Acts #23 (Preacher Notes): The Biblical Leader Is a Model Who Makes Us Follow Christ

sermon Acts 20 : Patrice Berger, 2022_11_28, AB Lausanne church

title : Acts #23 (Preacher Notes): The Biblical Leader Is a Model Who Makes Us Follow Christ

Preaching

It’s a pleasure to meet together to open:

the Word of God – the Bible.

On one hand, it shows us:

Who is God?
and on the other hand, how we position ourselves in relation to Him.

And today, as it should be for every morning, the text of the book of Acts will inspire us in the worship we must render to God.

individually
or as an association.

I remind you that in worshipping Christ, our worship is not just a time of the week, but it is our lives that should worship Christ.

Romans 12. 1-2

1 I, therefore, encourage you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.

It will be reasonable worship on your part.

Do not conform to the present world, but be transformed by renewing the mind to discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect.

Together to read and study the Bible. You will certainly have noticed that the time that we share together, in assembly, devotes a good part to reading and explaining the Bible.

As at the beginning of the Church, today’s text will show us that these habits among believers are not new.

Public and private: It will also be interesting because, again, we will see that, already at the time, there was a public and private dimension. And in the same idea, that’s why we do it in services and in-home groups.

Interest in reading Acts 20

And before starting the reading of chapter 20 of the book of Acts, please pay attention, noting during the reading, lessons from the apostle Paul. Just like Peter, his status as an apostle will again be underlined by a resurrection, just like the apostle Peter in Acts 9, verses 36-43:

36 There was in Jaffa, among the disciples, a woman called Tabitha, which means “gazelle”. She did a lot of good and gave her money to others. 37 She got sick at that time and died. After washing her, they put her in a room upstairs. 38 Now Lydda is near Jaffa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there; So they sent [two men] to him to beg him to come to them without delay. 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, he was taken to the upstairs bedroom. All the widows surrounded her crying and showed her all the dresses and coats that Tabitha made when she was with them. 40 Peter called everyone out, knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes and, when she saw Pierre, she sat down. 41 He gave her his hand and lifted her up. He then called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known throughout Jaffa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed some time in Jaffa, with a tanner named Simon.

Someone else whose life is very inspiring – a role model

Paul raised Eutychus who falls asleep because it was too hot, he was tired and he was sitting on the third-floor window sill and fell from there.

Identify Paul’s way of life

Looking at these interesting descriptions, let us feed on the way Paul lived.

Teaching by example. A life to imitate. Moreover, on several occasions, Paul will encourage Christians to follow his model of life or teaching. But thank God: while you were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.

Romans 6. 17

Be all my imitators, brothers and sisters, and look out for those who behave according to the model you have in us.

Philippians 3. 17

And there is such a dimension for every believer: to be a role model for other believers.

So was the apostle Paul was for the believers of his time.

The Perfect model: it is Christ

Obviously, the perfect pattern exists only in Christ.

Paul and we too are not perfect and in this be careful, when we point out the good things to imitate in the people of the Bible, not to deify them in our teaching but to point out what was right in them!

Be careful not to embellish the biblical characters. They are not divine. Joseph, David, and Daniel had remarkable aspects of their lives which are to be imitated, however, they were not perfect and also had some unsavoury moments.

Importance in teaching, especially to children: one can easily make David a “more than perfect” man. But, when in adolescence, we see certain questionable actions of David; thus, one can have a feeling of betrayal that does not come from the Bible, which God didn’t transmit but came from our partisan teaching…

The reflection proposed by today’s text is to make the difference between:

The Biblical Leader Who Is A Model That Makes Us Follow Christ

and

A destroyer who is a model for his followers

Text: Read Acts 20

To imitate Paul who did not lose the thread of his mission

Paul’s mission

Announce the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20. 24c

Travel opportunities are taken advantage of

For his travels, when we look at them in detail, we see that he seizes the opportunities in his travels to witness, teach, edify or encourage the churches.

Other neglected opportunities

However, sometimes he will take many steps to witness or build churches and other times neglect entire regions! What drives him to do one or the other? To imitate Paul means to imitate how he leads his mission being led by the Spirit and with wisdom. Forsaken regions: In this, he was still led by the Spirit of God, listening to the convictions that the Holy Spirit underlines to him, we have also seen it previously.

