The Man with Acts 20:20 Vision

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. It Was the Ideal Elder's Meeting

1. Paul called the leaders of the Ephesian church together

2. This was not a meeting to take minutes and waste hours

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 189-193). Kindle Edition.

3. The purpose of this meeting was to focus on soul winning

B. It Was a Meeting to Look Back and to Prepare for the Future

1. Paul rehearsed the basics of his past ministry at Ephesus

2. He wanted these elders to remember and return to their mission

3. He reminded them of his vision and motivation for ministry

C. He Was the Man with Poor Eyesight but 20:20 Vision

Paul had tender vision (v. 19)

Acts 20:19 NKJV

19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

1. "With many tears"

2. Paul was moved by the needs of the people

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 193-194). Kindle Edition.

a. Like Jesus, he saw their tears and shed his own

b. These were people with great spiritual needs

3. Paul remembered his compassion for those in bondage

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 194-195). Kindle Edition.

a. They were in the bondage of idolatry

b. They were in the bondage of unbridled passion

c. They were in the bondage of anger and enslaving substances

4. Paul reminded these elders of his passion for souls

Paul had targeted vision (v. 20)

1. "Publicly, and from house to house"

2. His ministry had been one of continual outreach a. He was not satisfied with just holding services

b. His strategy was based on the Great Commission ()

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 196-197). Kindle Edition.

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

3. His public preaching centered on salvation

4. His personal outreach took him into homes

5. He humbly presented the love of Christ to sinners

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 197-199). Kindle Edition.

Paul had total vision (v. 21)

1. "Testifying both to Jews, and also to the Greeks"

a. Paul saw every person he met as a candidate for heaven

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 200-202). Kindle Edition.

b. Every contact he made was an opportunity to share the gospel

2. Paul's passion for souls allowed him no prejudice

a. He saw all people as lost and in need of repentance

b. He gave the good news of salvation by faith to all

3. He wanted to be free from the blood of all people (v. 26)

Acts 20:26 NKJV

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

Conclusion

A. Paul's Vision Included Training Leaders

B. These Elders Were Charged to Carry Out Paul's Vision

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 202-203). Kindle Edition.