Nathaniel R. Martin

The Word of His Grace: Acts 20:17-38

Sermon Idea: Faithful ministry is sustained by God and the Word of his grace, as exemplified in the life of Paul’s apostleship and his exhortation to the elders of the church in Ephesus. 

Introduction: The final opportunity to speak, whether to one person or to a group, has added significance for the obvious reason that it will be the last time to communicate important truths for the good of others. 

There is a reason why passages like John 14-17, otherwise known as the Farewell Discourse, or Matthew 28:18-20, known as the Great Commission, are so memorable. They are the departing words of our Lord Jesus to his disciples. They were words of great love to prepare them for his ascension and to equip them to live faithfully in his absence. 

The importance of the farewell address is even evident in the American political landscape. For example, since 1893 the Senate has convened on George Washington’s birthday to publicly read George Washington’s farewell address, first published on September 19th, 1796. It was different than the self-congratulatory addresses presidents give today. It was prophetic in a sense, filled with insight on what to do and how to live as a nation with his departure. 

I am belaboring this point, and I think you get it—farewell addresses often contain the words and ideas that we believe to be most important. 

Paul spent more time in Ephesus than anywhere else. After the planting of the church there, he spent three years, especially investing in the twelve disciples he met with in the Hall of Tyrannus. But now it is time to go, and so Paul gathers the elders in the church to communicate to them the words and ideas he believes to be most important. 

This farewell speech is filled with sincere affection, but also direct admonition. Paul had earned the right to speak so directly to these brothers because of both his example before them and his love toward them.

The passage can be outlined simply by noting two themes: Paul’s example of faithful apostolic ministry in 20:18-27 and Paul’s exhortation to faithful elder ministry in Acts 20:28-35. These two divisions make up the body of the address, bookended by the gathering of the elders in verse 17 and the expressions of goodbye in verses 36-38. 

Here is what we see when we put it all together: Faithful ministry is sustained by God and the Word of his grace, as exemplified in the life of Paul’s apostleship and his exhortation to the elders of the church in Ephesus.

Before we get into the body of the address, it will be helpful if we reflect on who Paul is addressing and why. Look with me at verse 17.

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. (Acts 20:17)

The reference to elders is not to the oldest men in the church, but to the office of elder in the life of the church. God has ordained that the local church be led by a plurality of elders who lead the congregation with the word of God and shepherd them in all matters concerning life and godliness. Since elders are required to be able to teach, they have a degree of God-given authority that comes from the Word. Elders are the spiritual leadership who oversee the church. They are to be the God-given shepherds of the sheep—the church— who are to follow them to green pastures and still waters. 

The importance of qualified Biblical leadership has been a recurring theme in Acts and continues to be an important theme throughout the New Testament. 

In Acts 11, the church in Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas with famine relief funds to the elders of the Church in Jerusalem. 

30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:30)

Here we see a plurality of pastoral leadership, “elders,” in one church: the church in Jerusalem. 

During Paul’s missionary journeys, he appointed elders in each church that was planted. So, for example, consider the churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe: 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)

Here we see a plurality of pastoral leadership, “elders” appointed in individual churches, “…every church” (singular).

When Paul writes to the church in Philippi, he addresses the saints, but also their leadership: overseers and deacons. To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons (Php 1:1) 

Remember, overseer is a synonym for elder and pastor. Here, we see a plurality of pastoral leadership, or “overseers,” in one church: the church in Philippi.

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. (Tt 1:5–7)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight(1 Pe 5:1–2)

James encourages the congregation to call upon the elders (plural) in the church (singular) to pray when sick. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (Jas 5:14)

When Paul writes to Timothy, it is evident that the eldership is made up of lay pastors who share in shepherding, but who may not teach the Word as often. 

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (1 Ti 5:17)

There are several other passages that would be worth considering, but even a survey of this evidence is really strong. The biblical model of church leadership is for local churches to be led by a plurality of elders/pastors/overseers, to be served by a plurality of deacons, and governed by the congregation—the membership who has been equipped for the work of ministry. 

My prayer is that by teaching these texts over time, it will have a persuasive effect that leads the majority of our members to not only see and understand the truths of these texts, but to believe them. Then, once we believe them, my prayer is that we cultivate a joyful affirmation of them. When that happens, we can start talking about what it means for us, and what steps we might take to better align ourselves with the vision for leadership given to us in the Bible. 

With that introduction, we can dive into the main body of the address. Look with me at verse 18, as we think together about Paul’s example of faithful apostolic ministry. 

