ACTS: The Church In Action
a time for change
Chapter Twenty

INTRODUCTION: Paul is in transition in chapter twenty, he is moving away from his role as a "Pattern Setter" to the "Prisoner of the Lord".  We have followed Paul from chapters 13 to 19 as he has extended the kingdom of God through exercising demonds, healing the sick, and preaching the gospel that has radically transformed men and women.  He has been an example to us on how to impact our world for Christ.  Now starting in chapter twenty Paul will show us how to embrace transitions while holding to godly transitions.


a new path (20:1-5)
  1. We must face transitions (vs 1) "... he departed"
  2. We must pass the baton (vs 1,2) "... he encouraged them with many words."
  3. We must care for others (vs 3) "... he decided to return."
New Priorities (20:6-12)
  1. The Lord's Day (vs 7)
  2. The Lord's People (vs 7,8)
  3. The Lord's Supper (vs 7)
  4. The Lord's Message (vs 7)
  5. The Lord's Power (vs 9-12)

We must become the change we want to see


a new purpose (20:13-38)
  1. Learning from the past
    • Remember the foundation.
    • Focus on building a testimony others will want to remember (vs 18-21, 33-35)
  2. Living in the present
    • Focus on God's purpose regardless of the problems (vs 22-27)
  3. Looking to the future
    • Focus on the prize regardless of the peril (vs 28-32)

"In the long run, the pessimist may be proven right, but the optimist has a better time on the trip."

A PRAYER (20:36-38)
  1. Anointing the purpose in prayer.
  2. Establishing the purpose in prayer.
  3. Decreeing the purpose in prayer. 

if you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere