“None of These Things Move Me”

I. Introduction: Look at Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders.

II. Text: Acts 20:17-31

III. Background

IV. Background of the work in Ephesus

A. He stopped for a brief period on the second journey and let Aquila and Pricilla there (Acts 18).It was in Ephesus that Aquila and Pricilla corrected Apollos regarding his teaching on John the Baptist and Jesus. Paul came to Ephesus on his third journey and found some disciples who knew only John’s baptism and he taught them. Paul preached in the synagogue for about three months. After some opposition from the Jews, he taught in the School of Tyrannus for two years. Apparently, the work was great and many were obedient to the gospel for Paul sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia while he stayed in Ephesus to preach. While Paul was there, Demetrius, a silversmith, incited the other merchants and the citizens against Paul and his traveling companions. After this, Paul departed for the rest of his journey.

V. Background of the meeting

A. Paul was on his third journey preaching the gospel. He was trying to be in Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost and so did not stop in Ephesus. He did send for the Ephesian elders to meet him in Miletus to talk with them and exhort them a final time. Paul feared that he would not see them again and wanted to give them some final exhortation and warnings.

VI. The Holy Spirit’s warning

A. As Paul was traveling towards Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit was warning him that he would be chained and imprisoned, 20:23.

B. The warnings continue throughout his journey, 21:4, 10-14.

C. It seems that Paul thought that this would end in death, 20:25.

D. Even though Paul was an apostle and inspired by the Holy Spirit, he still did not know the exact outcome, 20:22.

E. It seems that Paul was able to go to Ephesus again after his release from prison (1 Timothy 1:3 doesn’t correspond to his journeys).Paul wrote 1 Timothy after his journeys in Acts. Though inspired, he did not know the future.

F. Although the Spirit warned of chains and imprisonment, Paul was not moved or dissuaded from continuing his work and journey to Jerusalem.

G. Why was he not moved?

H. He had his live in perspective.

I. 20:24 – “nor do I count my life dear to myself.” Matthew 16:24-27 Philippians 1:21-26 – “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”

J. He had run his race well.

K. Paul often used the analogy of a race to describe his life.20:24 – Though chained and imprisoned, he would finish his race.

L. He ran with joy

M. In a letter to the Philippians, written while in prison he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) When Paul and Silas were imprisoned on the 2 nd journey in Philippi, they were praying singing to God, Acts 16:25. Why? 2 Timothy 2:9 – “9for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.” His joy was not diminished by difficult circumstances.

N. He ran the race according to the rules.

O. 2 Timothy 2:5 – “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” We can be joyful, but unless we follow God’s rules, we will not receive the crown. The rules do matter, though many in the religious world think that it doesn’t really matter what you do.

P. He ran with diligence

Q. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

R. We must train ourselves, as runners do, to finish our race.

S. A runner must have the courage to run and compete. He must know the course and the obstacles he will face. He must discipline himself to practice, eat correctly, and sacrifice anything that would keep him from winning. He must endure until the end. He must endure through pain, a desire to stop, and even confidence that he has run most of the race well and can now rest. This is the same as the first part of Peter’s exhortations in to growth (2 Peter 1:5-11): virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, things that Peter says when we add with diligence, we will not stumble as we run but will guarantee the crown for ourselves.

T. He fulfilled his ministry.

U. He taught them fully.

V. Acts 20:20-21 – He taught them fully in public and private. Acts 20:26-27 - He preached the whole counsel of God.

W. He did not shrink from, or hesitate, to preach anything to them because he loved their souls so much.

X. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 – Paul warned that some would not listen.2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 – They did not seek to please men.

Y. He had opposition to his preaching in Ephesus

Z. Acts 20:19 (Acts 19:9) Opposition did not silence him or cause him to water down his message.

A. Some preachers will not preach difficult topics or condemn sins in the congregation because they love their jobs more than the souls of men. The preacher works with a church but not for a church, he works for Jesus and must please Him first, even if preaching the truth leads to his dismissal from a local congregation. This happened with institutionalism, instrumental music, and will happen with other subjects today and in the future.

B. He taught them in humility.

C. Acts 20:19 Though a teacher of the gospel must be bold to teach the truth, even in the face of opposition, he must do so with humility, 2 Timothy 2:23-26. His humility was shared with tears over his brethren2 Corinthians 11:28-29 – “what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” His goal was not to win arguments, but to win souls.

VII. Will anything move us?

A. Paul said that he was not moved. Will anything move us?

B. Will we be moved by sickness, tribulation or problems?

C. We shouldn’t be, Romans 8:35-39. God can be our strength through these things.

D. Will we be moved by threat of death?

E. We shouldn’t be, “Take up your cross, whoever seeks his life…” Like Paul, we should say, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”

F. Will we be moved by a desire to save friendships instead of souls?

G. Like Paul, we must not hesitate to declare the whole counsel of God. Some will not want to hear the message but we must teach them. Some may not want us as friends if we teach the truth. Can we stand in judgment and say to our family and friends, “I did not hesitate to declare the whole gospel to you?” Remember, we must do so with humility, desiring the salvation of their souls, not to prove ourselves right or to win arguments.

H. Let us run our race with endurance, diligent in our preparation, joyful in our run, letting nothing stand in the way between us and the finish line.

I. Let us say with confidence, amidst the trials, problems, obstacles, and opposition we face, “None of these things move me.”