Paul's Third Missionary Journey (2)
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Be Busy: Lessons From Paul’s Third Preaching Journey
Introduction:
1). After returning and giving a report to the church at Antioch the apostle Paul
began his preaching journey by returning through Galatia and Phyrgia
to strengthen the disciples ().
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
2). Many other good brethren helped Paul during this journey. Men like Sopater
of Berea, Aristarchus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, Trophimus, and Luke ().
And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
I. A Survey of Paul’s Third Preaching Journey
A. The Third Preaching Journey is Recorded in
B. An Outline of Paul’s Third Journey
I. Paul Baptizes Twelve at Ephesus ()
II. Paul’s Preaching at Ephesus ()
III. Paul’s Travel Plans (Acts19:21-22)
IV. The Riot at Ephesus ()
V. Paul Travels Through Macedonia and Greece ()
VI. Paul Preaches at Troas ()
VII. Paul Travels from Troas to Miletus ()
VIII. Paul Meets with the Ephesian Elders ()
IX. Paul Travels from Miletus to Jerusalem ()
II. Lessons Learned from Paul’s Third Preaching Journey
A. Those Who Are Baptized in the Wrong Way Need To Be Baptized in the
Right Way and For the Right Reason
Reason
1). When Paul came to Ephesus he met disciples who had been baptized into
the baptism of John ()
And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
a). There were many similarities in the baptism of John and the baptism
of Jesus.
(1). Both were for the remission of sins (; )
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
(2). Both were immersion in water (; )
Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
(3). Preceded by repentance (; )
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
b). There were also come very important differences.
(1). Baptism of Jesus was “in the name of Jesus” - ;
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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, 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.
(2). Baptism of Jesus preceded by faith in Christ – ; Acts
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
8:37
(3). Baptism of Jesus was preceded by confession of faith in Jesus
-
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
2). Similar wasn’t good enough so they were baptized in the right way.
a). Today one needs to be baptized “again” if they were baptized for the wrong reason.
b). Today one needs to be baptized “again” if there baptism was not preceded by faith and repentance.
c). Today one needs to be baptized “again” if it was in the wrong name.
B. There is A Difference in Saying “IN the Name of Jesus” and Acting “in
the Name of Jesus"
1) It is obvious that Paul performed miracles in “the name of Jesus” or by
Jesus authority ()
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
a).
And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
b). , ;
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
2). The sons of Sceva tried to imitate Paul and “claimed” to being acting in
Jesus’ name ().
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
a). They found out there is a big difference in saying “in the name of the
Lord” and actually acting in the Lord’s name.
b). - Some even think they are doing things in Jesus’ name
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
but they are practice lawlessness.
C. The Gospel Has the Power to Change People
1). The city of Ephesus was deeply involved in the worship of Diana ( ). Many were also involved in the practice of magic ().
Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
19:28). Many were also involved in the practice of magic ().
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
2). Through the preaching of the gospel many left behind their idolatry and
magic.
a). They destroyed books that totals 50,000 pieces of silver (yearly wages
of 200 men).
b). They quit purchasing items related to the worship of Diana ( ).
19:23-27).
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
3). Changing people is the reason that Paul preached the gospel ( )
I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18)
I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
a). - “turned from idols to serve the living God”
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
b). Paul knew because the gospel had changed him ().
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
D. The Lord’s Supper is Observed on the First Day of the Week
1). The Bible commands us to observe the Lord’s Supper.
2). There is no Bible command that tells us when or how frequently to observe
the Lord’s Supper. We learn this by the example of Paul and the brethren at
Troas
a) - They broke bread on the first day of the week.
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
b). The church assembled on every first day of the week ().
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
c). Therefore we observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week just like the brethren at Troas.
E. The Responsibility to Teach the Whole Counsel of God
1). Paul labored at Ephesus preaching for three year. It was the longest located
work of the apostle Paul.
2). Paul was free from the blood of the Ephesians because he had “kept back
nothing” or at declared “the whole counsel of God”.
a). Some preach some truth, but keep other parts back. Some only
teach the parts that won’t offend anyone.
b). It takes the sum of God’s word to have the truth (;
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
)
The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
3). If we fail to teach the whole truth then we will be accountable for it
()
Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”
F. Lessons About Elders from Paul’s Discussion with Ephesian Elders
1). Three words for elders used in
a). Elders -Presbuterion
(1). One older
(2). Suggests maturity in judgment/experience.
b). Overseer or Bishop - Episcopos
(1). Overseer, superintendant
(2). One charged with duty of seeing that things are done by others.
(Thayer)
c). Shepherd or Pastor - Poiman
(1). One who keeps, guards sheep
(2). Shepherd - feed ()
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
(3). Pastor - ()
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
2). The Responsibilities of Elders – )
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
a). “Take heed to yourselves” – Responsibility of self-examination ( )
Cor.13:5)
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
b). “Take heed to…the flock” – Responsibility to watch out for souls
()
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
c). “To shepherd the flock”
(1). To feed the flock –
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
* KJV – “Feed the flock of God which is among you…”
(2). To protect the flock –
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
(3). To lead the flock –
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
3). Elders Are Not Infallible
(a). Departures were going to take place from among the elders ( ).
20:29-30).
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
(b). We can’t follow any man, elders and preachers included, beyond
what is written in the law of God ().
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
G. Our Soul Should Be More Important to Us Than Our Life
(1). Paul was not concerned about his personal safety in preaching the gospel.
(a).
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(b).
Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
(2). We should be more concerned about our soul than about our life.
(a).
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
(b).
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Conclusion:
1). The third missionary journey ended when Paul returned to Jerusalem.
2). Unfortunately, Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem and would not be remain
in prison for over 4 years.
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