ACTS CH.20:1-38 PAUL S FAREWELL MESSAGE TO EPHESUS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT As Paul is winding down his 3 rd missionary journey and beginning to work his way toward Jerusalem, he is going to take time out to meet with the leadership of the young church in Ephesus to encourage them to keep on keeping on. His exhortation to them as shepherds of the flock of God is going to be twofold; first of all, feed the sheep, secondly, protect them from the savage wolves that are going to come after the flock. HOW IT APPLIES TO ME / WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Personal application from this chapter is important; there are savage wolves in the world today that seek to peel off of the flock of God the weak and feeble. Christians who are anemic in their faith because their diet. And as a result, every wind of doctrine that blows into town they are drawn into. We are engaged in a war, and the battle is on two fronts; we have an old sin nature within us that is drawn towards the lures of the world that seek to appeal to our fleshly desires, and we have a spiritual enemy who never rests, and his goal for our lives is defeat and despair. As Christians, our salvation is secure; but the enemy will still layout landmines in our path in hopes of disqualifying us from our service to God, in essence he wants to neutralize our impact on reaching out to the lost. Paul exhortation and words of warning to this church are of the same flavor as the words of Peter in one of his epistles where he says: 1 st Peter Ch.5:8 (New Living Translation) 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. We must stay focused, cling to the word of God, don t allow ourselves to become a casualty of war. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 1
ACTS CH.20:1-6 PAUL S JOURNEYS INTO GREECE 20 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 Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. So after the uproar in Ephesus had ceased, Paul is now winding down his third missionary journey, and his desire is to leave Ephesus and pass through Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem in order to celebrate Passover. On his way towards Jerusalem, it is thought by many that it was during this three month stay in Greece, specifically Corinth, that Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church. Because the Passover celebration was fast approaching the boats would have been crowded with Jewish pilgrims making their way back to Jerusalem. And when word gets out about the plot to kill Paul, most likely some of these Jewish Pilgrims figured they would just throw him off the boat out in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Paul wisely decides to travel by land instead. So he travels back through Macedonia and then heads south towards Jerusalem. Because this indirect route was going to take so much longer he misses the Passover celebration. His desire to get back to Jerusalem was also for the purpose of bringing the love offerings he has collected from the various gentile churches; they were aware of the struggles of the church in Jerusalem and wanted to help support her. All of these men who were accompanying Paul were bringing with them the offerings from their respective churches. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 2
Besides the obvious fact that there may have been too much money for Paul to carry by himself, I think Paul was also concerned about his accountability to all of these churches who had given this offering. Therefore for the purpose of safety as well as accountability, Paul has some company as he makes his way towards Jerusalem. ACTS CH.20:7-12 MINISTERING AT TROAS 7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, We get several little snap shots of the early church here in verse 7; first of all we are told that they met on the first day of the week, this is the first mention we have that the Christians met on Sunday the first day of the week, to worship God. They also broke bread or celebrated communion. There is a lot of debate as to which day is the proper day to come together to worship God, and a lot of people get really hung up on this. Do we use scriptures like these as our proof text; that since Jesus rose on the first day of the week, and since we are told that the early church came together on the first day of the week to meet and break bread that we therefore as the New Testament church are to meet on Sunday? Or do we look to the scripture where we read very specifically that we are to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; that Jesus said in John Ch.14:15 if you love Me you will keep my commandments. We see Paul throughout his missionary journeys observing Jewish feasts and festivals and going to the synagogues on the Sabbath. Next week we will look at a portion of scripture in Acts Ch.21 where Paul actually participates in the keeping of a vow with 4 other men for the purpose of proving to the Jews that he himself still kept the Law. The Jews kept the Law because in doing so they believed they were in right standing with God, Paul kept the Law because of his love for God, not for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining his relationship with God. He knew that his relationship with God was based solely on the finished work of Christ, this is what he believed and this is what he taught. But he also believed that the blessings from God would be best experienced by obeying the Law. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 3
There is much debate because there is so much emotion attached to the issue. One says the Law is necessary, the other says the Law does not apply. And I think there are many scriptures that can support both views. Ultimately, I think the decision that we make needs to be based on what we believe God would want us to do, Paul speaking to this very issue puts it this way: Romans 14:5 (New Living Translation) 5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. ACTS CH.20:7-12 MINISTERING AT TROAS 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 It s hard to say whether the first day of the week that Luke mentions here was Saturday night, which would be the first day of the week for the Jew whose day began at sundown; or if they met on Sunday which would have been the first day of the week for the Gentile. I am inclined to believe that because Paul was speaking primarily to Gentiles that this took place on a Sunday evening. Sunday, the first day of the week being a work day, it makes sense that they got together in the evening which would explain all of the lamps. I like verse 7, the people were hungry for the word of God, for many this was the last opportunity they were going to have to hear Paul speak and so they came together to listen to what turns out to be a 6 hour sermon. Luke also mentions that there were many lamps in the upper room; some commentators suggest Luke pointed this out to give us an idea of how large of a crowd had gathered. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 4
