Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on Acts chapter 20 for the San Diego Church of Christ on 10/26/15. It focuses primarily on the farewell sermon of Paul to the Ephesian elders. The outline, power point and audio are attached.

1. Acts CH 20Acts CH 20
Paul’s Farewell AddressPaul’s Farewell Address
John Oakes, PhDJohn Oakes, PhD
San DiegoSan Diego
September, 2015September, 2015
The Agora in Athens

2. Themes in ActsThemes in Acts
1. The work of the Holy Spirit in establishing1. The work of the Holy Spirit in establishing
the Church. Acts 1:2, 1:4-5, 1:7, 1:16the Church. Acts 1:2, 1:4-5, 1:7, 1:16
2. The Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3, 1:62. The Kingdom of God. Acts 1:3, 1:6
3. Growth and development of the Church. 1:83. Growth and development of the Church. 1:8
4. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy 1:204. Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy 1:20

3. I. The Holy Spirit in ActsI. The Holy Spirit in Acts
Acts 1:2 Instructions through the Holy Spirit.Acts 1:2 Instructions through the Holy Spirit.
1:4-5 Wait for the Holy Spirit.1:4-5 Wait for the Holy Spirit.
1:7 Power from the Holy Spirit.1:7 Power from the Holy Spirit.
1:16 The Holy Spirit spoke the prophecies1:16 The Holy Spirit spoke the prophecies
2:1-4 The Holy Spirit falls on the apostles.2:1-4 The Holy Spirit falls on the apostles.
2:17-18 Pouring of the Holy Spirit prophesied in Joel.2:17-18 Pouring of the Holy Spirit prophesied in Joel.
4:8 Peter spoke, as he was filled by the Holy Spirit.4:8 Peter spoke, as he was filled by the Holy Spirit.
4:25 He spoke through David.4:25 He spoke through David.
4:31 Filled with the Holy Spirit, the house was shaken.4:31 Filled with the Holy Spirit, the house was shaken.
5:32 The Holy Spirit witnesses to the resurrection.5:32 The Holy Spirit witnesses to the resurrection.
6:3-6 Those known to be full of the Holy Spirit chosen6:3-6 Those known to be full of the Holy Spirit chosen
to lead.to lead.

4. The Holy Spirit in ActsThe Holy Spirit in Acts
7:55 Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.7:55 Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.
8:29 The Holy Spirit tells Philip to share with the8:29 The Holy Spirit tells Philip to share with the
Ethiopian Eunuch.Ethiopian Eunuch.
9:31 The Church strengthened and encouraged by the9:31 The Church strengthened and encouraged by the
Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.
10:19 The Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with the three10:19 The Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with the three
Gentile visitors.Gentile visitors.
10:44-47 The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his house.10:44-47 The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and his house.
11:28 The Holy Spirit tells Agabus about a famine.11:28 The Holy Spirit tells Agabus about a famine.
13:2-4 The Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for13:2-4 The Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for
missionary work, and sends them off.missionary work, and sends them off.
13:52 The disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.13:52 The disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

5. The Holy Spirit In ActsThe Holy Spirit In Acts
15:28 The Holy Spirit influenced the decision of the15:28 The Holy Spirit influenced the decision of the
Jerusalem Council.Jerusalem Council.
16:7 The Spirit of Jesus prevents going to Bithyia.16:7 The Spirit of Jesus prevents going to Bithyia.
20:22 Paul compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to20:22 Paul compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to
Jerusalem.Jerusalem.
20:23 The Holy Spirit warns Paul of danger.20:23 The Holy Spirit warns Paul of danger.
20:28 The Holy Spirit makes and chooses elders.20:28 The Holy Spirit makes and chooses elders.
21:11 The Holy Spirit tells Agabus how Paul will die.21:11 The Holy Spirit tells Agabus how Paul will die.
Q: What does all this tell you?Q: What does all this tell you?

