Lessons From Acts – Lesson 37
God using Paul in a big way for over 2 years in Ephesus set the stage for Demetrius to cause what the Bible says was an uproar.
It was only stopped by someone speaking who was on their side and who pointed out that Rome had no tolerance for what they were doing. It was only the fear of force that caused them to disperse.
I have no doubt that if Paul walked into that theatre to that angry crowd in their state of mind it would have really erupted. Paul had no military escort. We are going to see a similar situation once Paul gets to Jerusalem and Paul will be safe then only because he has strong military protection.
Paul did not have that in Ephesus. It would have been a disaster.
Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
The multitude of Paul’s friends gave wise counsel and stopped Paul from making a mistake. And if you remember it took several of Paul’s friends to get him to not make that mistake.
This is the first indication that something is going on with Paul. He had an error in judgment. This is here on purpose for us to learn from.
All men except Jesus are flawed. All men are capable of messing up. And time and again the Bible documents the flaws of the heroes of the faith to show that this is true. For example Abraham the father of the faith lied and said his wife was his sister. Isaac showed favoritism and caused the fracture of his family.
David fell into sin with Bathsheba. And the list goes on and on.
Paul was not immune to messing up. His judgment was not perfect every day 100 percent all the time. And this is the way it is with every man who ever lived in the past and it is true for every man alive today and it will be true for every man who will live in the future.
Now a man can have a great day and make no major errors. And he can add to that another great day and even string years of those together. But sooner or later he will have a bad day.
For example Paul had a bad day and overreacted when Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance. And what happened later shows that Paul was wrong. Mark did well and God used him greatly and Mark went on to write the Gospel of Mark.
Paul did great since then. Paul has strung together hundreds upon hundreds of good judgment days. That is really great. A longer streak than a lot of other men.
And then Paul almost makes a whopper. The record of this is in the exact place it is supposed to be. It is a foreshadowing of what is about to happen. It is a reminder that Paul is not perfect. And this is given to us shortly before we read Paul really mess up.
What I am about to say will surprise some. They will be shocked to hear this. Others will be really angry. There are people who are Paul worshipers. They will not use those words and they will not admit it and would deny it. But they put Paul on a pedestal that is so high that they will adamantly deny that Paul could make mistakes or get off track for a while.
They treat Paul as being perfect and will first ignore the mistakes Paul makes next and if challenged on it they will argue and work really hard to explain away the choices that Paul makes during these next chapters of Acts. Denying Paul’s mistakes that he will now make and treating Paul as perfect is in effect lifting Paul up to a place of worship.
It is also denying what the word of God says. The only perfect man who never messed up was of course Jesus. He is the only one.
I hope that you will continue to examine the next few chapters with me and be open to what is revealed in the Word of God. And know this. I do greatly respect Paul and his service to my Lord. And if you accept the truth that Paul gets off track it actually teaches something wonderful.
After this is all over, God uses Paul greatly once again. God does allow for men messing up, and God will use men again after the problem is fixed. People who deny Paul messing up really miss out on a great example of this.
Let’s continue on.
Things were now too hot in Ephesus for Paul. So he travels thru Macedonia and preaches and travels to some surrounding areas.
Act 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
Act 20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
Act 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Act 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Now comes another odd event. On the first day of the week. By the way that is Sunday. They are coming together to have the Lord’s Supper and Paul preaches.
There are many places in the N.T. that shows that they changed their day of worship from Saturday, which represents the law, to Sunday which represents the risen Saviour and grace. Verse 7 is one of those places.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Preached until midnight. So if they started at 11 am that would be a 13 hour sermon.
This is very odd. And it is ignoring a great deal. For example that is kind of taking advantage of people. Did Paul tell them ahead of time that it was going to be a 13 hour sermon?
It also ignores the fact that people can only absorb so much in one session. 13 hours is counterproductive to say the least. Even if the people knew and were ok with a 13 hour sermon, 11 hours if they started after lunch, they just can’t absorb that much info all at once.
I have been to some services where the guy preached for about 2 hours. And by the end of that no one was really listening. Some people just turned him off and were thinking on other things. Others were still trying to listen, I was one of those, but your head starts swimming.
You slowly lose the ability to focus. Your body starts to squirm in your seat, you get leg cramps. And try as you might to stay awake, if it goes long enough someone is going to fall asleep.
There are limitations to the mind and the human body and a 13 hour sermon is exceeding those limits for most.
Now it seems the people were respectful and stayed and listened to Paul. One young man falls asleep. Youth have a whole lot more energy than an old man like me. And even the energy of youth failed him.
And the dangerous thing is he was sitting in the window.
Act 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
Act 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
Act 20:10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
Act 20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
Act 20:12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
The young man falls out of the window and was taken up dead. That means he died. Paul who had the sign gifts embraces him and God restores his life.
