Acts 20:13-21 

¹³ We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. ¹⁴ When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. ¹⁵ The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. ¹⁶ Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

¹⁷ From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. ¹⁹ I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. ²⁰ You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. ²¹ I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Intro

When someone keeps talking about what the Lord has done in his/her life, do you get tired or annoyed of it? There’s no limitation of how many times we are to witness. Our relationship with the Lord Jesus produces exciting, challenging, and unending stories and experiences. What changes that Christ has done in your life that you would testify about? To witness is to testify of what was personally seen, heard, or experienced and not personal opinion, not what one thinks of.

The book of Acts is a recollection of significant events that Dr. Luke saw, observed, and participated during their missionary journey with Paul. He remembered their travels and the places where they’ve been to. The account of their trips was a reminiscence of the Lord’s work in their missionary journey.

1.  Trip

¹³ We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.  ¹⁴ When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene.  ¹⁵ The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.  ¹⁶ Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

Paul left Troas and travelled on foot while his mission team aboard a ship and sailed to Asssos where he joined them then they sailed to Mitylene. It takes few hours travel on foot from Troas to Assos. There was no account on why Paul went to Assos. He might have met some disciples or had some personal concerns to attend to. Perhaps, it was trivial, or just too personal, and not worthy to be told.

Paul and his mission team stayed overnight in Mitylene then sailed to Chios, Samos, and Melitus. Melitus is about 60 kilometers south of Ephesus. Paul hoped to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost. What can we learn from this reminiscence of Paul’s journey? How often do you recall your spiritual trips or spiritual travels starting from the time you became a Christian? Do you have spiritual journal?

 MacArthur

In the movie that features the life of General Douglas MacArthur, every significant activity of the general was recorded in video or still shots. Reporters and military photographers were organized or positioned to document and publish his accomplishments. We learn about history because someone else recorded the events. Is your spiritual life worth reminiscing?

The accounts of activities of kings and leaders of Israel were given a significant portion in the Bible. How about ordinary citizens, who will tell their story? Or do stories of an ordinary person worth telling the next generations?

What activity is worthy to be remembered? It says in Acts 1:4-8, ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…

The disciples were not paying attention when Jesus told them to wait and be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Are you paying attention? Are you empowered?

The empowerment of the Holy Spirit separates the disciples from self-proclaimed believers. Disciples experience desires to witness because of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Believers who don’t witness are not empowered.

In Revelation 22:12, ¹² “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

The Lord rewards obedience to His instructions with the help of the Holy Spirit. His personal instruction to individual disciple is integrated with spiritual gifts. Know your spiritual gift and you will know what the Lord really wants you to do as an individual disciple. Your spiritual toil in the Lord will be rewarded for sure.

2. Toil

¹⁷ From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.  ¹⁸ When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.  ¹⁹ I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.  ²⁰ You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  ²¹ I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

What good would it give Paul and the Elders of Ephesus to reminisce his toil among them? Dr. Luke recorded what Paul said for readers to know that Paul was focused to lead people to repentance and have faith in God. He did not mention any sight-seeing activity, potluck fellowship, food he ate, games he played, or any other activities. Has Paul deprived himself of personal leisure? Did he watch any play, games, attend any party, or went fishing?

If we are to tell our toil as believers in the Lord, will it be worthy to be included in the Bible? With empowerment by the Spirit of the Lord, our toil will surely be very significant and worth reminiscing.

Samson

We love to hear the story and exploits of Samson but we need to know that Samson was strong because he was empowered by the Spirit of the Lord. Here are some accounts when the Spirit of the Lord empowered Samson.

In Judges 14:6, ⁶ The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.

In Judges 14:19, ¹⁹ Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson in power. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men…

In Judges 15:14, ¹⁴ As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson in power. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands.

Again, we are mandated to witness but wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It’s a normal feeling to be scared when witnessing on our own human effort. Keep praying for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Just wait and keep on praying. Joy and peace from God are signs of being empowered by the Holy Spirit. When joy and peace from God prevails in your heart, whatever would come out as a result of your witnessing effort it won’t bother you. Joy and peace prevails.

In witnessing no one knows if it is time to plant gospel seed, water, or harvest what others have planted. When empowered by the Holy Spirit, God’s timing is always right timing. Some people may suggest wrong timing in witnessing because they don’t know the time to plant gospel seed, water, or harvest souls.

In John 3:32-34, ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.

Let every witnessing effort be counted and rewarded. If you are pressured about witnessing, pray and wait until you are empowered by the Holy Spirit. No one can discourage or stop you from the joy of witnessing when God empowers you.

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