 Welcome back everybody. Thank you for being on this call and we are learning about the missionary journeys of Paul. I had mentioned to us that while he was at Asia, he was able to impact the different churches of Asia which are later talked about in Revelation. So let me just quickly show you the map of those seven churches. Yes, okay. So I'm sure these names are familiar. So Ephesus is where he was. But then, you know, these are the names that we see in Revelation. Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. So his ministry was primarily in Ephesus. But the impact was in the entire region. And we know that, you know, all these powerful churches were raised up. And earlier I have explained, though it says Asia, this is more like wet turkey. I think present day turkey is. So that is the region that was covered. All right. Let's come back to what we were discussing. Yes. So before we move on to chapter 20, another observation that we have was there were names of more people. So earlier, like when you begin Acts 19, Timothy and Erastus, he sent into Macedonia, but he himself stayed for a time in Asia, Ephesus. So we saw those names. Then who are the other names? We saw names like Gaeus, Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. Notice the team has actually grown larger. Luke never mentioned it. Sort of, you know, very, how do you put it? Like very clearly or specifically to us. But our understanding is there are more people now. And that's the beauty of it. As you're traveling the church, number of people who are believing is increasing. Number of number of people who are serving is increasing. Number of people who are leading is increasing. So you got you have a few more names here. Then who else? Yeah. So here these are the prominent names. Now let's go to Acts 20. And what are some names that we will read there? So as we start off from the beginning of the passage, we see here. So the uproar had seized Paul, called the disciples to himself, embraced them and departed to go to Macedonia. Okay. So I'll quickly read that section. We'll see a few more names. When he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece. So notice that same pattern. They go back to the older places. Macedonia, which are the churches in Macedonia, which is like prominent church in Macedonia. A lot of things happen in Macedonia. Anyone? Which one? You can always turn the pages of your Bible. It's as simple as that. Maybe if you're looking online, then go back to the previous couple of verses and see. It is the prominent church of Macedonia. Do you remember the whole prison experience? Yeah. Yes. Correct. The Macedonian call. And then where did he go? Where was the major ministry? And they got imprisoned for it. Yes. Yes. The jailer and his household. But what is the name of that city? Church of Philippi, church in Berea. Correct. Very good. Thank you, Lyndon. So it is the church of Philippi where all this happened. And then they were imprisoned. And remember they had to leave and they had to rush. They went to a place called as Thessalonica after that. Thessalonica also they had a lot of problems. So then again they had to leave that from that place. And then they went on to Berea. So this is the journey, right? Second missionary journey. Great. So now coming back here. We notice that after his time in Ephesus and impacting the region of Asia, he goes, he departs to go to Macedonia. Same places, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, all those places. Now, when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece. Which place do we have today in modern Greece? Where did he minister in Greece? It's become a little bit of a geography lesson. History, geography. Athens or Athens. Okay. So that's the place where he went and shared regarding God. So he went there, he stayed there for three months, it says. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria Syria, what do we have in Syria? Antioch of Syria. So his home church is in Syria. Okay. Anyway, so when he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. So there's like a change of route. Now, notice the names. You'll find so many people who have actually joined the team of Paul. So there are some names here. So part of Beria accompanied him to Asia. Also Aristarchus and secondness of the Thessalonians. So do you see from each place there are leaders who have come up now and they are serving together. Now, when you look into the lives of these people and their backgrounds, even that is very interesting. It is said here Aristarchus and secondness of Thessalonians. So Aristarchus apparently is a name of somebody who's from like a royal background or someone who's from a very wealthy family. So that would be Aristarchus. But secondness is a name of a slave, like a slave person in those days. So can you imagine the impact that the Gospel has had? There are people on Paul's team who belong to people of different sections of society, languages, ages. So it's amazing, amazing how so many people are now serving the Lord and the way Paul actually equipped them. So what kind of equipping did Paul do? He taught the word that we are very clear because he spent a lot of time teaching the word and he also disciple people. We can understand through his own life because he took people along with him. He let people observe his life and Paul went through so many ups and downs and some times it seems like miracles are happening through his life. Deliverances are taking place through his life but on the other hand, there is so much of opposition where even Paul is scared for his own life. So we see that whatever journey Paul was going through, he was open about it. He let people see it. He let people go with him and in this way the people