Acts 20

Acts 20

Our Plans & God’s Will

Acts 20:1–6  

1. Paul pursues the next phase of an old plan, (begin heading back towards Jerusalem), (1)

Journeys in Greece

20 After the uproar (at the Ephesus colosseum) had ceased, Paul called the disciples (his students from the lecture hall of Tyrannus, [Acts 19:9]) to himself, embraced (encouraged, consoled) them, and (then) departed (as previously planned [1 Cor. 16:8—“I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.”]) to go to (the region of) Macedonia (where the churches of Thessalonica, Amphipolis, Philippi and Berea were).

Before leaving Ephesus, Paul had sent Titus to Corinth as a second messenger who was to go by ship and after completing his mission to return by land and meet Paul in Troas. Although Paul spent much time in the churches that lay between Ephesus and Troas, “encouraging them with many a word,” Titus had not appeared when he reached Troas. ^[1] (2 Corinthians 2:12–13 – Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, ¹³ I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.)

2. Paul’s short-term plan begins to falling apart, (no Titus)

3. Paul stays busy as he waits for his plan to come together, (2, 3a)

 ² Now when (Paul had arrived at Toras and not finding Titus, though worried) he (crossed the Aegean Sea to Macedonia and) had gone over (traveled through) that region and encouraged (exhorted) them with many words (with a lot of biblical instruction.  Paul was also collecting an offering for the poor in Jerusalem [2 Cor. 8:1-6]. Titus finally showed up during this time with encouraging news about Corinth, which resulted in Paul firing off 2 Corinthians to them and), he (Paul, afterward) came (himself) to Greece ³ and stayed three months (at Corinth).

4. Paul’s long-term plan completely falls through, (3b)

And when the Jews (in Corinth) plotted against him (again, to kill him [18:6, 12-16]—this time) as he was about to sail to Syria, (maybe booking passage on the same ship, but) he (Paul in discovering the plot) decided to return (on foot) through Macedonia (the way he came, but no longer being able to reach Jerusalem for Passover now).

The celebrated William Ewart Gladstone used to tell friends about a neighbor’s little girl who really believed in prayer.

Her brother had made a trap that caught little sparrows and she prayed that it might fail. Suddenly for three days her face was radiant when she prayed and her absolute faith in the futility of the trap was so noticeable that her mother asked: “Julia, how can you be so positive?”

She smiled, “Because, dear Mama, I went out three days ago and kicked the trap to pieces.”

(God kicked to pieces the trap these men were laying for God’s servant, Paul.)

—Maxwell Droke^[2]

• Matthew 19:17 – So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
• John 15:20 – Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
• Philippians 1:29 – For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

• 5. God forms a new plan for Paul and the team, (4)

⁴ And (as delegates from the Gentile churches protecting and delivering the relief offering to Jerusalem [1:Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 8:18ff]) Sopater (SO-PA-TER—representative) of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus (a close friend of Paul [19:29; 27:2]) and Secundus (SEH-KUHN-DUS—representative) of the Thessalonians, and Gaius (representative) of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus (THRAH-FUM-IS—representatives) of Asia.

6. While the new plan is set in motion, the timing is constantly being adjusted, (5)

 ⁵ These men, going ahead (as Paul may have wanted to stay at Philippi for the Passover feast), waited for us (to rejoin them) at Troas. ⁶ But we (Luke and Paul) sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread (Passover), and in five days (sailing in good weather takes 2 days) joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days (we are not told why or what they did).

Some things that would be helpful for us to know about God’s plans.

• God’s purpose will be accomplished

Isaiah 46:10–11b – Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’ … Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass.  I have purposed it; I will also do it.  (E.g., Jesus going to the cross sinless)

• God’s purpose cannot be thwarted by human beings

Proverbs 19:21 – There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand. (Daniel and his accusers; Jesus and Pilate — John 19:11 – Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”)

• God’s purpose cannot be thwarted by evil powers

1 John 4:4b – …He (the Holy Spirit) who is in you is greater than he (the devil) who is in the world. Matthew 16:23 Jesus said to Peter once when he allowed Satan to speak through him, ““Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Satan tempting Jesus; Satan trying to bring Job’s godly integrity to ruin; Satan wanting to keep the kingdom and subjects he had stolen)

• God’s purpose prevails in people’s lives and circumstances

Proverbs 21:1 – The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.  (E.g., Joseph and his brothers; King David, Daniel and his friends)

• God’s purpose is fulfilled through his choice of individuals

Ephesians 1:11 – In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. (The Patriarchs, Pharaoh, Jerimiah, Assyria and Babylon, Judas)

Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!

Till next steps made plain shall be;

To hear, with the inner hearing,

The Voice that will call for me.

Waiting! Yes, quietly waiting!

No need for an anxious dread;

Shall He not assuredly guide me,

Who giveth me daily bread?

Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!

With hope that needn’t grow dim;

The Master is pledged to guide me,

And my eyes are unto Him.^[3]

Acts 20:7–12

A Farewell Service

1. The Service was on the Lord’s Day, (7a)

⁷ Now on the first day of the week (Sunday),

2. The Service Was with the Lord’s People, (7b)

 … on the first day of the week when the disciples (gospel believers) came together

3. The Service Involved the Lord’s Supper, (7c)

… when the disciples came together to break bread (to celebrate communion together—which involved an Agape Love feast, a common dinner together [v. 11]),

4. The Service Involved the Lord’s Word, (7d)

 Paul, (being) ready to depart (to leave for Syria) the next day, spoke to them and (making the most of the time they had together) continued his message until midnight (into Monday morning).

5. The Service Exhibited the Lord’s Power, (8-10)

 ⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together (providing not only a lot of light but increasing the room temperature as well). ⁹ And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, [U-ti-kiss—whose name means “fortunate”] who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was (eventually) overcome by sleep (having probably worked all day); and as Paul continued speaking (while Eutychus slept), he fell down (out the window) from the third story and was taken up (picked up) dead (Dr. Luke would know a dead person from a live one). ¹⁰ But (even so) Paul went down (with the others and), fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves (stop your wailing and tears), for his life is in him (his life has returned).”

6. The Service Concluded with the Lord’s Joy and Enrichment, (11, 12)

 ¹¹ Now when he had come (back) up (to the upper room), had broken bread (shared communion) and eaten (an Agape “love” feast together), and talked a long while (further), even till daybreak, he (then) departed (to catch his ship for Assos from Troas).

Paul was so dedicated to the Lord and His kingdom work…

The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities.

Billy Graham^[4]

The reason some people don’t recognize opportunity is because it often comes disguised as hard work.

Anonymous^[5]

 ¹² And (earlier when) they (had) brought the young man (back) in alive, and they were not a little (they were in no small measure, but immeasurably) comforted (meaning here not only joyous over the resurrection of their friend, but strengthened in their personal faith as well).

Scripture records few instances of people who were raised from the dead:

• two in the Old Testament period in the time of Elijah and Elisha; (1 Kings 17:21 when Elijah resurrected the son of the woman who provided him with a prophets chamber and in 2 Kings 13:21 when a band of Moabite raiders buried a comrade next to Elisha)
• three during the ministry of Jesus (the daughter of Jairus, the young man of Nain, and Lazarus);
• and two in the apostolic period (Dorcas and Eutychus).

When a resurrection occurs, God himself confirms the testimony of his Word. And here that Word is clear: the Christians in Troas took Eutychus home alive, says Luke.^[6]

[Speaking of Worship] Worship not only gives God what is due to him but also results in many benefits for his people.

Blessing Ex 23:25-26 See also Dt 11:13-15

• Hebrews 10:25 – not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Guidance Ac 13:2-3 See also Isa 58:6-11; Nu 7:89

• Numbers 7:89 – Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.
• Acts 13:2–3 – As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Deliverance Ac 16:25-26 See also Ps 50:14-15

• Acts 16:25–26 – But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
• Psalm 50:14–15 – Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. ¹⁵  Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Joy 1Ch 29:21-22 See also 2Ch 29:30; Ps 43:4; Isa 56:7; Lk 24:52

• Psalm 43:4 – Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.
• Isaiah 56:7 – Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
• Luke 24:52 – And they worshiped Him (as Jesus ascended), and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

A sense of God’s presence 2Ch 5:13-14 pp 1Ki 8:10-11 See also Ex 40:35

• Exodus 40:35 – And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
• Matthew 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

A deeper sense of Jesus Christ’s lordship Php 2:9-11 See also Rev 1:10-18[7]

• Philippians 2:9–11 – Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
• Revelation 1:10–18 – I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹ saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

¹² Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Insight into Paul’s Servant’s Heart, (13-21)

1. Paul served wherever God called him

¹³ Then (after the all night service) we went ahead to the ship (at the Troas harbor) and (on Monday) sailed to Assos, there (at Assos) intending to take Paul on board (with the rest of them for the remainder of the trip); for so he (Paul) had given orders, intending himself to go (the 20 miles) on foot (to Assos. We are not told why). ¹⁴ And when he met us (as he instructed) at Assos, (on Tuesday) we took him on board and (together) came to Mitylene (Mit—ih-lay—nay).

The ship evidently stopped every evening. The reason lies in the wind, which in the Aegean during the summer generally blows from the north, beginning at a very early hour in the morning; in the late afternoon it dies away; at sunset there is a dead calm, and thereafter a gentle south wind arises and blows during the night. The start would be made before sunrise; and it would be necessary for all passengers to go on board soon after midnight in order to be ready to sail with the first breath from the north.^[8]

¹⁵ We sailed from there, and the next day (on Wednesday) came opposite Chios (Key—os). The following day (Thursday) we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium (TrO—gool—lee—on). The next day (Friday) we came to Miletus.

2. Paul served by redeeming the times

¹⁶ For Paul had decided (because of time restraints) to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time (that he didn’t have) in Asia; for he was (already) hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible (having missed the Passover feast, and now wanting to at least be there), on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:17–38 (NKJV)

¹⁷ (So)From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders (the pastors) of the church (which was a good compromise). ¹⁸ And when they had come to him (generally a two day trip), he said to them: “You know (with absolute certainty), from the first day that I came to Asia (from the very day you first met me), in what manner I always lived among you (how I consistently lived and worked among you),

3. Paul served from a slave perspective

 ¹⁹ serving (in bondage to, as a slave to) the Lord (Master, which is the ultimate honor, privilege and responsibility to the greatest Master)

Slave: Paul sought to serve God, not man, and this is how the elders must live before those among them.

• Acts 27:23 – For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
• Galatians 1:10 – For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:4 – But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
• Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

In light of the previous verses:

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
• Matthew 25:34–40 – Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

       ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

• Ephesians 6:5–7 – Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
• Colossians 3:24 – knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

• Paul was not interested in making money (Acts 20:33)

Acts 20:33 – I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.

• Paul was not intent on in enjoying an easy life (Acts 20:34–35),

Acts 20:34–35 – 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 22more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

• Again, Paul was the bondslave of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:1).

