17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:17-21

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) A.We must strive to live a transparent life (18) You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time… B.We must strive to develop a servant’s heart (19) …serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; C.We must strive to make known ALL that is profitable for Christian living (20a) …how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) D.We must strive to be involved in biblical teaching (20b) …declaring…and teaching you publicly and from house to house… Paul imparted truth by two means: 1.Declarative – “declaring” – to announce in detail; to rehearse before others.

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. (KJV) ACTS 14:27

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to [rehearse before] you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 JOHN 1:5

We are not truly committed to the Word of God if we are not rehearsing the truths of God. THOUGHT

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) D.We must strive to be involved in biblical teaching (20b) …declaring…and teaching you publicly and from house to house… Paul imparted truth by two means: 1.Declarative – “declaring” – to announce in detail; to rehearse before others. 2.Didactic - “instructive” – the imparting of truth; the communicating of truth in an instructive, systematic way.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. LUKE 9:26

A life of regret will not be found in the statement: “I spoke too much to others concerning Christ and His salvation.” No, regret will be found in the statement: “I spoke too little to others concerning Christ and His salvation.” THOUGHT

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) E.We must strive for consistency in sharing Christ to all (kinds of) people (21a) …solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:16)

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) F.We must strive to call people to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus (21b) …testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must call people to two things: 1.Repentance - “to change one’s mind or purpose.” Repentance - a gracious power, bestowed only on the elect, by which they lay aside the life of sin and busy themselves with righteousness.

John the Baptist bellowed, “…bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). The New Testament Theme of Repentance Our Lord Jesus Christ began His own ministry with the word, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Paul describes his own message as being one that both Jews and Gentiles “should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20).

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21) F.We must strive to call people to repentance toward God and faith in Jesus (21b) …testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must call people to two things: 1.Repentance - “to change one’s mind or purpose.” 2. Faith - “the trusting in, believing with one’s head, heart and life that Jesus alone did everything necessary for salvation on the cross.”

Let not conscience make you linger; Nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness He requireth Is to feel your need of Him. COME, YE SINNERS

II.Resolve to live by the word of God (Acts 20:17-21)