Review: Last week we looked at how it’s important that we examine our motives when we saw how Paul confronted those in Ephesus using the Name of Jesus for selfish gain:
- God exhibited His might.
- God exposed man’s motivations in that they had no relationship, no reliability, and no real results of spiritual fruitfulness.
- God exalts His majesty.
Title: Commit
Text: Acts 20:18-32
Memory verse: Acts 20:24, “24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Theme: Believers must resolve to faithfully serve Jesus all their days.
Introduction: In this week’s lesson we see that…
Paul is looking back over many years of ministry, winding down his third missionary journey, and as he looks toward new gospel opportunities, he is maintaining his unrelenting resolve to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I served several years as a part of the Air Force Chaplain core and can attest to the comradery, and the commitment that I admired in my fellow service members; Though I served minimally in my view, many have served for years and have sacrificed greatly to keep us safe.
Opening Discussion Question: Lifeway’s “Acts 13-28 Leader Guide,” asks What lessons about commitment can we gain from persons in the military service? How does commitment to Christ compare with other kinds of loyalty?”
Answer: When military members take an oath to support an defend the Constitution, to defend their nation, they are making a huge and noteworthy commitment to which we should be grateful.
Context:
After the rioting in Ephesus is stopped by the officials, Paul stops off in Troas, and this is significant. Paul worships with this young church plant on a Sunday, and this is the first time that a local church worship on a Sunday is mentioned. An individual falls asleep in the message, falling out of a high window, and dies, and Paul resurrects him. Paul bids farewell to the Ephesian church leaders in Miletus. Paul gives a farewell address covering how he would defend himself in court, sharing his affection, and compelling the elders to follow his exemplary ministry life and ministry. Paul concludes, calling them to give sacrificially in the Lord’s work. Paul shares a word of caution, knowing danger lies ahead while making his departure in the boat. Despite their begging him to not go to Jerusalem where he would suffer, he couldn’t neglect this sense of duty to go under the Holy Spirit’s leadership. He refused to run away from his duty to take the gospel onward. The prophet Agabus prophecies of his arrest and suffering. Paul affirmed this prophecy while expressing he was undeterred, entrusting his life into the hands of His faithful God.
Main Points:
- Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21)
- Faithful ministry requires an EVALUATION (Acts 20:22-23)
- Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:24-27)
- Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32)
Lesson:
- Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21)
- A. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary SUPPORT (v. 18)
“18 And when they came to him, he said to them: ‘You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,”
Explanation: The elders gather for Paul’s parting words—not a self-justifying defensiveness—but a model, and example to follow for each of us. He supported them with his faithful presence among them, and they supported him by coming to his side for his departing words.
B. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary SUFFERING (v. 19)
- Exemplary suffering’s Audience (v. 19a)
“19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;”
Explanation: Paul comes right out the gate saying that the individual he has primarily served has been his Savior. That’s important for us to know, as well. We serve people. Paul served the Ephesians and the Ephesian elders, but his primary audience of service was his Lord and Savior.
2. Exemplary suffering’s attitude (v. 19b)
“19 serving the Lord with all humility…” Out of all the descriptors Paul could have chosen, he posits humility as the key attitude of his ministry. In Philippians 3, Paul spurns all his accolades for the surpassing prize of serving his Savior.
Application: We should likewise shun accolades, praise, and applause and lay hold daily of humility in our attitude.
Exemplary suffering’s audience, attitude, thirdly, exemplary suffering’s…
3. Exemplary suffering’s actions (v. 19c)
“19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;”
Explanation: Unmoved in his faithful ministry, his service was marked not by successes, wins, accolades, and applause of man, but by humble tears, trials, and plots against him. Paul says essentially, “If you want to serve faithfully be ready and count on it; there will be sadness, sacrifice, and sabotage, so get ready.”
Application: A faithful ministry will have tears, trials, and plots; suffering.
C. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary use of Scripture (vv. 20-21)
- Perseverance in the Scripture (v. 20a and 21a)
“how I did not shrink…testifying to both Jews and to Greeks of repentance…” (v. 20-21) and he would repeat this same sentiment in verse 27 saying, “27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”
Explanation: The fact that Paul says he could have shrink-ed back or retreated from his duty of proclaiming the Scriptures isn’t an off-hand remark; Paul was tempted or pulled to some degree to fall back in his duty in the Scriptures. But he didn’t; he persevered.
2. Proclamation of the Scripture (vv. 20-21)
a. “declaring” (v. 20b)
Paul simply taught and preached the Bible, “declaring…teaching…testifying…”
The word “declare” used here (angelio) means to “announce, report, bring back tidings, even to rehearse.” To declare it was to proclaim the Scripture with boldness and clarity.
b. “teaching” (v. 20c)
The word “teaching” (didasko) is more didactical in nature. To teach it means he explained it for understanding. This reminds us that Christianity is a thinking faith; we are to be thinkers before we are feelers. Feelings are to be informed only by truth taught and received. Scripture was proclaimed by declaring, teaching, and thirdly…
c. “testifying” (v. 21a)
The word “testifying is diamartyromai, and carries the idea of earnestly, to solemnly testify and affirm, to confirm a thing by testimony. To testify (Paul didn’t proclaim anything that he didn’t already personally experience personally. The word had impacted his heart before he passed it on to others.
Application: That’s an important word for us teachers. We have to make time in our preparation for the word to sink into and transform our hearts and minds.
Thirdly, we see in Paul’s ministry example that he continually proclaimed the work of Christ in the gospel. #3…
3. Point of the Scriptures (v. 21c)
What was the main point Paul kept returning to as a proclaimer of Scripture? The latter part of verse 21 tells us, “repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.’” He wanted people to turn from sin and place their trust in Jesus.
Application: This is a reminder that in our teaching we need to always share the Good News, faithfully.
Transition: Faithful ministry relies on an exemplary church family and associated church family support system, and a faithful ministry requires suffering that has Jesus as his audience, a humble attitudeand is demonstrated—not just in words but by—action. Faithful ministry is characterized by a ministry of the word, the Scriptures. Paul persevered in proclaiming the main point of the Scriptures: repentance and faith. Point #2…
II. Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:22-23)
When we talk about expectations, we often think of them in terms of high hopes for the future. Paul’s expectations were a little different.
- Expect uncertainty (v. 22)
“22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained bythe Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,”
Explanation: Paul had a compelling sense from the Holy Spirit to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost according to verse 16, as well as to drop off a love offering for the struggling members in Judea. Though he didn’t know the details of what was coming he was ready to go forward in obedience. He knew where he was going and Who was with him, but the details were hazy.
Application: Ever been there? We often don’t know what lies ahead, but with God, that will not paralyze us into scared, or worrisome inactivity; we will go forward in the work God has given us to do.
B. Expect hostility (v. 23)
“23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.”
Explanation: Paul received this forewarning that he would encounter persecution in Jerusalem.Paul knew that no matter what he faced God would be with him, and he prized faithfulness over comfort.
Transition: Third,
III. Faithful ministry rests on EVALUATION (vv. 24-27)
A. Evaluate by sacrificial dependability (v. 24)
“24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Explanation: The evaluation of Paul’s life in his estimation was in faithful service to Jesus in sharing the gospel and finishing the job all the way to the end. He was willing to live sacrificially in order to live with dependability before God and those entrusted to his ministry.
Application: The lesson asks on page 117, “How would you define ‘finishing your course?’”
B. Evaluate by eternal accountability (vv. 25-27)
“25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”
Explanation: Sensing he would not see their faces again and that the end was near, Paul could rest in the fact that the blood of anyone under his ministry was not on his hands because he had faithfully declared God’s Word, drawing from the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel’s warning that anyone who failed to properly warn others was accountable for their blood in Ezekiel 33:1-6. Paul took his responsibility for each soul in his ministry purview with the greatest of seriousness, as James 3:1 exhorts, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
Application: The evaluation of our ministry whether faithful or unfaithful is both a current and future evaluation of whether we are living sacrificially, whether e can be depended on, and the level to which we live with accountability for the eternal souls entrusted to our care.
Transition: Fourthly,
IV. Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32)
““28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.”
