Giving God 100% (of Yourself) Acts 20:13-38 10/1/23

Intro: Three infamous words for the 442nd? Go For Broke trailer. . GO FOR BROKE- giving all, in order to gain victory! 442nd is remembered as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the US military. Being willing to sacrifice your life, for the cause of freedom. The unit, totaling about 18,000 men (9, 846, over 4,000 Purple Hearts, 4,000 Bronze Stars, 560 Silver Star Medals, 21 Medals of Honor, and seven Presidential Unit Citations. Blessed we live Hawaii. It wasn’t easy fighting racial slurs, internment camps, called names, losing homes and businesses. 2/27/23 HNN-Healthiest state, longest life expectancy in US 80.7, wahines live 2 yrs. longer (environment-air water quality, best beaches. Food made, apt cleaned, could recreate all day w/games, entertainment, crafts, grandkids. What purpose in life? But what living for? As a believer and follower of LJC, Enjoy golden years, but use days wisely. Make them count. Like quarter basketball, football 4th qtr, baseball- 9th inning.

TS: Giving 100% for God, GFB, know God and make Him Known, spend time in His Word, outflow was HS led to obey God. To give lives to God, because He gave His life for us. Great Commission, Great Commandment. to preach, to everyone, everywhere, repentance and faith in God. How to disciple our kids and grandkids, neighbors, friends- lasting legacy with eternal results. Every material thing, will be left behind.

I. PASSIONATE FOR GOD V.19,24

Radical change- once a persecute of the Way, Paul travels on 3 missionary journeys to preach gospel and disciple others,,

v.1-6 before departing from Ephesus with some to minister.

v.7-12 Eutychus- young man, Sun. services, LS- broke bread, leaving next day, lengthy service, dark, hot, lamps burning, falls from window sill 3 story, covers, wraps arms around, healed, returns to LS, and eat, continued preaching unto day break.

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 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. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

ILL: How? Why? Who? Dating spouse. More time, more wanted to be with them. Matthew 16:26 (NIV) What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

John 12:25 (NIV) Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

APP: More you know your spouse, more you love them. Dating. Passionate about right things! Eternal things! Last forever! Preached night and day, in hardships and humility 100%, publicly and privately (house & synagogue, Jew & Greek) everyone, everywhere need to repent (turn from sins) and have faith in LJC. Hunger for WOG, some persecuted Chr. there is a hunger, farmers, travel distances, comical- lengthy sermon, environment conducive to sleep, (don’t sleep well last night, aches, pains, pee) Praise vs. funeral services. All day and night…China (farmers, coal miners, eat sweet potato crops, peanuts, simple dishes chicken, eggs, veggies).

APP: Willingly lays down life to finish task LJC gave- testify good news of God’s grace (Great Commission, Great Commandment)

II. PREACH THE GOSPEL v.20-24

20 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. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

III. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK v.28

28 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. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

APP: Enemies of God, spiritual battle, humanism, cultural pressure- abortion, same sex marriage, gender dysforia. Proclaimed whole will of God, overseers/elders/pastors- shepherds of church of God, he bought with his own blood. Acknowledge enemies of God seek to distort truth, draw away disciples. Be alert and on guard. 3 yrs. never stopped warning day and night w/tears (love, sacrifice.)

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. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 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.’ ”

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

APP: Pure motives, not for personal gain, (silver, gold, clothing), worked and supplied own needs and companions, hard work, helping weak, remembering Jesus example and words....more blessed to give than receive.

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

SPEAKING THE TRUTH

The gospel is a blunt package of raw truth (about how people are rebellious, lost sinners separated from a holy God) wrapped with exquisite cords of love (about how God offers forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life to those who turn from sin to Christ in simple faith). Paul forcefully and passionately spoke that truth to those with whom he came in contact and essentially said: “You have eternal decisions to make. You are responsible for what you do with this information.”

As you share the faith, don’t shade the truth or try to soften the hardness of the gospel. Before people will ever see the goodness of the gospel, they must first realize the awfulness of their lost condition.

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

We often feel that life is a failure unless we’re getting a lot out of it: 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. Do you serve only those people who benefit you? Are your volunteer activities limited to people who give a lot in return? Consider your service to others as a gift back to Christ. Don’t always look for what you can get out of it

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Motives for ministry

Furtherance of gospel/KOG

Purpose in life- testifying to gospel

4. Shepherds of flock

Romans 1:16–17 (NIV)..For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

John 3:36 (NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

John 1:12–13 (NIV) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Isaiah 55:6–7 (NIV) Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Romans 10:9–10 (NIV) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

John 14:15 (NIV) “If you love me, keep my commands.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 20)

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

What was Paul’s message? “Turn toward God and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The city of Ephesus was filled with idolatry and brimming with immorality. The culture was decayed. The problems were great. Yet Paul didn’t preach against sin—he preached repentance toward God. So often, we try to get people to turn from sin. But that was not the methodology of Paul nor of Jesus, for they knew that when people turn toward the Lord and see His goodness, they will automatically turn from sin.

