Looking Forward

This is true of Paul in meeting with the elders from Ephesus. We go from reporting facts to reporting his teaching at this location.  We will hear much more that will be reported of what he says in the coming chapters, but this is a new literary shift for Luke who is not just recording events now.  And Paul’s instructions are very illuminating especially when you take time to view this in the context of the letters he wrote.  This sounds very much like Paul’s voice and thought process.Let’s begin to take a closer look at this farewell speech: in three parts: Looking back, looking forward, and looking beyond.In 16, he doesn’t want to lose time by going to Ephesus, but he calls the elders to him instead.  In the case of the early church, it is clear it is lead by a presbytery, so whatever Paul shares here will be passed on to the churches throughout the region. Isn’t the same amount of time used? Perhaps not, if the folks want him to stay, or there is much opposition, and he is hindered from continuing his journey. Perhaps even for the safety of the money being transported (see his final remark).Verse 18 Looking back: the monuments and the museums in Washington let us remember where we have come from, the ideals we hold dear, and the values we cherish. Paul looks at the beginning of his time with the Ephesians.  By looking back, he lays claims to the authority for what he will say.I was with you:  you got to know me by observation, interaction and teaching, and availability.Served with humility, or lowly mindedness.  Like Jesus. Philippians 2:1-11“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7“and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” Mark 10:44-45Through tears and trials from the JewsTaught what was profitable both publicly and from house to house: letters to follow upPreached to both Jews and Greeks: repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew...” Col. 3:11  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28 Verse 22 Looking forward: 22. Bound in Spirit and Uncertain what will happen in Jerusalem, except persecution. 24. I will finish the race testifying to God’s grace:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (Pause)25. You will see me no more26. I am innocent – I have warned all (repeated in his letters) “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:1, 3, 5 27. I proclaimed the whole counsel (purpose or will) of God to you.  “Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the per