046-Acts 20

A man rises up to lead in a strong way… than a movement springs out of it… man dies or leaves and a monument is raise… the place starts to look back at the man… to something that happens years ago...

Nothing new or fresh happens...

Acts 20 CSB

1 After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And when he had passed through those areas and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. The Jews plotted against him when he was about to set sail for Syria, and so he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days. 7 On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, 9 and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” 11 After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. 13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul on board, because these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went on to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost. 17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. 37 There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

1. the characteristics of a healthy church

acts 20

1. the characteristics of a healthy church

2. the concerns of a growing church.

3. a warning to a waning church.

Acts 20:17–27 CSB

17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Read acts 20:17-27

1. the characteristics of a healthy church

A. Regular fellowship

acts 20:20

Acts 20:20 CSB

20 You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house.

taught public and from house to house.

Acts 2:46 CSB

46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,

Acts 2 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.” 14 Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy. 19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. 23 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. 28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence. 29 “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. 32 “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

- same thing

Fellowship now is a lose term.

Fellowship than was regular and with other people. Implied a sharing of things… A give and take relationship.

Lady in front of me at dollar general.

I don’t like the new pastor, he gets on my nerves. That’s the second one that I got into a fight with it. But I have a bible, I can read it and watch on tv and it will be just as good.

The real question is: Are you commited to it?

I can meet with God anywhere. I don’t need a church. Wrong.

The real question is: Are you commited to it?

You can have it if you want it.

A healthy church experience includes regular fellowship.

Church is not just about information is about sharing that information with others. It’s assimilating and processing information. This is done in both big groups and small groups.

Christians are mentioned in the bible as sheep. How do ship life? In flocks. Where do they find their strenght. In the number of their flock. When do they become vulnerable? When they are all alone, no other sheep, and more importantly, no shepherd.

B. Spiritual Leadership

2. Spiritual Leadership

Acts 20:19 CSB

19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.

- served with humility

19- served with humility

Acts 20:20–21 CSB

20 You know that I did not avoid proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.

20-21- preached and taught to Jews and Greeks

- preached and taught to Jews and Greeks

Acts 20:22–25 CSB

22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again.

- going to jerusalem and risking his life for the sake of the gospel.

Acts 20:28 CSB

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

A28- take care of the flock

- take care of the flock

Verses 17 and 28 2 words: elders, overseers, shepherd...

17 and 28

elders, overseers, shepherd...

Same person, different functions.

Shepherd to tend to flock or to lead them to pasture.

But shepherds must understand that Jesus purchased the church with His blood.

Someone already bought the church and it was not the pastor. Someone already made the ultimate sacrifice for the people at this church and it was not me.

Now I get to lead this church, to pastor, to shepherd.

This is Gods church and being a shepherd is the the greatest assignment ever…

C. Consistent Spiritual Diet

3. Consistent Spiritual Diet

Acts 20:26–27 CSB

26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.

They study the whole council of God.

The growing of the church is Gods business.

Acts 2:47 CSB

47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Paul just preached the whole council of God.

acts 20:

Acts 20:7 CSB

7 On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread. Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.

Acts 20:8–12 CSB

8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, 9 and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” 11 After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.

Nehemiah, 1 John, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Habakkuk. Now we are going through Joshua and almost done with Acts.

Paul taught a long time but not what on his mind. He taught the whole plan of God.

Acts 20:8-

In the last 1 1/2

Nehemiah, 1 John, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Habakkuk. Now we are going through Joshua and almost done with Acts.

The church is to be a training center for the word of God.

“For at no time since the Reformation have Christians as a body been so unsure, tentative, and confused as to what they should believe and do. The outside observer sees us as staggering from gimmick to gimmick and stunt to stunt like a drunk in the fog. “Why is this? We blame the external pressures of our world, but this is like Eve blaming the serpent. The real trouble is that for two generations or more our churches have suffered from a famine of hearing the Word of the Lord.” - J. I. Packer

4. Prayer

Acts 20:36 CSB

36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.

acts 20:36

Prayer is like oxygen.

Like shepherd like sheep.

Prayer is like oxygen.

If my prayer life changed would it be dramatic?

The attendance on Sunday morning indicates the popularity of the church. Sunday night the pastor. the attendance on a prayer meeting the popularity of Jesus Christ.

Southside is a sum of it’s members. If we were to grade our church we must grade ourselves individually. How are you doing on this 4 fronts?

The attendance on Sunday morning indicates the popularity of the church. Sunday night the pastor. the attendance on a prayer meeting the popularity of Jesus Christ.

BTW in 2 weeks we will start a study on prayer on Wednesday nights. We would love to have you.

Southside is a sum of it’s members. If we were to grade our church we must grade ourselves individually. How are you doing on this 4 fronts?

A. Regular fellowship

B. Spiritual Leadership

C. Consistent Spiritual Diet

D. Prayer

2. the concerns of a growing church

Every growing church will experience attacks.

2 types of attacks. Outward and Inward

Outward

Acts 20:28–29 CSB

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

False Prophets from outside. Wolf in Sheep clothing.

False Prophets from outside.

Wolf in Sheep clothing.

They look like the real thing but are nothing but an imitation.

whole milk vs soy milk or almond milk. Ice cream vs Greek yogurt.

Christ-Antichrist-- prophets- false prophets-- teacher- false teachers.

Inward

Acts 20:30 CSB

30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.

from among yourselves.

10 years Greeks tried to get into the city of Troy. Trojan Horse.

What the soldiers couldn't do in 10 years a few man manage to do it in one night.

The Devil tried for years to destroy the church from the outside until he found a easier way.

2 Corinthians 11:14 CSB

14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

This is why is great.

That’s why is great.

Acts 20:31 CSB

31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.

Why pastoral leadership is so important. This is why having a pastor and allowing your pastor to shepherd you is important.

He spent everyday, night and day for 3 years warning them, teaching them, preaching to them. Be on high alert as was I.

Women on the train. The conductor comes in and says: I know where you need to get off. Don’t worry I will come and get you when it’s time for you to get off.

Train makes a few stops the conductor comes by and says to her. Next stop is yours but don’t worry I’ll come and get you when it’s time.

Train goes a little ways and stop but the conductor doesn’t come. So a guy next to her says. He is probably busy. There is a blizzard outside. I’ll help you. He gets her bags, helps her out of the train. Train leaves.

About 30 minute later train stop again. Conductor comes back and the lady is not there. He asks the guy where is the lady they are at her stop.

He tells him: I thought you were too busy for her so I helped her out on the last stop.

Conductor says. You idiot that was a water station. Theres nothing for about 30 minutes around her. They go back she is dead already.

Moral of story: Inward attacks can come by evil people that wants to do evil things. But also by good intentioned people that that will do misguided things.

Usually this people don’t have any concern over pastoral authority and their role in submitting to it.

Moral of story: Inward attacks can come by evil people that wants to do evil things. But also by good intentioned people that that will do misguided things. Usually this people don’t have any concern over pastoral authority and their role in submitting to it.

last thing!

3. a warning to a waning church

A warning to the same church we are talking about. A postcard to the church in Ephesus.

Only 35 years passed from this address by Paul.

Ephesus had gone from a man.. to movement… to monument...but now they are nothing but a mausoleum.

Revelation 2:1–3 CSB

1 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary.

Labor- you work hard

Endure- you didn’t give up

Right doctrine- they guarded against false teaching.

Revelation 2:4–7 CSB

4 But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet you do have this: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

you abandoned- Left your first love.

Erosion- a slow fade away.

Christians and a healthy church can fall pray to this.

You serve a lot, you sacrifice to here, you give to the church, you defend sound teaching. But you have abandoned you first love.

Church and a relationship with Jesus have become a mechanical thing.

Christ is more concerned about your right worship than your right service.

Martha and Mary.

Luke 10:38–42 CSB

38 While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” 41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Other words service is important. But worship must come first.

You spend so much time getting your house in order for a visitor that when they come you are so exausted that you cannot wait for them to leave.

Maybe you are here and that’s where you are. You have abandoned your first love. You loved Jesus but you got so busy with working that you left the love behind.

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