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Farewell To The Ephesians’ Elders

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Presentation on theme: "Farewell To The Ephesians’ Elders"— Presentation transcript:

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2 Farewell To The Ephesians’ Elders
Acts 20:22-38

3 I. Remember The Faith of Good People

4 A. Recalled His Faithful Work Acts 20:18-24
Never “idolize” preachers I Cor.4:6 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. - Focus on those who are teaching God’s word humbly and accurately Phil.4:9 - The Ephesian brethren hated to think they would not see Paul again Acts 20:36

5 B. Remember Faithful Brethren Acts 20:31
Let Christian trials draw you closer to God and each other Rom.16:3-4 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 Partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; - We should habitually focus on Christians who live faithful lives

6 II. Remember What We’ve Learned

7 A. Always Review God’s Word Acts 20:26-27
Growing spiritually begins with reminding ourselves of basic truth 2 Pet.1:12-15 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. - A failure to grow in Christ will cause us to forget His “cleansing” 2 Pet.1:8-9 - Constant reflection on Bible principles will aid in making good applications!

8 B. Learn From Your Past Paul never completely forgot his persecution of Christians I Cor.9:14-18 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Lk.22 - “Well, Peter would never forget that moment in his service to Christ Gal.2:11-14 - It really isn’t difficult to forget the great lessons form the past 2 Sam.12:7-8

9 III. Be Alert To Future Dangers

10 A. Two Extremes In Watchfulness
1 Complacency Acts 20:28-31 - Israel’s elders served themselves and no one was caring for the flock Ezek.34:1-10 - Too many church leaders live in a fantasy land – “everything is great here” - Every leader should actively stand on “Bible authority” Eph.5:11

11 A. Two Extremes In Watchfulness
1 Complacency 2 Overreacting - Zealously seeing things that aren’t there or overreacting to various issues Rom.10:2 - Anxious to remove a speck from one’s eye while a plank is in yours Matt.7:1-5 - Christians are told to be especially careful in dealing with God’s leaders I Tim.5:17-20

12 B. Find Balance In Purity And Doctrine
Some churches stress moral purity but stray from doctrinal purity Rev.2:12-16 - “Well, at least, we have the ‘spirit’ of Christianity” - Pergamos must expel the foreign doctrines and follow only Jesus’ word Other churches are doctrinally sound but they’ve lost their “1st love” Rev.2:1-4 - “We’re conservative. We are OK!”

13 IV. Work Toward Tender Relationships

14 A. We Must Support The Weak
Mature brethren have a great work to support the weak Acts 20:35 35 “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20

15 A. We Must Support The Weak
Mature brethren have a great work to support the weak Acts 20:35 35 “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20 - Saints are commanded to bear the scruples of the weak Rom.15:1 - We mustn’t offend a “little one” Matt.18:6

16 B. Develop Close Ties of Tenderness
They loved each other! Acts 20:36-38 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, Acts 20 - “love one another fervently with a pure heart” I Pet.1:22 - “he who loves God must love his brother also” I Jn.4:21

17 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”


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