Paul does not then say, I am sorry I went so long. That will be enough for tonight and then call the meeting. No. Paul then eats some food and then starts preaching again and preaches until the break of day. So for about another 4 ½ hours.
So a total of about 17 hours or so. Does this seem odd to you? Paul never did this in the past. This is not normal for Paul. Can you say something must be going on with Paul. I think it is obvious he is going thru something.
Now comes another odd thing. It is not just one thing you notice here. Only one thing and you could just dismiss it as an off day. But it is one thing after another thru this section of scripture.
Act 20:13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
Act 20:14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
Here we have two verses that are easy to read and just pass over and not think about. But they are important.
Paul tells the men to get into a ship and sail to Assos and there take in Paul. And that is what they did. They get in the ship without Paul and sail to Assos and wait for Paul. And Paul met them there and gets into the ship with them and they sail to Mitylene.
And the reason why is given. Paul so appointed this because he had a mind to travel by himself on foot. They were in Troas. Troas to Assos is 21 miles as the crow flies. But the Roman road from Troas to Assos is about 31 miles.
So the walk would have taken Paul at least 2 days. It takes nowhere near that long to sail. So Paul made those men wait on him.
There is no indication that Paul was mad or throwing a fit of any kind. I think it is kind of obvious that Paul wanted to be alone. This shows that something is going on with Paul.
It appears that he might be wrestling with something. And when those times come it can be a wise thing to get alone with God. Put the normal routine and duties aside. I think that is what Paul was doing here. And later in scripture Paul will tell us what it is.
Paul was alone on that road alone. He could pray and walk and talk to God and try to work thru it.
Now we have, you might have guessed it, another odd thing.
Act 20:15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
They tarried. No reason given.
Act 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Paul slowed the trip up at least a day and a half to go for a 31 mile walk. So no haste. Then they tarried. So no haste.
And now all the sudden Paul is in a hurry and orders to sail by Ephesus, because he wants to be at Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. It is ok to sail by Ephesus. But wait, you might have guessed it, something odd again.
Paul will not take time to go see the elders of the church at Ephesus, but Paul demands to see them.
Act 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
Act 20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them,
So Paul made them drop everything and travel with no notice and meet Paul on his way to Jerusalem. All because Paul is in a hurry all the sudden.
I have to say I think this is very self-centered of Paul. No consideration of how busy they might be. It is not considering them, the cost to travel, the inconvenience, or the time. They will not only lose the time and expense to travel to meet Paul but also the time and expense to go back to Ephesus.
Paul could have stopped to see them, or Paul could have sent a note with the men that went to call the elders to come meet Paul. And if Paul would have sent a note then they would not have had to travel.
So what was so important? That is a fair question to ask. Well what Paul had to tell them was all about Paul. After reading chapter after chapter of so much of what Paul did and after reading of his service to others and his heart for others this should seem odd to you. It should really stand out as not normal. Somewhat off from how Paul normally operated.
Paul was usually focused on others far more than self. Paul did without and sacrificed for others. Paul usually had an outward focus, but now the focus is inward on himself.
Paul starts by telling them of what Paul done for them. Newsflash. They already knew that. They lived that. They saw all this happen.
Act 20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
Act 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Act 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now are you ready. We know something odd is off with Paul, and has been for several months at this point. But so far no information on what it is. Now we will start to see. It is not totally clear yet, but will be soon.
Act 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Act 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Paul has been under conviction by the Holy Ghost. God has been telling Paul that bonds and afflictions are coming. This explains the walk. The Holy Spirit had been on Paul and on Paul and on him.
And now we know the reason. It has to do with bonds and afflictions.
Now that can be for 1 of 2 reasons.
It could be because God is preparing Paul for it so Paul is not surprised by it. But that does not really fit does it. God never did this before any of Paul’s other afflictions. Even when Paul was stoned and left for dead. It could still be an option. Maybe God had a reason to do it this time and not for any of the times before.
But if so, then why such strong conviction going on for months.
The 2nd reason God would be warning Paul about bonds and afflictions is because God is trying to get Paul to not go. God is trying to save Paul from suffering bonds and afflictions that Paul did not have to go thru. God is trying to spare Paul from making a mistake.
So Paul had to make a choice. Paul had to choose to believe was the Holy Spirit contending with Paul about this only to warn Paul so he is not surprised. Or is it that God is trying to stop Paul from making a mistake.
In verse 24 Paul declares that he believes it is choice 1. God is just letting him know what is going to happen. Paul does not believe that God is trying to stop him from going to Jerusalem.
Going to Jerusalem for the feast was what Paul in his flesh wanted to do. So Paul convinced himself that what God was saying had to line up with what Paul wanted. Paul would not choose to believe that God was telling him no.
Act 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Act 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Act 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Paul takes the pride route. Suffering, affliction, and bonds do not move me. I will gladly die for Jesus. That is what finish my course is talking about.
