Lesson 27: Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (3): His Final Trip to Jerusalem (20:13-21:17)

Lesson 27:Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (3):His Final Trip to Jerusalem (20:13-21:17)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul traveled from Troas to Miletus, hurrying to reach Jerusalem (20:13-16).1. It took about a week for Paul to journey from Troas to

Miletus (mostly by ship).2. If he stopped in Asia Minor, Ephesus would have been a

66-mile roundtrip inland.3. Paul was “hurrying” (imperfect tense, continuous) to get

to Jerusalem (20:16).4. His goal was to reach the city of Jerusalem for the Jewish

Day of Pentecost.

I.


B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38).1. Paul discussed and defended his labor while with the

church in Ephesus (20:18-21).a) Paul reminded the elders of his heart while in Ephesus (20:19).b) Paul reminded the elders of his preaching while in Ephesus

(20:20-21).

I.


B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38).2. Paul discussed and shared his plans for the present and

near future (20:22-27).a) Paul shared his strong obligation to make it to Jerusalem (20:22).b) Paul shared his awareness and acceptance that suffering was

awaiting him (23).c) Paul shared his bold determination to finish what the Lord had

started (20:24).d) Paul shared that he would continue preaching the gospel of the

kingdom (24-25).e) Paul shared that he was blameless in preaching God’s saving

message (20:26).f) Paul shared he wasn’t selective in his teaching but taught the

whole will of God.

I.

A. The responsibility of faithful evangelists is to preach all truth to all men!

1. Faithful evangelists “keep nothing back” (Acts 20:20).2. Faithful evangelists freely and determinedly preach “the whole counsel of

God” (27).3. Faithful evangelists “cease not to warn everyone night & day” (20:31+26;

Col. 1:28).4. Faithful evangelists preach and teach publicly and privately (20:20).5. Faithful evangelists preach the gospel of grace and the kingdom of God

(20:24-25).6. Faithful evangelists stay the course that they may fulfill their ministry

(20:24).7. Faithful evangelists commend hearers to God and His Word, not

themselves (20:32).8. Faithful evangelists elevate & live for “the name of the Lord Jesus” above

all (21:13).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding


B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38).3. Paul discussed and delivered strong warnings of the danger

of apostasy (20:28-31).a) These elders had a solemn responsibility and Paul reminded them of

that.b) The elders first had a responsibility to keep themselves conformed

to God’s will.c) Then, they had the responsibility to watch over the spiritual welfare

of the church.d) The church was of supreme value to the Lord and needed to be to

these elders.e) Enemies would come from outside, then rise up from inside, to

ravage the church.f) Watching for souls is serious business! Falling from grace is a

constant danger!

I.

B. The church is of utmost importance (i.e. is absolutely essential) to the Lord (Acts 20:28)!1. The church is unique in its nature and singular in its number

(Acts 20:28; Mt. 16:18).2. There is “one body” (church, Ep. 4:4), which the Lord

purposed (Ep. 3:9-11), prophesied (Isa. 2:2-4), promised (Mt. 16:18), purchased (Ac. 20:28) and established (Ac. 2:1-47).

3. The Lord was willing to die for His church, thus it continues to belong to Him (Col. 1:24).

4. The church (i.e., His people) will ultimately be delivered to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24).

5. The Lord died to save man (Eph. 1:7) and to save the church (Eph. 5:23).


C. Elders of the Lord’s church hold a vital role in the Lord’s plan for the health of His church!1. A plurality (“appointed elders” plural, 14:23) of qualified

men (1 Ti. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9) are responsible for a single local congregation they are “among” (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).

2. Their responsibilities include:a) “Oversee” the affairs of the local congregation (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).b) Shepherd/Feed the sheep/flock of the local congregation (20:29-29;

1 Pet. 5:2-3).c) Guard against and protect the flock from outside and inside dangers

(20:29-31).

3. The Lord’s reminder: the church/flock belongs to the Chief Shepherd (20:28; 1 Pet. 5:4).


D. Apostasy is an ever-present danger for Christians, who must be on guard against the devil!1. Elders were warned of dangers from outside the church &

inside the church (20:28-29).2. A Christian can so live as to fall from grace & be lost

eternally (Gal. 5:4; Jas. 5:19-20).3. Faithfulness requires abiding in His Word (20:32) and

yielding to His will (21:14).



B. Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, while he was in Miletus (20:13-38).4. Paul discussed and exhorted the urgency for continued

faithfulness (20:32-37).a) Faithfulness sticks to God and to His Word (20:32).b) Faithfulness labors to the point of weariness for the good of

others (20:33-35).c) Faithfulness finds happiness in constantly giving rather than

constantly receiving.

I.


C. Paul traveled from Miletus to the city of Jerusalem, for the last time (21:1-17).1. Paul left Miletus to make his final journey to Jerusalem,

about 400 miles southeast.2. Paul sailed from Miletus Cos Rhodes Patara Tyre

Ptolemais Caesarea.3. They found disciples in Tyre (perhaps from 11:19) and

stayed seven days (cf. 20:6-7).4. At Caesarea, Paul and his companions stayed with Philip,

the evangelist (21:8-15a).5. Paul arrived in Jerusalem, for his fifth and final visit as an

apostle (21:17).

I.

A. Let us throw ourselves into God’s Word, which is able to build us up!

B. Let us learn, practice and enjoy giving more than receiving!

C. Let us not allow others (friends or foes) to interfere with our service to God!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives

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Lesson 27: Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (3): His Final Trip to Jerusalem (20:13-21:17)