Weekly Sermon

Acts 20:22-24 reads, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” 

In this passage of Scripture, we pick up the life of the apostle Paul at the end of His third missionary journey.  While going about the areas of Galatia, Asia, and Macedonia, establishing and confirming churches in the faith, Paul collected money for the financially destitute church of Jerusalem.  Here we find Paul in Miletus for a few days, as the ship on which he had booked passage is resupplied and outfitted for the journey.  The apostle Paul, never one to waste time, takes this opportunity to send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, (Ephesus being approximately thirty miles distant).  Now, as the New Testament Scriptures often use the term “elder” as a reference for the official leadership of churches, we recognize these men in our common terminology as the pastors of the church at Ephesus. 

Unto these pastors the apostle Paul spends the whole of Acts 20:18-35 in a farewell address.  Contextually, this address can be divided into four parts.  First, in verses 18-21 there is Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men.  Second, in verses 22-24 there is Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading.  Third, in verses 25-31 there is Paul’s exhortation to these pastors concerning their ministry.  Fourth, in verses 32-35 there is Paul’s commendation of these pastors unto God.  In this message let us consider the second of these matters – Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading.  In the three verses of Acts 20:22-24, the phrase with which verse 24 begins stands out with great strength and emphasis – “But none of these things move me.”  The apostle Paul was like an unmovable rock.  Regardless of how the storms might blow, he remained a steadfast man of God.  Yet there are two questions that come to mind – By what things was Paul not moved, and from what things was Paul not moved?  So then, in this first part of the message, let us consider the answer to the first of these two questions – By what things was the apostle Paul unmoved as a man of God?  Furthermore, through Paul’s example let us consider how we also as men and women of God may also be unmoved in our spiritual walk with the Lord.

Weekly Sermon

Acts 20:17-21 reads, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

In this passage of Scripture, we pick up the life of the apostle Paul at the end of His third missionary journey.  While going about the areas of Galatia, Asia, and Macedonia, establishing and confirming churches in the faith, Paul collected money for the financially destitute church of Jerusalem.  Here we find Paul in Miletus for a few days, as the ship on which he had booked passage is resupplied and outfitted for the journey.  The apostle Paul, never one to waste time, takes this opportunity to send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, (Ephesus being approximately thirty miles distant).  Now, as the New Testament Scriptures often use the term “elder” as a reference for the official leadership of churches, we recognize these men in our common terminology as the pastors of the church at Ephesus. 

Unto these pastors the apostle Paul spends the whole of Acts 20:18-35 in a farewell address.  Contextually, this address can be divided into four parts.  First, in verses 18-21 there is Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men.  Second, in verses 22-24 there is Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading.  Third, in verses 25-31 there is Paul’s exhortation to these pastors concerning their ministry.  Fourth, in verses 32-35 there is Paul’s commendation of these pastors unto God.  In this message we shall consider the first of these matters – Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men.  Apparently there were those in Ephesus, as was so often the case at other places in the apostle’s ministry, who were slandering His character and ministry.  Thus the apostle Paul began this farewell address with a reminder to these pastors concerning their personal knowledge of and experience with his godly character and behavior.  In so doing the apostle Paul, by the example of his own life and ministry, reveals to us the reputation of a man of God.  Even so, if we desire to be men and women of God, then we must seek these same characteristics as a part of our reputation.  So then, from Acts 20:18-21 let us consider five characteristics for the reputation of a man of God.

 Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:21-23 reads, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As we consider the message of these three verses, a contrast is revealed to us.  In this passage we find a contrast revealed between the proud of this world and the servant of the Lord.  Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:23 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  First, this contrast can be seen in the definition of their character.  On the one had is the category of the proud ones; on the other hand is the category of the Lord’s servants.  Clearly there is contrast between pride and servanthood.  Second, this contrast can be seen in their relationship to God’s Word.  The closing portion of Psalm 119:21 speaks concerning the proud of this world, saying, “Which do err from thy commandments.”  Whereas, the closing portion of Psalm 119:22 speaks concerning the servant of the Lord, saying, “For I have kept thy testimonies;” and the closing portion of verse 23 adds, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  The proud of this world err from and rebel against God’s Word; whereas, the servant of the Lord keeps and meditates in God’s Word.  Third, this contrast can be seen in their position in this world.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 describes the proud of this world as princes.  Whereas, the opening portion of Psalm 119:22 indicates that the servant of the Lord was under “reproach and contempt.”  So then, the proud ones are often in the position of success; whereas, the Lord’s servants are often in a position of contempt.

