05/26/2025 – Day 330 – Acts – Chapter 19 – 20 / 20: 17 – 38 “A Sad Farewell”: “… Through all this scene runs the dominant feeling of an affection as deep as the heart itself. That feeling should be in every church; for when love dies in any church the work of Christ cannot do other than wither.” // and more…
“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.” (Acts 20:24)
To the verse commentary – “The Evidence Study Bible – NKJV”:
“20.24. A missionary society wrote to David Livingstone and suggested that if he could ensure them of safe roads, they would send him some help. He responded with the following note: ‘If you have men who will only come if they have a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is not road at all.”
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Within the same broader , “A Sad Farewell” – Acts 20: 17-38: To the excerpt commentary from William Barclay’s commentary on the “Acts of the Apostles”, pgs 151 – 152:
“It is not possible to make a neat analysis of a farewell speech so charged with emotion as this. But certain notes sound out.
For of all Paul makes certain claims for himself. (i). He had spoken fearlessly. He had told them all God’s will and pandered neither to the fear nor the favor of men (ii). He had lived independently. His own hands had supplied his needs; and his work had been not only for his own sake but for the sake of others who were less fortunate than himself. (iii). He had faced the future gallantly. He was the captive of the Holy Spirit; and in that confidence he was able to brave everything the future might hold..
Paul also urges certain claims upon his friends. (i). He reminded them of their duty. They were overseers of the flock of God. That was not a duty they had chosen but a duty for which they had been chosen. The servants of the Good Shepherd must also be shepherds of the sheep. (ii). He reminded them of their danger. The infection of the world is never far away. Where truth is, falsehood ever attacks. There was a constant warfare ahead to keep the faith intact and the Church pure.
Through all this scene runs the dominant feeling of an affection as deep as the heart itself. That feeling should be in every church; for when love dies in any church the work of Christ cannot do other than wither.”
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Finally, same section again, but back to “Evidence Study Bible – NKJV – a verse footnote:
“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)
“20:27. How to witness. Here is a suggested structure of a gospel message:
Begin in the natural realm if you are not in a normal church setting. Perhaps you could springboard off some well-publicized tragedy, then ask if your hearers ever wonder how they are going to die. Say that we will all die because we have broken an eternal law — the Law of God, often referred to as the Ten Commandments. Then open up each Commandment, emphasizing its spiritual nature (lust is seen by God as adultery, hatred is murder – that God sees man’s thoughts, and nothing is hidden from His eyes)
Stress the fact of Judgment Day — that God is holy and will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing whether it is good or evil. Don’t be afraid to us the word “hell.” Tell them that it is God’s place of punishment for sin. Emphasize that He doesn’t want them to go there, that He has made provision for their forgiveness. Then preach Christ and Him crucified, risen from the dead. Thoroughly lace the message with God’s Word — verbally quote relevant Scriptures. Then preach the necessity of repentance (that is commanded) and the importance of faith in the obedience of God’s Word. See Acts 20:21 comment
“20:21. Repentance – its necessity for salvation. See 2 Peter 3:9″
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Thoughts? Reflections? Questions? Prayer.
Questions for fellowship generation, the lifelong sanctification process:
- What does the text reveal about God’s character?
- How has this reading generated prayer for you and/or us?
- What themes stand out to you in this bible study?
- How does our reading fit into the bigger picture (creation, the fall, restoration, etc.)?
- What verse(s) jumped out at you like never before? Is it explainable at this point?
- Do you have any questions you would like to put before the group as to how to interpret any particular verse(s) in our reading. Let scripture testify to scripture: Share with us where you sense contradiction between passages elsewhere.
- What did you find convicting and inspiring at the same time? Share with us how the Spirit of God is working within you as a messenger, both within and outside of our fellowship group.
- Share with the group how our study is calling or confirming to you a new mission to glorify God in our times
Always connected through prayer and by His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Jimmy