Sermon: Acts 20:17-38 – Being the Church
I preached again!
I was invited back to Paulden Christian Fellowship, continuing their series through the book of Acts. I covered most of the chapter, giving a broad overview of imitating Paul’s love for the Church.
As usual, below are my rough notes. I deviated several times and added a few thoughts. Also, I had a PowerPoint presentation, also attached.
Acts 20:17-38 – Being the Church
Acts 20:17-38: Being the Church
My first sermon in Paulden was a little over four years ago, and I have loved coming to this little (and no longer so little!) congregation whenever I am able.
I pray every time that God would speak through me. I don’t how well I get out of the way and let Him speak, and there is always room for growth, but I have been enjoying every moment and seen how others have grown even from the words I share.
But this is not about me or you. At least not directly. Not yet.
For nearly two years we (especially under Pastor Paul) have been working through the book of Acts, and we are still in Acts 20 this week.
We are supposed to study Jesus, but in Acts we’re studying the Church, and often Paul in particular. [1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9 (What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.)]
So, let’s continue looking at Paul’s example, remembering that he purposely avoided going to Ephesus on his journey from Troas on his way to Jerusalem. He was in a hurry, and I think he knew he would want to spend more time with the people he came to love in Ephesus.
vv. 17-27 – Paul loved the Church.
He is a good example of loving the Church, desiring to give everything to the Church for the glory of Christ and the betterment of individuals and the community.
And we see how much the church at Ephesus loved Paul – about 35 miles as the crow flies to Miletus, at least a day’s travel if not two or three days. From his arriving in Ephesus until this meeting in Miletus, it has been nearly 3.5 years, and this is now at least four months since he left the city. And they hurried to him, just as he was hurrying to Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Paul demonstrated how church leaders should act:
- v. 19 – humility and passion – see vv. 33-38: working so that he and his team wouldn’t take money from the Ephesians.
- Passion for the Word and the people
- vv. 20,27 – boldly declaring and defending God’s Word
- vv. 21-27 – proclaiming the saving gospel with little regard for himself, knowing persecution often accompanies sharing the gospel.
He then gives advice on the Church should behave.
Being the Church: Humble Passion, Defending the Truth, and Bold Declaration
Humble Passion: vv. 26-28
Paul called the leadership of the Church to watch their own conduct and handling of the Word. [2 Timothy 2:2 – raise up others to teach. 1 Timothy 2-3, Titus 1-3 – protect your walk and witness and raise up the Church in the Word.]
We are not all called pastors, but in case any thinks this may not apply to them, remember Peter’s words in [1 Peter 2:9-10] that we are a royal priesthood – all believers are priests before God, and thus all are called to grow in godliness, understanding His Word, and helping each other grow. Peter referred to Exodus 19:6 in doing this, and was reminding his readers of Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:10, that after being saved by grace through faith we find our calling in doing good works for God’s glory. The greatest work is sharing the gospel and growing in godliness as the Church.
This is why were commanded to “walk out your faith with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12. We should be passionate about spreading God’s glory, realizing He has entrusted us with His glory. When the Commandments say to have no other god, to not take the Lord’s name in vain, and to not bear false testimony, for us it is the reminder that He has called us, and we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). When people look at us, we represent the Creator of everything and Savior of humanity.
This should humble us as it changes us and empowers us.
And we are empowered to defend truth.
Defend the Truth: vv. 28-31
How many times did Paul face others who either denied the Word of God or twisted it? The letter to the Galatians was against the “Judaizers” who said new believers had to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. (Acts 15’s Jerusalem Council largely refutes that.) Practically everywhere Paul went, including Ephesus, had both Jews and idolaters trying to silence him or change the truth.
Consider Simon the Magician of Samaria in Acts 8. Some think he may have been one of the first Gnostic “Christians” to spread lies about Christ and God, someone who tried to buy the Holy Spirit.
Now consider the people today who are either legalistic about how to live or legalistically “anti-legalist” about what to believe. The extreme fundamentalists who say you can never do anything wrong, or you prove you’re not saved. On the other hand, you have the hyper-charismatics (or NAR – New Apostolic Reformation) that say you should be prophesying, speaking in tongues, and performing miracles, signs, and wonders.
