_And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for Macedonia._ READING BETWEEN THE LINES There does not seem to be much in this section of the apostolic history. We must not, however, judge by appearances. Paul is still here, and wherever you... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the Jews laid wait for him as he was about to sail._ PAUL’S PRUDENCE Why was it safer for Paul to travel by land through Macedonia than to go down to the seaport, Cenchrea, to take ship there? The reason is, that the Jews, with their keen trading instincts, had settled chiefly in the gre... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there accompanied him into Asia Paul’s companions._ PAUL ACCOMPANIED BY FRIENDS I. They were not deterred by persecutions. II. They accompanied Paul because of-- 1. Their love to Christ. 2. Their love to him. 3. Their desire to see Christianity spread through the world. III. Their love a... [ Continue Reading ]
…TROAS, WHERE WE ABODE SEVEN DAYS_._ PAUL AT TROAS I. The “first day of the week” appears to have been the usual period of assembly, and no doubt was selected and consecrated by apostolical authority. 1. It was held-- (1) In honour of the Saviour’s resurrection--that event which proved His missi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they brought the young man alive and were not a little comforted._ YOUNG MEN AND THE CHURCH I. Young men need to be brought to life. 1. “Ye must be born again” applies to them as to all. 2. Yet, of all men, the young are most apt to overlook this necessity. For what is more suggestive of vi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we went before to ship and sailed unto Assos._ ANALYSIS OF SERVICE 1. These arrangements were under Paul’s own hand. He himself would Lake the twenty miles’ walk and make a religious exercise of the journey. He wanted no human companion; Jesus Himself would draw near. There are times when hum... [ Continue Reading ]
_And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the Church._ PAUL AT MILETUS I. The testimony of faithfulness. 1. Serving faithfully (Acts 20:19). (1) With humility (Rom 7:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9 : Ephesians 3:8; Philippians 4:12; 1 Timothy 1:15). (2) In the face of opposition (Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye know … after what manner I have been with you._ EXAMPLE BETTER THAN PRECEPT Words are cannonballs. Example is the powder that gives the words their force. Many men may be able to say, “Heed what I tell you,” but not many could so confidently say, “Follow my example.” Yet this was what Paul said... [ Continue Reading ]
_And how I kept back nothing that was profitable._ RETICENCE AVOIDED The verb is one which belongs to the vocabulary of sailors, and was used for taking in or reefing sails. He, St. Paul seems to say of himself, had used no such reticence or reserve, but had gone on his course, as it were, before... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem._ THE FUTURE (New Year’s sermon):--The text presents the future as something-- I. We are Bound to face. Paul was under the pressure of no bodily compulsion, yet he had to go. 1. All men are under this necessity. (1) Many would like to sta... [ Continue Reading ]
_But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself._ PAUL’S DEVOTEDNESS TO HIS WORK We note here-- I. Calm determination. 1. As to himself. He is greatly concerned as to the conduct of his own life. He has a great work to perform, and he is most anxious that nothing shou... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now … ye … shall see my face no more._ Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY I. As deeply felt. Paul always felt it, but never more so than now, in addressing his audience for the last time. Every Sunday there are ministe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock._ TAKE HEED I. To yourselves. To your-- 1. Doctrine. 2. Walk. II. To the flock. To its-- 1. Divine dignity. 2. Human infirmity. III. To the wolves. Those who-- 1. Threaten without. 2. Look within its fold. (_W. W. Wythe._) TAKE HEE... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, brethren, I commend you to God._ ST. PAUL’S LAST ADVICE TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS; OR, A MINISTER’S LAST COUNSEL TO HIS PEOPLE I. The apostle’s commendation. 1. The term “commend” is not unfrequently employed when we speak of any person in the way of praise or approbation; but this clearly... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have coveted no man’s silver._ HONEST LABOUR “Two men,” says Carlyle,” I honour, and no third. First, the toil-worn craftsman, that with earth-made implement laboriously conquers the Earth and makes her man’s. Venerable to me is the hard hand, crooked, coarse, wherein notwithstanding lies a cunn... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive._ THE BLESSEDNESS OF DOING GOOD I. That these words represent the character of our Lord. He was devoted to all the offices of humanity and good nature. The two general habits which filled the whole intens... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they all wept sore … sorrowing most of all … that they should see his face no more._ PAUL’S FAREWELL I. The tears of the noble servants of God. 1. A painful tax of human weakness, which even the best have to pay in-- (1) External trials. (2) Internal temptations. 2. A precious ornament of... [ Continue Reading ]