I.) Paul’s example of faithful apostolic ministry (Acts 20:17-27) 

You can sum up Paul’s ministry in Ephesus with faithful presence and faithful proclamation.

Faithful Presence: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews (Acts 20:18–19)

You cannot overstate the importance of presence in ministry. It is the fundamental priority for anyone who wants to faithfully care for those entrusted to him. Time with others is the only thing that will allow people to see you as one of them as opposed to apart from them. 

Notice how Paul’s faithful presence is further described in three ways: (1) humility,  (2) tears, and (3) trials. 

Paul’s ministry reflects the Lord Jesus. The ministry of Jesus is described in Philippians 2:7-8

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php 2:7–8)

Tears were not contrary to Paul’s vision of ministry and certainly not contrary to biblical manhood. He loved those he served and often wept over their spiritual state. His tears were shed through labor and pain as he ministered. This is who Paul was. 

4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. (2 Co 2:4)

18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. (Php 3:18)

And of course, he also endured many trials as he ministered in Ephesus. The saints in Ephesus knew of his great love for them because he ministered through hardship, persecution, and pain. When you are willing to serve others at great cost to yourself, you earn trust and credibility that isn’t easily lost. 

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus exemplified and reflected Jesus Christ as he preached Jesus Christ. It was a present, weeping, sacrificial ministry. 

Faithful Proclamation: 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20–21)

Paul’s faithful presence was characterized by faithful proclamation. I love the language of verse 20, “…I did not shrink back from declaring to you anything that was profitable.” 

He reiterates the same point in verse 27, “…for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” 

Pastors who water down the word leave the sheep with parched mouths and malnourished souls. That never described Paul, nor should it describe any pastor who stands in a pulpit. 

17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (2 Co 2:17)

This is the type of commitment that I think you should not only expect from me, but also demand of me. I can live with slow growth. I can live with criticism, and even losses from time to time. That’s ministry. 

What I cannot live with is the easy path of least resistance. I can’t live with being a coward who refuses to deal with what is clearly in the text out of fear of perception and desire for self-preservation. The stakes are too high and your spiritual formation too important for me to give the bare minimum of what God has revealed. 

Paul’s example is not just about who he has been but who he continues to be. Listen to how he describes his perspective about what awaits him in Jerusalem. 

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:22–24)

Paul’s life is one of singular devotion. Jesus has set the course of Paul’s life, and as long as he stays on that course, he can consider his very life of little value or precious. That is to say, that a life given to Christ and his kingdom is a life well lived, even in suffering and death. 

That’s Paul’s example. Now let’s look at his exhortation for these men to faithful elder ministry.  

II.) Paul’s exhortation of faithful elder ministry (Acts 20:28-38) 

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

We will return in a minute to why he exhorts them to pay careful attention, but for now I want you to look closely at how elders are described.

Elders are overseers who care for the church of God. I love my ESV, but this is one example where I prefer other English versions. The word translated “care” is the word ποιμαίνειν, which means to shepherd or tend to a flock. It is the word from which we derive the term pastor. Care is a fine and sufficient translation, but I prefer to keep the shepherd image as explicit as possible. This passage is one of the clearest examples to show that the terms elder, overseer, and pastor are three synonymous terms that refer to the same office. 

Elders/overseer are the Biblical titles for the office, but their function is to pastor. Elder and overseer are what I am, and pastor is what I do as an elder. 

The importance of the office is heightened by noting that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers of the care of the church of God, which was obtained by God’s own blood in the death of Jesus on the cross. 

It is the elders’ responsibility to pay careful attention to themselves and the flock. They are to be alert! Why? 

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29–30)

In Paul’s absence, there will be some who will seek to lead the flock astray.   It is the elders’ job to care for the sheep, to fend off the wolves, and to pay attention to themselves lest they become the wolves Paul warns about. 

The means needed to serve faithfully as an elder are given to us in verse 32, and they are rather ordinary. 

32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

This passage is really insightful because it teaches us that God builds us up and reveals that God uses means to do so. In this case, the means is the “word of his grace.” In this context, this phrase refers to the gospel, but by extension, it also includes the Word of God in Scripture.

As believers hear the gospel afresh through faith in the reading and preaching of the Word, God, by his grace, increasingly nourishes and strengthens our faith. 

Given that this is Paul’s final address, he chose his words carefully. He commends these elders to God and the word of his grace, because that word is able to build them up and sanctify them. 

Friends, these means of grace that we’ve talked so much about since I’ve been here are the means through which God has promised to work. Do you want to be built up, nourished, and sanctified? Look not to your preferences or ideas, but to God’s means of grace: Word, prayer, and the ordinances. 

