Sermon Tone Analysis

Paul’s Farewell to the Pastors of Ephesus

Acts 20:13-18

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Introduction

1.       Paul walked twenty miles from Troas to Assos.

2.       Paul was in a hurry because he wanted to be in Jerusalem by Pentacost.

3.       Paul called for the elders of the church of Ephesus.

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Paul’s Farewell Message

*1.      **A Review of the Past (18-21)*

*a.       **Manner (18-19)*

                                                               i.

First day

                                                             ii.

All seasons

                                                            iii.

Humility of mind

                                                           iv.

Tears

                                                             v.

Temptations

*b.      **Motive (19)*

                                                               i.

Serving the Lord

*c.       **Method (20)*

                                                               i.

Kept back nothing profitable (doctrines & duties; privileges & responsibilities)

                                                             ii.

Showed and taught publically (not a secret society; not a closet Christian)

                                                            iii.

House to house

*d.      **Message (21)*

                                                               i.

Testifying to both Jews and Greeks

                                                             ii.

Repentance towards God (Acts 17:29-30 "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:")

                                                            iii.

Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.")

*2.      **A Testimony of the Present (22-27)*

a.       Prisoner of Jesus Christ (22-23)

                                                               i.

Not of man

b.      Accountant (24)

                                                               i.

He knew how to take inventory and what true values are

c.

Runner (24)

                                                               i.

He wanted to finish with joy

                                                             ii.

Philippians 3:12-14 "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

iii.      2 Timothy 4:8 "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

d.      Steward (24)

                                                               i.

The ministry…which I received of the Lord Jesus

                                                             ii.

Stewards possess, but do not own

                                                            iii.

Stewards must give an account and seek to please their master

e.      Witness (24)

                                                               i.

“testify the gospel of the grace of God”

                                                             ii.

Testify = solemnly, earnestly give witness

1.       Zealously and sincerely

2.       declare to be correct, true, or genuine

                                                            iii.      2 Corinthians 2:15-16 "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.

And who is sufficient for these things?"

f.        Herald (25)

                                                               i.

Preach: “to declare a  message as the herald of the king”

                                                             ii.

Proclaim: speak up so someone can hear you

                                                            iii.

Witness tells what happened to him

                                                           iv.

Herald tells what the King tells him to declare

                                                             v.

He is commissioned and sent with a message, and must not change the message in anyway.

vi.

Since the message is from the king, people had better give heed.

g.       Watchman (26-27)

                                                               i.

Ezekiel 3:17-21 "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."

ii.

Other: Ezekiel 33:1-9

                                                            iii.

Watchman: stay alert and ready

1.

He must be faithful, not fearful (because the safety of many depended on him)

2.       Acts 20:31 "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

iv.

Unfortunately many today are more concerned about themselves

1.       Isaiah 56:10-12 "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant."