Building the Church (22)
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Staying the Course Pt 1
Staying the Course Pt 1
Good Morning and welcome back.
How did you see God move this past week?
“John Stephen Akhwari is an Olympic legend. Representing his country, Tanzania, he was a favorite to win the marathon at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
Finished last - earlier in race had fallen, sliced his knee open, dislocated joint - was begged to stop - he said
“My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race; they sent me 5,000 miles to finish it.”
Staying the Course Pt 1
Staying the Course Pt 1
As we are closing in on the end of our Journey in Acts
We last saw Paul in the middle of a uproar in Ephesus.
Paul was beginning his journey back to Jerusalem.
What began on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus was coming full circle
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Staying the Course Pt 1
Staying the Course Pt 1
Paul knew time was beginning to be short but his focus was finishing his race.
Stacking rifles - don’t get out of the fight
That's what I want us to look at this morning.
I want us to see how Paul focused on staying the course even when the destination was unknown.
Let’s Pray.
Acts 20 gives us 3 farewell events as Paul begins his journey.
A Farewell Journey
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
A Farewell Journey
I love that Paul’s heart to not start and leave - but to keep building.
3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Detours often become as important as the destination
4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
A Farewell Journey
Imagine the conversations - the encouragement, the thanks, etc.
We are never interrupted, we are given divine appointments
A Farewell Service
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
A Farewell Service
Do not ever complain about me or Joel’s sermons
Never give up gathering
Keep it simple and keep it focused.
A Farewell Service
Look at the pattern
The Lord’s Day - first day of week
The Lord’s People -
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
A Farewell Service
The Lord’s Supper - always remembering the main thing
The Lord’s Message - Word of God central
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nineteen: A Minister’s Farewell (Acts 20)
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “the decadent periods and eras in the history of the church have always been those periods when preaching has declined”
A Farewell Service
The Lord’s Power
9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
A Farewell Service
I am not saying we will see miracles, but when God’s people gather and God’s word is proclaimed - we will experience God’s power
A Farewell Message
Eight messages are recorded in Acts from Paul given to Synagogue Congregations, Gentiles, mobs, church leaders, Jewish council, various government officials.
This one was unique - instead of evangelist or defender - pastoral.
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.
Our message must remain consistent
18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Farewell Message
Reminded then of the past - Always where we have come from - our history
His manner and message stayed the same
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
A Farewell Message
Gave a testimony of the present -
HE was leaving everything is good shape - he finished his course, he was a faithful steward and witness
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
A Farewell Message
Warnings about the future - always w be on guard
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Dangers around and among - be watchful
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Dangers with in - carelessness, shallowness, covetousness, selfish
A Farewell Message
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Staying the Course Pt 1
Staying the Course Pt 1
This was just the beginning of the journey
Paul showed no matter what he stayed the course.
Detours, changes, trouble, can all derail us
but God is never taken by surprise and we are called to stay the course and finish our race.
My goal is God Himself … At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.
– Oswald Chambers –
Next week Pt 2 - Acts 21