around him were actually built up and disciple because they were able to look at the life of Paul, look at the life of a leader and see his ups, his downs, how does he deal with it, all of that. So it's beautiful to really see how he was ministering the word, proclaiming the word, demonstrating the power of the supernatural and also discipling people through his own life. He took people along, gave opportunities. He didn't try to monopolize on the opportunities that he had. So a lot of lovely lessons to learn. So Aristaq is second is of Thessalonians, Gays of Derb and Timothy. Timothy of? Where is Timothy from? We saw that also. If you can recall. Thoros, he comes from Thoros. Yes, you could, not really. He held from another place, Lupeka. Do you remember we discussed that he took Timothy, he forcefully, yeah, someone, he forcefully circumcised Timothy so that he will be accepted by people later on in his ministry. Lystra? Lystra, there you go. Yeah, Lystra is the place that Timothy is from. Okay, so Timothy and Taikikus and Trophimus of Asia. These men going ahead waited for us at Troas. But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unliving Bread and in five days joined them at Troas where we stayed seven days. So I'm hoping you kind of remember the map, Galatia, Macedonia, and the Asia region. So the journey is going on. So there are people now who are waiting for him at Troas. So they are there in Troas. We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unliving Bread and five days joined them at Troas where we stayed seven days. So when it says we stayed seven days, who's with them? Luke, Luke, Luke. Correct, Luke because he's the one who's writing and that's why when he says we, he's included in that trip and seven days they are in a place called as Troas. So in Troas again some amazing ministry happens. Let's see what this ministry is. Would somebody like to read it? And then I'll point out a couple of key points here from verse 7 to verse 12. Acts 20. Yes, please. Acts chapter 20 verses 7 to 12. Now on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul's ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many alarms in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in the window sat a certain young man named Eutychus who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep and as Paul continued speaking he fell down from the third story and was taken and dead. But Paul then down fell on him and embracing him said do not trouble yourself for his life is in him. Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten and talked a long while even till they break he departed and they brought the young man in a lie and they were not a little comforted. Wow, so interesting. Raises a lot of questions in our minds. Questions such as, you know, why was this young man so sleepy? Eutychus, he was sinking into a sleep. Does it prove that Paul was very boring when he was, you know, in his preaching style? We don't know. We don't know. These are all questions that people ask. But some commentators they say that apparently people would work through the day and then come for the meetings in the night. So that is why he was tired. He had a lot of work that he had done and instead of resting, he had showed up at this meeting. And we also observe it says the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread. So that again shows us some key things such as, you know, when we look at the seven days of creation, the first six days got created and on the seventh day got rested. So there's this whole argument about first day, seventh day, which is the right day of the Sabbath and day to rest and all. But what we generally go by is what we see in the Book of Acts because here it says on the first day of the week. So that's why like Sunday is the day that we usually go to church, we worship. But yes, there are certain countries where they pick a different day where they worship the Lord. But then, you know, it's not necessarily about the day. So that first day of the week is a mention over here. And then it says the disciples came together to break bread. Also tells us that they probably had communion every Sunday. So it was like the church service when they all came together. Paul was going to go the next day. So seems like he wanted to say too many things. And so he went on and on. It says spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. I wonder if anybody preaches till midnight, you know, in our generation, whether people will stay or what they would just prefer an online service maybe, right? To just stay home. But in this case, they did not have any options. They went up to the so-called upper room or space and they are all gathered and Paul is going on and on and on till midnight. He's sharing the different things on his heart, preaching the word. Then what happens? This man who sat near the window, you take us, sinking into a deep sleep, overcome by sleep. When Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. So the scripture itself says that he is a dead man. Okay. This is all so challenging, isn't it? But thank God for the power of the spirit that God's people ministered with. Do you remember anyone else who was resurrected in the book of Acts? Dorcas. Dorcas, correct, correct. So who ministered to Dorcas? I think it's Peter. Peter, very right. So sort of similar miracles that you see. You know, Peter is going, doing all these things, Paul is doing all these things. So resurrection this time around, this person dies. And I mean, I can't even imagine what went through Paul. Like people would blame him. Your servant is too long, Paul, you shouldn't have preached. Look now, somebody fell down and they even died because of your sermon. Okay. But he just goes