Acts 20Acts 20

Paul’s speech at Paul’s speech at Ephesus Ephesus

Acts 20Acts 2020:1 And after the uproar had 20:1 And after the uproar had

ceased, Paul sent for the disciples ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and when he had exhorted them and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he and taken his leave of them, he departed to go to Macedonia.departed to go to Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone through 2 And when he had gone through those districts and had given them those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to much exhortation, he came to Greece.Greece.

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3 And there he spent three months, 3 And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through determined to return through Macedonia.Macedonia.

4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.Trophimus of Asia.

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3 And there 3 And there he spent three monthshe spent three months, , and when a plot was formed and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through determined to return through Macedonia.Macedonia.

4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.Trophimus of Asia.

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Wrote the Book of Romans hereWrote the Book of Romans here

5 But these had gone on ahead and 5 But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for were waiting for usus at Troas. at Troas.

6 And we sailed from Philippi... 6 And we sailed from Philippi... 14 we took him on board and came to 14 we took him on board and came to

Mitylene…Mitylene…

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15 And sailing from there, we arrived 15 And sailing from there, we arrived the following day opposite Chios; and the following day opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to and the day following we came to MiletusMiletus..

16 For Paul had decided to sail past 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus in order that he might not Ephesus in order that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalemhurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, , if possible, on the day of Pentecost.on the day of Pentecost.

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

In the speech that follows, see 11 In the speech that follows, see 11 central themes in effective Christian central themes in effective Christian ministryministry

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18 And when they had come to him, 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how foot in Asia, how I was with you the I was with you the whole timewhole time, ,

19 serving the Lord with all 19 serving the Lord with all humilityhumility and and with tearswith tears and and with trialswith trials which which came upon me through the plots of came upon me through the plots of the Jews;the Jews;

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18 And when they had come to him, 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how foot in Asia, how I was with you the I was with you the whole timewhole time, ,

19 serving the Lord with all 19 serving the Lord with all humilityhumility and and with tearswith tears and and with trialswith trials which which came upon me through the plots of came upon me through the plots of the Jews;the Jews;

11 Themes11 Themes1. Real personal

involvement

18 And when they had come to him, 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how foot in Asia, how I was with you the I was with you the whole timewhole time, ,

19 serving the Lord with all 19 serving the Lord with all humilityhumility and and with tearswith tears and and with trialswith trials which which came upon me through the plots of came upon me through the plots of the Jews;the Jews;

11 Themes11 Themes1. Real personal

involvement

1 Thess. 2:7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

18 And when they had come to him, 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how foot in Asia, how I was with you the I was with you the whole timewhole time, ,

19 serving the Lord with all 19 serving the Lord with all humilityhumility and and with tearswith tears and and with trialswith trials which which came upon me through the plots of came upon me through the plots of the Jews;the Jews;

11 Themes11 Themes1. Real personal

involvement

2 Cor. 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.

20 how I 20 how I did not shrink from did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was declaring to you anything that was profitableprofitable, and teaching you , and teaching you publicly and from house to house,publicly and from house to house,

[see also vs. 27 “For I [see also vs. 27 “For I did not shrink did not shrink from declaring to you the whole from declaring to you the whole purpose of Godpurpose of God.”].”]

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20 how I 20 how I did not shrink from did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was declaring to you anything that was profitableprofitable, and teaching you , and teaching you publicly and from house to house,publicly and from house to house,

[see also vs. 27 “For I [see also vs. 27 “For I did not shrink did not shrink from declaring to you the whole from declaring to you the whole purpose of Godpurpose of God.”].”]

2. Courage to declare the truth

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20 how I 20 how I did not shrink from did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was declaring to you anything that was profitableprofitable, and teaching you , and teaching you publicly and from house to house,publicly and from house to house,

[see also vs. 27 “For I [see also vs. 27 “For I did not shrink did not shrink from declaring to you the whole from declaring to you the whole purpose of Godpurpose of God.”].”]

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20 how I 20 how I did not shrink from did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was declaring to you anything that was profitableprofitable, and teaching you , and teaching you publicly and from house to house,publicly and from house to house,

[see also vs. 27 “For I [see also vs. 27 “For I did not shrink did not shrink from declaring to you the whole from declaring to you the whole purpose of Godpurpose of God.”].”]

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3. Balanced

21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of Greeks of repentance toward Godrepentance toward God and and faith in our Lord Jesus Christfaith in our Lord Jesus Christ..

Also vs. 24 But I do not consider my Also vs. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to from the Lord Jesus, to testify testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of solemnly of the gospel of the grace of GodGod..

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21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of Greeks of repentance toward Godrepentance toward God and and faith in our Lord Jesus Christfaith in our Lord Jesus Christ..

