Acts 20:1-16
Sunday Morning Bible Study
August 23, 1998
Introduction
Paul has been in the city of Ephesus for three years. He’s seen God do tremendous things as people have given themselves to Jesus Christ. One of the results of the revival that occurred was that the men who made their living selling idols became upset because their business was suffering. When they stirred up the city into a riot, Paul decided it was time to leave town.
:1-6 Strengthening the Greek Churches
:1 and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Paul has two missions to accomplish here: 1) Encourage the churches, 2) Collect an offering for the poor in Jerusalem. (2Cor.8-9)
:2 And when he had gone over those parts
When Paul arrives in Macedonia, he begins going through the churches that had been planted earlier: Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea. Some have suggested that Paul may have spent as long as a year in Macedonia (Robertson).
It’s while in Macedonia, specifically in Philippi, that Paul writes 2Corinthians.
Here’s a taste of what Paul was going through at that time, having just escaped with his life from Ephesus after the riot:
2 Cor 7:5
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.2 Cor 4:8-18 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; {9} Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; {10} Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. {11} For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. {12} So then death worketh in us, but life in you. {13} We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; {14} Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. {15} For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. {16} For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; {18} While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Lesson:
Keep your eyes on the eternal.
Paul was going through a rough time here, having experienced a lot of troubles, but his eyes were on eternal things, and so he was able to keep his perspective about the hard times.
Illustration
In old age, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the great French painter, suffered from arthritis, which twisted and cramped his hand. Henri Matise, his artist friend, watched sadly while Renoir, grasping a brush with only his fingertips, continued to paint, even though each movement caused stabbing pain. One day, Matise asked Renoir why he persisted in painting at the expense of such torture. Renoir replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."
That’s a difficult attitude to keep in our modern world where we cry at every little bit of discomfort.
Paul was working to build eternal things. He endured discomfort because of the greater goal.
:2 and had given them much exhortation
More literally, "Having encouraged them with much word"
Lesson:
Encourage with much Word.
Sometimes the Word of God can be used to abuse people.
Job’s friends were telling him true things, that God punishes sin, but the problem was that these things didn’t apply to Job.
(Prov 12:18 KJV) There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
But when used properly, nothing can be more encouraging than a Word from God.
(Psa 19:7-8KJV) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. {8} The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
:2 he came into Greece
More specifically, the church in Corinth.
:3 And there abode three months.
It’s while he’s here in Corinth that Paul will write his letter to the Romans.
:3 And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria
The last time Paul left Corinth, he took a boat to Syria, but it went first to Ephesus, then on to Syria. (Acts 18:18-19). The Jews that were hostile to Paul apparently were figuring he’d do the same this time.
:3 he purposed to return through Macedonia.
purposed – "he became of the mind", "he became of the opinion". He changed his mind.
:4 Sopater … Trophimus.
One reason these men may be going with Paul is to help with taking the offering Paul has been collecting for the church in Jerusalem (2Cor.8-9).
But there’s more here. These guys aren’t just representatives of the churches, they’re now part of Paul’s ministry team.
We don’t know too much about Sopater, Secundus, or the Gaius mentioned here.
Aristarchus was one of the guys caught in the riot in Ephesus. He’ll eventually travel to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2), and even be in prison with Paul (Col.4:10).
Timothy – from Lystra was Paul’s right hand man.
Tychicus would be one of Paul’s messengers while in prison:
Colossians 4:7 ¶ All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, [who is] a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
Trophimus
would make it to Jerusalem with Paul (Acts 21:29), and was still active in ministry at the end of Paul’s life (2Tim.4:20)Paul’s little band of men has grown.
Lesson:
Take them along with you. Don’t serve alone.
We’ve seen this over and over with Paul, training up those who will follow after him. Paul will tell Timothy:
(2 Tim 2:2 KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
It might be someone who needs to learn what you do. It might be your kids.
Lesson:
Look for those who are Tested for Ministry.
As Paul was travelling back through the churches he’d established, it was his practice to take the "cream of the crop" with him.
This was certainly what he had done earlier with Timothy. On Paul’s second trip through Derbe and Lystra he decided to take young Timothy along with him because he "was well reported of by the brethren"(Acts 16:2).
Paul wrote to Timothy regarding qualifications for elders and deacons –
(1 Tim 3:6 KJV) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
(1 Tim 3:10 KJV) And let these also first be proved
For those of you who are looking to pass on important responsibilities to others, look for those who have a track record, those who are "faithful" (2 Tim.2:2)
For those of you desiring to be used by the Lord in ministry, get started with the little things ahead of you.
Don’t get all starry-eyed with big plans of being the next Billy Graham or Chuck Smith. Go teach a Sunday School class. Start helping the set up crew set up chairs on Sunday mornings. Help empty the trashcans on Sunday night. Even more difficult: Take the church prayer list every week and pray for it, by yourself, without taking any credit by telling someone what you’re doing.
(Luke 16:10-12 KJV) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. {11} If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? {12} And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
What is your track record like? Are you a person who starts something enthusiastically and then bails after a few difficulties? Don’t expect to be entrusted with a big thing if you aren’t faithful in little things.
:5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
Apparently these seven were sent on ahead to wait for Paul at Troas.
Troas – one of the seaports on the Aegean Sea. It was here that Paul had received his vision of a man from Macedonia asking him to come and help them (Acts 16:9). It was at Troas that Paul had probably first met Doctor Luke (Acts 16:8-10). After Luke joined Paul, they had gone to Philippi, where we believe Paul had left Luke (Acts 16:16,40). Now it seems that Luke has again rejoined Paul’s team in Philippi, as he again refers to "us". He will be staying with Paul all the way to Rome.
:6 after the days of unleavened bread
The feast of unleavened bread was a part of Passover.
:7-12 Ministry in Troas
:7 And upon the first day of the week
For those who insist that we ought to be worshipping on the Sabbath, it’s interesting to note that the Christians in Troas were meeting on Sunday.
:7 when the disciples came together to break bread
Keep in mind, Sunday wasn’t a day off for the world at this time. The church is meeting in the evening. One of the things they’re doing when they get together is to have communion, the Lord’s Supper.
:7 Paul preached unto them
preached – dialegomai – to converse, discourse, dialogue.
As much as I’d like to take this as a good reason to stretch out my sermons, this is more like a late night discussion group than a formal preaching message.
:7 ready to depart … continued his speech until midnight