Others suggest that the reason there were so many lamps burning was so that everyone on the outside looking in could see; there was a lot of false reports being spread around about the church, they were being accused among other things of having wild orgies late at night so everything was all light up to avoid any misconception as to what they were doing. The fact that Luke mentions there were a lot of lamps burning helps us I think to better understand what happened to poor Eutychus who was overcome with sleep. The large number of people gathered in a room would make things a little stuffy with all of the body heat, and with all of the lamps burning which would help to deplete the oxygen even more, it s a wonder Eutychus was the only one who fell asleep; chances are he wasn t, he just happened to be the one sitting on the window ledge. I think Eutychus was trying to remain attentive; after all, he did sit by an open window. If you have ever been in a crowded room you know how stuffy you can get. But there is only so much we can do. The scripture teaches that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Mark Ch.14:38) As much as I want to be attentive to a video study Kim and I will watch on TV, more often than I would like to admit I find myself dozing off when I try to watch while sitting on the couch. Eutychus may have tried to sit by the window for the fresh air, but after several hours of listing to Paul speak he was overcome with sleep and fell out of a window three stories up. Luke was a doctor, and his assessment of this accident is that the fall has killed Eutychus. 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. Paul, again receiving the gift of faith from God, sensed that God would raise this boy from the dead - and God did. What an exclamation point of his final bible study before leaving town. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 5
Paul, obviously getting their attention back, continued preaching until daybreak! It is interesting to point out that Eutychus s name in Greek means Fortunate ACTS CH.20:13-16 FROM TROAS TO MILETUS 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 spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost. So Luke and the others traveled by ship from Troas to Assos while Paul walked alone. It was about a twenty mile journey on foot which gave Paul some much needed time to be alone with the Lord. I m sure he had a lot on his mind to think through, sort out and pray about. He knows what is waiting for him in Jerusalem is not going to go well for him, he has a lot of concern about the young churches that are just getting started, and as he is leaving Troas I m sure he is considering that this may be the last time he is going to see a lot of his friends, so to say that his heart was heavy is probably an understatement. One of the things I enjoy about my early morning walks is that it gives me a chance to be alone with the Lord, to talk about things that are heavy on my heart; to try and set an order to my day, and to wait on the Lord to listen to Him. David said: Psalm Ch.5:1-3 (New King James Version) Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 6
There is no need for us to carry the burdens that life gives us alone. Jesus said Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew Ch.11:28) Hebrews Ch.4:16 (New International Version) 16 Let us then approach God s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Given the chance, our burdens can become intolerably heavy, we can begin to feel oppressed by our problems, even our service for the Lord can become a crushing duty instead of a constant delight. If you find yourself in the place where you are too busy to set aside quiet time with the Lord, if you are too busy to pray, then you are too busy. ACTS CH.20:17-38 THE EPHESIAN ELDERS EXHORTED 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. Ephesus was about 20 miles away from Miletus as the crow flies maybe a little more on foot. Paul had spent over three years in Ephesus, and since he was trying to get to Jerusalem in time to celebrate the feast of Pentecost I m sure he figured there was no way with all the friends he had made there he would get out of town in time to make the feast so he arranges instead to have the leadership of the church of Ephesus meet him in Miletus. Next to the teachings of Jesus in the upper room the night before His crucifixion, this is probably the greatest section in the bible in terms of instruction for ministry. This has been called by some the ultimate pastors conference. Paul has called the elders together to give them final instruction and exhortation about ministry and service; knowing that he was headed for imprisonment and ultimately eternity, Paul calls these guys together to speak from his heart about the importance of ministry, and their responsibility as leaders; like shepherds, to keep charge over the flock of God Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 7
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. Notice Paul does not start this message by teaching these guy how to build a sermon or how to start a church, how to make people happy, but instead he starts with an exhortation on how they should live their lives. Paul first calls attention to himself as an example. Not an example instead of Jesus, but an example as he follows Jesus. Paul didn't act like a "religious celebrity" and expect people to serve and honor him; he just wanted to be serving the Lord with all humility and his desire was to instill this character trait into the leadership of this church not so much by what he said but by what he did, he lead by example. Paul understood that his right to be able to speak truth into someone s life was determined by how he lived his life in light of that truth and the impact it had on his own life. 1 st John 3:18 (New International Version) 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. First and foremost he wanted this group of elders to understand that the lives they lived was going to speak a lot louder than anything they would say. That if their word and deed were not the same, then the impact of their teaching would suffer. If the relationship we have with God is not having a transformational effect on our own lives in terms of how we are living our life; then how can we expect the gospel message we promote with words to have any impact on those around us? Paul says remember how I lived my life before you, my message was consistent whether in public with a crowd or in private with just a few, the message I preached to both the Jew and the Gentile was the same. Notice also Paul says in verse 20 that he did not shrink back from declaring anything to them that was profitable; what does that mean? Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 8
I think that Paul not only communicated the gospel of grace but I also believe that he taught them the 10 commandments and the value of the Law. And he lived out in his own life what he taught them with words in order to put an exclamation point on that truth. I think the law of God was explained not in order to bring them under the bondage of trying to keep the law for the purpose of salvation; Paul was totally opposed that idea, and he aggressively fought against that teaching until the day he died. Instead, I believe what Paul was trying to teach, were the benefits of keeping the law for the purpose of receiving the blessings that God promised in His word for all who would. Proverbs Ch.3:1-4 (New King James Version) 1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Paul says he testified to the both the Jew and the Greek Repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. Repentance implies a change of mind, a turning away from one direction and moving in another. Our faith in Christ and the fact that His sacrifice on the cross was sufficient payment for our sins is what saves us; and I think it is the awareness and an understanding of the law of God that helps to bring about the sanctification of our lives as we mature in our faith. Remember also, Jesus said If you love me you will keep my commandments 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. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 9
One of the things that kept Paul going was that he did not count his own life as dear to himself, in other words he understood that as long as he was doing the will of God, that he would run that race with joy in his heart, knowing that God was in control. He was not motivated by selfishness or self-preservation, but by love of God and the ministry he had received from Christ to preach the gospel of the grace of God. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia and said: Galatians Ch.2:20 (New King James Version) 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. In coming to know the Lord his will has died to Gods will and that s all that was important to him, not his will or plans for his life but Gods. Jesus declared if anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me. The thing that kept Paul focused to the end was the fact that as a bond slave of Christ, his life was not his own. And to remain faithful to the call that God had placed on his life is what enabled him to speak boldly and with conviction about the love of God; and God s desire to restore the relationship between Himself and man that was broken when man first sinned in the Garden of Eden. 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. Paul is pulling imagery out of the book of Ezekiel of the watchman who was on watchtower; that if he saw the enemy coming, he was responsible to warn the people. He was not responsible how the people responded to the warning only to the giving of the warning itself. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 10
What Paul is saying is that he has been faithful in preaching the gospel; of sharing the good news about Jesus. Paul says I have not backed off on anything, but have shared with you the whole counsel of God. This is a key point I believe in teaching God s word; from beginning to end; from Genesis to Revelation all of God s word is relevant for you and I today: 2 nd Timothy Ch.3:16 (New King James Version) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I think a lot of the problems we see today in many of the churches can be traced back to this very issue. The lack of teaching the whole counsel of God has resulted in a very anemic church. The desire to teach the truth of God s word has been replaced with the need to speak messages that are considered to be relevant to today s crowd so as to not offend or drive away. Instead of teaching the truth of God s word so that it can have a transformational effect on the Christian by the renewing of their mind (Romans Ch.12:1-2); so that the person listening to it can become more Christ like in their thinking, the word of God has instead been watered down and manipulated, and in many cases has been brought into the conformity of mans will and his desires. The net result is that much of the church today is spiritually weak and illiterate when it comes to knowing the word of God. This was Jesus s indictment against the religious leaders of His day, He said: Matthew Ch.22:29 (New Living Translation) 29 Jesus replied, Your mistake is that you don t know the Scriptures, and you don t know the power of God. Paul has been with these guys for three years, He has done everything possible in presenting the whole counsel of God accurately. How they responded to the message was not his responsibility, and that their rejection of it was something they themselves would have to answer to God for. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 11
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. Notice Paul says take heed to yourselves and to the flock of God. Remember, Paul started this message by way of reminder of how he lived his own life before them, as an example so as to add authority to the words he spoke. He led by example. And now he says take heed to your selves, it s not just about watching over the flock; you need to pay attention to your own lives first. Make sure you are cultivating a personal devotional life of your own so that your words will have an impact on others because they can see that they have had an impact on your own life. You need to be prayed up, you need to make sure you are staying close to God in terms of personal communion and studying His word; you need to put on the full amour of God so that you are ready to fight, and you need protect the flock by feeding them and teaching them the whole counsel of God. So that they in turn seeing how important God is in your own life by the way you pursue your relationship with Him, they too will be motivated to study His word, to pursue and develop their own personal relationship with God and to put on the full amour of God themselves, so that they too may be able to stand against the enemy, not in their own strength, but in the strength of the Lord. Paul s message to the elders was simple; what you are is what those around you will become. If the sheep in the flock are going to become giant killers in terms of their faith, then you need to kill giants as well. Paul also reminds these elders that their charge is to shepherd the flock of God. These guys were being charged to take care of God s people; they were to be overseers of the church not overlords. Paul is reminding them that God s people belong to God, they don t belong to you. As an overseer and an under shepherd you have been put in this place to tend to and to serve God s people, not to be served by them. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 12
Don t abuse or take advantage of these people, you are a nobody that has been put in a position of authority, and although there ought to be some respect for the position, don t ever forget, you are not God. These are God s people you are dealing with and they have been purchased by 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. There are wolves out there who want to devour the flock; there are wolves among you who are going to raise themselves up to peel away sheep from the fold. And Paul says, I m not going to be here to protect them that responsibility as elders of the church is going to be yours and yours alone. You need to be ready to stand against the false teachers and the false prophets, there needs to be within the church leaders the willingness to stand against and actively oppose and even expose those things that are detrimental to the body of Christ. This is what Paul teaches us in Ephesians Ch.5:11. Paul not only fed the flock, he warned them night and day. His message to the elders was simple, if all you do is feed the flock and you do not warn them as well then all you are doing is fatting up the flock for the kill. 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. Stay close to God and stick to His word. Paul cannot say it enough, we cannot hear it too often; it is all about practicing the presence of God in our lives. Allowing the truth of God s word to lead and direct our lives, allowing it to transform our lives by changing the way we think. We are ambassadors for Christ, what we say and what we do should be a direct reflection of who we are in Christ. and really this is the key; it is who we are in Christ. This is why Paul says I commend you to God and to the word of His Grace. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 13
It is the Grace of God that builds us up, the emphasis of ministry isn t what man should do but what God has done. In Christ, we have been adopted as children into the Kingdom of God. We have been blessed, and we should be living our lives in light of the blessings we have received. Galatians Ch.2:20 (New King James Version) 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. And as a result of living our lives for the Lord, Paul says we will be given an inheritance among all those who are being sanctified. To hear our Lord say to us Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord 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. Paul addresses the danger of covetousness among leaders, the temptation to look at a flock as a source of income. We see it today, in the body of Christ; for the most part the overall success of a ministry is determined by its size. You would be amazed by the amount of marketing junk mail churches get on how to increase their size. And it always seems to come down to programs instead of just preaching the truth and living your life like you believe it. Paul says I have shown you in every way I not only believe what I teach, I live it out in my own life. If anyone could have laid a trip on a body of believers as to why they needed to financially support a person who was laboring to share the Gospel, it would have been Paul. But instead he goes out of his way to support himself so as to be an example to those who would follow. I love the end of verse 35, in my bible the words of Christ are in red, it is more blessed to give than it is to receive. What I find interesting is that you will not find this verse anywhere else in the bible. This was a word from the Lord spoken specifically to Paul. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 14
We know from John s gospel (John Ch. 20:30 & Ch.21:25) that Jesus both said and did many things that were not recorded in scripture so it should not surprise us to see something here that is not found anywhere else. It is more blessed to give than receive. When we give of ourselves however that may look, we are emulating our Father in Heaven. God the greatest giver the world has ever known, He gave up His Son to pay with His life something He did not owe, so that we who owed something we could never pay might become the recipients of the ultimate selfless act of love, kindness, mercy, and grace. Paul teaches us in Romans Ch.2:4 that it is the kindness of the Lord that leads us to repentance we can actually become a conduit through which the Holy Spirit speaks into the lives of others by our random act of kindness as a giver. We have to let go of all of our own worldly selfishness to become a giver who gives with the right attitude. It truly is more blessed to give than it is to receive. And I think this is what Paul was trying to share with these elders. 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. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 20: Paul s Farewell Message To Ephesus July 15, 2014 page 15