Paul’s 3 rd Preaching Journey Declaring the whole counsel of God Acts 18:23 – 21:17
The Trip Start: Antioch; End: JerusalemStart: Antioch; End: Jerusalem Distance: 2,800 – 3,000 milesDistance: 2,800 – 3,000 miles Length: Approx. 4 ½ years (AD 53-58)Length: Approx. 4 ½ years (AD 53-58) Companions included:Companions included: –Timothy, Erastus, Gaius, Aristarchus, Sopater, Secundus, Tychicus, Trophimus, Titus and Luke – Acts 19: 22, 29; 20:4-5; 2 Cor. 7:5-7 2
Acts 18:23 – 21:17 3
Lessons for Us There is room in the kingdom for workers (value of fellow-laborers) – 1 Cor. 3:5-9 (Matt. 10:42)There is room in the kingdom for workers (value of fellow-laborers) – 1 Cor. 3:5-9 (Matt. 10:42) –Timothy, Aquila, Priscilla, Acts 18:24-26 –Apollos, Acts 18:27-28 –Luke, Acts 16:40; 20:5-6 –Messengers for the churches, Acts 20:4 (1 Cor. 16:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:23) 6
Lessons for Us Opposition has always accompanied the gospel – Acts 19:8-9 (1 Cor.15:32); cf. 1 Ths. 2:1-2Opposition has always accompanied the gospel – Acts 19:8-9 (1 Cor.15:32); cf. 1 Ths. 2:1-2 –Will we hold up under it, or compromise? 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 2:2-3 Worship with disciples when you travel – 20:6-7 (Heb. 10:24-25)Worship with disciples when you travel – 20:6-7 (Heb. 10:24-25) 7
Lessons for Us Lessons concerning the Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7Lessons concerning the Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7 –Every first day of the week (cf. Exo. 20:8) – Necessary inference –Disciples “came together” – L.S. is an assembly activity, 1 Cor. 11:20 –“Breaking bread” – L.S. & eating a meal are different, 20:7, 11 (Acts 2:42, 46) 8
Lessons for Us Tips on teaching the gospel:Tips on teaching the gospel: –Ask the right questions, 19:1-2, 3 (Acts 8:30) –Go to where the lost are, 19:8-9 –Keep helpful attitudes, 20:18-20 (Humility, zeal, courage) –Keep right motives, 20:19, (Service, spiritual, giving) 9
Lessons for Us Tips on teaching the gospel:Tips on teaching the gospel: –Keep right priorities, 20:22-24 –Declare the whole counsel of God, 20:27 What is needed – 20:20What is needed – 20:20 Warnings – 20:28-31Warnings – 20:28-31 All truth, 20:21-32 (The gospel Paul taught at Ephesus included: True God, Christ, sin, grace, kingdom of God, the church, elders, faithful endurance, spiritual alertness, heaven)All truth, 20:21-32 (The gospel Paul taught at Ephesus included: True God, Christ, sin, grace, kingdom of God, the church, elders, faithful endurance, spiritual alertness, heaven) 10
Lessons for Us Trust the will of GodTrust the will of God –Return to Ephesus, 18:21; 19:1 –“I must see Rome,” 19:21 (Rom. 1:13; 15:22-29) –Trip to Jerusalem, 20:16, (21:4, 10-14) –Alms for the needy saints Paul strenuously prays & trusts God will answer – Rom. 15:30-32Paul strenuously prays & trusts God will answer – Rom. 15:
Lessons for Us It is more blessed to give than receive – Acts 20:35It is more blessed to give than receive – Acts 20:35 –Paul was delivering alms for his Jewish brethren as he says this (24:17), Prov. 11:24-26; 2 Cor. 9:6-11 –Giving reflects our faith that God will give us more opportunities & ability to give! 12
Paul’s 3 rd Preaching Journey Ends Acts 21:17-20 Brethren gladly receive PaulBrethren gladly receive Paul The alms were acceptedThe alms were accepted The Lord was praisedThe Lord was praised 13