down. Thank God that, you know, he understood that he can minister to him. So he fell on him and embracing him said, do not trouble yourselves for his life is in him. So this man is now resurrected. And look at the, look at the focus of Paul verse 11. Now, when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten and talked a long while, even until daybreak, he departed. So after raising the dead man, Paul is continuing with the sermon, right? Till morning, many hours again, he preaches only then he leaves Troas. And, you know, thank God, you know, this young man is alive and the people are also happy. So, yeah, somewhat strange what happened in Troas, but great to see the power of God. Now from Troas, they move on to a place known as Miletus. So it's basically about just moving. So not so much of, you know, some key takeaway in the next couple of verses. Maybe someone can read it, someone different please. So I think Lubega has read and Jeffina has read. So someone else could kindly go ahead and read from verse 13 to verse 16. Acts chapter 20 verse 13 to 16. Yes. Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to us. Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to us. Okay. Something like this. There's some doubling up. So, Zellie, I would request you to continue please. And then whoever wants to read can read the next time. So you can continue now. Acts 20 verse 13 to 16. Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to us. So they're intending to take Paul on board for so he had given orders intended himself to go on food. And when he met us at Osos, we took him on board and came to meet me. We sailed from there and the next day came opposite to yours. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed in Trogolium. The next day we came to Miletus for Paul had decided to sell past officials so that he would not have to spend time in Asia for he was having to be in Jerusalem if possible on the day of Pentecost. All right. Yes. Thank you, Zellie. Thank you so much for reading those verses. And as we can observe, there are a good number of names of places. So I think it'll be better for me to just show you a map. That way you can register the places in your mind. All right. I hope this is noticeable. Yes. So we said, you know, he starts off from Antioch, the upper regions of Galatia spends a lot of time in Ephesus and then, you know, he wants to go to Macedonia. So he goes to Macedonia. He spent some time over there. We just discussed Philippi, Thessalonica, Beria, you know, all those cities and again region is also kind of shown here. He comes back to Troas. So let's observe his journey back. He's coming back over here. You can see him at Troas. So this is where the miracle of raising Eutychus happened. And just now Zellie read, she read Assos, then, Medellin, Chios, Samos, Miletus. Right. So this is where he is finally at. Now, something, something that we will notice is that, you know, he can always go to Ephesus, right? It's so close by. Ephesus is just about here. But because of the opposition that arose, it is not safe for Paul to go to Ephesus. So there's something that he will plan to do right now in order to minister to the people, the elders. So by now, what has happened is there are, you know, two years he taught there and then, you know, he went on for this visit to Macedonia and also it's been a while. And therefore we can imagine that the church has become strong and there are many leaders in the church. One of his, one of his desires is to encourage the people or the leaders of Ephesus. Just the way he went and encouraged in other regions, he wants to encourage in Ephesus. But it's kind of dangerous to go back into Ephesus because you remember Demetrius and all the uproar that took place. So what is he going to do now? We will see that he will, from Miletus, he'll call for the leaders of Ephesus to come to him because he obviously cannot go there. Now let's go ahead. Let's look at, okay, where is that? Yeah, this one. So from Miletus, once he talks to the leaders of Ephesus, he'll journey back. So you can see the arrows coming through, you know, Rhodes, Patara, and then he'll go to Tyre, I don't know how you pronounce it. Then Ptolemaeus, Caesarea, and finally to Jerusalem. So this time around, the third missionary journey, as you would see, starts at Antioch and it ends at Jerusalem. So let's continue and see what exactly he ministers to the leaders in Miletus. So we are now in Miletus. So it says, from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them, you know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you. Serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews, how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And then we'll go on to say many different things, but let me just share from this passage first and then I'll go to the next. So what he's saying is two things. One is, he says, leaders of Ephesus, you know how I lived. You know how I served through good times and bad times and I drew people to the Lord. That's the first thing. Second thing, he says, God is speaking to me or the Holy Spirit is telling me that chains await me in every city. That means that there are tribulations or persecutions which are waiting for Paul. And you know, when we journey with God, we can understand his plans for our lives. So Paul was journeying so closely with the Lord that in the next couple of years, the things that were going to take place in his life, he was kind of aware by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. And so he's actually telling the elders what is going to happen to him. And he's saying that, you know, if I go to Jerusalem, then I don't know what all dangerous things are going to happen to me. But he is