Odyssey: "A long and adventurous journey or experience."
In 2023 & 2024 we spent the summer months on the life of the Apostle Paul and covered his first two missionary journeys as presented in the book of Acts. This summer we're looking at his 3rd missionary journey.

Last week we saw the Apostle Paul leave the great mega-city of Ephesus and head back to Macedonia.
While on this journey so far, the Apostle has been...
- winning people to Christ
- planting new churches
- encouraging Christians in previously started churches
- seeing God manifest His power with numerous miracles
- training scores of co-workers
- writing 6 of the books in the New Testament

Paul was not wandering and sightseeing - he had an end game in mind.
After 3 months in Greece, Paul headed back northward revisiting cities, Christians, and churches where he had spent so much time and energy.
Paul had been gone nearly 4 1/2 years up to this point and was eager to get back to Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. He was bringing a large offering for the suffering Jerusalem church from the Gentile churches.

In last week's text (Acts 20:1-16) we read about Paul beginning this journey to Jerusalem. As a way of transitioning to this week's passage, let's look at what Luke wrote in Acts 20:13-16.
Did you catch that Paul bypassed Ephesus?

Today's text, Acts 20:17-38, is one of the most personal and emotional portions of Scripture that we have from Luke's journaling of Paul's Odyssey.
Here he calls the leaders of the Ephesian church together for what some have called Paul's locker room pep talk...grand goodbye...final farewell.
Our text, broken into three manageable portions, captures the joy and sorrow of Paul's impending departure from the Ephesian church.
As we think of how Paul sacrificed, served, suffered, and shared his life with these people we can relate. Many of us have been there with family, friends, classmates, neighbors, co-workers, and our church family.
It's hard to say goodbye!

1. The COMMITMENT Paul exhibited.
Acts 20:17-27

Actions speak louder than words. Paul lived his life as a model, just as Jesus did. Paul's words in verses 26 and 27 are as if he's saying, "I've done the best I know how...now it's on you."

2. The COUNSEL Paul expressed.
Acts 20:28-35

In this passage, Paul has 3 main points that he emphasizes.
First (v. 28) The Gravity or importance of caring for and shepherding our own lives and those entrusted to our care.
Second (v. 29-31) The Necessity of guarding these people from the destructive influence of the enemy.
Third (v. 32-35) The Intentionality of building others up in the faith.

Ministering for the Lord is not for the weak. There are temporal burdens associated with ministering for Christ, but also some incredible eternal blessings.

3. The COMRADERY Paul experienced.
Acts 20:36-38

Comradery: "a feeling of friendliness, goodwill, trust, and familiarity among the people in the group."
The passage reminds us of several powerful truths:
1. In order to have great relationships, a person must be open and wholly committed to others.
2. Having a vibrant connection to the Lord is the way to make relationships work.
3. All relationships will come to some end, so express your love and appreciation while you can.

Our study of this portion of Paul's 3rd missionary journey should cause us to take a good look at our lives.
Remember, our faith can be seen by ourselves, those around us, and by the Lord!
Are we really committed to Christ, to His Church, and to the Commission to make disciples?
The choice is ours and we will be answerable to God Himself.