[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 20
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24)
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood” (Acts 20:28)
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive?” (Acts 20:35)
THROUGH MACEDONIA AND GREECE (vs. 1-6)
Paul set out for Macedonia and arrived in Greece where he stayed for 3 months. A number of Christians accompanied Paul. Luke sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and later joined the others at Troas.
EUTYCHUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AT TROAS (vs. 7-12)
Paul was speaking to the people until midnight. A man named Eutychus who was sitting in a widow fell asleep and fell down dead. Paul raise him from dead to life and many people were comforted.
PAUL’S FAREWELL TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (vs. 13-38)
Paul walked from Troas to Assos for a distance of 20 miles. Then he joined Luke and arrived at Miletus. From Miletus, Paul went to Ephesus and spoke to the elders and overseers. He warned them to shepherd the churches and be responsible to guide the flock, to feed it and to protect it from spiritual attacks. He warned them of 2 dangers: (1) wolves attacking from outside the flock (v. 29) and (2)-false teachers arising from within the flock (v. 30). He reiterated that “prayer and the word” is vital in building up a local church. He warned them not to be covetous by showing himself as example of laboring with his own hands. He reminded them of Jesus saying: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35). He gave his farewell speech with final blessings of loving bonding among God’s servant and God’s people.[:]