11 Then he went upstairs, broke bread, and ate. After talking for a considerable time until dawn, he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted. (Ac 20:11–12)
Details ... details ... ______________.
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had arranged it this way, since he was intending to travel there by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 From there we set sail. We arrived off Chios the next day. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in the province of Asia. He was in a hurry to be in Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. (Ac 20:13–16)
But Jesus often withdrew to deserted places and prayed. (Lk 5:16)
Professor Deutschlander from his book Grace Abounds, “It is certainly not wrong to pray about the decisions that we have to make in life. The Scriptures everywhere encourage us to do that. Jesus invites us to do that with boldness and confidence, perhaps most beautifully when he teaches us his own prayer (Matthew 6:5-15; 7:7-12). St. Peter tells us, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1Peter 5:7). ... We give him thanks for the choices he has given us in our everyday lives, and we pray for his blessing as we strive to make those choices in the light of his Word and to the glory of his name. ... And then we make our decision. The decision often will not be one between good and evil, but between good and good. Whichever choice we make, we seek the honor of God and the well-being of those around us. We commend our choice to God and ask his blessing on it; but we do not torment ourselves trying to guess what lies hidden in the mind of God. God has revealed his mind in the Scriptures. The Scriptures are sufficient.”
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, (Ro 8:28)
Johann Gerhard, “We may reasonably marvel over the great worthiness of prayer. The Father promises to listen, the Son prays for us, the Holy Spirit prays in us, the holy angels bring our prayer before God's throne. The Father is the truth; therefore we ought not doubt that we are heard. The Son is righteousness; therefore we ought not doubt the power of his intercession. The Holy Spirit is wisdom; therefore we ought not be afraid even if we do not know what we should pray for; for the Spirit intercedes for us. The holy angels are faithful messengers; therefore we ought not doubt that our prayers will come before God's throne.”
We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. (Ac 20:6)
A _________________ _____________________ at Miletus.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me due to the plots of the Jews. 20 You know how I did not hesitate to proclaim to you anything that would be beneficial for you or to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have solemnly testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ac 20:17–21)
The churches in the province of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the church that meets in their house. (1 Co 16:19)
I have solemnly testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ac 20:21, EHV)
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Ac 20:21, NIV1984)
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. (Eph 4:18)
You were dead in your trespasses and sins, (Eph 2:1)
For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. (Ro 8:7)
(Ro 8:7): ___________
(Eph 2:1): _________
(Eph 4:18): ___________
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Why is prayer so important for your daily life? Explain why the statement, "I prayed about it, and God told me to do such-and-such," doesn’t make any sense.
What is the meaning of “repentance” in the narrow sense? How do you know when the word “repentance” is being used in the narrow sense? Why is it so important to be able to make this distinction?