Acts 20:24 – 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.

Romans 1:1 – Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

• Paul was careful to let people know that his motives for ministry were spiritual and not selfish (1 Thes. 2:1–13).^[9]

1 Thessalonians 2:1–13 –  For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. ³ For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

⁴ But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, ¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

¹³ For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

4. Paul served out of humility

 ¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all (with complete) humility, (a humble attitude, without arrogance—a person who has a godly view of him or herself in contrast to who God is as well as in light of the standards and experiences He sets for us.  He didn’t seek celebrity status or special treatment.)

One of the greatest sources of modern illustration comes from the great world renown scholar, Charles Schultz, of the Peanuts comic script.

In this particular comic strip, Linus and Charlie Brown are sitting and talking about their plans when they grow up.

Linus says, “When I get big I’m going to be a humble little country doctor. I’ll live in the city and every morning I’ll get up, climb into my sports car and zoom into the country!  Then I’ll start healing people.  I’ll heal everybody for miles around!”

Then he concludes his speech with, “I’ll be a world-famous little country doctor.

Paul so could have sought that if he wanted, but he didn’t.

[Paul for example] had learned to live in all humility as a servant of the Lord (see Phil. 4:12),

Philippians 4:12 (NIV84) – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Paul was content to live within the standards and experiences God set for him.  Paul didn’t have to have things his way.

In his humility he exhorted the people not to look merely to their own advantage but also to promote that of others (Phil. 2:4)  Prideful people don’t think that way do they.

Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

God doesn’t say to not have any interests of our own, He says to have more than that.

and [Paul even instructs us on how to seek the interests of others] see Eph. 4:2).

Ephesians 4:1–2 – I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Augustine captured the importance of humility by saying:

For those who would learn God’s ways,

humility is the first thing,

humility is the second,

humility is the third.^[10]

Paul lived his life as an open book, for example:

• 2 Corinthians 2:4 – For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
• Galatians 4:13 – You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:2 – for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:1 – For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:5 – For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10–11 – You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
• 5 . Paul served with many tears

¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears (many in the sense of volume as well as times— Paul was filled with passion and compassion towards those around him. What they experienced and how they lived, powerfully impacted his life {if part of the body of Christ suffers, the whole body ought to suffer, right?}.  He wasn’t a take it or leave it, distant, coldhearted kind of preacher and teacher.  He was full of warmth, support, sympathy, and empathy towards others. We see Paul weeping over others but not over his own personal abuses or hard times.)

For Example:

• Romans 9:1–3 – I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
• 2 Corinthians 2:4 – For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved (for me), but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
• Philippians 3:18 – For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

• 6. Paul served in spite of adversity

¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials (trials refers here “to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing—‘to test, to examine, to put to the test, examination, testing.”^[11])

• 1 Peter 1:6–9 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, ⁸ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

¹⁹ Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews (to discredit and kill Paul, which put his faith to severe testing’s);

Paul had to constantly figure out:

• Those who were seeking to destroy him
• Those who were seeking to abuse the gospel
• Those who were genuinely seeking
• All of this tested Paul’s faith!
• 7. Paul served with truth accepting the consequences

 ²⁰ how I (through it all by God’s grace—as Paul asked the Ephesian believers, “pray for me ‘that I may speak boldly as I ought to speak,’” Eph. 6:20) I kept back (out of fear or intimidation) nothing that was helpful (that was eternally profitable, advantageous), but proclaimed it (God’s truth, complete and undeluted) to you,

8. Paul served in public and private settings

 and taught (instructed) you publicly and (in private settings) from house to house,

9. Paul served cross culturally

 ²¹ testifying to (informing and warning) Jews, and also to Greeks, (Gentiles)

10. Paul served all with the same message

(Instructing all concerning) repentance (to change ones course) toward God and (exercising saving and practical) faith toward (on behalf of) our Lord (God and Master) Jesus Christ.

Only by desertion can we be defeated. With Christ and for Christ victory is certain. We can lose the victory by flight but not by death. Happy are you if you die in battle, for after death you will be crowned. But woe to you if by forsaking the battle you forfeit at once both the victory and the crown.

Bernard of Clairvaux^[12]

The Core Issue That Drove Paul, Acts 20:22ff

I. Paul’s core issue of life functioned under the will of the Holy Spirit, (22, 23)

²² And see (at this point in my ministry), now I go bound (compelled, forced, duty bound, driven) in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing (specifically) the things that will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city (that Paul passes through), saying that chains (bondage, imprisonment) and tribulations (persecution) await me (there).

Yet Paul makes no attempt to avoid Jerusalem and thus the afflictions.  In fact, he is so intent on getting there that he arranged this meeting with the Ephesian elders on the fly!  Paul really reveals his bondservant mentality here!  God always has a purpose, Job, shall we accept only good?

