From our series on the Book of Acts. For more information and to hear the audio please check out the Thoughts from Eb blog http://thoughtsfromeb.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/acts-201-12-the-journey-home/

1. Acts 20:1-12
The Journey Home

4. A Ministry of Prayer
• We know that Paul was so concerned for Titus
and the Corinthians that outreach was put on
hold (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)
• “I face daily the pressure of my concern for all
the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28)
• He prayed constantly
(Colossians 1:9, Ephesians 1:16)
• “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and
prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
• If we desire to be effective, we have to pray

5. A Ministry of Encouragement
• ‘Parakaleō’- to ask, beg, plead; to
comfort, encourage, exhort, urge; to call, invite.
Occurs four times in this short section
• Paul had a ministry of encouragement
• He encouraged believers from the scriptures
• It was a key component of his ministry
• Our encouragement is found in God’s Word

6. A Ministry of Compassion
• “Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in
the service of the saints there. For Macedonia
and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution
for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem”
(Romans 15:25-26)

7. A Ministry of Compassion
• “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do
what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the
first day of every week, each one of you should
set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income, saving it up, so that when I come no
collections will have to be made. Then, when I
arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the
men you approve and send them with your gift
to Jerusalem.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)

8. A Ministry of Compassion
• “And now, brothers, we want you to know
about the grace that God has given the
Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe
trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I
testify that they gave as much as they were
able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on
their own, they urgently pleaded with us for
the privilege of sharing in this service to the
saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4)

9. A Ministry of Compassion
• The poor in Jerusalem mattered to Paul
• These were new believers
• Are we passionate about the poor?

10. A Ministry Opposed
• “Five times I received from the Jews the forty
lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with
rods, once I was stoned, three times I was
shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open
sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have
been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits,
in danger from my own countrymen, in danger
from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the
country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false
brothers. I have laboured and toiled and have often
gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold
and naked.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

11. A Ministry Opposed
• Paul’s life was constantly threatened (20:3)
• “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly
life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
(2 Timothy 3:15)
• Are we persecuted?

12. A Ministry of Power
• We love Paul, he was a courageous and driven
individual with a huge intellect
• Paul had a ministry that was miraculous
• Here a dead man is raised to life
• “My message and my preaching were not with
wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1
Corinthians 2:4)

13. A Ministry of Power
• “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles
among you because you observe the law, or
because you believe what you heard?”
(Galatians 3:5)
• Is God still a God of miracles?