Acts 15

Prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia, they passed through Phrygia and Galatia. 7 When they arrived near Mysia, they were preparing to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit [of Jesus] would not permit them. 8 So they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul saw a vision; a Macedonian appeared to him and begged him: “Go to Macedonia, help us!”

Acts 20

22 And now behold, bound by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

23 I only know that from town to town the Holy Spirit warns me

The choice is driven by wisdom

But also with wisdom (thinking and acting with God). Here in verse 4, he knows of a plot; thus, he doesn’t go toface confrontation.

In verse 17, Paul does not go to Ephesus but brings the elders, following the difficulties encountered, it was certainly the best idea to avoid showing himself during the challenge in Ephesus, where there had been tensions previously (chapter 19).

There is a form of balance in the apostle’s life of faith between the audacity of faith (Paul, here, demonstrates this by going to Jerusalem when he knows that bonds and sufferings await me. Verse 23)

And wisdom (Paul does not challenge the plot of the Jews, verse 3, and does not go to Ephesus, verse 17)

In the same way, Jesus sometimes extricated himself from the crowd who resented him and, in a resolute manner, went up to Jerusalem, knowing very well that the cross awaited him. For us, this balance is God who gives it to us through the work that His Spirit does in us, it is He who gives us particular convictions. It is He who, through the Bible, which He inspired, forges our thoughts with wisdom. It is up to us to be careful not to deceive ourselves, that the Holy Spirit may be a pretext for our very personal ideas and our Church habits.

Imitate Paul while leading his team

Teamwork

Verse 4

A real team

which unfolds
which anticipates delegations

Leader

A team leader especially verses 13 and 16-17

Consistency and Endurance in Mission and Projects

Consistency (the same attitude from his arrival in Ephesus until now) verse 18
Endurance (mention of 3 years with the elders of Ephesus)
In all areas: In teaching and witnessing and also in projects (going to Jerusalem) even if in the meantime there are unforeseen events. Even in the face of adversity, In the midst of trials and conspiracies.

Verse 19

He faces the trial that awaits him (ties and sufferings), not out of fanaticism but by keeping the course that God assigns him (this goal v.24).

This attitude of life, we find it in the epistle to the Philippians, chapter 3:

12 It’s not that I’ve already won the prize or reached perfection,

but I run to try to seize it since Jesus Christ has taken possession of me too.

13 Brothers and sisters, I don’t think I’ve got it myself yet, but I’m doing one thing:

forgetting what is behind and turning towards what is ahead, 14 I press towards the goal to win the prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature, adopt this attitude and,

if you are of another opinion on a point, God will enlighten you on that also.

16 Only, where we are, let us walk in the same direction.

17 Be all my imitators…

Following the example of Jesus Wasn’t it the same for Jesus? Steadfast in his teaching, and his testimony, even though there was adversity, Jesus stayed the course of his mission of saving humanity. To imitate Paul who fulfilled his mission with all his heart is not a nag.

Ministry exercised with humility 19, tears 19, 31 and 37, closeness (each of you) 31. The same for Jesus.

Is it not the same for Jesus of whom we are told that He was moved with compassion Matthew 20. 34 and 9. 36… or that He wept John 11. 35, Luke 19. 41

So the closeness to all was sometimes, even often reproached:

policies,
religious,
“Mr and Mrs Everybody,”
people on the margins of society,
outcasts,
the bastards,
The foreigners.

To imitate Paul is by announcing, by transmitting the whole message of God to all.

True, do not conceal and keep nothing under the pedal

Transparency (“hiding nothing”) verse 20

“Pure of the blood of all” because everything has been announced in verse 26

To announce and teach, verse 20;
Preach the kingdom, verse 25;
All of God’s plan, verse 27;
Everything that was useful to you verses 20.

Just like Jesus during His ministry. We also find this dimension in the ministry of Jesus, who transmitted everything we needed and who always did it with the right timing so that it was received. To all, in doing this, Paul taught both in public and in private. Same dynamics at the beginning of the book of Acts (2. 46 ).

No favouritism (Jew or non-Jew) in the proclamation of the Gospel

Again in imitation of Jesus.