willing to be obedient to God. That's why in verse 24 he says, none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself so that I may finish my race with joy. And the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. So this is so similar to the apostles whom we saw in the first few chapters of the Book of Acts, full of boldness. They were not even afraid for their own lives. They were ready to preach the gospel, come what may. You remember the angel comes, it rescues Peter and John and says, go back to the temple and start preaching again. Boldly they go back. They're not afraid about what might happen to them. So something for us to notice is these people were so brave. They were so passionate. They were so committed. Life or death, they were willing to serve the Lord. And that's what Paul is saying. I know what's going to happen. Whatever's going to happen is not good, but I'm not afraid. I'm here to do what God has called me to do. Now let's move on. So he's still preaching to the leaders. So you know, you can imagine the scene and remember I mentioned to us there is a movie Acts of the Apostles. So I would recommend that you see it because they've tried their best to make it look as it may not be exactly how it was back in the days of Paul, but they've done their best. So you'll notice there that, you know, there's a gathering of the leaders and Paul is actually talking to them. He's in tears because it's full of love. He knows he won't come back. He knows he is not going to see them again in his spirit. So what are the emotions involved in talking to the leaders? That's the picture we get over here. So everything which is on his heart, he's ready to pour it out to them because it truly loves them. He has served them so hard and he's not going to see them again. So what are the other things that he mentions from verse 25? He says, And indeed now I know that you all among whom have gone preaching the gospel of God will see my face no more. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. Therefore, I have not shunned to declare to you the whole council of God. Okay. So what is he saying? He's saying, I may not see you. One thing I'm sure of, I did my job as an evangelist and as a teacher. So he's saying, I am innocent of the blood of all men. Simply means that their eternal future is at stake, which is why we have to preach the gospel. He has done it. He has already done it. He never let go of any opportunity. So he's saying, I did my job as an evangelist and he's also saying, I am not shunned to declare to you the whole council of God. So this is also a beautiful passage, a beautiful phrase, whole council of God, meaning I've taught you well. I've taught you thoroughly. What is the whole council of God? Any idea? Any thoughts on that? Whole council. Okay. Entire gospel of Jesus Christ. All right. Is it possible to teach or preach the partial council of the word of God? Okay. Very true. That's what we've done. So any examples of let's say the partial council as compared to the whole council? See, Paul is so brave and so confident. I taught you everything. That's what he's saying. So what is this whole council? I do think that this is when people are trying to preach, but they cut out some issues. For instance, there are people, especially some churches, I don't want to mention some, but there are some churches which mix their traditionals or their own culture into the region. For instance, you see like we have two sacraments that are preached in the Bible, the one of baptism and the one of Holy Communion. But you will find some people have also the prayer of the Sikh, they have confirmation, they have so many, anything you add to the gospel becomes something different. It's no longer the gospel alone. That's what I can say for now. Sure. So yeah, thank you. So what you're saying is that sometimes there are people who are preaching untruth or let's say even incomplete truth, which will lead to error in the lives of people. So as far as Paul is concerned, he has made sure that he has given the full picture of what the word says. So that tells us to be responsible teachers of the word. I think Colossians 2 15, if I'm not wrong or I don't know what that scripture passage is. Let me give you the right reference. Okay. Yeah. Timothy 2 15 where it says study to show yourself approved unto God. A workman that need needed be need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. What is rightly dividing the word of truth? So when we teach, we are responsible to ensure that it's interpreted correctly. And the truth is taught correctly. So then we may need to assess every subject in a proper manner and then present it to the people because what happens when people hear the teaching of God's word. They apply it because the word of God is for us to live out. So as a teacher, if we are not rightly dividing or rightly interpreting the word, then it may lead to wrong application. And if it leads to wrong application, it affects people's lives. So these are all the issues. And when Paul says the whole council of the word of God as you know, Lubeca pointed out and even Jeff in our sharing that Paul says, right. And I think it is in the Philippines. Philippians one verse 15 where he says some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife and some also from goodwill. So there are people who can preach with the wrong motives, only half the truth. Okay. But these are all the partial way of speaking the word of God. We must go away from it. Now, if we are not careful, we may also we may do that intentionally or unintentionally. For example, you know, I always wondered about the teaching of grace. We talk about how God's grace has saved us and you know, God's grace is upon our lives. Yes, all