• Paul has been so faithful…
• He has already gone through so much…
• He has so much potential…
• II. Paul’s core issue could not be threatened by persecution or even death, (24a)

 ²⁴ But (even so) none of these things (imprisonment or persecution) move me (cause me to make any adjustments concerning my going to Jerusalem); nor do I count (hold) my life dear (at all cost) to myself (meaning, when there is something just as worthy to die for as to live for, I’ll just as happily give my life up),

III. Paul’s core issue: (24b)

1. Involved a race in which Paul competed only with himself

…none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself so that (for the central purpose that) I may finish my race (my race, not someone else’s)

2. Involved a race that began at salvation

…none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself so that (for the central purpose that) I may finish my race (my mission to which salvation has called me)

3. It involved a race that Paul wanted to be joyful over at its conclusion

 That I may finish my race with joy (rather than with sadness and regret),

IV. Paul’s core issue was to embody and express the gospel (24c)

1. A mission given to him by the Lord Jesus

and (my mission in life being now) the ministry (the great commission) which I received from the Lord Jesus (as His ambassador),

2. A mission of bringing heavenly light into a world of darkness

 to testify (by word and lifestyle) to the gospel (the good news of eternal life/salvation and the more abundant life/here and now)

3. A mission based upon grace plus nothing

 …to testify to the gospel of the grace (unmerited work and favor) of God.

We often feel that life is a failure (or at least unfair) unless we’re getting a lot out of it: (like) recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth “nothing” unless he used it for God’s work (20:24). What he put into life was far more important than what he got out.^[13]

Only one thing mattered to Paul: to finish the work God had given him to do. What happened to him was of no consequence (cf. 21:13)

(We also know that) Paul successfully fulfilled his ministry to the very end of his life. As his death drew near, he wrote triumphantly to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). And after he paid the ultimate price for his devoted, loyal service to Jesus Christ, he no doubt heard from his beloved Master the words “Well done, good and faithful slave …enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

It should be the goal of all Christians to complete successfully the ministry God has given them. To do so requires that they maintain a proper perspective of their ministry as it relates to God, believers, unbelievers, and themselves. To do less is unworthy of the Lord who graciously called them into His service.^[14]

Paul described how he was able to keep the main thing in his life (to embody and express the gospel of Christ) the main thing in Philippians 3.

Do You and I Know Our Assets from Our Liabilities?

^{Phil. 3:4} though I also might have confidence in the flesh (I know its persuasive powers first hand, up front and close). If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so (I more than most):

 ⁵ circumcised the eighth day (not a Gentile proselyte but a pureblooded Jew, following strict Jewish rituals from birth), of the stock of Israel (an authentic member of God’s chosen people, the wife of God), of the tribe of Benjamin (one of the most prominent, one of Jacob’s favorites, the tribe to whom Jerusalem was given), a Hebrew of the Hebrews (following my families Hebrew traditions to the tee); concerning the law, a Pharisee; (To be a Pharisee was to be a member of an elite, influential, and highly respected group of men who [meticulously] lived to know, interpret, guard, and obey the Law.)

⁶ concerning zeal, persecuting the church (The Jews viewed zeal as the supreme religious virtue. It is a two-sided coin; one side is love, the other hate. To be zealous is to love God and hate what offends Him.); concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (Paul was to the people who knew him a model Jew who lived by Jewish law.).

Paul from a worldly view, had it all.  He had the ultimate dream of the religious.

⁷ But ( Paul says, even so) what things were (in the past viewed as) gain (assets, profitable, advantages) to me, these I have (after my conversion) counted loss (what I thought was an asset, in reality I found to be a liability) for Christ (in comparison to Christ’s life, death and resurrection on my behalf and His kingdom work).

•     Becoming a Christian did not make him less a Jew. In fact, it made him a completed Jew, a true child of Abraham both spiritually and physically (Gal. 3:6–9).

•     Nor did he lower his standards of morality because he saw the shallowness of pharisaical religion. He accepted the higher standard of living—conformity to Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:1–2).

When a person becomes a Christian, God takes away the bad, but He also takes the good and makes it better.

(Continuing in verse 8 Paul says,) ⁸ Yet indeed (or even in addition to that) I also count (consider) all things (except the Person and cause of Christ) loss (liabilities rather than assets) for (or in comparison to) the excellence (the surpassing value, the incomparable worth, the supreme advantage) of the knowledge (not an intellectual knowledge but experiential knowledge) of Christ Jesus my Lord (my Master.  Paul was desirous of surrendering everything in order to experience

• a real rather than superficial relationship with God—
• a personal rather than an impersonal relationship—
• a vital partnership rather than a spectator association—
• a oneness with Him rather than simply an appreciation for Him—
• an intimate understanding of Him rather than merely a factual knowledge of Him

 [this Paul knows, only comes by living on the front line]), the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom (in respect to this desire, this passion, this devotedness) I have suffered the loss of all things ([which] means literally ‘I have in principle been fined everything, [or] I have been deprived of all that I have’), and count (“count here” is in the present tense, so Paul “continues” day after day to “count”) them as rubbish (something to be thrown away as worthless, for the dogs—[the word in the NT Greek is used for example for “excrement, garbage, muck, or rotten food”]), that (in order that) I may gain (“win” this deep, experiential relationship with) Christ. (Paul didn’t have second thoughts or hidden regrets or agendas concerning all he gave up—when Paul put His hand to the plow, He never looked back after his conversion.)

A minister saw a line of people filing in and out of a toolshed and went over to investigate. Inside lay the body of a man who that morning had been found at the foot of a steep hill nearby. The people were trying to identify him.  As the minister looked at his lifeless form, he saw that one hand was grasping some stalks of straw. Apparently the man had grabbed them, desperately hoping it would keep him from falling over the edge.

In comparison to knowing Christ experientially, everything——in comparison——is nothing but desperately grasping for straw to provide only what a real, intimate relationship with Christ can.  Everything else in comparison to that, will let you down from the heights to which you have been saved to climb.

Are We in Love?

