Paul’s Ministry of Encouragement Paul’s Ministry of Encouragement Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [38] Acts 20:1-16 December 9, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

PAUL’S DETERMINATION FOR HEADING TO JERUSALEM The key reason: practical help—to bring the Gentile churches’ financial contribution to the poor in the Jerusalem church. The key motivation: pastoral leadership—to urge the unity of the church—between the Jerusalem church and the Gentile church he planted. The ultimate goal: apostolic vision—to go to Rome so he could eventually go to Spain with the help of the church in Rome. The unusual ambition: pioneering spirit—to preach the gospel where the name of Christ has not been mentioned.

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 1) Paul encouraged other believers by intentional and timely words of encouragement and exhortation for them. 1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. (v.1) For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 1) Paul encouraged other believers by intentional and timely words of encouragement and exhortation for them. 1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. (v.1)  The word, to encourage [Gk. parakaleo] means “to call to one’s side”—to comfort, exhort, encourage closely.  Apostle Paul was intentional and timely in encourage, exhort, comfort other believers with words.  The last part of Paul’s third missionary journey is all about this ministry of encouragement to strengthen the churches.  Following Paul’s example, we are to be intentional and timely in encouraging other believers around us (and also far from us).

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 2) Paul encouraged other believers by [re]visiting and sharing his life with them. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (vs. 2-3) 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 2) Paul encouraged other believers by [re]visiting and sharing his life with them. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (vs. 2-3)  Paul’s traveling route was to visit all of the churches he planted and helped during his second missionary journey.  Paul visited each city/church to share his life to strengthen them—Philippi, Thessalonica, Brea.  At Greece/Achaia [i.e., Corinth] he stayed for the winter; Paul wrote his letter to Romans during this three months.  Following Paul’s example, we are to visit and revisit those whom we can encourage and share our lives with them in love.

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 3) Paul encouraged other believers by traveling with them as a team with a mission. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. (vs. 4-5)  Paul traveled with companions for (1) teamwork and (2) training of the companions.  In this case, there were more benefits: (1) empowerment, (2) integrity for the giving, & (3) sharing testimonies/fruits.  Following Paul’s example, we are to take others when we go to encourage others, do teamwork, and share our testimonies.

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 4) Paul encouraged other believers by teaching/sharing the Word of God with pure love and sacrificial enthusiasm. 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. (vs. 7-12)

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 4) Paul encouraged other believers by teaching/sharing the Word of God with pure love and sacrificial enthusiasm. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. (vs )

* Source: ESV Study Bible Online ( PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY * Source: ESV Study Bible Online (

WHAT DID PAUL’S MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT ENTAIL? 4) Paul encouraged other believers by teaching/sharing the Word of God with pure love and sacrificial enthusiasm. 13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. (vs )  Teaching and sharing God’s Word is the most significant way to encourage other believers.  Paul was available, passionate, lovingly sacrificial in teaching.  In following Paul’s example, we are also to build into others by teaching and sharing God’s Word in pure love and passion.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Who can I intentionally encourage in the coming week (or in this Advent season)? 2.How can I encourage them (e.g., by timely words, visiting/sharing life, inviting to teamwork, or sharing God’s Word)? 3.Where would I start? What would be my first step toward following Apostle Paul’s example of encouraging other believers?