Take A Walk (051825)

Scripture: Acts 20:1-7

Title: Take A Walk

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Paul moves on…

Acts 20:1 KJV 1900

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Back in chapter 19 and verse 21, Paul “purposed in the spirit” that it his time in Ephesus was coming to an end. Paul even sent Timothy and Erastus on ahead.

After all of the uproar in Ephesus, Paul decides that the time had come for him to leave.

From Ephesus, Paul sails across the Aegean Sea to the Macedonia.

“And when he had gone over those parts” likely means that he visited those churches that had been started previously in Macedonia: Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and probably others.

From there he moved south into Greece/Achaia.

He spends three months in that area, likely in Corinth, before deciding to begin his journey to Jerusalem (by way of Syria) but when he found out that Jews were seeking to kill him, he changed his plans and headed back north to Macedonia.

Verse 4 records the names of a group of individuals who were going to accompany Paul back to Jerusalem, probably representatives from churches that had given financially to help Christians back in Jerusalem.

He sent them on ahead to Troas (across the Aegean Sea).

Paul and Luke waited until after the days of unleavened bread, sailed from Philippi (in Macedonia) and met up with the group of men sent on ahead, in Troas.

In verses 7-12, we have the account of a very long winded Paul who preached well into the next day. A young man fell from the third story loft and died. But God, through Paul, brought the young man back to life. Vs. 12 says that they were not a little comforted!

Verses 13-15 record Paul’s travels, by ship, down the coast of Asia finally arriving in Miletus.

Note: Verse 16 tells us that Paul was determined to be at Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost.

Verses 17-38 (the rest of the chapter) records for us that Paul, while in Miletus, sent word to the leaders of the church in Ephesus to have them come to Miletus so that he might speak with them.

In that conversation, Paul made it clear to these individuals that this would be the last time that they would see each other.

Acts 20:36–38 KJV 1900

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

A few things that stand out to me, about Paul, as I considered this chapter:

Paul was a hated man.

vs. 3: “And when the Jews laid wait for him…”

It doesn’t take a brain scientist to figure this one out. Especially as you read about the persecution which Paul faced in each city that he visited.

Over time, this physical persecution took it’s toll on Paul not only physical but also emotionally and mentally.

Paul was a busy man.

Just reading through Acts chapter 20 makes me tired!

Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary (1) Together Again (20:6a)

All in all, he traveled 5,580 miles by land, facing all kinds of hardship and danger, and 6,770 miles by sea in little cockleshell boats, at the mercy of wind, sun, and storm—12,350 perilous miles. He evangelized an area of fifteen hundred square miles in less than sixteen years

Paul’s travels. His change of travel plans because of the fact that he was a hated man!

Paul’s care and concern for the churches which led him to spend his time challenging and encouraging them.

2 Corinthians 11:28 KJV 1900

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

It was during this time that Paul wrote several of his letters that we have recorded for us in the Bible.

And, if that wasn’t enough, Paul still worked to provide for his physical needs! (20:34)

Turn to and read Acts 20:18-35.

Paul was a driven man.

20:20: I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly , and from house to house,

20:31: three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Paul was a determined man.

Acts 20:24 KJV 1900

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was a concerned man.

I reference back to his words to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 11:28 KJV 1900

Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

But also his concern for the churches was seen in his warning to the leaders of the Ephesus church in verses 28-31a.

Paul was a burdened man.

In one of the letters that Paul wrote during this time - the time of his third missionary journey, he was very transparent as to the emotional burdens that he bore.

2 Corinthians 1:8 KJV 1900

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2 Corinthians 7:5 KJV 1900

For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

As I have already stated, the ministry took a physical and emotional and mental toll on Paul.

And yet…

Paul’s commitment to Christ never wavered!

How is that possible?

Paul had learned to take a walk!

Acts 20:13 KJV 1900

And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

Paul sent the rest of the group by ship while he walked.

Why?

Scripture does not give us any indication as to the reason why he chose to walk - alone - while his companions traveled by ship.

In fact, of all the commentaries that I have access to, that I consulted, passed right over that little phrase with the exception of one.

Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary a. Paul Purposely Alone (20:13)

One of the problems of a busy life is the lack of time to be alone with God. Paul evidently felt the need for spiritual renewal. This third missionary journey had been extensive and strenuous. His visit to Jerusalem, which he felt could no longer be postponed, was one fraught with peril. Paul needed solitude in which to think over the past, prepare for the future, tune up his own soul, and be sure he was walking in God’s will. Then, too, he needed to give final instructions to the elders of the great Ephesian church. Already the winds of heresy were beginning to blow across Asia Minor, and within a generation Gnosticism would be in full bloom. Paul needed to think through the best way to bring together the Ephesian elders and pray about his last message to those men.

Paul knew he needed some time with the Lord.

George Mueller knew that he needed time with the Lord.

The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to set the truth before the unconverted, I might seek to benefit believers, I might seek to relieve the distressed, I might in other ways seek to behave myself as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord and not being nourished and strengthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended to in a right spirit.

Do you need to take a walk with God?

Before I start each day,

There is a special place I love to go alone and Seek my Savior′s face:

I find wisdom in His Word To instruct me in His will, And I hear His gentle voice Say, "My child, be still."

My quiet time alone Gives me power to obey,

My quiet time alone With God each day.

I talk to Him in prayer;

Ev'ry day He meets me there,

My quiet time Alone with God.

Verse 1

There is a holy place far from the rapid pace Where I seek face to face my God and King I must go ev'ry day and that without delay To read His Word and pray and praises bring

Chorus

The Word of God will light the darkest path Its treasures flow with strength anew Help me to hide its Words within my heart Take this hour make me more like You

Verse 2

So from my holy place back to my rapid pace I bravely run the race He set for me He'll lead me all the way if I His Word obey And on the altar lay anxiety

Chorus

The Word of God will light the darkest path Its treasures flow with strength anew Help me to hide its Words within my heart Take this hour make me more like You