6. III. Growth and Development of the ChurchIII. Growth and Development of the Church
Acts 1:8Acts 1:8
““You will be myYou will be my
witnesses… towitnesses… to
the ends of thethe ends of the
earth”earth”
How did they do it?How did they do it?
How can we do it?How can we do it?
The Marketplace in Corinth

7. Growth of the ChurchGrowth of the Church
Acts 2:41 Three thousand added that day.Acts 2:41 Three thousand added that day.
Acts 4:4 The disciples grew to five thousand.Acts 4:4 The disciples grew to five thousand.
Acts 5:14 More and more men and women.Acts 5:14 More and more men and women.
Acts 5:28 You have filled Jerusalem….Acts 5:28 You have filled Jerusalem….
Acts 6:7 The number of disciples increased rapidlyActs 6:7 The number of disciples increased rapidly
and a large number of priests were obedient.and a large number of priests were obedient.
Acts 8:4 Those scattered preached the word whereverActs 8:4 Those scattered preached the word wherever
they went.they went.

8. Church Growth is “Normal”Church Growth is “Normal”
Acts 9:31 Grew throughout Judea, Galilee and SamariaActs 9:31 Grew throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria
Acts 11:24 A great number…Acts 11:24 A great number…
Acts 16:5 Grew daily in numbers…Acts 16:5 Grew daily in numbers…
Acts 17:6 Caused trouble all over the world.Acts 17:6 Caused trouble all over the world.

9. Acts 19&20: Paul’s Third
Missionary Journey: AD53-58

10. Ephesus: Paul’s Favorite ChurchEphesus: Paul’s Favorite Church
Acts 19:8-10 Paul starts a campus ministryActs 19:8-10 Paul starts a campus ministry
that affects all of Asia.that affects all of Asia.
The Lecture
Hall of
Tyrannus

11. Acts 19 Paul in EphesusActs 19 Paul in Ephesus
The theater
in Ephesus
where a
little riot
happened
The Church
will have an
impact!

12. Acts 20Acts 20
Paul Addresses the Ephesian EldersPaul Addresses the Ephesian Elders
This is Paul’s farewell addressThis is Paul’s farewell address
v. 18 You know how I lived… Q: How did Paul live?v. 18 You know how I lived… Q: How did Paul live?
v. 19 Served with great humilityv. 19 Served with great humility
v. 19 … and with tears 1 Thess 2:1-12v. 19 … and with tears 1 Thess 2:1-12
v. 20-21 Q: What did Paul preach?v. 20-21 Q: What did Paul preach?
v. 22-24 I consider my life worth nothingv. 22-24 I consider my life worth nothing
Q: What was Paul holding onto?Q: What was Paul holding onto?
Q: How did that make him feel?Q: How did that make him feel?
Q: How can you be more like Paul in this?Q: How can you be more like Paul in this?

13. Address to the Ephesian EldersAddress to the Ephesian Elders
Acts 20:25-27 How could Paul be “innocent of allActs 20:25-27 How could Paul be “innocent of all
men’s blood?men’s blood?
Q: Can you say this?Q: Can you say this?
20:28-35 Advice to shepherds.20:28-35 Advice to shepherds.
v. 28-31 Protect against false teachingv. 28-31 Protect against false teaching
v. 33-35 Help the needy and the lowly, not your ownv. 33-35 Help the needy and the lowly, not your own
financial or other good.financial or other good.
v. 36-38 A final farewell.v. 36-38 A final farewell.

14. Acts 23 God Intervenes and Saves PaulActs 23 God Intervenes and Saves Paul
23:11 God tells Paul “Take courage…. You must23:11 God tells Paul “Take courage…. You must
testify about me in Rome.”testify about me in Rome.”
23:12-15 A plot to kill Paul by the non-Christian Jews.23:12-15 A plot to kill Paul by the non-Christian Jews.
23:16-22 God intervenes and saves Paul.23:16-22 God intervenes and saves Paul.
23:23-35 God provides 470 soldiers to protect Paul!23:23-35 God provides 470 soldiers to protect Paul!

15. Acts 24 Paul Before FelixActs 24 Paul Before Felix
Matthew 10:17-20 “they will hand you over to the localMatthew 10:17-20 “they will hand you over to the local
councils and flog you in their synagogues. On mycouncils and flog you in their synagogues. On my
account you will be brought before governors andaccount you will be brought before governors and
kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. Butkings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But
when they arrest you, do not worry about what to saywhen they arrest you, do not worry about what to say
or how to say it, for it will not be you speaking, but theor how to say it, for it will not be you speaking, but the
Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Felix Procurator of Judea AD 52-59 Infamous forFelix Procurator of Judea AD 52-59 Infamous for
violence, sexual promiscuity and violence.violence, sexual promiscuity and violence.