ILL: When Billy Graham was in Portland, Oregon, for a Crusade, reporters tried to get him to comment on Proposition 9, the Oregon anti-homosexual bill. I think Billy hit a home run when he responded, “I didn’t come to Oregon to talk about politics. I came to talk about Jesus Christ.”

CSB Disciple’s Study Bible: Notes (Chapter 20)

20:21 SALVATION, Repentance—Jews and Greeks—that is, all people—must turn to God in repentance to be saved. Saving faith includes and implies repentance. The two cannot be separated.

ALL IN FOR CHRIST- BS, Prayer, evangelism, fellowship. Love God, neighbor, self JOY,

OBJ: 100% committed and dedicated to Christ, no matter what the repercussions, teacher nearing retirement/end of school yr.,

ILL: Race finish line, football,

APP: Afraid of what others think/say? Jesus example. Paul’s example

INTRO:

Great Commission—>make disciples of all nations, baptizing, teaching all commanded

Great Commandment—>Love God—>love others—>love self

l. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing v.19

2. not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you (house to house) v.20

3. declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. v.21

4. every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me v.23

5. I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. v.24

6.  For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. v.26k

7. 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. v.28

8. Enemy lurks  29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. v.29-31

9. “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 v.32

10. Free from greed, pure motives for ministry- More blessed to give than receive- v.32-35 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. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 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.’ ”

11. Sad departure of Paul v. 35-38 36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

APP: NO SHRINKING VIOLETS

Paul could look the Ephesian believers in the eyes and say, “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (20:27 NIV). Daily, for two years, he had faithfully preached and taught at the lecture hall of Tyrannus (see 19:9–10)! Why? Because he understood that there can be no growth in Christ without the transmission of truth. Are you fulfilling your God-given responsibility to declare God’s truth to those he has sovereignly placed in your life—a spouse, a neighbor, a child? Or are you hesitating and shrinking back from such a task? The only way to have a clear conscience is to trust God and boldly speak out when opportunities present themselves. Ask God for such a situation today.

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

20:28 “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.” This begins the final section of Paul’s message to the elders of Ephesus. The verbs have changed from the declarative (I did, we did) to the imperative (Go do!). There are basically three charges: (1) “Keep watch”; (2) “Be shepherds”; and (3) “Be on your guard” (20:31 NIV). In this verse, Paul outlines the philosophy of the ministry that pastors and church leaders should follow.

The first charge was to “keep watch”—first over themselves and then over all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Although Paul had likely chosen and trained most of them, the operative force behind everything had been the Holy Spirit. The flock was the church of God, an entity that God had bought (literally, “acquired, obtained”) with his own blood, shed by Christ on the cross.

Those who lead God’s people must keep a careful watch over themselves and the flock. This was important. The leadership (elders, pastors, deacons) would be the first line of attack from the enemy (the “wolves” mentioned in the next verse). Before the flock could be protected, the shepherds must protect themselves!

These leaders were to “be shepherds.” They were to guide, direct, protect, feed, and help the flock to grow into its full potential (see Psalm 23; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 5:1–4). In the early years of the church, there was no real distinction between the three terms for pastor: elder (presbuteros), a bishop or overseer (episkopos), or a shepherd or pastor (poimen)—the distinctions occurred later in church history. These leaders of the Ephesian church are described in this one passage as elders (20:17; see also 14:23), bishops (20:28), and shepherds (that is, pastors—20:28).

And from what did these elders need to guard themselves and the flock? The following verses explain.

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

20:29–30 “I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following.” With a vivid, colorful shepherding image, Paul forewarned the Ephesian elders of the coming attack on the flock by vicious wolves. Some would attack from outside the church. These false teachers would invade the church after the departure of Paul and, like wolves, ruthlessly attack the flock. They would bring with them their fine-sounding words, not sparing a soul who would believe and follow them.

Other attacks would come from inside the church (even some of you). Paul warned that some of their own members, in order to build a following, would distort the truth and lead away a portion of the flock to their own doom. False teachers did, in fact, hound the church at Ephesus. This is confirmed in the later books of the New Testament (1 Timothy 1:6–7, 9–20; 4:1–3; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:17–18; 3:1–9; Revelation 2:1–7; see also the chart “Beware of False Teachers!” in the Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus at 1 Timothy 4:1).

