"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
One of the oft outcomes of the apostles coming to preach in some place was the dividing of the city. This was certainly not any different in apostle Paul's case. In Acts 20, and after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, as he departed Macedonia. When he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, and there abode three months. But because the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. On this journey, Paul was accompanied into Asia with Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas.
We could stop there, acknowledging that Paul never stopped preaching the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he willingly traveled from place to place, giving those who would listen much exhortation. [* Exhortation meaning encouragement and consolation.
"But he that prophesies speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (I Corinthians 1:1 Jeremiah 14:2-3)]
But note Paul's journey did not end there. And he certainly did not keep office hours as we see from the example below, when the young man fell asleep while he preached, falling out of a third floor window. Continuing in Acts 20:
"And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
Notably were the many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. Over there, sitting in a window was a certain young man named Eutychus. He had fallen into a deep sleep as Paul was long preaching. Indeed, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him." And sure enough, right there and then, Eutychus came to life again. (Acts 20:1-10)
It is for us then -- you and I -- that Paul says to the elders of the church, whom he had called together: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things ..." (Philippians 4:8)
Given the situation, and the fact that the Jews were already waiting to entrap and imprison Paul, it is a good thing that the young man did not die when he fell out of the window. In Paul's life, I am sure this young man was just a minor hiccup (as we would say in our world today). Plus, there was much more to be accomplished before his work for the Lord Jesus would be complete.
Therefore, when [Paul] therefore was come up again, "and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. We then 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. 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. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Therefore, when [Paul] therefore was come up again, "and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. We then 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. 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. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Even after this, Paul is still able to preach His gospel message of freedom that is so instrumental for us this day. That is, Paul is saying, that from the very 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, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews ... 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."
This message has not changed over time. We still need to repent for our sins toward God, and believe by faith in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ! (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9; Revelation 1:8, 11)
Like Paul, who pressed into Jesus with joy in his very being, we need to also count our life worthless so that we too can finish our course with thankful hearts, testifying to one and all of the good news gospel of the grace and mercy of God -- who after His kindness and love so willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) Pressing into the mark with everything we have, like the widow lady who gave her all, ready to fulfill the very purpose that the Lord placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
But Paul is still going. Herein, Paul goes bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall him there ... "save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me," says Paul, "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. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men ... For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:23-27)
Did you catch that? Paul did not shun to declare to one and all the counsel of God, as the Pharisees and lawyers did when they refused to be baptized in the Jordan by John the baptizer. (Luke 7:49; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13) Rather, he preached to feed the church of God -- which He -- God Himself hath purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)
But Paul also knew that it would not be long after he preached that those who purposed to deceive believers would show up -- those who would not spare the flock but rather, speak perverse things, drawing away disciples after themselves. Perhaps, this explains why Paul's warning message herein is so contrary to what we see within many religious organizations today -- so that the evidence would be so overwhelming against them, and thus, we would hear and heed Paul's warning given through much tears.
It is for us then -- you and I -- that Paul says to the elders of the church, whom he had called together: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Being that flow through that is so oft mentioned here.
And, when [Paul] had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship" so that Paul could continue on his journey preaching the gospel that heals broken hearts, and sets people free from the bondage of this world. (Acts 20:1-38)
And, when [Paul] had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship" so that Paul could continue on his journey preaching the gospel that heals broken hearts, and sets people free from the bondage of this world. (Acts 20:1-38)
In that context, let me leave you with this thought:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things ..." (Philippians 4:8)
Stand in the offering plate.
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