 ⁹ and be found (to prove to be, be shown to be, turn out to be) in Him (Paul desires to know Christ [so] fully, to gain him [so] completely, and to be found in him [so] perfectly…[as] to be in full participation in Christ—the idea is that Paul would disappear and would be nowhere to be found, only Christ would be present where Paul once was), not having my own righteousness (not building an immaculate résumé of accomplishments, degrees and positions as described above), which is from the law (which is developed by complying to a spiritual list of do’s and don’ts), but that which is through faith in Christ (that which is positional and instantaneous at salvation in Christ, prefect and paid in full for by Christ, that which is impossible to improve, exhaust or expand being Christ’s), the righteousness which is from God by faith (which it is instilled by and rests in “faith”);

 ¹⁰ that I may know (“know” here is the word for knowing the reality and depth of something from the mind as well as from the heart, the contextual emphasis here is on the heart though (attaching itself to the experiential knowledge in verse 9) —it’s wanting to get to know someone in the same sense that two people who start dating want to get to know one another—the heart is very much a part of the venture with the mind—and the intention is that the knowledge will grow evermore deeper and richer — it is a knowledge that you want to come to know, come to understand, become acquainted with) that I may know Him (His Person—what He likes, what He doesn’t like, what His passions and goals are, how He thinks, etc.)

He wishes to become entirely “wrapped up” in Christ, so that Jesus will be “all the world” to him.

 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection (the power to offer new life to repentant sinners—the power to encourage gospel believers to live the new more abundant life, and the power to become that new life,

¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship (which can mean the sharing, the participation, as well as the identification, the verification even) of His sufferings, (physical, mental and spiritual sufferings)

Paul wanted the full Christian experience of Christlikeness, as well as the full verification that he was Christ’s servant.

Hendrickson and Kistemaker says, “the desire to participate in the sufferings of Christ is part of the intense longing and striving for complete holiness, as is clear also from the words which follow immediately: becoming increasingly conformed to his death.”

For Paul these sufferings were opportunities for fellowship with Christ, by way of:

•     The honor it brought (the honor of being a true and full disciple of Christ’s)

•     The character it built (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—discipline, focus, strength)

•     The results it accomplished (the power and glory of God was revealed through His servant Job – we heap coals of fire on the heads of some by it)

•     The affirmation it afforded (it reveals we are God’s subjects)

•     The better resurrection it provided (some will receive a martyrs crown through it)

¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being (in the process of becoming more and more) conformed to His death (His meekness, unselfish love, submissiveness, compassion for the lost),

¹¹ if, by any means (if perhaps, or if somehow, or with the ultimate goal that), I may (humbly—[no prideful assumptions]) attain to the resurrection from the dead, (lit., “out from among dead ones”— that I may rise above sin and self as those in the resurrection or, that the Lord would come and take us in the rapture ASAP).

The same word for dead is used in Matthew 8:21–22— Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the DEAD bury their own DEAD.”

Hendriksen, & Kistemaker: “In the light both of the preceding and following contexts, these words give expression to Paul’s intense longing and striving to be raised completely above sin and selfishness, so that he can be a most effective agent for the salvation of men to the glory of God. Cf. Rom. 6:4, 5, 11; 7:24; I Cor. 9:22–24.”

B. B Barton comments here that, “Paul runs toward salvation as if he is in a marathon. He wanted to attain the finish line without quitting. Paul was not making a point about eternal security in his wording; rather, he was announcing his dramatic and full commitment to persevere in the footrace of spirituality, never giving up until the finish line, where Jesus stands ready with a crown.”

¹² Not that I have already attained (acquired, secured, achieved—knowing Christ experientially as I desire), or am already perfected ([perfect practically speaking] I have not put off all my sinning and self and put on all of Christ, nor am I obviously in heaven); but I press on (I push myself progressively forward, I continue to strain towards those ends), that I may lay hold of that (very same goal or purpose) for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (saved me for).

Paul is telling us here that he never felt that he had ever arrived at a level of spirituality that he didn’t think was possible to surpass.  He knew there was still room for growth, and if there was still room to experience more of Christ, Paul wanted it.  Paul wanted everything that Christ made it possible for him to become.

Warren Wiersbe says that: A sanctified dissatisfaction is the first essential to progress in the Christian race.

Harry came out of the manager’s office with a look on his face dismal enough to wilt the roses on the secretary’s desk.

“You didn’t get fired?” she asked.

“No, it’s not that bad. But he sure did lay into me about my sales record. I can’t figure it out; for the past month I’ve been bringing in plenty of orders. I thought he’d compliment me, but instead he told me to get with it.”

Later in the day, the secretary talked to her boss about Harry. The boss chuckled. “Harry is one of our best salesmen and I’d hate to lose him. But he has a tendency to rest on his laurels and be satisfied with his performance. If I didn’t get him mad at me once a month, he’d never [expand beyond his present sales]!”

It’s tempting for us to become self-satisfied with our personal level of spirituality when we start comparing ourselves to those around us—especially if we look for Christians that are not committed or are on and off in their passion.

Paul’s only comparison was Jesus Christ Himself, as must ours be.

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself (consider myself) to have apprehended (achieved all that I desire to experience in Christ); but one thing (this singular thing) I do, (I make my aim, I center my attention on, I strive after) forgetting (continuous present tense— “To forget” …means “no longer to be influenced by or affected by.” ) those things which are behind (the good and bad as both can be or become bad) and reaching (stretching, straining) forward (like the racer straining to be first over the finish line) to those things which are ahead, (“to present every man {including myself} complete in Christ” [Col. 1:28; cp., Eph. 4:11-14]).

