Pastor Ed's Thoughts

Thank you for taking the time to look at our website. On Sunday mornings we are committed to a chapter by chapter, verse by verse presentation of the Holy Scriptures. 

Below you’ll find an overview of some recent messages.

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Acts 20:13-27 – “Elder Care”

Paul’s “farewell address” to the Ephesian elders did not take place in Ephesus.  They walked thirty miles to Miletus and met the apostle as he was en route to Jerusalem for Pentecost. In the opening section of his address, Paul gives them no instructions, commands, rebukes, nor encouragement.  He talks only about himself; and he does so as an example for them

to follow as they lead the flock.

“Where he’s been” – vs. 18-21 – Paul reminds them that both his life and doctrine were on display for three years. So much of Christ is seen in Paul’s example: Humble service (Mark 10:45), tears (John 11:35), and an extensive ministry of proclaiming God’s word (Mark 1:15). Can we say with Paul, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)? 

“Where he was going” – vs. 22-25 – Some future details were revealed by the Holy Spirit, while some remained a mystery. All were pointing in the direction of suffering and imprisonment. These realities would unnerve most, but they were inconsequential in Paul’s thinking. Instead, he was consumed with finishing the race with joy and fulfilling the ministry Christ called him to. How highly we value personal comfort, yet remain content to run a joyless race. Paul ran the race looking unto Jesus who was highly motivated by joy

(Hebrews 12:1, 2). 

“Where he currently stood” – vs. 26, 27 – In Ezekiel 33 God uses the imagery of the watchman on the wall to illustrate the ministry of God’s messenger. “Blood on the hands” was a metaphor used to describe those who knew of coming danger, but failed to warn the people. Paul makes it clear to the Ephesian elders that there was no blood on his hands. He stood before them that day presenting a consistent resume of one who proclaimed the whole counsel of God. If anyone in Ephesus was to go to hell, it wouldn’t be because Paul failed to warn them of God’s wrath or inform them of God’s saving grace. Check your hands for blood!

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                           Acts 20:1-12 - “Free Fallin’”

While Paul and his traveling companions were making their way to Jerusalem the spring of AD 55 they spent a week in the coastal town of Troas; perhaps the sleepiest town in scripture! In Acts 16 Luke records that in his sleep, Paul received a vision several years earlier in which a man in Macedonia was pleading for help. Now in Acts 20, we find a young man named Eutychus who fell asleep in the window during Paul’s marathon sermon, and dropped three stories to his death. Miraculously God works a miracle through Paul and the lad comes back to life. 

From this unusual account we can learn a great deal about the gospel. Notice these four pictures from the text. 

The Sunday – 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week the disciples came together….” The reason they gathered on Sunday is the same reason most Christian churches today meet on the first day of the week. The Gospel! Christ was raised for our justification early Sunday morning. It’s not the Sabbath day. It’s the LORD’S Day.

The Supper – 20:7 “The disciples came together to break bread.” Why? The Gospel! The bread and cup point us to Christ’s death for sinners as a memorial.

The Sermon – 20:7 “Paul spoke to them until midnight.” Paul’s passion was to communicate extensively from God’s Word.  What was his message? The Gospel! In I Corinthians 1:23 Paul wrote, “We preach Christ crucified.”