Faithful ministry is sustained by God and the Word of his grace, as exemplified in the life of Paul’s apostleship and his exhortation to the elders of the church in Ephesus.

Nathaniel R. Martin

Saving Eutychus: Acts 20:1-16

 

Sermon Idea: The sweetness of gospel ministry can be experienced in gospel friendships, encouragement, worship, life, and sacrifice. 

Introduction: If I were to give you numerous details of a series of events, it would not be obvious that there was anything significant about them at all. For example, I could tell you that I woke up early, roughly 5 AM, and boarded a bus traveling to Gatlinburg, TN, where I stayed for three days. While there, I dined with friends. A year later, I traveled to Louisville, KY, where I stayed another three days with friends. After arriving home, it became routine to gather with friends every Thursday night.  We would speak late into the evening. 

These are rather ordinary details about ordinary life. But as often is the case, there is great sweetness that surrounds the ordinary. It was during that trip to Gatlinburg that the Lord opened my eyes to see the beauty of Christ and his gospel.

 I was with my pastors, friends, and my dad in Louisville at Together for the Gospel for some of the richest, most encouraging gospel encouragement of my young spiritual life. During a break, my pastor spots a familiar face in the distance. He goes off to talk to him—someone he hasn’t seen in decades, a former student named Josh Greene. I didn’t think anything of it, or hardly remember it happened. That was until I moved to Louisville for college and found myself at a small Baptist church whose pastor was Josh Greene. I spent four years there, the final two as the youth pastor. 

Of course, there were those ordinary Thursday evenings. We’d meet, eat, and talk for hours about ideas, books, and ministry. We met in this little house in Patriot Place, ironically enough, directly across from the very house in which I now live. It is not an exaggeration to say that those Thursday evenings with Joe Buchanan changed the entire trajectory of my life. 

The strenuous details that make up our lives are often saturated in and surrounded by a sweetness that gives them significance. 

In Acts 20, Luke records Paul’s travelogue. That is, he gives details about where Paul goes and who he is with. He visited Macedonia, Corinth (Greece), Syria, and Troas. We know that during this time in Macedonia Paul wrote the letter we know as 2 Corinthians.

We are even given details about time. Paul spends three months in Corinth. During these three months, mentioned just in passing, Paul wrote his most famous letter: Romans. He left Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It takes him five days to meet up with friends, where he stays with them for seven days. Paul makes his travel arrangements with intentionality—he wants to be in Jerusalem by Passover. 


In between the travelogue is a worship gathering that nearly turned into a tragedy, except that God worked through Paul to raise Eutychus from the dead. This is the part of these verses we’re used to seeing as prominent, and to be sure it is significant, but if we don’t take into account why God gives us this story when he does, in the middle of a travelogue about Paul’s missionary travels, I think we’ll miss the fullness of all that God wants to teach us. 

The sweetness of gospel ministry can be experienced in gospel friendships, encouragement, worship, life, and sacrifice. These are the five things I want to show you this morning. 

 I.) Gospel Friendships (Acts 20:1-6)

The first glimpse of friendship we see in Acts 20 is in verse 1: After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia (Acts 20:1). 

These are the twelve men who had come to saving faith in Ephesus, and with whom Paul spent so much time in the Tyrannus Hall (Acts 19:9-10). After enduring the riot, no one would have faulted Paul for retreating and keeping to himself, but he gives of himself yet again to these brothers whom he has grown to love. They are fellow followers of Jesus. They are friends.  He doesn’t leave without assuring that they’re properly encouraged. 

Beyond the twelve disciples in Ephesus that he must now leave are the seven named in Acts 20:4.  

4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus (Ac 20:4)

These brothers are from the churches that Paul helped plant. These verses tell us how Paul visited them again to strengthen the churches and care for them. Paul cares deeply for these churches, and he doesn’t stop at their founding; he visits, encourages, and strengthens them so they flourish as healthy churches. 

The relationships between Paul and these churches were so good that, at some point, they parted with some of their faithful members so they could travel with Paul and help him advance the gospel and plant churches. 

I love the way Patrick Schreiner reflects on these relationships: “His missionary team grows as he continues to travel. They look, sound, and smell like the places he traveled. Like David had his mighty men and Jesus had his Twelve, Paul has his companions. The mission of God takes collaboration; it takes friendship.”

We don’t have time to trace every reference, but some of these brothers are mentioned repeatedly by Paul, especially Timothy, Tychicus, and Aristarchus. Paul’s ministry was never isolated or solo; it was always shared by co-laborers who walked alongside him as friends. 

