination to do God s will were never in doubt. (Phil. 1:21-23) 4. Went we got ready and went to Jerusalem (15) The KJV refers to carriages which is an archaic term for baggage. This precious baggage included the collected gift for the Jerusalem Church (24:17). Paul and his friends stayed with a Hellenistic Jew, Mnason of Cyprus (16), who would have felt more comfortable entertaining Gentiles during Pentecost than more traditional Jewish Christians. 5. Wisdom (17-26) - Paul, (at James suggestion) was willing to accommodate a Jewish custom (1 Cor. 9:20) to blunt the attacks of his critics. HCSB: p. 1905: 21:20 H aving listened to Paul s report about what God had done among the Gentiles (v. 19), the Jerusalem leadership rejoiced but also answered back with something like one-upmanship. Mention of many thousands of Jews converting in Jerusalem was perhaps exaggeration, for the city had a population between 25,000 and 50,000. At issue in the back-and-forth between Jerusalem leaders and Paul (minister to the Gentiles) is the role of the law in Christian faith; thus the emphasis on Jewish believers being zealous for the law. Perhaps this response also represented an attempt by believers in Jerusalem to strengthen their position as they saw the center of the church shift to Gentile Christians. 10 / 12

11 Application 1. Courage is not the absence of fear but positive action in spite of fear 2. Commitment is demonstrated by actions not merely intentions. 3. Sharing the gospel is a lifetime commitment rather than a series of events. Leader Pack item 8 Chart: Paul s Recorded Sermons No Illustrator Article Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: g ; Dates: 1/23-2/27 Tues. eve The Table; 1/26 Midnight Madness; 1/28 FRC EXPO; 2/9-1 0 Superstart Preteen Conf; 2/10 - IMPACT guys serve girls; 2/16 Marriage Matters; 2/23 Multisite Night Out Rockets game; 2/24 Men:Serve; 2/25 - Parent Commitment; 2/25 World Mission Offering; 3/3 - Mentoring Conference; 3/10-15 Rushmore; 11 / 12

12 3/10 Senior Adult Roundup; 3/23-25 IMPACT Spring Retreat; 3/30 Offices closed Good Friday; 4/1 Easter. 12 / 12