Exposition of Acts: Final Challenge
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. EXHORTATION
A. BY HIS UNSPOKEN WORDS
>>1. LAST VISIT
Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
(also Acts 19:10-12)
>>2. LASTING REMINDER
Acts 20:26-27 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
(also Ezek 3, 33:7-9; II Tim 4:6-8)
B. BY HIS SPOKEN WORDS
>>1. CAREFUL ATTENTION TO SELF
Acts 20:28a Therefore, pay careful attention to yourselves
>>2. CARE FOR THE CHURCH
Acts 20:28b and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to ‘shepherd’ for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.
(also II Pet 3:1-3)
>>3. COMING ATTACK
Acts 20:29-30 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
(also II Tim 4:3-4)
>>4. BE ALERT
Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I didn’t stop night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
II. ENCOURAGEMENT
A. BY HIS EXAMPLE
>>1. LOOK TO ETERNAL INHERITANCE
Acts 20:32 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.
>>2. HARD WORK
Acts 20:33-34 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothing (you yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.)
>>3. HELP THE WEAK
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
(also Jn 21:25)
B. BY HIS LOVE
>>1. PRAYER
Acts 20:36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
>>2. SUPPORT
Acts 20:37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
>>3. COMPANIONSHIP
Acts 20:38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.