Paul's Final Missionary Journey: Lessons from Jerusalem
Paul's final journey to Jerusalem and his interactions with the elders from Ephesus carry significant lessons for faithful evangelists. Paul's urgency to reach Jerusalem, his discussions with the elders about his past and future plans, and his emphasis on preaching the whole counsel of God highlight the responsibilities and challenges faced by those called to spread the gospel.
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Lesson 27: Paul s Third Missionary Journey (3): His Final Trip to Jerusalem (20:13-21:17)
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study A. Paul traveled from Troas to Miletus, hurrying to reach Jerusalem (20:13-16). 1.It took about a week for Paul to journey from Troas to Miletus (mostly by ship). 2.If he stopped in Asia Minor, Ephesus would have been a 66-mile roundtrip inland. 3.Paul was hurrying (imperfect tense, continuous) to get to Jerusalem (20:16). 4.His goal was to reach the city of Jerusalem for the Jewish Day of Pentecost.
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38). 1.Paul discussed and defended his labor while with the church in Ephesus (20:18-21). a) Paul reminded the elders of his heart while in Ephesus (20:19). b) Paul reminded the elders of his preaching while in Ephesus (20:20-21).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38). 2.Paul discussed and shared his plans for the present and near future (20:22-27). a) Paul shared his strong obligation to make it to Jerusalem (20:22). b) Paul shared his awareness and acceptance that suffering was awaiting him (23). c) Paul shared his bold determination to finish what the Lord had started (20:24). d) Paul shared that he would continue preaching the gospel of the kingdom (24-25). e) Paul shared that he was blameless in preaching God s saving message (20:26). f) Paul shared he wasn t selective in his teaching but taught the whole will of God.
II.Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding A. The responsibility of faithful evangelists is to preach all truth to all men! 1. Faithful evangelists keep nothing back (Acts 20:20). 2. Faithful evangelists freely and determinedly preach the whole counsel of God (27). 3. Faithful evangelists cease not to warn everyone night & day (20:31+26; Col. 1:28). 4. Faithful evangelists preach and teach publicly and privately (20:20). 5. Faithful evangelists preach the gospel of grace and the kingdom of God (20:24-25). 6. Faithful evangelists stay the course that they may fulfill their ministry (20:24). 7. Faithful evangelists commend hearers to God and His Word, not themselves (20:32). 8. Faithful evangelists elevate & live for the name of the Lord Jesus above all (21:13).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38). 3.Paul discussed and delivered strong warnings of the danger of apostasy (20:28-31). a) These elders had a solemn responsibility and Paul reminded them of that. b) The elders first had a responsibility to keep themselves conformed to God s will. c) Then, they had the responsibility to watch over the spiritual welfare of the church. d) The church was of supreme value to the Lord and needed to be to these elders. e) Enemies would come from outside, then rise up from inside, to ravage the church. f) Watching for souls is serious business! Falling from grace is a constant danger!
II.Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding B. The church is of utmost importance (i.e. is absolutely essential) to the Lord (Acts 20:28)! 1. The church is unique in its nature and singular in its number (Acts 20:28; Mt. 16:18). 2. There is one body (church, Ep. 4:4), which the Lord purposed (Ep. 3:9-11), prophesied (Isa. 2:2-4), promised (Mt. 16:18), purchased (Ac. 20:28) and established (Ac. 2:1-47). 3. The Lord was willing to die for His church, thus it continues to belong to Him (Col. 1:24). 4. The church (i.e., His people) will ultimately be delivered to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). 5. The Lord died to save man (Eph. 1:7) and to save the church (Eph. 5:23).
II.Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding C. Elders of the Lord s church hold a vital role in the Lord s plan for the health of His church! 1.A plurality ( appointed elders plural, 14:23) of qualified men (1 Ti. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9) are responsible for a single local congregation they are among (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2). 2.Their responsibilities include: a) Oversee the affairs of the local congregation (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2). b) Shepherd/Feed the sheep/flock of the local congregation (20:29-29; 1 Pet. 5:2-3). c) Guard against and protect the flock from outside and inside dangers (20:29-31). 3.The Lord s reminder: the church/flock belongs to the Chief Shepherd (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:4).
II.Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding D. Apostasy is an ever-present danger for Christians, who must be on guard against the devil! 1.Elders were warned of dangers from outside the church & inside the church (20:28-29). 2.A Christian can so live as to fall from grace & be lost eternally (Gal. 5:4; Jas. 5:19-20). 3.Faithfulness requires abiding in His Word (20:32) and yielding to His will (21:14).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38). 4.Paul discussed and exhorted the urgency for continued faithfulness (20:32-37). a) Faithfulness sticks to God and to His Word (20:32). b) Faithfulness labors to the point of weariness for the good of others (20:33-35). c) Faithfulness finds happiness in constantly giving rather than constantly receiving.
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study C. Paul traveled from Miletus to the city of Jerusalem, for the last time (21:1-17). 1.Paul left Miletus to make his final journey to Jerusalem, about 400 miles southeast. 2.Paul sailed from Miletus Cos Ptolemais Caesarea. 3.They found disciples in Tyre (perhaps from 11:19) and stayed seven days (cf. 20:6-7). 4.At Caesarea, Paul and his companions stayed with Philip, the evangelist (21:8-15a). 5.Paul arrived in Jerusalem, for his fifth and final visit as an apostle (21:17). Rhodes Patara Tyre
III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives A. Let us throw ourselves into God s Word, which is able to build us up! B. Let us learn, practice and enjoy giving more than receiving! C. Let us not allow others (friends or foes) to interfere with our service to God!
