On Guard ~ Acts 20:1-38

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  • We have 2 farewell speeches
  • it's Paul's last chance to talk to them
v7-9
  • Eutycus falls asleep and dies
v10-12
  • Paul brings him back to life
  • Why does he tell us about Eutycus and not the content of the sermon
  • Luke includes this to tell us about Paul
  • Paul is not an ordinary guy and that he's a true authorised messenger 
  • If you think you're a Christian but you don't believe what Paul says then you aren't a Christian
  • We can't reject Paul and say we follow Jesus since Paul echoes who Jesus is
v13-16
  • Pentecost is the symbol of harvest
  • great way to show harmony between gentile and Jewish Christians
v17
  • Farewell to the Ephesus elders
  • Paul told them about the good news of Christ
v18-21
  • Paul shows how he lived and served at Ephesus
  • This is Paul's message which is Christ's message
  • turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus
v22-24
  • Pauls passion in serving God
  • he knows he might die and this doesn't really phase him
v25-27
  • Paul has done his job and now it's over to you
v28
  • this is what you need to do now
  • be on guard
  • be shepherds of the kingdom
  • keep watch over themselves and the church
  • bring them (the church) home
  • Gods church has been purchased by his own blood
v29-31
  • they are not alone though because they have God
  • the message of the gospel will bring them safely home
v32
  • Paul commits them to God
v33-35
  • money is a potential trap for the church
  • it is more blessed to give than to receive

Application:
  • This is what church ministry is for
  • mission is to take the people of God and to take them home (to God)
  • for ministers is to be on guard
  • teachers need to be telling people to live for Jesus and not the things of this world
  • they also need to correct the wrong and false ideas
    • rebuking, confronting people for their wrong behavior
  • doing whatever it takes to grow and mature you to be an effective Christian
  • we need to submit and obey to Christian leaders in humility
  • this is for all people in Christian ministry
  • we need to guard ourselves and guard others
  • making what we read come alive in our hearts 
  • the Christians we are praying for have been paid for by God's blood
  • Let us do our ministry with passion, zeal and holiness so we might bring each other home to God

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