ACTS 20:17-38
I. Manner (vs. 19 & 24)
A. Serving the Lord – vs.19 – faithful to calling
1. saved to serve
2. politician or prophet?
B. …with humility – vs. 19 –
1. not exalting self
2. thinking more of others
3. not insecure
C. …with tears – vs. 19 –
1. burdened about spiritual needs
2. lost & spiritual babies
D. …with trials, testings – vs. 19 –
1. serving faithfully in the midst of tough times; not giving up when it hurts – Paul’s sufferings
2. vs. 23 – “holy spirit warns…prisons and hardships”
E. …losing life to find it – vs. 24 – “life worth nothing to me”
1. Paul – “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain”
2. finishing faithful – vs. 24 – “finish the course with joy”
3. will the Lord say, “Well done…?”
II. Ministry (vs. 20-21)
A. Lived – vs. 20
1. walk matches talk
2. did not keep anything back that would help you
B. Taught – vs. 20
1. publicly – house to house
2. pulpit and in homes (must get into homes)
C. Testified – vs. 21
1. to everyone
2. repentance and faith – “repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus”
III. Mission
A. Declare – “all the counsel of God” – vs. 27
1. not just prosperity – or healing – or even just salvation
2. Creation, The Fall, The Curse, redemption, adoption, sanctification, glorification, holy living, missions, evangelism, judgement, Second Coming of Christ
B. Feed – “the church of God” – vs. 28
1. Jesus said, “feed my sheep”
2. spiritual food – the word of God – II Timothy 3:16 – “profitable for doctrine…”
C. Protect – the people of God – “grevious wolves…,” “…speaking perverse things….” (distorted, twisted) – to “draw away disciples”
1. disciples know error when they are taught truth – like bankers recognize counterfeit by studying originals
2. sheep need shepherd – disciples need a spiritual leader
IV. Memory – vs. 31 – ‘”remember”
A. “I ceased not to warn…” – vs. 31 – never stopped warning
1. Luke 16 – rich man – “send Lazarus…that he might warn them"
B. “I coveted no man’s silver…” – vs. 33 – did not love things
1. cannot be influenced by money, position, or power
2. love of money = false teachers (I Timothy 6:5-6)
C. “I support myself…” – vs. 34 – took care of my own needs
1. Paul had right to earn his living from the gospel, but often worked to support himself.
2. “present the gospel of Christ without charge” (I Cor. 9:18)
D. “I have shown you all things…” – vs. 35 – lived a life of ministry
1. did not hide anything, everything was open
2. Noah – “blameless among the people of his time”
E. “…the words of Jesus…” – vs. 35 – think of other more than self – “it is more blessed to give…”
1. give of time, tithe, & talent
2. God loves a “cheerful giver”
After prayer, they wept, embraced.
H.C. Morrison – “You’re not home yet.”