Explanation: After explaining to these Ephesian elders and the body of Christ, brothers, and sisters in arms that they need to learn from his example, employ the proper evaluation, and live with realistic expectations of sacrificial ministry he passes the baton on to them, with a warning to be resolved that they will be fully engaged, vigilant about themselves, about the believers, and to watch out for false teachers. He then commends them to God’s care as he departs. “32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.’” Paul’s committal was like other benedictions he gave, pointing them to their eternal inheritance and reminding them to be currently sanctified.
Doctrine: Our key doctrine for this week is the doctrine of the Scriptures. Lifeway on page 118 says, “The Bible is a perfect treasure of divine instructions. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. They cite Deuteronomy 45:1-2 and Psalm 119:140. Psalm 119:140 says, “32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.’”
Conclusion:
- Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21): Run to those reliable and dependable examples both in the Scriptures and in Christian biography, faithful examples in your own local church. We need them.
- Faithful ministry requires an EVALUATION (Acts 20:22-23): There is both a present evaluation week-in-week-out as we serve and teach and there is a future evaluation; we are accountable.
- Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:24-27): We can realistically expect that it’s not going to be a walk in the park and there will be tears; but there is reward, and he is worthy.
- Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32): Keep a close eye on yourself. Protect the sheep. Fight off the wolves. Fulfill your faithful ministry.
General Outline:
Review: Last week we looked at how it’s important that we examine our motives when we saw how Paul confronted those in Ephesus using the Name of Jesus for selfish gain:
- God exhibited His might.
- God exposed man’s motivations in that they had no relationship, no reliability, and no real results of spiritual fruitfulness.
- God exalts His majesty.
Title: Commit
Text: Acts 20:18-32
Memory verse: Acts 20:24, “24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Theme: Believers must resolve to faithfully serve Jesus all their days.
Opening Discussion Question: Lifeway’s “Acts 13-28 Leader Guide” asks What lessons about commitment can we gain from persons in the military service? How does commitment to Christ compare with other kinds of loyalty?”
Main Points:
- Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21)
- Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:24-27)
- Faithful ministry requires an EVALUATION (Acts 20:22-23)
- Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32)
Lesson:
Review: Last week we looked at how it’s important that we examine our motives when we saw how Paul confronted those in Ephesus using the Name of Jesus for selfish gain:
- God exhibited His might.
- God exposed man’s motivations in that they had no relationship, no reliability, and no real results of spiritual fruitfulness.
- God exalts His majesty.
Title: Commit
Text: Acts 20:18-32
Memory verse: Acts 20:24, “24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Theme: Believers must resolve to faithfully serve Jesus all their days.
Opening Discussion Question: Lifeway’s “Acts 13-28 Leader Guide” asks What lessons about commitment can we gain from persons in the military service? How does commitment to Christ compare with other kinds of loyalty?”
Main Points:I. Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21)II. Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:24-27)III. Faithful ministry requires an EVALUATION (Acts 20:22-23)IV. Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32)
Lesson:
I. Faithful ministry relies on EXAMPLES (Acts 20:18-21)
A. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary SUPPORT (v. 18)
B. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary SUFFERING (v. 19)1. Exemplary suffering’s Audience (v. 19a)2. Exemplary suffering’s attitude (v. 19b)3. Exemplary suffering’s actions (v. 19c)
C. Faithful ministry relies on exemplary use of Scripture (vv. 20-21)1. Perseverance in the Scripture (v. 20a and 21a)2. Proclamation of the Scripture (vv. 20-21)
a. “declaring” (v. 20b)
b. “teaching” (v. 20c)
c. “testifying” (v. 21a)3. Point of the Scriptures (v. 21c)
II. Faithful ministry has realistic EXPECTATIONS (Acts 20:22-23)
A. Expect uncertainty (v. 22)
B. Expect hostility (v. 23)
III. Faithful ministry rests on EVALUATION (vv. 24-27)
A. Evaluate by sacrificial dependability (v. 24)
B. Evaluate by eternal accountability (vv. 25-27)
IV. Faithful ministry resolves to be [fully] ENGAGED (Acts 20:28-32)
Doctrine: The Scriptures
Caleb Walker 
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