Paul's Odyssey #5 - Saying Goodbye
The 3rd Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be Sunday, August 24th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Monday, August 4th - Chris DePyper, Cayman Joppie
Friday, August 8th - Ryder Massie
Saturday, August 9th - Rhonda Zalewski, Don & Kelly Kerby
Friday, August 8th - Ryder Massie
Saturday, August 9th - Rhonda Zalewski, Don & Kelly Kerby
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Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey.
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey.
Last week we saw the Apostle Paul leave the great mega-city of Ephesus and head back to Macedonia.
While on this journey so far, the Apostle has been...
- winning people to Christ
- planting new churches
- encouraging Christians in previously started churches
- seeing God manifest His power with numerous miracles
- training scores of co-workers
- writing 6 of the books in the New Testament
While on this journey so far, the Apostle has been...
- winning people to Christ
- planting new churches
- encouraging Christians in previously started churches
- seeing God manifest His power with numerous miracles
- training scores of co-workers
- writing 6 of the books in the New Testament
Paul was not wandering and sightseeing - he had an end game in mind.
After 3 months in Greece, Paul headed back northward revisiting cities, Christians, and churches where he had spent so much time and energy.
Paul had been gone nearly 4 1/2 years up to this point and was eager to get back to Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. He was bringing a large offering for the suffering Jerusalem church from the Gentile churches.
After 3 months in Greece, Paul headed back northward revisiting cities, Christians, and churches where he had spent so much time and energy.
Paul had been gone nearly 4 1/2 years up to this point and was eager to get back to Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. He was bringing a large offering for the suffering Jerusalem church from the Gentile churches.
In last week's text (Acts 20:1-16) we read about Paul beginning this journey to Jerusalem. As a way of transitioning to this week's passage, let's look at what Luke wrote in Acts 20:13-16.
Did you catch that Paul bypassed Ephesus?
Did you catch that Paul bypassed Ephesus?
Acts 20:13-16
BSB
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
15 Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.
15 Sailing on from there, we arrived the next day opposite Chios. The day after that we arrived at Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus.
16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
BSB
Today's text, Acts 20:17-38, is one of the most personal and emotional portions of Scripture that we have from Luke's journaling of Paul's Odyssey.
Here he calls the leaders of the Ephesian church together for what some have called Paul's locker room pep talk...grand goodbye...final farewell.
Our text, broken into three manageable portions, captures the joy and sorrow of Paul's impending departure from the Ephesian church.
As we think of how Paul sacrificed, served, suffered, and shared his life with these people we can relate. Many of us have been there with family, friends, classmates, neighbors, co-workers, and our church family.
It's hard to say goodbye!
Here he calls the leaders of the Ephesian church together for what some have called Paul's locker room pep talk...grand goodbye...final farewell.
Our text, broken into three manageable portions, captures the joy and sorrow of Paul's impending departure from the Ephesian church.
As we think of how Paul sacrificed, served, suffered, and shared his life with these people we can relate. Many of us have been there with family, friends, classmates, neighbors, co-workers, and our church family.
It's hard to say goodbye!
1. The COMMITMENT Paul exhibited.
Acts 20:17-27
Actions speak louder than words. Paul lived his life as a model, just as Jesus did. Paul's words in verses 26 and 27 are as if he's saying, "I've done the best I know how...now it's on you."
Acts 20:17-27
Actions speak louder than words. Paul lived his life as a model, just as Jesus did. Paul's words in verses 26 and 27 are as if he's saying, "I've done the best I know how...now it's on you."
Acts 20:17-27
BSB
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
18 When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
20 I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23 I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
18 When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia.
19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, especially in the trials that came upon me through the plots of the Jews.
20 I did not shrink back from declaring anything that was helpful to you as I taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23 I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
BSB
2. The COUNSEL Paul expressed.
Acts 20:28-35
In this passage, Paul has 3 main points that he emphasizes.
First (v. 28) The Gravity or importance of caring for and shepherding our own lives and those entrusted to our care.
Second (v. 29-31) The Necessity of guarding these people from the destructive influence of the enemy.
Third (v. 32-35) The Intentionality of building others up in the faith.
Ministering for the Lord is not for the weak. There are temporal burdens associated with ministering for Christ, but also some incredible eternal blessings.
Acts 20:28-35
In this passage, Paul has 3 main points that he emphasizes.
First (v. 28) The Gravity or importance of caring for and shepherding our own lives and those entrusted to our care.
Second (v. 29-31) The Necessity of guarding these people from the destructive influence of the enemy.
Third (v. 32-35) The Intentionality of building others up in the faith.
Ministering for the Lord is not for the weak. There are temporal burdens associated with ministering for Christ, but also some incredible eternal blessings.
Acts 20:28-35
BSB
28 Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
29 I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
30 Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
BSB
3. The COMRADERY Paul experienced.
Acts 20:36-38
Comradery: "a feeling of friendliness, goodwill, trust, and familiarity among the people in the group."
The passage reminds us of several powerful truths:
1. In order to have great relationships, a person must be open and wholly committed to others.
2. Having a vibrant connection to the Lord is the way to make relationships work.
3. All relationships will come to some end, so express your love and appreciation while you can.
Acts 20:36-38
Comradery: "a feeling of friendliness, goodwill, trust, and familiarity among the people in the group."
The passage reminds us of several powerful truths:
1. In order to have great relationships, a person must be open and wholly committed to others.
2. Having a vibrant connection to the Lord is the way to make relationships work.
3. All relationships will come to some end, so express your love and appreciation while you can.
Acts 20:36-38
BSB
36 When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
37 They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
37 They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
BSB
Our study of this portion of Paul's 3rd missionary journey should cause us to take a good look at our lives.
Remember, our faith can be seen by ourselves, those around us, and by the Lord!
Are we really committed to Christ, to His Church, and to the Commission to make disciples?
The choice is ours and we will be answerable to God Himself.
Remember, our faith can be seen by ourselves, those around us, and by the Lord!
Are we really committed to Christ, to His Church, and to the Commission to make disciples?
The choice is ours and we will be answerable to God Himself.