Are you noticing the self-focus here? There is a whole lot of I, I, I going on here. The word I is used 12 times and my a few times in only 7 verses. That is a total inward focus. I I I, Me Me Me.
Paul then gives them a warning to feed the flock and a warning about grievous wolves in verses 28 thru 30. Again Paul could have just sent that in a note.
And then in verse 31 it is back to I again.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Act 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Act 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
Act 20:37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
I four more times and my once. I a total of 16 times and my several times in a very short speech.
Act 20:38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Paul is off track. God has been trying for months to warn Paul so that he would not go. Paul has misread it and interpreted it in accordance with what Paul wants.
Paul is off and cannot see it. God has been telling Paul don’t go in the still small voice but Paul does not understand. Paul has become inward focused and does not notice. So God will now send people and when that does not work a prophet to flat out tell Paul.
Act 21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
Act 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
There is your proof. Disciples said to Paul not their own ideas or thoughts. They said to Paul through the Holy Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
God had been speaking to Paul thru conviction and in that still small voice. Paul would not hear it. So now God the Holy Spirit uses the lips of disciples to flat out tell Paul do not go up to Jerusalem.
That is really clear. God had been saying no the entire time. For months.
And the Holy Spirit did not use just one person. He used disciples. Plural. Many of them. Remember the proverb we started with today.
Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Paul knew that verse. He used to be a Pharisee. They had to memorize large portions of the O.T. Paul should have been going wait a min. Maybe I am wrong. Nope.
Paul keeps going forward. And when someone gets off like this, this is what I have seen normally happens. It goes downhill. It gets worse. Remember Paul listened to the multitude of counsellors to not walk into the theater.
Paul is further self-focused now. His speech was I I I me me and more me. And so Paul will not listen to the multitude of counselors now.
Act 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
Act 21:6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
Act 21:7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
Act 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
God now sends a prophet.
Act 21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
Act 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Act 21:12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Everyone there knows what the prophet was saying, and they all believed the prophet. And they all told Paul not to go.
Paul refuses to listen. And the number of people counseling Paul to not go is getting quite large. And not one person is telling Paul to go. Paul answers in pride and stubbiness.
Act 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Act 21:15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
Any man is not perfect. All men can make mistakes. All men can get off track. Their focus can get turned from outward to inward. When this happens a preacher can misinterpret what God is saying.
Even Paul did here. Men can misinterpret what God is saying and make it line up with what they want. This is what Paul did. And it often does not end well. And it will not in Paul’s case.
All Christians can get off. Men of God can get off. And when that happens just like Paul they cannot see that they are off.
I remember a preacher who started preaching pro alcohol. Can a Christian drink a beer and still go to heaven? Yes of course. But should he. No.
The Bible is very clear that wine is a mocker and whoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Alcohol harms the body and makes fools of the drinker and a lot of harm is caused by it. Car wrecks, poverty, broken homes, violence.
And in the congregation the preacher had alcoholics who were still going to AAA meetings and he is preaching a pro alcohol stance. The preacher was off but could not see it. Just like Paul refused to listen. It took me and a retired preacher who he respected to get him to cool it.
It took a hour to get him to see that he was hurting alcoholics in his congregation, and for him to see that there is a difference between have to and should and that a preacher of Jesus should always stand for and preach the should.
I know of another preacher who could not see that scripture plainly teaches that the Lord’s Supper is for church members. He wanted to offer open communion to anyone so he interpreted what God says in His word to align with what he wanted and of course he like Paul would refuse to see it and answered with pride.
I am older now and have seen a lot, I could keep going with examples, but I will not.
Paul getting off and refusing to see what God is saying is recorded for us to learn from. If it can happen to Paul, then it can happen to us. What happened to Paul is a real life N.T. example of
Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
And that truth goes for preachers also.
And another important lesson to learn from this, and this is huge.
Paul will suffer some consequences for not listening. But Paul’s mistake here and his pride and refusal to listen and Paul getting inward focused, did not make Paul a vessel of dishonor to never be used again.
We know the rest of the story. Paul does move beyond this. Paul is used greatly again by God.
And as we go thru this it is very interesting to notice that Paul was writing scripture and then more and then more. Galatians, and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, and then 1st and 2nd Corinthians and Romans. He wrote all of those before he got off track.
But Paul will not be allowed to write any more scripture while he is off track and self-focused. Paul if you will allow the saying will be in a time out. Put on a shelf for a while.
I am very thankful that our Lord is involved in His work and that sometimes God will have to deal His children who will not listen. And I am very thankful that this is done in love. And I am very thankful that afterward God can use him again. And as in Paul case use him greatly.
Paul once again will be allowed to write more scripture. Hebrews, and Titus and 1st and 2nd Timothy, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Paul getting off track did not disqualify him for service. God just had to set him aside so that Paul would get back on track.
We truly serve a Lord that has great patience and mercy and grace and forgiveness and love.