May 6, 2012
Evening Service

Act 19:10  And this happened over two years, so that all those living in Asia heard the Word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

• Miracles are performed at Ephesus.
• Paul stays in Asia, and sends Timothy, and Erastus to Macedonia.
• Demetris the Silversmith causes a stir in Ephesus.  Paul was preaching against Diana, Idol.
• After 3 months Paul goes to Macedonia.
• Then to Greece.
• Back to Asia through Macedonia.
• Sailed from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and joined disciples at Troas.

 

Now this is said in verse 7, chapter 20;  Act 20:7  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

• This is when Eutychus falls from the loft, and is taken up dead.
• From here Paul walks some, and sails some, but decides to sail past Ephesus, because he wanted to make the feast of Pentecost at Jerusalem.

 

ONE OF THE REALLY SAD DISCOURSES IN PAUL’S MINISTRY:

Act 20:17-38  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.  (18)  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,  (19)  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 

• Yes, we know Paul.

(20)  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,  (21)  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 

• Paul knows that woe unto him if he doesn’t share all he knows, and he doesn’t have any reason to hold back.

(22)  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:  (23)  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 

• Bound in the spirit?  Means he is troubled about the things that will happen at Jerusalem to him.  He doesn’t know.  He just knows everyone is prophesying that bad things are going to happen to him.

(24)  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 

• Now understand that Paul’s life for himself ceased when Jesus called him to be a servant, and Apostle.  From that day forward his life totally belonged to Christ.  He would no longer be able to do the things that would lead him away from his walk with Christ.

(25)  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 

• Paul was their spiritual Father.  He led most of them to Jesus, and fed them the Word of God.  They looked forward to his visits, and words of encouragement.

(26)  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  (27)  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

• This was very important to Paul.  His conscience was clear.  He had taught them everything he knew concerning God Almighty.

(28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 

• Remember who he called from Ephesus, THE ELDERS, or older men, who were leading the church at this time.
• Watch out!!!  Watch out for the church, over which God has made you overseers.
• You must feed the church.  They understand, Paul wants them to teach the church just like he taught them, the Word of God.  Anything else will not suffice.

(29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 

• The thought here being, like he told Timothy;  2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
• The only way to defeat the wolves is to know the Word of God.   Stand firm in what the Word teaches.  Don’t waver to the right, or to the left, but stay on Word for Word.
• Confront satan with the Word of God, and he knows that he is a defeated being.
• Not only will the danger come from without, but more important it will come from within.
• Anything that works at causing division from the Word of God is of the devil, and not from God. 
• We see many dangers today.

1.       False religions, and teachers.   Mohammed and the Muslims is one example.

2.      Contemporary groups not liking the established churches.  Breaking away, meeting in small groups.  Not having the authority of God for the things they do.

3.      Charismatic preachers leading the unlearned away from the true teaching of the Word.

(31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

• Paul could see it coming. 

(32)  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 

• I leave you in the hands of God, and His Word, which is what you need to make it through.

(33)  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.  (34)  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.  (35)  I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

(36)  And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.  (37)  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,  (38)  Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

• A very emotional time.  These words will ring in these elders ears for a long time.  They will sit, and talk of these words on many occasions, and will remember when these things begin to happen, that they were told of them.