So, “forgetting those things which are behind” does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins [habits] and mistakes of the past. It simply means that

•     we break the power of the past by living for the future.

•     We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past.

A good example of this principle is Joseph (Gen. 45:1–15). When he met his brothers the second time and revealed himself to them, he held no grudge against them. To be sure, they had mistreated him, but he saw the past from God’s point of view. As a result he was unable to hold anything against his brothers. Joseph knew that God had a plan for his life—a race for him to run—and in fulfilling that plan and looking ahead, he broke the power of the past.

¹⁴ I press toward (continuous present tense— hotly pursue, bear down upon) the goal (towards the finish line) for the prize (the coveted reward) of the upward (heavenly) call of God in Christ Jesus, (the full experience and likeness of Christ).

“I press!” This same verb is translated “I follow after” in Philippians 3:12, and it carries the idea of intense endeavor. The Greeks used it to describe a hunter eagerly pursuing his prey.

A man does not become a winning athlete by

•     listening to lectures,

•     watching movies,

•     reading books,

•     or cheering at the games.

•     He becomes a winning athlete by getting into the game and determining to win!

There are two extremes to avoid here:

(1) “I must do it all” and

(2) “God must do it all!”

…What quarterback would say to his team, “OK, men, just let go and let the coach do it all!”

On the other hand, no quarterback would say, “Listen to me and forget what the coach says!” Both extremes are wrong.

•     God works in us that He might work through us.

 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:7–8).

Acts 20:24 – 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.

• Paul’s core issue was to embody and express the gospel (24c-27)
• A mission given to him by the Lord Jesus

and (my mission in life being now) the ministry (the great commission) which I received from the Lord Jesus (as His ambassador),

• A mission of bringing heavenly light into a world of darkness

 to testify (by word and lifestyle) to the gospel (the good news of eternal life/salvation and the more abundant life/here and now)

• A mission based upon grace plus nothing

 …to testify to the gospel of the grace (unmerited work and favor) of God.

• A mission that is approaching its completion, (25)

²⁵ “And indeed, now I know that you all (all you Ephesian elders), among whom (with many others that) I have gone preaching (heralding) the kingdom of God (declaring the message of the King to), will see my face no more.

Paul was imprisoned for four years in Rome, but after his release he was able to visit Corinth, Troas, Miletus and Ephesus, (2 Tim. 4:13, 20; 1 Tim. 1:3)

• A mission that Paul has been faithful to fulfill, (26, 27)

 ²⁶ Therefore (as I don’t expect to see any of you again) I testify (I solemnly bear witness) to you this day (concerning Paul’s spiritual responsibility for them) that I am innocent of the blood of all men(if you should die in your sins it won’t be because I didn’t warn you.  No one at judgment day will be able to say that Paul knew he’d end up here and Paul never warned him).

Paul uses an illustration, referring to his innocence by referring to the watchman in Ezekiel.  The watchman was to stay alert and at his task in watching for any danger.  If he fell asleep or goofed off and people were harmed because of his negligence, he’d pay with his blood.  But, if he was diligent and warned the people of impending danger and they didn’t heed his warning and were harmed, the watchman was freed of any guilt, (Eze. 3:18-21).  

 ²⁷ For I have not shunned (shrunk or held back) to declare to you the whole (undiluted, unabridged) counsel of God (the entire will of God).

• Paul didn’t withhold any particular doctrine.
• He didn’t withhold any bit or portion of any particular doctrine.
• He didn’t alter or water down any bit or portion of any particular doctrine.
• Paul shared freely and liberally, without prejudice everything he knew with all who would listen.
• Paul didn’t dance around the parts of Scripture that were hard to understand or accept.
• He didn’t worry about being politically correct or in sync with the culture of the day.
• Paul was a faithful herald.

There are basically three charges: (1) “Keep watch”; (2) “Be shepherds”; and (3) “Be on your guard” (20:31 niv).^[15]

• Paul calls upon the Ephesian leaders to follow his example (28)
• The leaders must begin by examining themselves, (28)

 ²⁸ Therefore (after Paul had dealt fully with himself, he says) take heed to yourselves[16] (examine yourselves against God and His will)

The first priority for anyone involved in spiritual leadership is his own relationship with God. Effective ministry is not mere outward activity; it is the overflow of a rich, deep relationship with God. As John Owen wisely observed,

A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more. (Cited in I. D. E. Thomas, A Puritan Golden Treasury [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1977], 192)

No one is ready to face the pressures and responsibilities of ministry who is not right with God.

In a powerful passage from his classic work The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter gives a stirring call for pastors to examine themselves:

Take heed to yourselves, lest you live in those sins which you preach against in others, and lest you be guilty of that which daily you condemn. Will you make it your work to magnify God, and, when you have done, dishonour him as much as others? Will you proclaim Christ’s governing power, and yet condemn it, and rebel yourselves? Will you preach his laws, and willfully break them? If sin be evil, why do you live in it? if it be not, why do you dissuade men from it? If it be dangerous, how dare you venture on it? if it be not, why do you tell men so? If God’s threatening’s be true, why do you not fear them? if they be false, why do you needlessly trouble men with them, and put them into such frights without a cause? Do you “know the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death”; and yet will you do them? “Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, or be drunk, or covetous, art thou such thyself? “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?” What! shall the same tongue speak evil that speakest against evil? Shall those lips censure, and slander, and backbite your neighbour, that cry down these and the like things in others? Take heed to yourselves, lest you cry down sin, and yet do not overcome it; lest, while you seek to bring it down in others, you bow to it, and become its slaves yourselves: “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage.” “To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.” O brethren! it is easier to chide at sin, than to overcome it. (The Reformed Pastor [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1979], 67–68)^[17]

• The leaders were to proceed by affirming their call, (28b)

²⁸ Therefore take heed to yourselves and (then) to all the flock (be sure you are clean before God as well before you try to cleanse your flock), among which (not you yourself, but) the Holy Spirit has made (appointed, designated, consigned) you overseers (episkopos, a Gentile title for the pastor), to shepherd the church of God (who loves and nurtures his flock as a mother loves and nurtures her children) which He (Christ) purchased (on the cross) with His own (nobody else’s) blood (with His own life, the life being in the blood).

