Lessons From A Farewell

Lessons From A Farewell

2014-05-18

Act 20:17-21 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.

Famous: Eutychus (U-te-cus) fell asleep in church (many achieve this) but he died and was then ressurected.

·      This miracle takes “2^nd place” when compared to preaching/teaching the Word.

The real focus: Paul’s emotional farewell to dear friends, and the elders in Ephesus.

·      He didn’t expect to return or see as a group again but he did have future contact through writing (Ephesians) & those he sent to them. Timothy and others.  1 Tim 1:3, 2 Tim 4:12

This speech had much in common with Paul’s epistles: there are parallels in wording/thought.

·      Paul looks backward & forward in time.

·      Forward to the dangers ahead for himself, the Ephesian church & these elders.

And back to his conduct & teaching and the work of God in their midst.

·      He is not defending his ministry, but rather presenting it as example to emulate personally & ministerially. 1 Thess 1:6, 1 Tim 4:12, Act 20:18-19, Jn 13:15-16, Heb 13:7, 1 Peter 5:3, 1 Cor 11:1, Phil 4:9,

o   The New Testament teaches the heart of leadership is an example.

§  We need people who talk & do. 

·      Paul reveals characteristics that ought be present in ALL Christians, not just elders.

Integrity: No credibility gap between the truth Paul proclaimed & the way he lived.

·      The message & the man inter-twined and were inseparable.

o   Don’t un-say with your lives what you say with your tongues.

He had compassion: He talked about tears two times: Not “weepy” or emotional but tears of great empathy.

·      He had concern for the spiritual welfare of ALL Rom 12:15, 9:1-3; 2 Cor 2:4; Phil 3:18

o   Paul got emotionally & affectionately involved in ministry.

§  Not just a mere professional doing his job. Pray for me.

Despite his position & accomplishments, Paul was humble. Act 20:19, 1 Cor 15:9, 2 Cor 3:5, Eph 3:7-8, 1 Tim 1:15

·      This is the only time Paul called himself humble.

o   Past ministry was proof that Paul was not being arrogant or proud here.

·      Humility is lowliness, weakness, radical dependence upon the grace of God for every step, word, and person you minister to.

o   The foundation of humility is an understanding of the grace of God toward us.

§  Paul  identified with whom he ministered (Christian & lost).

§  He knew he was no different from anyone else: simply a sinner saved by grace.

·      So he didn’t think in terms of his own rights.

Humility without courage can lead to compromise. Act 20:20-21, Prov 29:25, Gal 1:10

·      Paul’s preaching was comprehensive: He preached the whole counsel of God publicly & privately to the lost & to Christians...no matter the cost, even unto death.

o   Paul did not compromise the Gospel for approval. Diamonds/black velvet.

o   He knew Christians would never reach maturity if they were not exposed to whole Word of God.

Integrity, humility, compassion, and courage are all characteristics upon which to build your life, marriage, family and/or ministry.

·      All can be every Christian’s in increasing measure if we desire to become more like JC by being Word-saturated, Gospel-centered, Spirit-led people.