CHAPTER 20

1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Here is a short history lesson of Paul's journey from Ephesus to Macedonia to Troas.
He traveled to the large area of Macedonia, and visited churches (in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and maybe more).
Then "he came into Greece," probably Athens and Corinth.
He remained there for 3 months, but "the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria."
So, Paul returned to the area of Macedonia.

Paul had picked up some helpers in the ministry.
Sopater was from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus were from Thessalonica, Gaius was from Derbe, Tychicus and Trophimus were from Asia, and of course, he had Timothy with him.
All of these went to Troas and waited for Luke and those who accompanied him.
(Verse 5 -- remember Luke is writing the book of Acts.)

Luke describes leaving Philippi "after the days of unleavened bread," so he must have been behind Paul.
Then, they traveled across the sea and met Paul and company in Troas.

They all were there "seven days." What an exciting time that must have been!
All of them sharing the wonderful things God had done!

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

Paul was planning to leave the next day.
So, he had a fellowship with all the company, and "preached unto them."
Probably, this was a long discussion with Paul being the main speaker.
It might have been broken by testimonies and eating.

Paul was in the upper chamber, and all in the lower areas (3 floors) could hear him easily.
Illus.
Ann & I once attended a marvelous church in Hawaii.
The church actually had 3 levels.
The choir was in the "upper chamber," and they could be heard marvelously!
The congregation was in the middle, with a slant in the floor leading down to a lower area.
In the lower area, there was only a stage and a podium.
The preacher delivered his message from the podium, and everyone could hear him clearly.
It was a very good design for worship.
After worship, we were invited to stay for lunch.
We ate with the pastor and his wife, and had a wonderful fellowship.

Note, (verse 8) there "were many lights."
Christian worship should be open, public, for all to see and enjoy.

Eutychus was also in an upper area ("third loft"), sitting in an open window.
He went to sleep, and fell from the third floor down to the bottom!
And, "he was taken up DEAD." (verse 9)

Paul came down from the upper chamber, and "fell on him, embracing him."
(This might be relative to Elijah utilizing the first "mouth to mouth" resucitation. [See 1Kings 17:21-23])
Then, Paul said "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him."

WOW! WHAT A MIRACLE!!
And, what marvelous thought it provokes!
Some folk think it's an awful shame for a person to sleep in church.
And, while that may be the case for some, it might not be the case for others!

When I went to my first pastorate, we had a man in the congregation who slept through most of the service.
His wife sat beside him, and would "elbow" him when he started snoring.
At first, I thought (and only thought - did not SAY) this was a shame.
Soon, I found out that this man had severe arthritis.
When he would get warm and comfortable - he snoozed.
He couldn't help it!
And, I also found out that even when snoozing, this man was PAYING ATTENTION!
He would often make a remark about something I had said in the sermon!
He would sometimes even quote the Scriptures used!

So, let's don't think too badly of Eutychus falling asleep in church!
God USED this to perform a great miracle!

Paul remained with the group until "the break of day."
And, when he was departing, "they brought the young man ALIVE!"
And, they "were not a LITTLE comforted!"
They were comforted A LOT!

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

From Troas to Assos by sea is about 24 miles; but only 20 miles by foot.
Paul elected to walk the distance, while all the others traveled by ship.
WHY?

It had been an exciting week at Troas!
There was a difficult task ahead.
Paul probably wanted the solitude to pray thanksgiving and to seek God's will.

Paul joined the group at Assos, and they sailed to Mitylene.
Next they sailed by Chios, Samos and stopped in Trogyllium for a short time.
The next day they went on to Miletus.
In this travel, they passed by Ephesus.
Paul wanted to get on to Jerusalem for the "day of Pentecost."

This may have been why Paul wanted to walk the short distance from Troas to Assos and pray!
He might have wanted to talk to the Lord about whether to stop in Ephesus.
Even though we feel that there is something we "oughta" do, sometimes it is best to listen to our Lord.
He might have a more "pressing" thing to be done!

Perhaps it was in that 20 miles of solitude that Paul spoke to the Lord about the following.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

This is indeed a very touching and heartbreaking scene.
Paul "sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."
Now, that means they must have stayed in Miletus at least 4 days, maybe 5 or 6.

You see, Paul had no telephone or computer.
He sent SOMEONE to Ephesus (at least a 2 day travel).
Then, that someone brought the elders back (at least another 2 day travel).

But to Paul, it was IMPERATIVE that he see them and speak to them and pray with them!
He knew, by talking to the Lord, that he would see them NO MORE!
These were his "children in the Lord!"
Imagine KNOWING that when you said good-bye to your child this morning, you would never see them again!
What tears might you cry?
What wisdom would you try and impart?

Paul reminded them that preaching and teaching Jesus must be done humbly, through tears and difficulties (verse 19).
He also reminded them that the ministry might well be without earthly reward, and through much hard work (verse 34)!
He implored them to keep and "feed" the flock earnestly, because Christ had purchased them with His own blood! (verse 28)
The church is IMPORTANT!
The ministry is IMPERATIVE!
Even though it may bring PERIL!

Paul knew, by the Spirit of God, and shared with them that "grievous wolves" would "enter in among you, not sparing the flock!" (Verse 29)
And that "of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Verse 30)
Friends, this is true today!
There are many, who call themselves pastors, that care NOTHING about the flock -- only themselves!
But we are to "support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Therefore, let us commend ALL Christians "to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified."
To KNOW God is to know His Word is true!
It is through His Word that God is revealed!
It is through study of His Word that Christians are built up, strengthened, energized for the ministry!
It is through the study of God's Word that we know there is an "inheritance" in eternity with Christ for "ALL them which are sanctified" in Christ!

After Paul had shared with them these truths, he knelt and prayed with them (Verse 36).
There is nothing more important to building the faith than a man praying with his children!!
That type of prayer strengthens the faith of the man.
And, it reveals the importance of faith to the children.

Later, during his imprisonment in Rome, Paul would write back to these Ephesians these words which apply to pastors and all Christians.
Eph 4:1-3
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Indeed, may all Christians "endeavor" - strive, exert energy, determinedly work for Christ, and for "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!"

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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