Acts 20
-After the debacle in Ephesus, Paul exhorts the brethren
there and takes leave to Macedonia through those districts giving much exhortation
all the way southward into Greece. He returned through Macedonia because of a
plot by the Jews was discovered as he was about to set sail for Syria. Back in
Asia at Troas he teaches for a week during the Unleavened Bread days. This is
where Eutychus falls from the 3rd floor after falling asleep during
Paul’s midnight message (Acts 20:1-9). *Application* Don’t fall asleep in
church or other times when the Word of God is being preached; bad things can
happen J.
-However, Paul falls upon him and the young man’s life
returns to him (a miracle). Paul goes back up and preaches until daybreak and
then goes by land to Assos and then to Mitylene (Acts 20:10-14). *Application*
This gives us a glimpse into the hard-core nature of the early church. There
were no watch watchers in Paul’s audience. He would go all night! These
disciples of Christ were fervent and didn’t let time get in their way!
-The disciples go from Mitylene to Chios to Samos to
Miletus. In Miletus, Paul called to him the elders of the church in Ephesus and
gave his farewell message to them. These are the things he did while laboring
over them in the Name of Jesus Christ: He was humble, shed tears, suffered in
trials, did not shrink back from declaring the word of God and anything that
was profitable and according to the whole purpose of God, went from house to
house, taught repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, did not covet,
and worked hard to help the weak remembering the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed
to give than to receive.” Paul prophesies what awaited him in Jerusalem. He
relates that his life was meaningless in comparison of finishing his course for
God in His strength. He tells the elders to beware and be alert for the savage
wolves that would come in (Acts 20:15-35, Revelation 2:1-7).
-The tearful goodbye with embracing and affectionate
brotherly kisses ends Paul’s time with the elders as he moves on toward the
Promised Land. There was definitely a solemnity to the occasion by his words
that they would not see his face again this side of Heaven. They accompanied
the apostle all the way to his ship with their goodbyes and farewells (Acts 20:36-38).
*Application* What a picture-perfect way to say so long. Paul had no regrets in
his labor over this body of believers he had diligently poured into. He is
beloved and the brethren knew this would be it. Remember to say good-bye
appropriately and passionately when the time comes to leave any particular
situation. Remember too that we as believers will all be reunited in the
eschaton when we are resurrected in Christ.
Verses to Memorize:
Acts 20:18-24, 27-28, 35
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