• The church is a body, a collection of people, and not a building.  Acts 2:47b – “…the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” 1 Corinthians 11:18 – “…when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.”
• The church is God’s, holy and separated by and unto Him, and not a pastors or an influential groups.  Matthew 16:18b – “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
• The church is a body, a united flock, and not a large number of individual sheep—a great fact for Christians as well as for pastors. Sheep are not dogs, and we must think of dogs in the Oriental sense, ownerless, scavengers, etc. Sheep as a flock are precious, follow the shepherd, depend on him; it is a crime to be a hireling, to abuse the confidence of the flock; it is the devil’s work to scatter the flock.^[18]

A group of servicemen asked their new chaplain if he believed in a real hell for lost sinners, and he smiled and told them that he did not. “Then you are wasting your time,” the men replied. “If there is no hell, we don’t need you; and if there is a hell, you are leading us astray. Either way, we’re better off without you!”^[19]

The Trinity is involved in the church:

• The church is important to God the Father because His name is on it—“the church of God.”
• It is important to the Son because He shed His blood for it;
• and it is important to the Holy Spirit because He is calling and equipping people to minister to the church.

It is a serious thing to be a spiritual leader in the church of the living God.^[20]

• The leaders must be equipped and ready for spiritual warfare, (29, 30)
  • They will be attacked from without, (29)

 ²⁹ For I know this (Paul knows the devils strategy), that after my departure (which could be his leaving the area for Jerusalem or his death and departure to heaven) savage (vicious, preying) wolves (false teachers) will come in among you (your church family—from without), not sparing the flock (but will terrorize and feast upon them).

• They will be attacked from within, (30)

 ³⁰ Also from among yourselves (from within your church family) men will rise up (professing to be a child of God, but), speaking perverse (distorted, twisted) things (doctrines, instruction, philosophies, traditions), to draw away (like the wolves they are dragging or tearing away) the disciples after themselves (their beliefs, purposes and goals).

[Typically] False teachers [are inspired by demonic influences to] draw people away from the truth in three different ways. 

1.  They attack the believers themselves: sowing discord and mischief among them. [A kind of divide and conquer tactic.]

3 John 9–11 (NKJV) – Diotrephes and Demetrius

⁹ I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. ¹⁰ Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. ¹¹ Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

2.  They teach error, perverting and distorting the truth, either taking away or adding to the Word of God.

Acts 15:1–2 – And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ² Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3.  They attack the genuine leaders: blemishing and defaming their characters and ministries; stirring up believers against them.[21]

Acts 24:1, 5, 6–9 – Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. ^{… 5} For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ He even tried to profane the temple, … ⁸  By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” ⁹ And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

Paul is talking to these Ephesian leaders who are involved in good churches. He has explained that sometimes you have to go through a few fakes and knock offs before you can find the real thing. But when you do, why would you let your guard down and open the doors to possibly go back to the imitation after finding the real thing?

Keep Your Head Low, But Your Guard UP!

VI. Paul calls upon the Ephesian leaders to follow his example (28)

1. The leaders must begin by examining themselves, (28)

2. The leaders were to proceed by affirming their call, (28b)

3. The leaders must be equipped and ready for spiritual warfare, (29, 30)

4. The leaders must keep their guard up, (31)

³¹ Therefore (in light of this spiritual warfare) watch (keep your guard up, stay alert), and remember (don’t forget) that for three years (while I was with you) I did not cease to warn you (counsel you to always be on alert) with everyone night and day (24/7) with tears (not because of the warfare you “might” face, but because of what you “will continually” face).

Gospel believers are warned to be “watchful” not “fearful,” we are to be on the “offense” not on the “defense,” knowing that Christ’s church, corporately as well as individually, will constantly be involved in spiritual warfare during our earthly life.

We have 3 basic enemies to be watchful of:

1. The sin force, the flesh

Romans 7:23 – I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT) – “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

Some of the ways we fight the flesh are:

• Confessing and repenting of sin, (1 Jn. 1:7-9)
• Maintaining the filling of the Holy Spirit, (Eph. 5:18
• Spending regular time with God, abide in Christ, (Jn. 15:1-8)
• The just shall live by faith, (Rom. 1:17b)
• Romans 6:6, 11, 13)
  • Knowing we “are” dead to sin
  • Reckoning, counting it to be true
  • Yielding, submitting to God
• 2. Satan, and his demon host

1 Peter 5:8–9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) – For we* are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Some of the ways we fight against demonic warfare are:

• Put and keep our spiritual armor on (Eph. 6:10-20)
• Realize it’s spiritual warfare, 2 Corinthians 10:4–6 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
• Submit to God and resist the devil, (James 4:7)
• Remember that greater is the Holy Spirit than the devil who is in the world, (1 Jn. 4:4)
• 3. The world