WOLF ATTACK

The damage that false teachers cause is not limited to the cults, nor to past days in church history. Some of the characteristics of false teachers show up in churches and ministries professing to be faithful to the true gospel. Many leaders and authorities today demand allegiance; some would even have us turn from Christ to follow them. Because they seem to know the Bible, their influence can be dangerously subtle. How can you recognize false teaching?

• It promotes controversies instead of helping people come to Jesus (1 Timothy 1:4).

• It is often initiated by those whose motivation is to make a name for themselves (1 Timothy 1:7).

• It will be contrary to the true teaching of the Scriptures (1 Timothy 1:6–7; 4:1–3).

To protect yourself from the deception of false teachers, you should learn what the Bible teaches and remain steadfast in your faith in Christ alone. Doctrine is right and true only to the extent that it agrees with God’s Word

Acts (Paul Meets the Ephesian Elders / 20:13–38)

FLOCK WATCHING

Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that one of their major roles was to guard the flock (20:28). Churches are susceptible to all kinds of dangers—false teaching, satanic attack, spiritual disease, sin, laziness, apathy, deception, distraction, and divisiveness. Leaders have a holy obligation to keep the sheep from every teaching, attitude, and action that would turn them away from full devotion to Christ. Are you under the protection of someone (or some body of leaders) who is older, wiser, and more discerning? Are you looking out for those whom God has placed in your care?

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Chapter 20)

Acts 20:22–24 (a) And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself…

In every city Paul visited, the Holy Spirit warned him he would face tremendous difficulty in Jerusalem. Paul responded by saying, “I don’t care.” Why could Paul say this? Because he didn’t count his life dear.

“Deny yourself,” Jesus said, “and take up the Cross” (see Matthew 16:24). And what Jesus taught, Paul caught.

Acts 20:28 (NIV) 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.

CSB Disciple’s Study Bible: Notes (Chapter 20)

20:28 THE CHURCH, Local Body—Each believer has the responsibility to strengthen other believers. This is especially true of those who shepherd the flock. Jesus died for the church. Christians must live to strengthen it. See note on Mt 16:18–19.

CSB Disciple’s Study Bible: Notes (Chapter 20)

20:28 CHURCH LEADERS, Pastor and Overseer—This passage indicates that pastors and “overseers” (or bishops) are identical offices designated by different terms. The same leaders are also called “elders” (v. 17). The person is portrayed using the image of shepherd (pastor) who cares for a flock and the image of overseer who gives leadership. This same combination of images is used of Jesus in 1Pt 2:25. Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. The overseers are not elevated to a rank above the rest of the congregation. They are not dignitaries but servants who see to the worship, evangelism, training, discipline, and administration of the local congregation. They have the responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their people as well as authority to supervise and nurture them.

God’s Grace:

Romans 5:6–8 (NIV) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Titus 3:4–7 (NIV) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Parable Pharisee & Tax Collector - God’s righteousness vs. self righteousness

Luke 18:9–14 (NIV) To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Romans 8:14 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

1 Timothy 3:1–2 (NIV) Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Ephesians 4:11 (NIV) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,

Acts 14:23 (NIV) Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

CSB Disciple’s Study Bible: Notes (Chapter 20) Remaining alive is not the Christian’s goal. Accomplishing the Spirit’s mission for us is.

Acts 20:28 (NIV) 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.

1 Peter 5:2 (NIV) Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

Some church members refuse to assume their proper responsibility in church life. A mother complains because her child has no Sunday School teacher. But she refuses to teach. Others make demands of the pastor and want expanded church ministries. But these same persons often do not give as they are able to pay for the things they want. Someone said that the kicking mule is not helping to pull the load. Complaining, critical church members seldom do their part to make the church thrive. Their complaints and criticisms are but a smoke

ILL: An Unpopular Sermon

Dr. R. G. Lee preached a sermon in which he got on sin hot and heavy. Afterward an irate lady said, “Dr. Lee, I didn’t like that sermon!” Dr. Lee replied, “Neither did the devil, sister.”

ILL: A Lesson from Whales

Recently in a television newscast I saw a picture of small whales stranded in shallow water on a beach. To remain there meant death. People stood about them splashing water on their exposed bodies to prevent their being burned by the sun.

Gradually they turned them seaward and helped them into deeper water where they could swim. However, the commentator said that some of them turned and rushed back to the beach. Why they do this is a mystery.

But it is no greater mystery than the conduct of some Christians who have been redeemed from legalism and sin. Before long, they become entangled once again in them.

Whales were made to live in the vastness and freedom of the ocean. Christians are made to live in the freedom that is in Christ and should accept the responsibilities of their new relationship to God.

Perhaps whales act as they sometimes do because of some unknown element in their nature. But Christians should live according to the nature and will of God.

John 21:15–17 (NIV) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.