Goodbye of Regrets or Joy

Notes: Valor - Goodbye of Regrets or Joy

Acts 20

Study 19

March 24, 2015

Pastor Mike Jonker

We all remember classic good byes from the movies, like Casa Blanca or E.T.

Paul did a lot of travel in this chapter but the farewell was a big part of it.

Acts 20:24-25 NKJV

[24] 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. [25] "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

Paul is continuing to do what the Lord has called him to do.

Acts 20:1-6 NKJV

[1] After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. [2] Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece [3] and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. [4] And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia-also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. [5] These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. [6] But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Paul was sensing that his door was closing in Ephesus. So he was moving on.

All of these men traveled with him and he had lots of friends. People were drawn to him. Paul was a callous guy but he was caring.

Paul was a hard working man, he was a tent maker.

Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

[24] A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Do you have friends? Are you a good friend?

Iron sharpens iron, sometimes we work so hard to impress each other that we forget to get to know each other.

Paul wasn't really impressed by men, he was impressed with God. He could talk to anybody, the kings or the workers.

Acts 20:7-9 NKJV

[7] Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. [8] There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. [9] And in a 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 up dead.

Could you imagine if you were there when this happened?

Acts 20:10-12 NKJV

[10] But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." [11] Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. [12] And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

They were very excited! God stepped in and raised the dead.

We need to remember, God has the power to raise the dead.

Believers are alive with Him in Heaven. That is amazing! Our God has conquered death.

Romans 10:9 NKJV

[9] that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 15:13-19 NKJV

[13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. [14] And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. [15] Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if in fact the dead do not rise. [16] For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. [17] And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! [18] Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The resurrection should change the way we live our lives.

Acts 20:13-16 NKJV

[13] Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. [14] And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. [15] We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. [16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

They had a plan but things changed as they went.

Proverbs 4:10-12 NKJV

[10] Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. [11] I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

Establish plans, but be ready for whatever happens.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Acts 20:17-23 NKJV

[17] From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. [18] 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, [19] serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; [20] how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, [21] testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

Paul didn't live in an ivory tower, he lived with the people and preached to them.

Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV

[5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

C.S. Lewis said "Humility after the first shock is a cheerful experience."

God is looking for humble servants.

Acts 20:24 NKJV

[24] 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.

We are all in a race, we need to run until we are finished. Paul said he was going to finish his race with joy.

What legacy are we leaving? Not just when we die, but even when we say goodbye to someone?

What is your goodbye going to be like, one of regrets or joy?