Acts 20:22–38 - Living Life to the Fullest
Paul demonstrates what living a Spirit filled life looks like.
SINCE WE LAST LEFT OFF... Paul traveled through Athens and Corinth, preaching Christ and establishing churches. After returning briefly to Antioch, he began his third missionary journey, strengthening the churches before settling in Ephesus, where he taught for more than two years and the gospel spread throughout the region.
He's now leaving to deliver a financial collection other churches have raised for the famine stricken Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-31), but many are worried that he'll face terrible persecution there. We pick back up as Paul announces his intention to the elders of his beloved Ephesian church...
Acts 20:22–38 (NASB95)
22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.
Heidelberg Catechism
Q&A 53
Q. What do you believe concerning “the Holy Spirit”?
A. First, he, as well as the Father and the Son,
is eternal God.
Second, he has been given to me personally,
so that, by true faith,
he makes me share in Christ and all his blessings,
comforts me,
and remains with me forever.
Summary
One of Luke's favorite phrases throughout the book of Acts in describing the early church's leaders is that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul provides good insight to what this phrase means in his moving farewell speech to these elders in Ephesus.
Paul describes himself as being bound by the Spirit. So many people had given him good advice to not go to Jerusalem. People filled with the Spirit have their wills so completely aligned with the Spirit that they're bound (NIV: compelled) to follow Him;
Like Paul, people filled with the Spirit are loyal to Christ. Paul sought to finish his course and ministry he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God;
The Spirit testified to Paul in every city about the persecutions that awaited him in it. So people filled with the Spirit listen for Him, so that they hear His reassuring voice as they approach challenges;
Filled people commend themselves and others to the word of God's grace, which is able to build up;
Filled people work hard to help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that 'It is more blessed to give than receive.'
People remained filled by spending much time in prayer, as Paul demonstrates by kneeling down and praying with them all.
Dig Deeper
Don't miss the huge warning Paul gives in today's passage:
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock... 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert...
Paul's warning remains just as relevant today as it did then. All Christians - but especially the men who've been called and appointed to serve to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood, must take these words to heart.
So do all you can to empty yourselves of this world's filth so that you can instead be completely filled with the Spirit.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who calls, equips and uses those whom He fills with His Spirit;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your life will, like Paul's, show signs of being filled with the Spirit;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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