When the Faithful say Farewell, Part Two

Acts 20: 26 - 38

26-27 - The Watchman’s Innocence is Declared
Paul warned the wicked of their ways.
Ezekiel 33: 6-9 - God has set a Watchman on Israel to warn them of their sins. If he gives the message and the Israelites don’t listen, than it’s not the Watchman’s fault. He is innocent.

28 - The Care of the Flock
Paul worked hard to feed the church of God during his lifetime.

29- The Protection of the Flock from Outsiders
Paul says to watch for wolves entering in.

30 - The Protection of the Flock from Insiders
Paul says to watch for insiders that draw people away from the truth

31 - The Protection of the Flock by Admonition
Paul says he warned them every night and day.

32 - The Commitment of the Church to God and His Word
Paul commits this church to God and His Word, before he leaves.

33 - The Correct Motive
Paul says he does not serve God for earthly wealth and materials.

34 - The Personal Work for Necessities
Paul worked only for what he really needed.

35 - The Example set Forth
Paul knows he was a good example to them.

36 - The Collective Praying
The church prayed together.

37-38 - The Final Farewell
They hugged each other and went with Paul to the ship.

When the Faithful say Farewell

Acts 20: 17-38

vs. 17 - The challenge to loving overseers

vs. 18 - The consistent manner of living

vs. 19 - The faithful service through difficulties

vs. 20 - The generosity and commitment

vs. 21 - The good news is given to all

vs. 22 - The physical danger is ahead

vs. 23 - The Holy Spirit is in control

vs. 24 - The unselfish ministry

vs. 25 - The last visit

True Miracles Glorify God

Acts 19:11-20

vs. 11-12 - True Healing is a Sign of God’s Power

vs. 13-16 - Unbelievers Seek to Mimic God’s Power

vs. 14 - Power is not in numbers

vs. 15 - Test the Spirit’s Message

vs. 16 - Test the Spirit’s Power Source
I Timothy 4:1-2 & I John 4:1- Believers are going to stray from the faith and spread false doctrine. They should be tested.

vs. 17 - Truth is Powerful

vs. 18-19 - Turn and Burn - Turn from your wicked things you have and burn them

vs. 20 - From Satan’s Books to Christ’s Book

God Sought to Save Idolaters, now He Seeks to Save the Immoral

Acts 18:1-17

vs. 1-3: Team up for ministry
Paul teamed up with Aquilla and Priscilla, Luke, Silas, and Timothy
II Thessalonians 3 - There are times when you have to separate from a brother

vs. 4: Reason with people and persuade the lost to be saved

vs. 5: Bend to the Spirit’s press on you

vs. 6:Move on when Christ is rejected

vs. 7: Turn from the closed doors to open ones

vs. 8: Preach belief and baptism

A Proven Style for Giving the Gospel

Acts 17:1-9

vs 1 Target them
Paul had a pre-determined plan, and knew the city that he wanted to stop in.

vs. 2 Give them adequate time
Paul spent at least 3 Sabbath Days with them.

vs. 2-3 Reason with them
Reasoning = dialogue
Reasoning is more than preaching. Possibly question and answer style

vs. 2-3 Direct them to Scripture
Paul opened the Scripture and discussed it.

vs. 2-3 Open and allege the Scripture
Paul spoke of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection

vs. 4-9 Expect Results

vs 4 Some believe in Christ
Great multitude of men and women believed

vs. 5-9 Some reject Christ

vs 5-6 Expect trouble from people
Trouble makers were driven by envy.

vs. 7-8 Expect trouble legally
The government got involved

vs. 9 Expect trouble financially
Fines were paid.

It's all About God Pursuing People

Acts 16: 11-15

vs. 11-12 A Woman pursued by God
Paul, Timothy, and Luke travel from city to city on their way to Philippi, a Roman colony

vs 13. A Woman’s worship
Lydia met with other women to pray on the Sabbath Day

vs. 14 A Woman’s work
Lydia was a seller of purple, and she was also a prayer warrior
These ladies heard Paul preaching while they were having a ladies prayer meeting

vs. 14 A Woman’s Want
They were interested in what Paul was preaching about

vs. 15 A Woman’s Witness
Lydia and household were baptized to show others that she believed in Jesus

Who and How Does God Lead?

Acts 16: 6-10

6 - Don’t preach to everyone
God, through the Holy Spirit, forbade Paul to preach to the people

7 - Don’t go everywhere
God once again told Paul not to to the city of Bithynia

8 - Don’t stop everywhere
They passed by Mysia without stopping to see the people

9 - Hear man’s call for help
Paul saw, in a vision, a man in Macedonia who was calling for him to come over and help him

10 - Hear God’s call to preach
Paul knew he had to go to Macedonia

God was speaking to Paul differently here, than when he was on the road to Damascus.
God leads people that want to be lead.

Fight the will of God and He will break you, Accept the will of God, and He will make you.


Models of Missionary Movements Continue, Part Two

Acts 16:1-5

vs 3 - Disciples who love others more than themselves
Timothy got circumcised so he wouldn’t cause problems within the people.

vs. 4 - Disciples who plan, work, and then work the plan (from God’s Word)
Paul went through the cities and told of the decrees that were made in Jerusalem

vs 5 - Disciples God uses to strengthen and grow churches
The churches were established on faith and grew in numbers