Yet in this passage, not only is a contrast revealed, but also a conflict is indicated.  The opening portion of Psalm 119:23 indicates that the proud of this world, who are in positions of success, are the very ones who speak against the servants of the Lord, the very ones who pour out reproach and contempt upon the servants of the Lord.  So then, there is not simply a contrast between these two categories, but also a conflict between them.  However, in this passage there is also a comfort provided unto the servants of the Lord.  Although at the present time the servants of the Lord may be in a position of reproach and contempt, spoken against by the proud of this world, yet the servants of the Lord are also in a position to call out in prayer unto the Lord for deliverance.  In Psalm 119:22 the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, did just that, praying, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.”  In addition, while in the midst of reproach and contempt from the proud of this world, the servants of the Lord also possess the comforting assurance that the Lord will eventually judge the proud and will deliver His servants thereby.  Even so, in the opening portion of Psalm 119:21, the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, expressed his assurance, saying, “Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed.”

So then, for the remainder of this message, let us focus our attention upon what this passage says about the proud of this world.  In Psalm 119:21-23 we encounter the character of the proud, the conduct of the proud, the contempt of the proud, and the curse of the proud.

Outlines in Psalms

 I.  The Violent Character of Wicked Persecutors (Psalm 140:2-5)
II.  The Lord’s Curse upon Wicked Persecutors (Psalm 140:8-12)

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.”

 I.  The Cry and Case of the Lord’s faithful Servant (Psalm 140:1-5)
II.  The Dependence and Desire of the Lord’s Faithful Servant (Psalm 140:6-13)

Thought for Meditation

Although holding forth the name and gospel of Jesus Christ
will certainly bring forth the reproach and affliction of this present evil world,
there is no good reason whatsoever for us to be ashamed
of the testimony and gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For our Lord is God the Son, the Almighty Creator, the Anointed Savior,
and the Eternal Sovereign, whose name is above every other name;
and His gospel is the very power of God unto eternal salvation for lost souls,
the very power of God to abolish death,
and the very power of God to bring eternal life and immortality to light.

Meditations in Exodus

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  
                            Gather the Elders, and Say unto Them - Exodus 3:16-22 (Pt. 1)    

Exodus 3:16-17 reads, “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

In Exodus 3:9-10 the Lord God expressed his call upon Moses to send Moses as His instrument of deliverance for His people Israel.  In verse 11 Moses responded with the question, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  In verse 12 the Lord God answered Moses’ question by promising to be with Moses and to enable Moses in fulfilling His call.  Then in verse 13 Moses asked a second question – “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”  To this question the Lord God gave answer in verse 14-15, declaring – “I AM THAT I AM.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

Even so, on the ground of this declaration, the Lord God then instructed Moses to “go, and gather the elders of Israel together,” and to deliver the message of verses 16-22 unto them.  Herein it is worthy of notice that although this message certainly pertained unto the entire nation of Israel, it was to be delivered specifically unto the elders of Israel, unto the leadership of Israel.  Indeed, Exodus 3:16-22 provides encouragement and exhortation to those who serve in leadership for God’s people.  In the first part of the meditation (see above), we considered three elements from Exodus 3:16-18 -- that the Lord our God knows personally of our need (the Lord's personal care), that the Lord our God promises to help us in our need (the Lord's promised help), and that the Lord our God calls us to serve Him in this world (our public service).  In this second part of the meditation, we shall consider three further elements from Exodus 3:19-22.