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Sermon Notes

Acts 20:16

“For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.”

Keys To An Amazing Church:

• Love Jesus
• Love Truth
• Love Each Other

Love Truth…

Acts 20:20-21

“…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Acts 20:27

“for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.“

Acts 20:7-12

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight….

⁸ There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. ⁹ And a young man named Eutychus (means lucky), sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead…

¹⁰ But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” ¹¹ And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. ¹² And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.“

• Truth has always been offensive (verse 27)

• There are things in God’s Word that will offend you and our culture!

• If what we believe about God is true, then there are things that will AFFIRM and OFFEND (personally and culturally)

Voltare:  “If God made us in His image, then we have returned the favor.”

• The only way to discover the truth about God (not science or experiments) is if HE CHOOSES TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO US  (that’s what scripture is!)

• Scripture (BIBLE) is God choosing to come down and reveal Himself to us through Jesus – God telling us that He loves us!

• They loved the truth, and they loved the truth together  (loved it and lived it!)

• Christianity shaped by biblical truth shaped the most diverse community the world has ever known!

• They were devoted by truth and shaped by it! TRUTH SETS US FREE!

Love Each Other…

Acts 20:18b

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia…”

Question:  Do You Have People In Your Life Who Really Know You?

• The love of truth impacts how we love each other. A good friend will tell you the truth even when it’s hard/hurts.

Acts 20:31

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (firm but gracious warning)

Are you able to be admonished?

• Do I love the truth more than I love my ego?
• Do I want to be like Jesus more than I want to have my pride?
• Do I want to be godly and Holy more than I want to be right?  HARD!

Acts 20:37 (Loving!)

“And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him…”

• This is real Gospel community; real friendship

• These types of relationships are hard work, which is not a characteristic our culture embraces

Acts 20:35a

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard…”

• Real gospel relationships take work, but they are worth it!

• These types of relationships are GENEROUS with each other

Acts 20:35b

“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  (not prosperity)

Gospel Relationships: People who help you to be more like Christ!

How Do I Get These Types of Friends/ Relationships?

• YOU CAN’T SEEK IT
• It is a by-product of loving Jesus

Love Jesus Christ…

Types of Love: 

• Romantic Love – face to face in awe of each other
• Friend Love – Shoulder to Shoulder in awe of something else (connection)

We love Him because He loved us first!  

Some of you have never had that “Me Too” moment

Acts 20:21

“testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• Love Jesus Christ
• Love Truth
• Love Each Other