Paul did not do as many miracles around people, even considering Troas and Eutychus being raised from the dead. He did many, yes, but remember what Acts 14:3 says, that the miracles, signs, and wonders came confirmed the witness of God’s grace taught by the Apostles. As he wrote in 2 Corinthians 11 and is backed up by 2 Peter 2 and Jude, many perform these miracles, signs and wonders to get money and deceive people to fulfill their own desires and lusts, especially those who call themselves apostles but had no direct connection to Jesus and the Twelve.
Rather, as Jesus reminded in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16, if people won’t believe the Scriptures, neither will they believe someone rising from the dead. That is, miracles are not enough. Moses (in Deuteronomy 13 and 18) and Jesus (in Matthew 7 and 24) warned that prophets, apostles, and christs (anointed ones) would arise and even perform miracles and make true prophecies, but they are not to be trusted if they lead people away from the true gospel.
So, as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 and John said in 1 John 4:1, we are to test prophecies and miracles to confirm they are from God.
We also defend the truth against lies, mistruths, and misunderstandings, being prepared to give gentle, respectful reasons for why we believe (1 Peter 3:15). 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 reminds us to fight spiritual and verbal attacks with the power of the Spirit, which is the Word (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Meaning, we proclaim the Word of God to defend the Word, knowing it will anger others and possibly put is in harms way.
Bold Declaration: vv. 31-35
It is the Word of God – the Old and New Testaments, the gospel message of Jesus Christ – that saves and builds up. We do not seek riches like the hypocritical preachers and teachers (but we also do not necessarily shun wealth, but we seek to honor God in all things.)
Rather, we help each other know the Word and know the Word better. We teach and admonish each other.
Most importantly, we ensure that all people hear the gospel. Jesus was speaking to His closest disciples in Matthew 28, but the early Church grew exponentially knowing the Great Commission of 28:18-20 was for all disciples, all who believe in Him and obey His commands.
Hebrews 13:6, quoting Psalm 118:6, reminds us that God is on our side, so what can men do to us?
Can they hurt us? Sure.
Can they kill us? Sure.
But as Jesus said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
He also said in Matthew 5 that we are blessed when people insult us, revile us, and persecute us, because we will be with God for eternity in His Kingdom.
And how do we know we can face this persecution and grow in the Word faithfully?
We see this with Paul, too, in fact, through this whole passage: We are the family of Christ.
We lift each other up, care for each other, and correct and instruct each other.
Look at Acts 2:42-47: The people devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, sharing what they had as anyone had need. In other words, they studied the Bible (Apostles’ teaching), spent time together, ate together, prayed together, and took care of each other.
Family.
It is the messy lives bumping into each other and helping each other through by the power of the Holy Spirit and Scripture lived out.
Even if you have to travel for two days just to cry, say goodbye, and encourage each other.
So, what do we do?
Love the Church.
Even when some of the people are rude, careless, and messed up.
Even when it’s scary.
Even when you need more help than you feel like you can give.
Love the Church.
It’s what Paul did. It’s what Jesus called us to.
What are the two greatest commandments? (Matthew 22:36-39)
And Jesus added a new commandment in [John 13:34-35] – Love the Church.
It is not about you or me. It is about all of us in Christ.
Study God’s Word, by yourself and with others, so that you can know it and live it. As the Church.
Defend God’s Word by listening to good teachers and pastors and learning how to make good arguments against lies, mistruths, and misunderstandings. And you are never doing this by yourself, as you have the Church behind you and the Holy Spirit within you, especially as you love the Church and study the Bible.
Be prepared for difficulties and pushback, even persecution. Jesus warned us (John 14:27 as well as the Beatitudes of Matthew 5), but we have the Church to surround us and the Holy Spirit granting us peace, grace, courage, and strength to endure anything.
But we must live with each other, support each other, and encourage each other. [Hebrews 10:23-25, 12:1-4, 13:1-9,15-18,20-21]
This is how you be the Church.
a simple man of God 