16. Paul Preaches the Gospel to a PaganPaul Preaches the Gospel to a Pagan
RulerRuler
Acts 24:1-9 Tertullus presents the Jew’s case.Acts 24:1-9 Tertullus presents the Jew’s case.
What a suck-up sycophantic hypocrite!!!What a suck-up sycophantic hypocrite!!!
a. lies tried to desecrate the templea. lies tried to desecrate the temple
b. half-truths stirring up riots among the Jews allb. half-truths stirring up riots among the Jews all
over the world andover the world and
c. truths made to look worse than they really were.c. truths made to look worse than they really were.
The “ringleader of this sect”The “ringleader of this sect”

17. Acts 24:10-21 Paul’s defenseActs 24:10-21 Paul’s defense
Q: What would you say?Q: What would you say?
a. His is respectful and thankful. No insincere praise.a. His is respectful and thankful. No insincere praise.
b. Refutes the false charges using facts. He lets the truth speakb. Refutes the false charges using facts. He lets the truth speak
for itself. He avoids inflammatory rhetoric.for itself. He avoids inflammatory rhetoric.
c. Where the charges are half-truths, he gives a more accuratec. Where the charges are half-truths, he gives a more accurate
description. (v. 14 I follow a way, not a sect, for example)description. (v. 14 I follow a way, not a sect, for example)
d. Where the charges are in part true, he comes fully clean.d. Where the charges are in part true, he comes fully clean.
e. Show his ministry is fully in line with the O T The charge ofe. Show his ministry is fully in line with the O T The charge of
heresy is totally false (v. 14-15, Daniel 12:2-3)heresy is totally false (v. 14-15, Daniel 12:2-3)
f. Most importantly, he shares the gospel with Felix!f. Most importantly, he shares the gospel with Felix!

18. Acts 24:24-27 Paul shares the gospelActs 24:24-27 Paul shares the gospel
Felix is afraid. He is convinced Paul is legitimate.Felix is afraid. He is convinced Paul is legitimate.
But…. He decided to repent when it is convenient.But…. He decided to repent when it is convenient.
Q: Is it ever convenient to repent and put our faith inQ: Is it ever convenient to repent and put our faith in
God? 2 Cor 6:2God? 2 Cor 6:2
Indecision is a decision.Indecision is a decision.

19. Acts 25-26 Paul Speaks Before a KingActs 25-26 Paul Speaks Before a King
Acts 25:11-12 A fateful moment. Paul is going toActs 25:11-12 A fateful moment. Paul is going to
Jerusalem (in chains).Jerusalem (in chains).
Herod Agrippa: Great grandson of Herod “the Great”Herod Agrippa: Great grandson of Herod “the Great”
He is in an incestuous relationship with is full sisterHe is in an incestuous relationship with is full sister
Bernice. Yet, he has the nerve to sit in judgment ofBernice. Yet, he has the nerve to sit in judgment of
Paul, perhaps the greatest living man.Paul, perhaps the greatest living man.
Acts 26 A masterful defense of the gospel.Acts 26 A masterful defense of the gospel.

20. Paul’s DefensePaul’s Defense
v. 5-6 I am on trial because I love God.v. 5-6 I am on trial because I love God.
v. 6,8 I am on trial because I believe in the resurrection.v. 6,8 I am on trial because I believe in the resurrection.
v. 7, 22-23 I am on trial for observing faithfully the OT.v. 7, 22-23 I am on trial for observing faithfully the OT.
v. 9-18 I was not predisposed to believe in Jesus.v. 9-18 I was not predisposed to believe in Jesus.
v. 20 The real reason I am on trial is because I preachv. 20 The real reason I am on trial is because I preach
repentance. “That is why the Jews seized me.”repentance. “That is why the Jews seized me.”
v. 24 Festus: You are crazy!!!! When people have nov. 24 Festus: You are crazy!!!! When people have no
logical response they turn to insults.logical response they turn to insults.
v. 25-27 Paul: What I am saying is true, and it isv. 25-27 Paul: What I am saying is true, and it is
reasonable. If you do not believe me, just ask Agrippa.reasonable. If you do not believe me, just ask Agrippa.
He will tell you.He will tell you.
v. 29 A beautiful appeal.v. 29 A beautiful appeal. Paul is going to Rome.Paul is going to Rome.