that is correct. But just because we are speaking about God's grace, it doesn't mean that a believer should not live responsibly or righteously. Because in some teachings, it seems like that like you do anything you want. God's grace covers you. You know, God will God forgives you. You don't have to be ashamed. It becomes very one sided. But if we go back to the verse that comes to my mind, I'll just tell us. Yeah. Okay. John chapter one and verse 14 where scriptures tell us the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen his glory glory as of the only son from the father full of grace and truth. Okay. So grace goes hand in hand with what? With truth. So we can't just say that, you know, God forgives, God forgives, God forgives. Whereas the truth about righteous living, the truth about, you know, walking wisely with God. Those things cannot be hidden from the people. If we do that, it becomes one sided. So when we look at this term whole council of God, there's so much we can talk about it. Because what Paul was saying was very, very important. He's saying the way I have preached to you, you understood in wholeness how to worship correctly, how to live correctly. I didn't have the wrong motives. Neither did I give you the wrong interpretation of the word of God. So when you apply it, you will reap the good results of the, you know, what the word brings to you. So look at his confidence, how he's talking. This is the kind of ministry that he did among the people. And then look at his pastoral heart now. So far he said, as an evangelist, I have preached, I have as a teacher, I have taught. Now he's saying verse 28, therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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. Now it's a very pastoral kind of an instruction there because he's saying the flock of God, the flock of God is who? The people of God. So he is using terminology like shepherd and flock because a shepherd takes care of his sheep. So we have to take care of God's people. He's telling the leaders, look leaders, God is the one he has given these people to us. And who made us pastors or who made us overseers? The Holy Spirit, not we ourselves, but it was the work of the Holy Spirit that you are a leader, you are a pastor over them. And he says, always remember when dealing with God's people that they're not, you know, sometimes we say, oh my people or my church. But actually, technically, if you look at it, they've only been interested to us because these are God's people whom he has purchased with his own blood. And it is the Holy Spirit who has made us overseers upon God's people. So it reveals the kind of responsibility that we carry upon our shoulders. So these are all things that he is trying to make the leaders understand that the responsibility that you carry has come from God. And these are God's people. So what does he say? He says shepherd the church. Shepherd the church. We can talk so much about it, right? What is shepherding? You shepherd, meaning you have to guide them, lead them, nurture them, protect them. So much work is involved in shepherding God's people so that we can lead them in the purposes of God. So these are the instructions, departing instructions that Paul speaks to the leaders verse 29. He says, for I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. So he's also aware of times where false teachers, false prophets will rise from among the people. Now if you go and study the writings of Apostle Peter, Apostle John, all of them warn about times when false doctrines will arise. It's nothing new. Even in Paul's time, he's saying, be ready. There will be people who don't have the right motivation, who don't have the right teaching, but they'll still be kind of serving God. But you've got to be very alert. After I go, you'll suddenly find such people in your midst. And verse 30, also from among yourselves, men will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves. Verse 31, therefore watch and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So the way he has prepared God's people in the word, in the spirit is that even when these tough days come with so much confusion, they will be able to stand. They will be able to, you know, fulfill what God wants them to do. I think I'm just going to stop here. We will look at Paul's speech or his instructions to the leaders some more in the next class. If there's anything that you want to discuss about, we can do that before we close in prayer. So Apostle Paul comes across as such a passionate person, isn't it? So passionate and so committed. What a transformation from a person who's a persecutor to one who's proclaiming about the same Jesus. And we thank God for these testimonies. May we also learn from the lives of Paul and many others and live passionately for God. So let's just close with a word of prayer. I open it up for anyone to go ahead and lead, please. Yes, Lord Jesus, we want to thank you for this time. Thank you for teaching us from your word. Lord, we pray that help us also to be passionate, to be on fire for you, God, and always preach the whole gospel, God, and to bring people to your word, to your truth of God and help us to not dilute at any point of time of God, but help us to be very diligent in what you have given to us of God. We pray, Lord God, that we would be accountable to you and we would do with every work that we do of God. Let it bring glory to your name, Lord Jesus. We thank you for this time of learning. We give you praise in Jesus' name, we pray. Amen, amen. Thank you. Thank you everyone and have a blessed weekend. And those of us who are serving in churches, may the Lord strengthen you, that you may see His power and His glory. So, bye for now and take care.