The elders from Ephesus walked 30 miles to see the Apostle Paul,

1. Stone
Creek
www.rossvillechurch.com
September 12, 2012 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741
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2. Fifth Sunday, September 30
After church.
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3. Paul and company are at
Troas, where Paul preached
all night on Sunday night.
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4. Acts 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.
12 And they brought the
young man alive, and were
not a little comforted.
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5. 13 And we (Luke and the rest)
went before to ship, and
sailed unto Assos, there
intending to take in Paul: for
so had he appointed, mind-
ing himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us
at Assos, we took him in,
and came to Mitylene.
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6. Why would he walk when he could ride?
He had just preached all night; I would have
gotten on the ship and gone to sleep.
Perhaps he wanted time alone with the Lord.
Possibly because he wanted to spend as much time
as possible with the Christians in Alexandria
Troas, Paul arranged to go on foot across the
peninsula from Alexandria Troas to Assos, about
20 miles, while his companions went by ship, a
journey of around 40 miles. Thus Paul was not far
behind.
http://www.welcometohosanna.com/PAULS_MISSIONARY_JOURNEYS/3mission_4.html 6

7. 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.
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8. 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. 17 And from Miletus
he sent to Ephesus, and called
the elders of the church.
Miletus was some 30 miles by land south of Ephesus,
so he sent for the Ephesian church’s elders to come
there. …
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
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9. Paul sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus to
come to him in Miletus,
because he knew so many people in Ephesus after
being there for 2-3 years,
it would have taken too long to get back on his
journey.
The elders walked the 30 miles south from
Ephesus to Miletus.
We all know people who would say that 30
miles was too far to drive,
much less walk.
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10. Laziness is a terrible hindrance to
the cause of Christ.
Be always ready to spend yourself for the cause.
2 Corinthians 12 15 And I will very gladly spend
and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I
love you, the less I be loved.
Galatians 6 9And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith. 10

11. 18-19 And when they (elders of Ephesus) 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, serving the Lord with
all humility of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations (trials; adversities), which befell me
by the lying in wait of the Jews:
So, not only did Paul have the riot cause by
Demetrius, but also plots by the Jews.
He faced adversity on every hand, from all
unbelievers -- Gentiles and Jews.
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12. 20-21 And how I kept back nothing that was
profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have
taught you publicly, and from house to house,
testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Numerous small groups, but really one church.
Not competing with one another, but cooperating
for the same cause.
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13. 22-23 And now, behold, I go bound in (compelled by)
the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me.
Everywhere he stopped, men speaking under the
anointing of the Holy Ghost told him
that he was headed into more trouble --
Bonds and afflictions.
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14. 24 But none of these things (prison, hardships, dangers)
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.
Nothing -- no hardship, imprisonment, even threat
of death could stop Paul from finishing God's
Purpose for his life on earth.
He would finish his course with joy!
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15. May we all grow in the Lord Jesus Christ, until we
are as determined as Paul was to finish our course.
2 Peter 1 5 And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly
kindness charity.
Spiritual growth is a process.
Next time
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