Paul’s Example - Acts 20:17-38
Have you ever thought about if you had one last thing to say or share with this church what would it be? In our story from Acts 20, Paul is on his
way back home from his third missionary journey. And the sad reality
was, he knew that he would never see those people again this side of
heaven. I just imagine just how he felt knowing that they would probably
never see him again. Some of us have had to deal with those feeling at one time or another in our life.
Read this story in Acts 20:17-38
I think Paul shared some important things
with these people in this text before he said goodbye. Yes he was sad
about having to have to say goodbye, but I also think he left them with
something to chew on and think about even after he left. Here Paul talked about his own ministry while with them. I can’t help but think that since he knew that this was the last time
that he would ever speak to them he probably chose his words very
carefully. Actually, I think he left them with a great example to
follow. The question I have for you is, do you have what it takes to follow his example? Today I would like to briefly look at what
he told them, his example, and maybe look at what he said that we can
apply to ourselves as we try to walk this Christian walk.
Re-read 20:17-19 ” 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18
When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole
time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of
Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20
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.”
#1) The first thing he mentions concerning how he lived among them is how he served the Lord with great humility. The Greek word used
here denotes the idea of having a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep
sense of one’s own moral littleness, a sense of modesty and lowliness of
mind. Paul did not come into Ephesus like some
kind of big shot preacher. He was gentle and meek, without a high and
mighty or puffed up attitude.
Later when Paul wrote to the Ephesians in Chapter 4:2-3 he wrote, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, make every effort to keep the bond of unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,”
Question, are you bearing with one another in love?
Are you putting with those brothers and sister in Christ that got you
upset or angry? Are you making every effort to keep the peace which is a
bond ordained by the Spirit of God? Are you perusing peace? Or are you
letting Satan get a foot-hold in your heart by holding on to that anger
and frustration with others? If you are, you just have to let it go.
Turn it all over to Jesus. You might be thinking, “Easier said than done.” Did you ever think, ‘Maybe you just don’t
want to let it go.’ You might be thinking, ‘But I was right and they
were wrong. Who were they do or say that to ME?’ I’m not saying that it was right for them
to hurt you, but you need to let those feeling go before Satan uses
those feeling to destroy you. And believe me, ‘That’s just what he wants
to do.’ He is playing with you and your feeling. And just smiling all
the way as you play into his hands. Paul had a lot to be angry and frustrated
about, especially how he was treated, but he seem to just let it go and
give it over to Jesus. You need to do that as well or you’re never going
to find peace. Paul learned how to become a humble and
gentle man, and so should we. Ultimately, this will show and
demonstrates our trust in Jesus.
#2) The second thing he mentions is the fact that he not only served the Lord with humility, but also with tears. As I read this I couldn’t not
help but think about the passion this man had as he served the Lord. We
know that Paul was a very passionate when it came to serving our Lord
and the church.
Verse 31 says, “be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”
When he saw people fall in love with Jesus,
change their lives, and give themselves to the Lord I’m sure it touched
his heart. And I’m sure when he saw people ignoring, and ‘poo pooing’
the message of the cross and how people turned away, it probably really
bothered him. It especially got him upset when Christians began to turn
away from Jesus, the church, and the truth of the Gospel to a lie.
(Like in Galatians) Paul took message of the Cross and his service to Christ to heart. He was passionate about it. What about you?
Is Sunday morning the only time you think
about Jesus, the church and how lost so many people without Jesus? The
less compassionate you are, the less your mind will be focus on these
things, and the harder you’re going to become. You are not going to want
to treat one another with love or even make an effort to keep the bond
of peace intact. You’re going to be less patient with people and start
thinking they’re all jerks. Paul was no wimp. He endured beatings like
none of us can imagine and probably did not shed a tear.. Yet when it
came to this stuff, his heart melted and tears flowed.
#3. The next things that Paul goes on to mention in the text is in verse 20.
He said,
“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. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Because of his love, because of his passion, Paul couldn’t help but speak about Jesus when and wherever he could.
Yes he was an Apostle, yes he was commissioned by Jesus to bring the
Good New to the Gentiles, but no one could forced him to have such a
loving and passionate spirit like he had, with a willingness to always
go the 2nd mile for Jesus. It probably really bothered him when he
didn’t speak up knowing full well that those people would die without
Jesus and probably go to eternal damnation. Sometimes I think we push
that truth aside…
#4. Paul also goes on to remind them of one more thing in verses 33-35 concerning how he acted when he worked with them.
“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak.”
When it came to serving the Lord and the
brethren, I don’t think there was a greedy selfish bone in Paul’s body.
It says a lot about his motives. I have known some who because they couldn’t
find work decided to go to preacher school because they knew that
someone or some church would support them while they were in school and
then after they graduated had nothing to do with the church. I know some
preachers who go through churches like stepping stones to make more
money as they go on to bigger and bigger churches. I’ve heard of
members who sell insurance, or have other businesses who switch churches
for business reasons so that they can network with new people with
each change.
That’s not why Paul went from place to
place preaching. Paul did it because He loved our Lord and wanted to get
the Good News out and so he would have done anything to serve him,
including die.
Read verses 22-24 “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 every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to
finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the
task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. “
So we read here that even though the Holy
Spirit let him know of the hardship that was ahead, it didn’t matter,
he had to finish the course set out before him.
In another place Paul later wrote while in prison,
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
So how could he do what he did? How could he live like that?
- We
read here that he was sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
As a matter of fact he said that he was compelled by the Spirit in vs.
22.
- Some of you have asked me, “How do I
know if I doing what God wants me to do?” Or how do I know if God want
me to do something?”
- I think if God wants you to do something
His Spirit will let you know. You will be compelled. The Spirit’s has a
way of prompting us. Maybe it will be this uncanny urge, gut feeling
like you should do something. I think if God wants you do something
you’ll know it. An this will not conflict with what He tells us to do in
His word.
- We also read here that Paul adopted a
humble, compassionate, non-greedy attitude as he went about serving.
These are all personal choices we make. We choose to be humble. We
choose not to be greedy. We choose to serve in the name of Jesus. And
we also allow ourselves to be sensitive and compassionate.
The questions is can you do that?
I know that you can. Some of you are doing these things already. Are
any of us perfect? No. But we need to keep being reminded that this way
of life is something we should strive for. It will give us the most
peace, and will help us to be a better servant.
In Verse 36-37 we read that “When
Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.
(After that) They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. “
I can’t help but believe that if you follow
Paul’s example of humility, love, and compassion that will touch the heart
of people like Paul's did. I Pray that his example will inspire you
and move you to examine yourself, and your motives and enable you to
say, “I want to be like that.”
Prayer & Invitation
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