Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. See verses 22, 23.
He is being compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem, though he knows that very difficult trials await him there.
He is visiting with people that he loves.
This will be his last visit with them.
One of the marks of Paul’s ministry was that he focused on Jesus Christ.
His letters to the churches do not contain a lot of information about his own life.
On occasion, we get to look into the life of Paul as he communicates in an auto-biographical style.
This is one of those precious passages.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
In Acts 20, we are allowed to look into the heart of Paul.
We are allowed to look into the heart of a man that invited others to imitate him, as he imitated Jesus Christ.
We are allowed to see what Paul thought was most important for these believers to hear.
These are his last words to them.
Famous Last Words of others-
Georges Chavez was a Peruvian aviator who had been born in Paris. In 1910, airshow promoters in Milan, Italy, offered a prize of about $15,000 to the first flyer to cross the Alps between Brig, Switzerland, and Domdossla, Italy. Thirteen aviators applied, but the racing committee scratched eight with inferior credentials. Three of the remaining five dropped out, leaving Chavez and one other flyer. On 23 September, Chavez attempted the flight. Strong winds buffeted the plane, and spectators along the route saw Chavez cling desperately to the controls. The plane made it across the mountains, but as crowds began to cheer the approach, its wings fell off. An observer reported that it “fell like a stone” from about 50 feet in the sky. Chavez had broken both legs and suffered massive internal injuries. He lingered in semi- consciousness for four days occasionally mumbling, “Arriba. Siempre arriba.” “Higher. Always higher.” Chavez’ desire was for further human accomplishment
Gabrielle D’Annunzo was an Italian poet, novelist, playwright, playboy, war hero, and fascist adventurer. For forty years he dominated cultural circles in Italy and often used his romantic liaisons as subject matter for his literary works. He fled to Paris in 1910 to escape indebtedness created by his extravagant lifestyle, and once World War One began he aggressively lobbied for Italy’s entry on the Allied side. During the war, he achieved fame as a naval commander and ace pilot. Following the armistice, D’Annunzo and a band of one thousand occupied the Adriatic city of Fiume where he served as dictator until 1921 when he relinquished control. His political philosophy, a combination of libertarian, radical, and rightist ideals, formed the foundation for Italian fascism. “I’m bored, I’m bored”. D’Annunzo’s last words seem to reflect that life was adventure to conquered and enjoyed
Sigmund Freud– The founder of psychoanalysis was an inveterate smoker, often consuming 20 cigars each day. He underwent over thirty operations to remove tumors and fit protheses after being diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923. After specialists finally reported that it was useless to operate again, Freud remarked that “It is tragic when a man outlives his body.” He was bedridden and in intense pain when he pressured his personal physician for relief and received several large doses of morphine. “My dear Schur, you remember our first talk. You promised to help me when I could no longer carry on. It is only torture now, and it has no longer any sense.”
He slipped into a coma and died the next day. Freud asked for doctor assisted suicide.
Pablo Picasso– “Drink to me.”
Ludwig van Beethoven– “Friends applaud, the comedy is over”
John Wilkes Booth– “Tell mother, tell mother, I died for my country. . . . useless . . . useless . . .”
Robert Bruce, King of Scotland– “Now, God be with you, my dear children. I have breakfasted with you, and I shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ.”
Each of these men lived for something, and their last words reflected the passion and purpose of their lives.
The Apostle Paul was a man led by the Spirit of God.
God was pleased to allow Paul to have an understanding that he was in the last season of his life.
Acts chapter 20 gives us so much insight into the life of this great man of God.
Acts 20 are Paul’s last words to some of his dear friends.
Acts 20:1-12
Paul’s Last Words To His Friends, Part 1
I. Paul Taught Them About Jesus
A. He Wanted To Parakeleo Them- V. 2
1. NKJV “encouraged w/many words”- KJV– Much exhortation; parakaleo
2. Encourage, exhort–
a. To call to one’s side
b. To beg, entreat, beseech
c. To console, encourage, strengthen, comfort
d. To instruct, to teach, to admonish
3. Parakaleo– When received, brings strength, comfort, encouragement.
4. Mark 5:22, 23 22And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and begged (parakaleo) Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
a. Jairus earnestly desired healing for his daughter. He begged Jesus.
b. Paul called those in Troas to himself, he invited them to himself.
c. He earnestly desired to encourage, strengthen, and comfort them.
d. It was up to them whether or not they wanted to be there, and then whether or not they would take his words to heart.
5. 2 Cor. 7:6 6Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
a. God comforts the downcast by coming alongside and speaking truth
b. God comforted Paul by bringing Titus
c. Paul was comforted by the truth of Titus’ words re. the Corinthians’ love for Paul.
d. Comfort (parakaleo) comes when someone comes alongside us and strengthens, admonishes, or comforts us with truth. That’s what Titus did
6. Matthew 2:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted (parakaleo), Because they are no more.”
a. King Herod feared the birth of Jesus, King of the Jews.
b. He ordered the murder of all young Jewish baby boys.
c. Matthew tells us that the people refused to be comforted.
d. They resolved, determined, purposed, and had no wish to be comforted
e. They chose sorrow over comfort. They chose to refuse the comfort of God.
7. God wants to comfort us, but we must be willing to be comforted.
8. We must be like Jairus who begged Jesus. A sincere desire to be comforted.
9. Many who are hurt choose to stay in the place of pain.
a. Some Christians focus on the injustice of their situation.
b. They desire “effort free” comfort.
c. Comfort from God requires that we have faith, patience, and forgiveness.
10. God desires to come alongside us to comfort us. We must choose to be comforted
B. How Paul Parakaleo’d His Friends Vs. 7-11
1. We are not specifically told in this text what Paul spoke to them about.
2. We know from Paul’s life and letters that he always taught God’s Word.
a. See 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
b. See 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
3. Paul did not share his day’s popular psychology or self-help methods.
4. Paul didn’t just give a sympathetic ear and commiserate with them.
5. Paul sought to comfort, strengthen, and warn them through the teaching of God’s word.
6. John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
7. We are best encouraged, comforted, and strengthened when it comes from God through His word.
II. The Believers Eagerly Learn About Jesus
A. The Christians At Troas
1. They were willing to hear Paul teach for many hours.
a. Certainly- Because he was their friend
b. Certainly- because he was an apostle and a great teacher
c. Certainly- because they knew they would never see him again
2. But also- they wanted to hear the Word of God.
3. They gathered together.
a. Crowded, lamp-lit room
b. Eutychus needs fresh air, sits by the window.
c. Wanting and trying hard to be a part of this gathering
d. He falls asleep, falls to his death.
e. A warning against falling asleep in church! ☺</p>
B. We Are Told To Be Hungry For The Word Of God
1. 1 Peter 2:2, 3 2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
a. Paul’s final words to his friends would help them grow in faith
b. They deeply desired to receive God’s Word from Paul. They sat for hours
2. Ephesians 4:14, 15 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ
a. God desires to see us grow out of childish thinking and childish behavior
b. It is difficult when we realize that we are adults but still act like children.
3. God longs to parakaleo you. Comfort, strengthen, console, teach, admonish.
4. God wants to come alongside you, and speak His word to you.
C. What Are You Hungry For?
1. Justice? You will be able to be comforted when you are proven innocent?
2. Comfort? But your prayer is that God will just take away the pain, not that He will parakaleo you.
3. People to commiserate with you? Are you interested in receiving God’s comfort and strength, or are you just looking for a listening ear?
4. What would your last words be to your friends? What words would you want to hear?