A destroyer is a model for his followers

Inescapable fight

Those who will inevitably arise against the propagation of the gospel.

Their origin

Internal and external battles

“Cruel Wolves”.

Their goal: they do not spare the herd, they introduce themselves

from the outside
and also within (your own ranks).

Their ways to harm

The challenge is education

Problem: perverted teaching!

We understand better the need to be truly grounded in the Word of God.

Is their goal to gain followers or entrust them to the grace of God

Which aims to make followers, disciples of their person. Verse 30 (“follow them”), they aim to serve their interests and not those of God.

Unlike Paul

If Paul is an example, a model to follow, it is so that people become more attached to Christ, not to make his disciples (his own):

Verse 32 And now, [brethren,] I commit you to God and to the message of his grace, who hath power to build up and give [you] an inheritance with all the saints.

We understand better the difference between those who serve themselves on their own account and those who serve the Church on God’s account.

Financial example

Paul points out details about his financial involvement.

He did not use the flock financially, he even served the congregation with his work with joy: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Responsibilities of the Church of Ephesus

Responsibilities of managers

Church elders responsible for orientation between two models

Faced with these two types of patterns, the responsibility of the elders is to take care of themselves and of the whole flock (the whole congregation, the Church).

Two inspirations of divine order

Be attentive to the action of the Spirit because Christ has acquired this Church by His blood (verse 28).

Means

Let there be good teachings
stay alert

Knowing that the guarantor is God:

because He is God, He reveals Himself so that we can know him
and understand Him in the Bible.

It is God who does this work of edification
It is He who gives us an Eternal inheritance: no man, no Church leader is able to do that!
32 And now, [brethren,] I commit you to God and to the message of his grace, who hath power to build up and give [you] an inheritance with all the saints.

This is the Church of Christ
Not the church of church leaders

Teaching is done at the heart of assembly life

So yes, the Bible, to know God, must have an important part in our personal lives and in our assembly life.

God at heart: Because it points to God and He is capable of all things for our lives.

All the advice of God: Yes, it is the role of the leaders that all the advice of God is transmitted and not only the subjects which are sympathetic and flatter our egocentrisms.

Just as we don’t eat fries at every meal, even if it’s nice on the palate, because afterwards, we look like a potato!!! Similarly the Bible, completely inspired by God, approaches a balanced menu and that is why we take it over the text and not only the texts that we consider nice!

So has the Church of Ephesus held its course? Pretty good enough.

Yes but the love for Jesus is in the background

But the teaching and positioning aspects have obviously ended up taking Christ’s place.

The main goal was affection for Jesus; however, Christ become secondary.

Revelation 2

1″Write to the angel of the church at Ephesus, ‘This is what he who holds the seven stars in his right-hand says, who walks among the seven golden candlesticks: 2 I know your works, your work and your perseverance. I know you can’t stand the bad guys. You have tested those who claim to be apostles without being so, and you have found them, liars. 3 Yes, you have perseverance, you have suffered because of my name and you have not been weary. 4 But what I have against you is that you left your first love behind.5 So remember where you fell from, repent and do your first works. Otherwise, I will [soon] come to you and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you change your attitude. 6 However, you have this for yourself: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, just as I hate them, too. 7 Let him who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches: To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Paying attention is good. Teaching is good. But attention and teaching are not an end in themselves. It is Christ that is our goal. I was very encouraged in our continued study of Revelation to rejoice in the centrality of God and Christ.

Chapter 1, He has already accomplished the victory of the cross, everything else flows from that.

Chapter 4, He is the Creator.

Chapter 5, He is our Redeemer.

While we could get lost in eschatological quarrels, isn’t it more beautiful to rejoice in Him?

Bible Passages

Acts 20 / ASV Bible

1. And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2. And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
3. And when he had spent three months [there,] and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4. And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, [the son] of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5. But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.
7. And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
8. And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
9. And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.
10. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.
11. And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12. And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.
13. But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.
14. And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15. And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.
16. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
18. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,
19. serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
20. how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,
21. testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23. save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24. But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.
26. Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.
28. Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
29. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
30. and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31. Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.
32. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35. In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.
37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
38. sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.