For the Love of God and His Church

Make the most of every opportunity (1-12)

The big conflict in Ephesus had come to an end; Paul headed for Macedonia

Before he left, he encouraged the disciples; NEVER WASTE AN OPPORTUNITY

He traveled through all the districts of Macedonia, GIVING THEM EXHORTATION

Paul spent three months in Greece until a plot was formed against him

He rerouted his trip through Macedonia

Paul names all his traveling companions in verse 4

They all went ahead to Troas and were waiting for Paul to arrive

Paul and the group stayed in Troas for one week preaching the gospel

The church gathered together on the Lord’s Day and Paul started preaching

HE PREACHED UNTIL MIDNIGHT; people had to light lamps because it was dark

The lamps burning caused the air to be stuffy; fresh air was at the window

A young man named Eutychus was sitting on the window sill and fell asleep

He fell out the window from the third floor and died

Paul took a break from preaching to check on Eutychus

He embraced him and said he was actually alive

So Paul went back upstairs, broke the bread, ate, and STARTED PREACHING AGAIN

He preached until the sun came up again, then he left

Eutychus was taken away alive; the people were greatly comforted that he was okay

Make your words and ministry count (13-38)

Verse 13-16 give a summary of travel routes taking Paul from Troas to Miletus

Paul sends a message to Ephesus to gather the elders of the church

Paul gives a message to the Ephesian leadership about the past, future, and present

Recalling the past (18-21)

I was with you the whole time; serving with humility, tears, and trials

I wasn’t afraid to share anything helpful; in public and in private

I preached repentance to God and faith in Christ; same message to all

Facing the future (22-27)

The Holy Spirit is leading me Jerusalem; my future safety is unclear

The Holy Spirit testifies to me that I will be persecuted and imprisoned

The ministry given to me by Jesus is more valuable than my life

All of you with whom I have served will likely never see me again

I have preached the whole counsel of God; I am not to blame for unbelief

Confidence in the Present (28-35)

BE VIGILANT; protect those entrusted to your care; Jesus died for the church

After I leave you will be attacked from outside as well as inside the church

Your enemies will not spare the flock; they will attempt to lead the disciples astray

BE ALERT; remember how I have encouraged you night and day for three years

TRUST GOD, HIS WORD, & HIS GRACE; it will build you up; your inheritance is sure

I gave you an example of hard work and serving others, helping the weak

Jesus says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

A shepherd loves his sheep; the sheep are thankful for the shepherd

Paul knelt and prayed with his fellow servant-leaders

They wept out loud; they embraced Paul; they kissed him because of their grief

They realized the gravity of Paul’s statement: “You won’t see me again”

“Oh then, let us hear these arguments of Christ, whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless: ‘Did I die for them, and wilt not thou look after them? Were they worth my blood and are they not worth thy labour? Did I come down from heaven to earth, to seek and to save that which was lost; and wilt thou not go to the next door or street or village to seek them? How small is thy labour and condescension as to mine? I debased myself to this, but it is thy honour to be so employed. Have I done and suffered so much for their salvation; and was I willing to make thee a co-worker with me, and wilt thou refuse that little that lieth upon thy hands?’” [Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor] [quoted in Stott, The Message of Acts, 329-330]