acts 20.13 38pptx

Acts 20:13-38

A Word to the Ephesian Elders

Context

• Paul is on his way to Jerusalem • He is carrying a gift for the suffering Christians• He is now seeking to be there for Pentecost • He has reasons for not wanting to visit

Ephesus (30 miles away)• His message to the Elders is important since it

is Paul’s only message to Christians recorded in Acts

• It reads just like one of his Epistles

Past Ministry (18-21)“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Present Plans (22-24)“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

The Future (25-31)“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

A Prayer (32)“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

An Encouragement (33-35)“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Past Ministry (18-21)

“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Past Ministry (18-21)

• It seems Paul had been attacked in his absence • He defends himself by reminding them of his

conduct (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)• And his content • “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that

they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus”

• The essential message of Christianity

Present Plans (22-24)

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Present Plans (22-24)

• Paul decisions are led by the Holy Spirit (19:21, 20:22)

• The gift he is carrying is desperately needed• Being led by the Spirit is not an end to trials• Paul relegated his own interests and put Christ

first• His aim is to finish well (2 Timothy 4:7)• How will we finish?

The Future (25-31)“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

The Future (25-31)

• “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again”

• Perhaps it was all that some heard• This is a loving relationship• False teachers will arise • Hold on to the teaching• “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the

whole will of God”• This is God’s Church

A Prayer (32)

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

A Prayer (32)

• Some of Paul’s favourite words are used here• He had to commit the Ephesians to God • And to the “word of his grace”• There were things that he could not do but it

was God who would guard his Church

An Encouragement (33-35)

“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

An Encouragement (33-35)

• Paul set an example (Philippians 3:17)• He was a servant• His ministry cared for the weak • He was following the example of Jesus

(Philippians 2:1-11)• This quotation from the Lord Jesus is not found in

the Gospels (Luke 6:38)• “For those God foreknew he also predestined to

be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29)