The Passion of the Church

Introduction

Acts 18:23-21:15 highlights the Third Missionary Journey of Paul and his companions. In fact, chapter 20 is the middle chapter of these details. I would love to visit some of these places that Paul went and it is on my bucket list. I got to thinking about this missionary journey. It took place over 4 years from 54 AD to 58 AD. It covered approximately 2515 miles. 1190 by the sea and 1325 land. As I thought about all of this time and all of these miles, I started thinking about the passion that Paul and his companions had to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That passion overcame hard journeys, persecutions, travel mishaps, and a host of other obstacles. Yet that passion compelled Paul to share the truth of God’s love through Jesus Christ. Why don’t we have that passion? I can hear you say, “Well, I am not Paul.” You are right. But what if Paul had the resources and opportunities that you have right now that you don’t use? Can you imagine? As I have studied Acts 20, I see the passion of Paul being demonstrated to the church and the church catching the vision. Let’s look at how this vision ignited the passion of the church and just maybe it might ignite something in you.

The Passion of Proclaiming

First look at Acts 20:1-6 and the passion of proclaiming.

Acts 20:1–6 NIV84

1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Ministry Moves Through the Messes

Verse 1 says, “when the uproar had ended.” Of course that goes back to the end of 19:23-41 that tells the story of an upset silversmith who claimed his business of making idols was messed up because of Paul’s declaration that manmade gods were no gods at all. Sometimes ministry can be a mess. After 36 years as an ordained minister and after 40 years of ministry, I can assure you that ministry can be messy. Simply because you are dealing with people and we know that people can be messy. However, I see a promise here in this first line, “when the uproar had ended.” It gives me great assurance that ministry moves through the messes and there is a great hope, a beautiful joy, and an incredible experience on the other side! It is so true what Psalm 30:5 declares:

Psalm 30:5 NIV84

5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

What a reassurance! Messes will come to an end. Paul’s ministry moved through the messes. What hope we have as we move forward! Watch what happens when ministry moves through the messes, it moves over land.

Ministry Moves Over Land

As Paul travels the land, he speaks “many words of encouragement.” There are no greater words of encouragement like the words, “God loves you and He has a plan for you!” Who needs to be encouraged this way today? Nothing encourages and strengthens the people of God like the Word of God!

Acts 15:31 NIV84

31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

What would you go through to share the Good news of Christ and His encouraging message?

Ministry Moves Over Sea

Paul took his ministry over the sea. We see that he sailed for Syria accompanied by many companions that are listed here. They even go in different directions sharing the love of Christ. I love in these verses the use of “we” which indicates that you and I are getting a first hand account of what took place. Passion is exemplified here as not only from one man, but from many who shared in the calling of Jesus to go fulfill the great commission.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV84

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We also can be passionate in sharing the proclamation of the Good News. We can be passionate even more as we go together!

The Passion of Patching Up

Verses 7-12 highlight for me the passion of patching up. I used this phrase because this tells a story of a young man named Eutychus whose name literally means “fortunate.” I laughed when I read this because Eutychus was indeed fortunate.

Acts 20:7–12 NIV84

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

I call this section the passion of patching up because you know if this young man fell out of a third story window, he had to be patched up! Eutychus the fortunate received that passion because Paul desired through the ministry of Jesus that he needed to be patched up, healed and made whole! But before we get past this point, notice a couple of things here.

Sunday Night Services

First, this was a Sunday night service. Verse 7 says that this was the first day of the week. It was on Sunday and they had a Sunday night service that went on until midnight. Some of you get antsy after 45 minutes, how would do being at a service that long?

Sunday Night Sacraments

They also experienced a Sunday night sacrament. The first mention of “breaking bread” is relevant to the Lord’s Supper. The second mention is more of a Sunday Night Fellowship. Nevertheless, it was a Sunday Night Strengthening.

Sunday Night Strengthening

Maybe we need to bring that back. Obviously with Paul’s teaching and the ultimate patching up of a fallen young man, a time of strengthening took place for those in attendance. One of the passages that Paul would include in his letter to the church of Colosse sums up what potentially could happen as a result of such a Sunday Night Strengthening: Colossians 1:10-13

Colossians 1:10–13 NIV84

10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

What a prayer and what an opportunity for us to consider!

The passion of proclaiming and patching up all led to the passion of providing.

The Passion of Providing

Acts 20:13–34 NIV84

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 Kios. 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, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 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, 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. 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 all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 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. 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.

We get great joy when we serve the Lord by serving others.

The Joy of the Journey

Notice the joy of the journey. As we mentioned, Paul traveled approximately 2515 miles. In those journeys, I can imagine that Paul had some long talks with God on where to go and what to do. Sometimes we thing the journey is burdensome and heavy. We fuss about the time it takes and the traffic we are in, but don’t miss the joy of the journey. The joy of the journey is also the journey to joy.

The Journey to Joy

The journey to joy shows Paul being a servant of the Lord. He serves with great humility. He sheds tears. And he experiences patience and a great amount of fortitude despite the persecutions. The joy of the journey to joy is knowing the joy of Jesus!

The Joy of Jesus

Isaiah 12:3 NIV84

3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Glory hallelujah! There’s more we could discuss here, but I don’t want you falling asleep and falling out of the pew…

But real quick, notice the passion of the promise.

The Passion of Promise

Acts 20:25–38 NIV84

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 all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 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. 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 he had said this, 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.

Do you see the passion of the promise there?

Saying the Goodbye

There is passion in saying goodbye. As Christians, we don’t say goodbye forever, we simply say see you later.

Stating the Goal

The goal of Paul’s ministry is stated emphatically in verse 32:

Acts 20:32 NIV84

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.

The Greek word for “commit” is very interesting to me. It is the word paratithemi. It means to place beside or near or set before; food, i.e. food placed on a table. 1b to set before (one) in teaching. 1c to set forth (from one’s self), to explain. 2 to place down (from one’s self or for one’s self) with any one. 2a to deposit. 2b to intrust, commit to one’s charge

Maybe you can remember a time when you went to your grandmother’s house. She prepared a meal for you and placed in on the table. You did not dare to say, “yuck and throw it out” right? You ate because it was prepared by your sweet granny and you knew it was presented with love and tender care. It was wholesome and oh so good. Paul is serving up to the church God and the word of His grace. As he is serving you through grace, look what you are getting.

Serving Through Grace

You are receiving grace, the unmerited favor of God on which you are saved.

You are being built up.

You are receiving an inheritance as a child of God.

You are continuing to be sanctified. All of which draws you closer and passionately gives you more passion. Church, we need to give that to our world! Ready? Let’s GO!