Acts 20:17-35 Before air travel became common, missionaries had to go by 'slow boat to China' or wherever. The Mission sponsoring them would hold a pierhead farewell meeting, not knowing when they would meet again. As the ship left harbour, they would go on singing the hymn /God be with you till we meet again/ (494 in Sankey & Moody's /Sacred Songs and Solos/), until the ship was out of earshot. They never knew if they would meet again at all in this life.. Here we have Paul's eve-of-sailing meeting at Miletus, the port of Ephesus.. From his farewell speech we can see: 1. PAUL'S FAITHFUL PREACHING OF CHRISTIANITY 18-21; 31 He was a peerless preacher of Christ.. a. He was Persistent in his Method.. He preached in public and from house to house (20); night and day for three years (31); in spite of tears and trials (19). From Day One he held back nothing.. b. He was Consistent in his Message. 21 He preached Repentance towards God for sin's malady. He preached Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ for sin's remedy. To all alike, Jew and Gentile.. 2. PAUL'S FEARLESS FOLLOWING OF PROPHECY 22-24 He was a fearless follower of Christ. He continued his journey to Jerusalem in face of prophetic warnings: a. He showed a High Courage in his Dangers. 22-23 Prison and troubles waited for him, he knew. But what precisely, he knew not.. b. He showed a Wholesome Contempt for his Death. 23 He reckoned this life to be worth nothing to him.. c. He showed a Holy Concern for his Duty. 24 He only wanted to further his mission, which was to declare the Good News, the gospel of the grace of God.. 3. PAUL'S FAREWELL URGING TO CONSTANCY 25-35 He was a persistent promoter of Christ.. He issues two clarion calls to the leadership: a. Feed the Flock. 28, 32 The folk of your flock were saved by the death of Jesus the Good Shepherd.. They were given to your care by the Holy Spirit. Feed them on the Word, the message of His grace (Milk and Meat, 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-6:3).. b. Fold the Flock.. Defend them from 'wolves' without and from 'moles' within (29, 30).. Help the weak, physically and financially (33, 35).. This is all part of the Folding of the Flock.. _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
