1. Acts Chapter 20 Exhortation to Ephesian Elders

2. Chapter Outline • Acts 20:1: Paul Departs for Macedonia • Acts 20:2-38: Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes • 20:2-5: Macedonia & Greece Revisited • 20:6-12: Troas – Eutychicus Raised up • 20:13-16: Sailing by Ephesus • 20:17-38: Farewell to Ephesian Elders • 17-21: Paul’s Faithful Service • 22-24: Willing to Die • 25-35: Challenging by Example • 36-38: A Sad Farewell

3. Paul Departs for Macedonia • Paul is Deeply Concerned for all Churches • Had Sent Timothy & Erastus to Macedonia to Encourage the Churches • After Riot settled down, Paul called the Disciples (Ephesian Christians) together to bid them Farewell. Some he would not see again. • Paul Encourage them to be Faithful to the Lord • Paul departs for Macedonia & Greece

5. Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes 20:2-5: Macedonia & Greece Revisited • Macedonia: Paul traveled through area giving “many words (teaching) of encouragement” to churches. Date is Ad 56. NOTE: Map – Paul is writing the Epistles. • Greece: Stayed 3 months – Ad 56, 57 • Finished Jerusalem Collection (offering) • Unbelieving Jews plotted against him • As Paul was about to sail for Syria, he instead back tracked through Macedonia by land.

6. Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes • Seven Men who Traveled with Paul • Took the ship to Troas to wait for him there • Sopater – Also known as Sosipater of Berea • Aristarchus of Thessalonica • Secundus also of Thessalonica • Gaius of Derbe • Timothy • Tychicus of Ephesus in Asia • Trophimus of Ephesus in Asia Seven possibly Transported & Accounted for Jerusalem offering for Poor

8. Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes 20:6-12: Troas - Eutychicus Raised up • Paul Celebrate Passover & 7 days of Feast of Unleavened Bread in Philippi • Paul & Luke (notice “we”) sail to Troas • “On the first day of the week” -1str clear indication of Sunday Worship followed by a fellowship meal with the Lord’s Supper “breaking of bread”.

9. Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes 20:6-12: Troas - Eutychicus Raised up • Paul Preaches a Lengthy Sermon “until midnight” • Paul planned to leave the next day • Preached in a large house with many lamps • About midnight young Eutychus fell asleep • Fell out a window 3 stories to his death • Paul fell on him & prayed for his life & encourage the people • Paul ate with the people & Eutychus went home alive (fully recovered)

10. Paul’s 3rd Journey Concludes 20:13-16: Sailing by Ephesus • Luke & companions returned to ship to set sail for Assos while Paul walked (20 miles). • Paul possibly need to be alone to think • Paul boarded the ship at Assos • Other stops along the way • Mitylene – Capital of Island of Lesbos • Kios (Chios) • Island of Samos • Miletus on Asia coast, 30 miles south of Ephesus • Paul avoided Ephesus in an effort to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost

12. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 17-21: Paul’s Faithful Service • Paul sends for the Ephesian church elders • Paul knows he will see them no more • Only example of an address to believers • Paul Service with Humility & tears • Love both Jew & Greek • Plots of unbelieving Jews cause him pain • Preached helpful sermons publically & in homes • Exhorted both Jew & Greek to Repent & Turn to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

13. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 22-24: Willing to Die • Compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem • Spirit says “prison” & “hardships” await him • God is preparing Paul for what is ahead • Paul placed little value on his life • He only wanted to Complete his Mission • “Finish the Race” (see 2 Ti 4:6-8) • “Complete” the task Jesus gave to me • Testifying to the Gospel of God’s Grace in Christ

14. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 25-35: Challenging by Example • Paul’s Final Farewell to Ephesian Elders • “Innocent of the Blood of all” Ez 3:18, 20 • Paul Proclaimed whole will (Gkboule) “wise purpose of God • Warned the Ephesian Elders • Keep watch over (give attention to) themselves • Be congregation’s “executive head” – bishop • Holy Spirit has given you that Responsibility

15. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 25-35: Challenging by Example • Care for the Lord’s Assembly (Gk The ekklesia)the “Church of God“ • Jesus’ blood is Basis of New Covenant • Protect the Church from enemy attacks • Savage wolves will wound the sheep • “Even from your own number (among you)” • “Distorting the truth” or twisting (or half) truth • “To draw away disciples after them” (themselves)

16. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 25-35: Challenging by Example • Paul’s Example Lived for them • 3 years in Ephesus “warning” them with tears • Paul’s “selfless” service in Jesus’ name • Did not desire anyone’s “silver, gold or clothing” • Needs met by his “own hands” tent making • Told Timothy “worker deserves his wages” (1 Tim 5:18) • Work Hard to “help the weak” – Give to needy • “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus • Not recorded in gospel; direct revelation to Paul

17. 20:17-38Farewell to Ephesian Elders 36-38: A Sad Farewell • Paul knelt with Ephesian elders in Prayer • They all Wept openly as they embraced Paul & Kissed him Farewell • They remembered that Paul said they would never see him again which caused them great pain. • With great reverence & respect for this man of God, “they escorted him to the ship.”

19. Questions