The Pilgrim Path---Acts 20: 17 – 21

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 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, serving the LORD with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews, how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“…HOW I LIVED AMONG YOU”

When I started New Testament Greek, it was four days a week (no Thursday) at 1 PM---for two consecutive semesters. Maybe the absolute worst time of day for such a mental strain and stretch of the nerves. The redeeming component was the professor, Dr. Donald Mackay. A godly man. Former pastor. Merciful soul and fine mentor. I still recall his preaching from Acts chapter 20. It has taken me a while to “get” to this “Farewell” of Paul to the Ephesian Elders---but I will start to chip away at it. There is much here for Christians to consider. Today, I’ll just hit some of these autobiographical highlights that the Holy Spirit gives us from Paul’s time in Ephesus (verses 18—21). This is just “before” Paul leaves Miletus---he sends for the Ephesian elders to come “see” him for one “last” visit before he sails. Have a listen to a few of the things Paul says:

---“I lived among you as a servant”---Paul followed the LORD Jesus while in Ephesus. He did not think he was the master. He went there to serve the Master! He had the Corrie ten Boom attitude: “I don’t give the orders---I just report for duty.”

---“I served with humility”---As James Boice says, the opposite of humility is pride---Paul knew that “all” he possessed came from King Jesus. He served at the behest of King Jesus---for King Jesus. How could he be proud?

---“I served with tears”---The work is never what you anticipate it to be---but it is for the LORD Jesus Christ! People are “only” changed by the Holy Spirit. You cry sometimes. Perhaps we do not cry enough? Paul said in Romans 12: 15, to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” We are often “too far” from those in the work…Paul was involved with the souls at Ephesus…tears come…when the people do---and when the people do not “settle” with Jesus. We shed tears at times---because we are not stones---but some people seem to be like stones…

---“I served with trials” (Paul’s happened to be through plots of the Jews): Ole Bob Jones Senior used to say that the door of opportunity swings on the hinges of opposition. That may be more true than we know. There are always trials in Gospel endeavor. One of the chief reasons being---the devil is against the truth of God advancing…Spiritual battles are most trying and wearing…

---“I did not shrink from the profitable being taught”---Paul spent a good bit of time at Ephesus. He could give the saints the Scriptural teaching concerning sex, relationships, money, marriage,----you name it---even if hard to convey at times…Paul was not afraid to bring the Word to bear for the benefit of his hearers…

---“I taught in public and in private”---Paul maintained “open” access meetings---and he went from house to house. The man had a grueling schedule. Notice that he did not discriminate: the truth was brought to Jews and Gentiles…

---“I presented all hearers the essentials of the Gospel”---One of the few places in the New Testament where you will find repentance and faith mentioned in the same verse (Acts 20: 21). Remember that conversion is the “coin” with two sides: both faith and repentance must be present. You must run from your sin to rest in the Living Christ alone for Salvation--- as He is offered in the Gospel.

From Saint Augustine: For those who would learn God’s ways, humility is the first thing, humility is the second, humility is the third.

From Simon Kistemaker: Paul wept not for the wounds and bruises he received as a servant of Christ. He cared for the members of the church when he wrote to the Corinthians to reveal his deep love for them (a letter not extant; see II Cor. 2: 4). And he told the Philippians of his tears when he revealed that many people lived as enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3: 18). These tears testify to Paul’s greatness.

From John Duncan: To “serve God in the gospel of his Son” is the most honorable and blessed work to which a creature can be called.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world:

---Dr. Jim Peipon has been used of God through Ukraine Medical Outreach---to help develop a supply chain for critically needed medical resources to get into Ukraine. Having served this precious country for nearly 20 years---his contacts within the nation---and around Europe are vital!

---Dr. Peipon’s recent newsletter (Ukraine Medical Outreach) mentioned that 44 tons of medicine has been distributed to more than 70 cities and villages---150 organizations, churches, hospitals---and the Ukrainian Military have received needed medical supplies…

---Dr. Peipon wants us to know Rudi Mihovych, President of the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine. He is a 25-year-old neurology resident, recently married (father to an infant son). He oversees a staff of 30 volunteers---that handles requests for supplies from their warehouse near Lviv. Courageous drivers (often using their own cars) drive the supplies to Chernihiv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnipro, Zaporizha---even Mariupol. This whole staff is overwhelmed by the support they have been shown worldwide!

---Dr. Rudi Mihovych has been asked WHY people are driving to dangerous and unfriendly places---Dr. Peipon says Rudi gave this response: “Our team is made up of all volunteers. They are not paid and do not want to be paid anything. They do their work for the love of God, the love of their churches and the love of their people.”

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason