Acts 20:17–35

Juan Carlos Morales

Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

0 ratings

· 398 views

Notes

Transcript

Text

Acts 20:17–35 ESV

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.’ ”

Outline

1. Paul’s call to remember the work of God (v.18-21)

2. Paul looks presently to his ministry (v.22-24)

3. Paul’s call to pay careful attention (v. 25-31)

4. Paul’s commendation to God’s people (v. 32-35)

Introduction (v.17)

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

1. Paul calling to remembrance the work of God (v.18-21)

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.

2. Paul looks presently to his ministry (v.22-24)

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.

3. Paul’s call to pay careful attention (v.25-31)

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.

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.

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.

31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

4. Paul commendation to God’s people (v.32-35)

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.’ ”

The Outline Bible Section Outline Twenty ()

V. PAUL IN MILETUS (20:17–38): The apostle shares his heart with a group of select men.

A. The participants (20:17) : Paul sends for the Ephesian elders to join him at Miletus.

B. The perspective (20:18–35): Paul summarizes the gospel ministry in a threefold manner.

1. He reviews the past (20:18–21, 26–27, 31, 33–35)

a. Paul reminds them of his uncompromising ministry (20:18–21, 31): For three years he fearlessly, faithfully, and tearfully preached Christ among them.

b. Paul reminds them of his faithful ministry (26:26–27): He has always been faithful in declaring God’s Word, so no one’s damnation can be blamed on him.

c. Paul reminds them of his unselfish ministry (20:33–35).

(1) What he does (20:33–35a): He fully supports himself, taking money from no one.

(2) Why he does it (20:35b): He remembers—and challenges them to remember—Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive!”

The Outline Bible Section Outline Twenty (Acts 20)

V. PAUL IN MILETUS (20:17–38): The apostle shares his heart with a group of select men.

A. The participants (20:17) : Paul sends for the Ephesian elders to join him at Miletus.

B. The perspective (20:18–35): Paul summarizes the gospel ministry in a threefold manner.

1. He reviews the past (20:18–21, 26–27, 31, 33–35)

a. Paul reminds them of his uncompromising ministry (20:18–21, 31): For three years he fearlessly, faithfully, and tearfully preached Christ among them.

b. Paul reminds them of his faithful ministry (26:26–27): He has always been faithful in declaring God’s Word, so no one’s damnation can be blamed on him.

c. Paul reminds them of his unselfish ministry (20:33–35).

(1) What he does (20:33–35a): He fully supports himself, taking money from no one.

(2) Why he does it (20:35b): He remembers—and challenges them to remember—Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive!”

2. He overviews the present (20:22–25, 28, 32)

a. Paul explains (20:22–25): This will be their final meeting, for he will face difficult times ahead.

b. Paul exhorts (20:28, 32)

(1) “Feed and shepherd God’s flock” (20:28) .

(2) “I entrust to you God and the word of his grace” (20:32) .

3. He previews the future (20:29–30): Paul warns them to watch out for false teachers in the church.

a. The iniquity of these men (20:29) : They will be like vicious wolves, not sparing the flock.

b. The identity of these men (20:30) : They will come from the leadership of the church itself.

C. The prayer (20:36–38): When Paul finishes speaking, he kneels and prays for them. After a tearful farewell, he departs for Jerusalem.