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StoneCreek

September 12, 2012

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Picnic in theParking lot.

Fifth Sunday, September 30After church.

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Paul and company are at Troas, where Paul preached all night on Sunday night.

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Acts 20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

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13 And we (Luke and the rest) went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, mind-ing himself to go afoot. 14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

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Why would he walk when he could ride?

He had just preached all night; I would have gotten on the ship and gone to sleep.

Perhaps he wanted time alone with the Lord.

Possibly because he wanted to spend as much time as possible with the Christians in Alexandria Troas, Paul arranged to go on foot across the peninsula from Alexandria Troas to Assos, about 20 miles, while his companions went by ship, a journey of around 40 miles. Thus Paul was not far behind.

http://www.welcometohosanna.com/PAULS_MISSIONARY_JOURNEYS/3mission_4.html

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15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

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16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Miletus was some 30 miles by land south of Ephesus, so he sent for the Ephesian church’s elders to come there. …

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.

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Paul sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus to come to him in Miletus,

because he knew so many people in Ephesus after being there for 2-3 years,

it would have taken too long to get back on his journey.

The elders walked the 30 miles south from Ephesus to Miletus.

We all know people who would say that 30 miles was too far to drive,

much less walk.

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Laziness is a terrible hindrance to the cause of Christ.

Be always ready to spend yourself for the cause.

2 Corinthians 12 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

Galatians 6 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Keep on.

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18-19 And when they (elders of Ephesus) were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations (trials; adversities), which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

So, not only did Paul have the riot cause by Demetrius, but also plots by the Jews.

He faced adversity on every hand, from all unbelievers -- Gentiles and Jews.

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20-21 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

House churchesNumerous small groups, but really one church.

Not competing with one another, but cooperating for the same cause.

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22-23 And now, behold, I go bound in (compelled by) the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Everywhere he stopped, men speaking under the anointing of the Holy Ghost told him

that he was headed into more trouble --

Bonds and afflictions.

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24 But none of these things (prison, hardships, dangers)

move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.

Nothing -- no hardship, imprisonment, even threat of death could stop Paul from finishing God's

Purpose for his life on earth.

He would finish his course with joy!

Perseverance brings joy.

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May we all grow in the Lord Jesus Christ, until we are as determined as Paul was to finish our course.

2 Peter 1 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Spiritual growth is a process.Next time