Also vs. 24 But I do not consider my Also vs. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to from the Lord Jesus, to testify testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of solemnly of the gospel of the grace of GodGod..

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4. The grace

focus

23 except that the Holy Spirit 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that saying that bonds and afflictions bonds and afflictions await meawait me. .

24 But 24 But I do not consider my life of any I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myselfaccount as dear to myself, in order , in order that I may finish my course, and the that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.gospel of the grace of God.

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23 except that the Holy Spirit 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that saying that bonds and afflictions bonds and afflictions await meawait me. .

24 But 24 But I do not consider my life of any I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myselfaccount as dear to myself, in order , in order that I may finish my course, and the that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.gospel of the grace of God.

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5. Self- Sacrifice

25 And now, behold, I know that all 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more.face no more.

26 Therefore I testify to you this day, 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that that I am innocent of the blood of I am innocent of the blood of all menall men..

27 For I did not shrink from 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose declaring to you the whole purpose of God.of God.

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25 And now, behold, I know that all 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more.face no more.

26 Therefore I testify to you this day, 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that that I am innocent of the blood of I am innocent of the blood of all menall men..

27 For I did not shrink from 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose declaring to you the whole purpose of God.of God.

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Boundaries

28 28 Be on guard for yourselves and Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flockfor all the flock, among which the , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own which He purchased with His own bloodblood..

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28 28 Be on guard for yourselves and Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flockfor all the flock, among which the , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own which He purchased with His own bloodblood..

6. Stewardship

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28 28 Be on guard for yourselves and Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flockfor all the flock, among which the , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own which He purchased with His own bloodblood..

29 I know that after I leave, 29 I know that after I leave, savage savage wolveswolves will come in among you and will come in among you and will not spare the flock.will not spare the flock.

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28 28 Be on guard for yourselves and Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flockfor all the flock, among which the , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own which He purchased with His own bloodblood..

29 I know that after I leave, 29 I know that after I leave, savage savage wolveswolves will come in among you and will come in among you and will not spare the flock.will not spare the flock.

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7. Spiritual Warfare

30 and 30 and from among your own selves from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse men will arise, speaking perverse thingsthings, to draw away the disciples , to draw away the disciples after them.after them.

31 Therefore be on the alert, 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with cease to admonish each one with tears.tears.

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30 and 30 and from among your own selves from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse men will arise, speaking perverse thingsthings, to draw away the disciples , to draw away the disciples after them.after them.

31 Therefore be on the alert, 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with cease to admonish each one with tears.tears.

8. Infiltration& counterfeit

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32 “And now I commend you to God 32 “And now I commend you to God and to and to the word of His grace, which the word of His grace, which is able to build you upis able to build you up and to give and to give you the inheritance among all those you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.who are sanctified.

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32 “And now I commend you to God 32 “And now I commend you to God and to and to the word of His grace, which the word of His grace, which is able to build you upis able to build you up and to give and to give you the inheritance among all those you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.who are sanctified.

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9. Scripture read under grace

32 “And now I commend you to God 32 “And now I commend you to God and to and to the word of His grace, which the word of His grace, which is able to build you upis able to build you up and to give and to give you the inheritance among all those you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.who are sanctified.

33 “33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothesgold or clothes..

34 “You yourselves know that these 34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.and to the men who were with me.

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32 “And now I commend you to God 32 “And now I commend you to God and to and to the word of His grace, which the word of His grace, which is able to build you upis able to build you up and to give and to give you the inheritance among all those you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.who are sanctified.

33 “33 “I have coveted no one's silver or I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothesgold or clothes..

34 “You yourselves know that these 34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.and to the men who were with me.

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10. Financialintegrity

35 “In everything I showed you that 35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed ‘It is more blessed to give than to receiveto give than to receive.’”.’”

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35 “In everything I showed you that 35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed It is more blessed to give than to receiveto give than to receive.’”.’”

11 Themes11 Themes11. Other-centeredness

Acts 20Acts 2036 And when he had said these things, 36 And when he had said these things,

he knelt down and prayed with them he knelt down and prayed with them all.all.

37 And they began to weep aloud and 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,kissed him,

38 grieving especially over the word 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they should see his face no more. And they were accompanying him to the ship.were accompanying him to the ship.

Acts 20Acts 20Discussion:Discussion:A Christian friend says, “I A Christian friend says, “I

believe in Christ, but I don’t see believe in Christ, but I don’t see why we need to get all worried why we need to get all worried about this idea of developing a about this idea of developing a so-called personal ministry”so-called personal ministry”How would you respond?How would you respond?

Let’s PrayLet’s Pray

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