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.
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.
By what was the apostle Paul unmoved as a man of God?
In the first place, we find that Paul was unmoved by the unknown of the future. In Acts 20:22 Paul began, “And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things which shall befall me there.” One of our greatest fears in life is the fear of the unknown. Yet the details of our future upon this earth are completely unknown to us. So then, how do we often combat this great fear of the unknown? Our common response is to make plans concerning the future direction of our lives. Through this means we intend to acquire a grasp upon the unknown, to acquire some control over our own future. However, the Lord our God often shakes up our plans for the future by calling us, even as He did in the case of Abraham, to follow Him, not knowing where we go, but trusting Him to direct us along the way. So then, at such times do we hesitate in our fear of the unknown and thereby resist the call of God; or do we trust in the Lord with all our heart and obey His good, and acceptable, and perfect will? In Paul’s case the unknown of the future did not move him with fear and hesitation because he was a man of God. He was a man who trusted in God’s goodness, a man who acknowledged God’s wisdom, a man who obeyed God’s will.
In the second place, we find that Paul was unmoved by the opposition of other men. In Acts 20:22-23 Paul continued, “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.” In Paul’s case the unknown future was not completely unknown. Through various prophecies the Holy Spirit had revealed a bit of information concerning Paul’s future. The apostle Paul had not been given any details, but he did know that he had the wonderful privilege of looking forward, first, unto some jail time. Yet knowing this particular bit of information would not have made Paul’s perspective of the future more comforting. Rather, it would have made his perspective of his future more troublesome. With this information Paul’s perspective of the future was not simply the blackness of the unknown. It was even more the blackness of coming opposition. Indeed, the fact that the apostle would be placed into bondage indicated that he would face some level of human opposition. Even so, this moves our attention to another of our common fears – the fear of being disliked. Yet in Paul’s case he declared that such human opposition did not move him. This was true because he was seeking the approval of God, not the approval of men. Can we say the same? Can we also say that the opposition, anger, and hatred of others does not move us from obeying the Lord our God and from doing that which is right?
In the third place, we find that Paul was unmoved by the affliction of fiery trials. According to Acts 20:23 the Holy Spirit had not only revealed that the apostle Paul would face bondage, but also that he would face affliction. Even so, this moves us to consider a third fear that often rests upon us and within us – the fear of personal pain, whether it might be physical or emotional. How much do we labor to avoid pain in our lives? Now, in general this is a good and wise practice throughout our lives. Yet when we turn away from the leading of the Lord our God in order to avoid painful afflictions and fiery trials, we are not doing good or acting wisely. Indeed, let us consider that if our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had avoided all pain in His life, we would not be saved from our sin today. Furthermore, let us consider that we believers have been called to be partakers of our Lord’s sufferings. Even so, in 1 Peter 4:12-14 God’s Word declares, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” Finally, let us consider that God our heavenly Father uses the fiery trials in our lives to grow and purify our faith in order that it “might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7) Therefore, as a man of God, the apostle Paul was unmoved by these things – by the unknown of the future, by the opposition of other men, and by the affliction of fiery trials.
In the fourth and final place, we find that Paul was unmoved by the loss of his own life. In Acts 20:24 the apostle Paul began with these words, saying, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.” Paul recognized that His Savior Jesus Christ had laid down His own life in order that Paul might be eternally saved. Paul recognized that he had been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. He recognized that he was not his own. Thus Paul gave himself as a living sacrifice unto his Savior who had died for him and who had bought him thereby. Even so, as a living sacrifice unto his Lord, the apostle Paul was willing to die for his Lord and Savior. This Paul demonstrated by spiritually laying down his life, taking up his cross, and following His Lord and Savior each day. For the apostle Paul to live was Christ, and to die for Christ was gain. (Philippians 1:21) So then, how dear are our lives unto us? Indeed, which is more dear unto us, our lives or our Savior? How are we handling the fourth great fear of life – the fear of death? In God’s Holy Word we are challenged not to be controlled by these fears, but to be governed by the fear of the Lord.
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Acts, Faithfulness, Trust in God, In Time of Trouble, Suffering for Righteousness
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