1 John 2:15–17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Colossians 2:8 – Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Some of the ways we fight against the world are:

• Crucify the world to self, (Gal. 6:14)
• Be the salt and light of the world, (Mat. 5:13-14)
• Live in the world, but don’t be of the world, (Jn. 15:19; James 4:4)
• Make disciples, (Mat. 28:19, 20)
• Submit to authorities, (Rom. 13:5)
• Live peaceably, (Rom. 12:18)
• Pray for the peace of Israel, (Psa. 122:6)
• Avoid worldly wisdom and seek wisdom from above, (James 3:13-18)
• Avoid falling in love with the world, (1 Jn. 2:15)
• Fear God and keep His commandments, (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.)
• VII. Paul commends them to God, (32)
• 1. To God Himself, (32a)

     ³² “So now (as we wrap up our time together), brethren, I commend (I entrust you—this is the same word that Jesus used to commend His Spirit into the hands of the Father on the cross) I commend (entrust) you to God (to His Person and care—to His authority, will, provisions and protection—to His purposes and will)

2. To God’s Word and grace, (32b)

     ³² “So now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word (the truth, promises, power and authority) of His grace (the Author and Finisher of your faith—“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God,” [Eph. 2:8].  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. [2 Corinthians 9:8]),

3. To God’s transforming work, (32c)

³² … I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is (without exception) able to build you up (to further and further transform you into the image of Christ, through every situation)

We make progress by taking 3 steps forward then 2 steps back. But if we will keep getting up, we will continue to be built up.  Failure can only keep us down if we allow it to do so, if we stop getting up.

4. To God’s heavenly rewards, (32d)

³² … I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is (without exception) able to build you up and give you an inheritance (of the promises of God, of a new spiritual family, of the indwelling and fruit of the Spirit, and later of heaven and of heavenly rewards) among all (each and every one of) those who are sanctified (of those who have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ for salvation).

Those who have never placed saving faith in Christ are missing out on so much, and they think just the opposite.

VIII. Paul leaves them with his example, (33-35)

1. Be willing to make personal sacrifices, (33, 34)

³³ I (Paul) have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel (Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel, [1 Corinthians 9:14]). ³⁴ Yes, you yourselves (you Ephesians especially) know that these hands (of mine) have provided for my necessities, and (also) for those who were with me (the 3 years I was in Ephesus).

2. Support the weak, (35a)

          ³⁵ I have shown you (been an example for you) in every way, by laboring (working hard) like this, that you must support (help, assist) the weak (the poor, destitute, hurting, sick and feeble).

3. Concentrate on serving not being served, (35b)

And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed (there is more blessing, joy, fulfillment and reward) to give (to others) than to receive (for yourself).’ ”

Jesus certainly gave more than He received.

IX. Paul prays for them, (36)

³⁶ And when he had said these things (after Paul said what he could before it was time for his ship to leave), he knelt down (in humble reverence, adoration and praise to the Lord, maybe also feeling deep grief, and/or maybe feeling helpless) and prayed with them all (they brought one another before the Lord).

X. Paul weeps over them, (37, 38)

³⁷ Then (afterwards) they all wept freely (considerably), and fell on Paul’s neck (not wanting to part with one another’s company) and kissed him (expressing their love for Paul—A David and Jonathan kind of love), ³⁸ sorrowing (here means to be distressed to the point of mental and spiritual agony—sorrowing—but) most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more (in this earthly life). And they accompanied him to the ship (wanting to spend every minute possible with Paul).

Some people hated Paul with the same intensity that these Ephesian leaders loved him.  It’s our relationship with Christ that makes the difference.

“Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us.” (Compass, April 2003) You see, God is right now in the process of making us like Christ. 
Think of the process of refining maple syrup. Maple trees are tapped with buckets hung under the taps, and out drips a sap which is thin and clear, like water. On a good day, 50 trees will yield 30-40 gallons of sap, but it is essentially useless at this point with only a hint of sweetness. 
Then as the buckets fill, they are emptied into large bins that sit over an open fire. The sap comes to a slow boil; and as it boils, its water content is reduced and its sugars are concentrated. Hours later, it has developed a rich flavor and golden-brown color, but it must be strained several times to remove impurities before being reheated, bottled, and graded for quality. In the end, those 30-40 gallons of sap are reduced to one gallon of pure, delicious maple syrup, which is far better than the cheap, imitation, colored sugar-water that passes for maple syrup in the grocery store. 
So it is when we come to faith in Christ. We start like raw, unfinished sap, which could have been tossed aside as worthless. But God knew what he could make of us. He sought and found us, and his skillful hands are transforming us into something precious, sweet and useful. The long and often painful refining process brings forth a pure, genuine disciple easily distinguished from cheap imitations.
(Michele Straubel, Red Lake, Minnesota. From a sermon by C. Philip Green, Our Living Hope, 4/26/2011)

Paul left these Ephesian elders only after commending them to this process, which is ours today.

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^[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (p. 819). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

^[2] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1054). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

^[3] Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (pp. 1567–1568). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

^[4] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 343). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[5] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 342). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[6] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 17, p. 718). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[7] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

^[8] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 17, p. 721). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 486). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[10] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 17, p. 725). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

^[11] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 331). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[12] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 345). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[13] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 347). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[14] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts (p. 326). Chicago: Moody Press.

^[15] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 349). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

[16] 1 Timothy 4:16 – Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

^[17] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts (p. 326). Chicago: Moody Press.

^[18] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (p. 847). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

^[19] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 487). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[20] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 487). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[21] Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.