A LIFE WORTH NOTHING
Acts 20:13-21:16
What will they write on our tombstone?
How will WE be remembered?
Paul’s farewell to the elders from Ephesus demonstrates what he wants to be remembered for.
TESTIMONY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH 13-28
First Missionary Journey 13-14
Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22
THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY 18:23-21:16
Ministry in Galatia and Phrygia 18:23
Ministry in Ephesus 18:24-19:41
This trip focuses on the work in Ephesus (18:24-19:41).
Instruction of Apollos 18:24-28
Instruction of John's disciples 19:1-7
Instruction in the synagogue 19:8-10
After John's disciples had been dealt with,
Paul turns his attention back to the synagogue (19:8-10).
When the Jews become obstinate and oppose Paul,
he again turns his attention to the Gentiles.
He ministers there for two years.
Many Jews and Gentiles decide to trust Christ there.
A Lesson for imitators 19:11-20
Mighty signs performed in Paul's ministry begin to attract attention 19:11-12
Some try to imitate his work. 13-14
Negative lesson: 15-16
The sons of Sceva learn the hard way not to play with demons.
Positive influence: 17-20
Some who practiced sorcery recognize the superior power of God and burn their books.
Continuation of Persecution 19:21-41
Commitment to Jerusalem 21
Paul decides he ought to go to Jerusalem and begins to plan his trip.
Riot provoked by the idol makers 22-41
While he stays in Ephesus, some idol makers become aware of the threat Paul has become to their work.
They stir up the people and start a riot.
Ministry in Macedonia and Greece 20:1-5
Ministry in Troas 20:6-12
Paul's long message extends until midnight.
A young man, seated in a window, becomes sleepy, falls out of window and dies.
Paul demonstrates God's power in his ministry by raising the man from the dead.
Ministry in Miletus 20:13-38
Paul’s trip to Miletus 20:13-16
Anticipating possibility he might never return to Ephesus,
Paul takes some time to encourage the elders while he’s in Miletus
Paul’s farewell address 17-38
His ministry among them 17-21
They have watched him work and observed his work. 18-19
He is serving the Lord; not himself.
He serves with humility; not to exalt himself.
He sheds tears over those who oppose him; not seeking vengeance against them.
He has testified to both Jews and Greeks of the need to change their minds about God and to trust our Lord Jesus. 20-21
His Spirit-directed compulsion 22-24
He’s convinced that the Holy Spirit is driving him to go to Jerusalem.
Everywhere Paul goes he hears testimony that he’s going to be arrested in Jerusalem.
Yet Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go.
God has revealed His plan to Paul and he is willing to follow it.
He has a stewardship to fulfill; the cost is unimportant.
His faithfulness 25-27; 33-35
His challenge to them 28-32
He urges them to faithfully care for the flock God has given to them and to protect them from the wolves who seek to harm them.
His farewell to them 36-38
Ministry in Tyre 21:1-6
As he continues toward Jerusalem, Paul ministers in Tyre (21:1-6).
There also the Spirit speaks through people to warn Paul of what lies ahead. 4
They are speaking through the Spirit.
It’s not clear whether the Spirit is saying he shouldn’t go to Jerusalem.
Or, whether their prophecy of jail and suffering is from the Spirit.
In other passages the Spirit tells them what’s ahead.
They are the ones who don’t want him to go when they hear that.
They interpret the prophecy to mean he shouldn’t go to Jerusalem.
Ministry in Caesarea 21:7-16
In Caesarea the prophecy is repeated.
He will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles. 9-11
Due to prophecy of arrest, his friends urge him not to go to Jerusalem. 12-14
Paul is determined to obey God, even if that obedience should cost him his life.
He has to go on to Jerusalem. 15-16
State 2 or 3 lessons this section of Acts teaches which we ought to apply in our life.
Name one specific thing you could do this week to begin to apply what you have learned.
LESSONS FOR US:
What will they write on OUR tombstone?
What will they write concerning Paul? “Stubborn?” Or, “faithful?” Or, both?
Is this just suffering because he’s too stubborn about what HE wants to turn back?
Or, is he faithful, in spite of the appeal of other godly Christian people who love him and don’t want to lose him or see him hurt?
Which is his commitment?
Paul’s farewell
His faithfulness to God
His concern for them
Are WE that concerned for the welfare of His people?
Are WE that committed to faithfulness?
Are WE stubborn, or faithful?
What are WE that committed to?
To doing God’s will, or to doing what God wants us to do?
Even face to face with the possibility of dying for our faithful ministry?