Paul's Farewell Tour
Acts 20
Digging Deeper
In Acts 20, Paul is proceeding with his journey with urgency. This urgency stems from his need to fulfill his calling, which is to share the Good News with Jews and Gentiles so that God's Kingdom becomes known to the whole world.
When Paul is in Troas, he preaches from midnight until dawn. Eutychus, who was listening while seated on a window sill, dozes off and falls to his death. Paul performs a miracle, and Eutychus lives after his three-story fall!
As Paul continues on his way to Jerusalem, he stops and meets with the elders from the church of Ephesus. Paul preaches and teaches them, reminding them of their calling that he also shares: to faithfully and boldly share the Gospel with others. Paul also warns them to be on guard and to care for one another so that no one is deceived by false teaching. Paul wants everyone — those he has ministered to and who have received the Gospel — to finish well.
Finally, Paul emphasized Jesus' teaching, “It is more blessed to give than to receive." Paul knew that giving would bless individuals and the church and that generosity would serve others. Giving is a testament to the Gospel's transforming power in each person's life.
Acts 20 wraps up with Paul bidding farewell to his friends and leaders with tears, knowing that this would be the last time he would visit them. Paul knew that what he had established with the churches he planted would have eternal consequences, and that he had fulfilled his mission from God with them. Paul also knew that hardships and suffering were in his future, and he was prepared to follow God faithfully and trust in God for his next steps.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Main Point:
The basics of Christianity form the basis of Christian community.
Paul addressed the leaders/elders responsible for making sure the basics of the faith would become the foundation of the Christian community.
Five basics of the Christian life that form the basis of Christian community
1) Live a LIFE of LOVE
Travel
Travel was not easy in Paul's day, but he traveled because he loved the Lord and those who had come to faith in Jesus.
Paul and these believers loved one another.
Truth
When Paul says that he didn't hesitate to tell them anything, he implies that some of his words were hard to receive, hear, process and live out.
We are living in a day when war has been declared on truth.
There is immense pressure, which will continue to increase, on the church to succumb to the pressures of the culture.
In this cultural context, the church must not shrink from declaring the whole truth, the whole counsel of God.
Tears
Multiple times, tears were shed in this passage.
These tears were emotional tears, erupting from a deep love.
Paul wasn't just a man declaring truth. He was a man declaring truth in love, truth in grace, and truth through tears.
Trials
Paul was willing to endure much difficulty and hardship to spread the Gospel and minister to the church.
The endurance of trials expresses the depth of love.
Togetherness
Paul lived among the believers and was present with them.
Paul knelt down and prayed with them.
2) Live a LIFE of SERVICE
Paul served the Lord with all humility.
Paul's life was not his own. It was controlled by Jesus.
Paul cared for the souls that were purchased by the blood of Jesus.
Paul worked with his hands to minister to his team's needs and necessities, as well as his own.
Paul is living out and explaining that a life of service is for the glory of King Jesus for the good of others.
3) Live a LIFE of AWARENESS (Spiritual and Emotional Intelligence)
Paul urges the church to pay careful attention to themselves and what's going on in the flock's life.
They are to be involved in the lives of those they lead, and those who are part of the church should want to be known by those who lead them.
Paul urges them to be on high alert for fierce wolves and heretics who will not spare the flock.
4) Live a LIFE of DEVELOPMENT (Discipleship)
Definition of Discipleship: The process of learning what it means to be human and part of the new human race after the image and likeness of Jesus.
We are called to come alongside to disciple and develop others.
The tool of development, of discipleship, is the Word of God.
5) Live a LIFE of GOSPEL CENTRALITY
Paul demonstrates how he has taken upon himself the character of Christ.
Paul's sights are on Jerusalem, knowing that bad things await him there.
Paul's life became a living embodiment of the presence of Jesus on planet Earth.
Paul's ministry and message become the exhortation for all gospel churches regardless of time or place.
At Northland Church, we want to embody this kind of life, living a life of love, service, awareness, development and gospel centrality.
LIFE APPLICATION
Paul shared his heart with the leaders of Ephesus. He reminded them of his ministry of proclaiming the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles. He shared how important it was for him to finish the work that God gave him, which was to tell others the Good News about God's wonderful grace. In Acts 20:35, Paul shared Jesus' words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive." Think about how God blesses you so you can give your time, talents or treasures to God's church and others, showing love and service. Take steps this week to give and live generously for God.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe a situation when you had to say goodbye to someone that was incredibly moving for you.
How does Paul describe his ministry to the church elders at Ephesus?
What warnings does Paul give to the leaders at Ephesus?
What does Paul share about what he understands will be happening to him next?
What advice and challenge does Paul give to the elders at Ephesus, and how does this advice and challenge apply to the church and church leaders today?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Love-1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:14; John 15:13
Day 2: Service-Matthew 25:35-40; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 4:10-11
Day 3: Awareness-1 Peter 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:5; Ephesians 6:18
Day 4: Development-2 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 10:14-17; Colossians 1:28-29
Day 5: Gospel Centrality-Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:14
PRAYER
Lord, just like Paul, I want to finish what you have called me to do. Show me how to be faithful, living a life of love, service, awareness, development and gospel centrality. I want to be a blessing as I tell the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Let me be watchful, so I do not stumble or cause others to stumble. Let me disciple and care for others who need to know about your love for them and become more mature in their faith. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
