Exploring God’s Word with Brad Thurston

Looking Forward

Episode Summary

Acts 20:13-38 How can looking back and looking forward in my life lead me to trust Jesus more? In the same way our focus can shift from being selfish to being concerned about others, from pursuing my agenda to pursuing God’s agenda (which is the focus of disciples of Jesus), so can our lives be dramatically changed by facing an unknown future with trust in a faithful God. September 11 was just a normal day when many went to work as normal, feeling secure and safe, not knowing how all our lives would be changed because of the events of that day. None of us know what today will bring, yet we all face our future with certain expectations and hopes and desires.

Episode Notes

This is true of Paul in meeting with the elders from Ephesus. We go from reporting facts to reporting his teaching at this location.  We will hear much more that will be reported of what he says in the coming chapters, but this is a new literary shift for Luke who is not just recording events now.  And Paul’s instructions are very illuminating especially when you take time to view this in the context of the letters he wrote.  This sounds very much like Paul’s voice and thought process.

Let’s begin to take a closer look at this farewell speech: in three parts: Looking back, looking forward, and looking beyond.

In 16, he doesn’t want to lose time by going to Ephesus, but he calls the elders to him instead.  In the case of the early church, it is clear it is lead by a presbytery, so whatever Paul shares here will be passed on to the churches throughout the region. Isn’t the same amount of time used? Perhaps not, if the folks want him to stay, or there is much opposition, and he is hindered from continuing his journey. Perhaps even for the safety of the money being transported (see his final remark).

Verse 18 Looking back: the monuments and the museums in Washington let us remember where we have come from, the ideals we hold dear, and the values we cherish. Paul looks at the beginning of his time with the Ephesians.  By looking back, he lays claims to the authority for what he will say.

  1. I was with you:  you got to know me by observation, interaction and teaching, and availability.
  2. Served with humility, or lowly mindedness.  Like Jesus. Philippians 2:1-11
  3. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7
  4. “and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:44-45
  5. Through tears and trials from the Jews
  6. Taught what was profitable both publicly and from house to house: letters to follow up
  7. Preached to both Jews and Greeks: repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew...” Col. 3:11  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28 

Verse 22 Looking forward: 

  1. 22. Bound in Spirit and Uncertain what will happen in Jerusalem, except persecution. 
  2. 24. I will finish the race testifying to God’s grace:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Pause)
  3. 25. You will see me no more
  4. 26. I am innocent – I have warned all (repeated in his letters) “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:1, 3, 5 
  5. 27. I proclaimed the whole counsel (purpose or will) of God to you.  “Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”

1 Corinthians 15:50. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-1

  1. 28. Be on guard and shepherd the church.  How? “Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:13-16
  2. 29. Beware of the wolves! Especially for those who come among you as wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Philippians 3:2 ““Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Jesus, in Matthew 7:15
  3. Remember my way of life among you! “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 - also 1 Cor. 4:12; Eph. 5.1; 1 Thess. 1:6 and 2:14

Verse 32 Looking Beyond: 

  1. I entrust you to God! And the Word of His Grace
  2. This brings results!
  3. Follow my example: care for the poor, be generous (offering for the saints in Jerusalem)
  4. Prayer and anointing

The application: do we understand God’s purpose for us, both individually and as a church? Are we beginning to see God move with clarity in our hearts?  How do we both individually and collectively live out the will, purposes, and counsel?