Point of No Return

EEBC Acts  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  25:29
0 ratings
· 28 views
Files
Notes
Transcript

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

Paul is headed to Jerusalem
From which he will go to Rome, where he will eventually be martyred

Overview: What's going on here?

Acts 20:17–35 CSB
Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Paul’s farewell
Preaching/testifying
Those who do not speak of sin are guilty of blood
Those who do not proclaim the Gospel are guilty of the blood of their neighbors
Warning about wolves

Reflection: Why does this matter?

All earthly circumstances change, some beyond repair---but the truth of the Word of God is eternal

Expectations: What do we do about it?

Know the Word, lest you be deceived by the wolves
Guard against the wolves: when someone is plainly a wolf, warn!
Stand firm and don’t hold back
Trust God
And avoid coveting—don’t seek personal gain
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more