SCRIPTURE: ACTS 20
THROUGH MACEDONIA AND GREECE (vs. 1-6)
Before Paul set out to Macedonia, he gave encouraging words and said goodbye to his disciples. He traveled through the area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people and finally arrived in Greece where he stayed for three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater, son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. They went ahead and waited at Troas.
EUTYCHUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD AT TROAS (vs. 7-12)
Since Paul will be leaving the next day, he came to break bread with the people and spoke to them until midnight. There was a young man named Eutychus, who was seated in a winder. He sank into a deep sleep and fell down to the ground dead from the third floor. Paul went down and put his arms around him saying, “Don’t be alarmed, he is alive!”. Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate and talked until daylight before he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
PAUL’S FAREWELL TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (vs. 13-38)
Paul boarded a ship at Assos and went on to Mitylene. From there, they sailed on and arrived off Kios. Then they crossed over to Samos and arrived at Miletus. From there, they arrived at Ephesus and Paul delivered the following messages to the elders of the Ephesian church:
“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”(vs. 18-21)
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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.” (vs. 22-24)
“Now I know that one of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will rise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (vs. 25-31)
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.” (vs. 32-35)
After saying this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
THOUGHTS:
The farewell message of Paul to the elders emphasized on the following:
- His past ministry – I served the Lord
- His present concern – I keep back nothing
- His future endeavor – I may finish my race and complete the task God has given me despite dangers or hardships.
The men who were traveling with Paul represented churches that Paul had started in Asia. Each man was carrying an offering from his home church to be given to the believers in Jerusalem. By having each man deliver the gift, the gifts had a personal touch and the unity of the believers was strengthened. This was also an effective way to teach the church about giving because the men were able to report back to their churches the way God was working through their giving. That was why Paul concluded his speech “IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE” (vs. 35)
Paul was the greatest missionary whose goal was to tell others about Christ. God is looking for men and women who will focus on that one great task of preaching the good news to the world.
Paul’s relationship with the believers was a beautiful example of Christian relationships. He cared for them, loved them and even cried over their needs. They responded with love and care for him and sorrow over his leaving. They prayed and comforted one another. Believers must build strong relationships with other Christians by sharing, caring, rejoicing, praying and sorrowing with them.
Paul was satisfied with whatever he had. He was a tentmaker and he supported himself with this trade. He did not work to become rich but to be free from being dependent on anyone. He supported himself as well as others who traveled with him.
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