Acts 20

Devotional by Brent Johnson

Read Acts 20

Acts 20

Paul in Macedonia and Greece

20 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

Eutychus Raised from the Dead

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

In Acts 20, we gain several personal insights into the life of the Apostle Paul and his ministry, but there are two specific things that jump out in this text. First, we see Paul’s tender care for the churches he visited as he concludes this third missionary journey. We see his sadness as he bids friends farewell in tears, we see compassion as he heals the dead, and we see his joy as he gathers relief money for the believers in Jerusalem. Second, we sense Paul’s passion for his Lord as he preaches the “full counsel of God” to both Jews and Greeks; sternly warning all to be aware of false teachers who aim to lead them astray.

Paul’s life models the two great commandments summed up by Jesus: (1) Love the Lord your God and (2) Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). Paul engages poignantly with God and man despite hardships and predicted persecution. As Christians, we are asked to do the same regardless of the cost. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 that any follower should “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” We are not our own but have been bought with a price, and therefore, we are to seek God and serve Him wholly!

Are there some areas in your life that you hold back from God? Can you think of any resources you keep for yourself instead of sharing them with others to the glory of God?

19 thoughts on “Day Twenty | The Book of Acts”

  1. Lord, today my all is on Your altar. Use me to win souls to Your kingdom. I stand amazed that You would use a broken vessel like me. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace and mercy in my life. Bring those divine appointments our way at the CMC this morning!

  2. Absolutely true sir. I agree to what you said. It takes someone who has been filled with the love of GOD that will keep running and flying like Paul despite all the challenges, the spiritual labor and physical labor of traveling from one city to another. It can only HIS Grace and the love of GOD.

    Romans 5:5 says and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

    Father we pray for grace to love YOU and everyone around us in Jesus Name…🙏

  3. These questions are thought-provoking and caused me pause. This seaside mtg w the elders has always impacted me because it’s clear that Paul, which a missionary/church planter, was a fantastic pastor as well. He knew his people, he had discipled them fully, he clearly warned them, trying to protect them and, finally, his love for them was authentic.

  4. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

    GOD we pray for the spirit of giving and doing it cheerfully; our finances, our time, our knowledge, etc. for the growth of Your kingdom, In Jesus Christ name. Amen

  5. The one thing that stands out the most to me is how Paul shared the entire gospel without wavering. I find at times when I have the chance to share that I’m tempted to only share the “pretty” parts of the Gospel. I know that the entirety of the Gospel is what changes a heart and I can’t forsake that just because it could potentially offend someone. That’s a resource I can give wholly and not hold back!

  6. Father,

    How great and powerful you are, full of grace and mercy and compassion.

    Hear your humble servant’s cry. Answer my plea this day. Though I walk through a valley, you are with me and never will forsake me.

    Father, I ask you to take my portion and pour your blessing on others. For there is so much pain and sorrow around.

    So, Father, walk with the faint hearted, lift up those who have fallen, draw home the wanderer, save a lost soul.

    Speak gently with the seeker and fill their soul with your Holy Spirit.

    Move across our land. We, your servants, need a new touch. May we fall on our knees in repentance. May we hide your word in our hearts so we will not sin against you.

    Thank you, Father, for hearing your humble servant.

    Now, let’s be going together building the kingdom.

    Lifting this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ,

    Amen

  8. May I not shrink back from doing what is profitable, proclaiming repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, constrained by the Spirit even though I know not what will happen to me.

  10. Every daily devotional email that I get always says the following:
    ” Chuck,
    Thanks for joining us in our daily devotionals!
    Remember, we want to hear from you! Leave a comment or thought at the end of the reading.”

    On day one of this daily devotional, there were 93 thoughts commenting on Acts 1. Since that day, I think that, on most days, the number of thoughts were usually in the 20s. Today, I had to remind myself just how great the daily devotionals are and that not only our church wants to hear from us but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does too! Who is this Jesus Christ who likes to hear from us? Just how approachable is He? Well, He is the one who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30
    After, today, I believe there are 8 days of this daily devotional remaining. I am going to try and leave a thought for those next 8 days. My soul could use some rest. Plus He is gentle and humble in heart. And best of all, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Seems like the kind of Person I’m anxious to talk to. Maybe you are also.

  11. Lord give me the BOLDNESS of Paul to share Your Word with every opportunity You set before me🙏🏾

  12. I’m amazed at how Paul relentlessly followed through with all his missionary trips and was always listening to the Holy Spirit. Never giving up and always so willing to share God’s Word with others. Praying the same for all his Christian followers! Lord, Give us the tenacity and relentless spirit of Paul to share your gospel and Word with others, and that we may always remember to be a blessing to others ! We pray in Jesus’ Name! Amen!

  13. The resources I use are mostly going to be with Champion Forest Baptist Church because I feel like the word of God is preached better. I also believe in the fact that churches are like a family and that I believe in the meaning of a church family.

  14. Would I, do I, have the boldness of faith, like Paul, to say that troubles are in my future but I will still proclaim the Word of the Lord?
    Amazing faith. And yet more amazing is the Grace from the Lord.

  15. Tonight I’m praying God will push me to be more Kingdom-centered with everything I have. “..if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”

    Thanks for the devotional, Brent!

  16. Lord, help me have an abundant mindset, not a mindset of scarcity, because your provision is sufficient for me to generously give of my time, talent and treasure.

  17. So many inspiring points in this chapter.
    I know that I would have wept with those who knew thst they were seeing Paul for the last time.

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