Ecclesiastes reminds us of the importance of friendship: 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  (Ec 4:9–10)

The fruitfulness of Waldo’s ministry will flourish or flounder depending on the health of friendships within the church and on our commitment to building partnerships outside our church. 

Pray the spirit of camaraderie increases and the competitive spirit decreases. 

II.) Gospel Encouragement (Acts 20:1-6, 12)

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. (Ac 20:1–2)

12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. (Ac 20:12)

This has been a consistent theme throughout Acts.ds

 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith (Ac 14:21–22)

32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. (Ac 15:32)

40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed (Ac 16:40)

Encouragement should be the mark of true Christian friendship and gospel-partnership. We don’t need to be flattered or lied to, but we do need to be redirected to God, the Word, and the work of God among us.

We should have good, wise partnerships in church planting and mission so we can be conduits of encouragement. 

III.) Gospel Worship (Acts 20:7,11)

At the center of the church’s life is not work or service, but worship. We are worshippers first, sent out on mission and service. 

7 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. (Acts 20:7)

Lord’s Day

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet (Re 1:10)

Didache, 14.1, But on the Lord’s day, after that ye have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure.

The Lord’s Supper 

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42)

IV.) Gospel Life (Acts 20:8-10) 

8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, 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. (Acts 20:8–9)

Eutychus is in a lit room hearing a gospel about the light of the world, but he drifts toward darkness, falls asleep, and then falls to his death. No doubt we are meant to remember the disciples who fell asleep as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 9:32; 22: 45-46). Eutychus literally falls asleep, but his death is also symbolic of so many of the warnings we are given about the Christian life. We are to be alert, stay awake, be watchful. 

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.  (Lk 12:35–37)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 Jn 1:7)

 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (1 Th 5:4–6)

The story does not end in Eutychus’ death, but in his resurrection. Like Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:33-36),  Paul resurrects a dead man. 

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. (Acts 20:10–12)

In the face of death and darkness, Paul brings light and life. This story is somewhat of a summary shorthand of Paul’s ministry. He brings life.

The Apostolic era is over, and it is not our task to physically raise the dead. Christ will take care of that on the final day. It is our task to preach the gospel which gives life. We are to be ministers in a world of death being life through the gospel, the one who promises life everlasting and resurrection in the life to come. 

V.) Gospel Sacrifice (Acts 20:13-16) 

This last one is a mixture of sweetness and sadness. Paul has every intent to go to Jerusalem, and like Jesus before him, Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem will be his last act as a free man. He will be arrested, tied, handed over to the Romans, and imprisoned. Paul truly gave of himself so that many might be free and have in the name of Jesus. 

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45)

Toward the end of his life, as he said in that Roman prison, he wrote to one of his dear friends—Timothy. 

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Ti 4:6–8)

Even in these final days of Paul’s life, it is characterized by gospel friendship, gospel encouragement, and gospel life. 

Nathaniel R. Martin

Baptist catholicity & the Nicene Creed

On occasion we’ll recite the Nicene Creed in a corporate worship gathering. As a confessional Baptist church, can we say we believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church with a clear conscience? Few have questions about oneness, holiness, and apostolicity. Understandably, however, some are curious about the word “catholic.”

To confess to believe in the catholicity of the church has nothing to do with Roman Catholicism. It refers to the universal church in every place, across time and space. It is to confess that we belong to the same body to which Abraham, David, Paul, Athanasius, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, and Billy Graham belong.

Why should we say it without hesitation?

1. It connects us to the church throughout time. (Hebrews 12: 1)

2. It connects us to the church around the globe (1 Peter 5:9-10)

3. It connects us to the church across traditions & denominations (Ephesians 4:4-6)

As Baptists, we have important distinctives that we cherish and articulate with conviction. We articulate those distinctives not as a sect, cult, or independent movement but as a branch of one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.

Nathaniel R. Martin

Thanks Be To God: A Case for Congregational Response to the Read Word

“I will not participate.” 

Years ago, a church member had sent me this response after I had encouraged the congregation to respond to the public reading of Scripture with “Amen.” For this member, any sort of standard or formal response amounted to stifling the Spirit’s movement in worship. 

This perspective is common among many in the church today. It’s easy for us to let feeling and experience determine the spiritual worth of our worship. We can adopt the mindset that if it feels good, the Spirit was moving. If it did not, the Spirit was absent. The question is: Do habit and ritual really stifle the Spirit? Or could they soften our hearts toward him? 

Throughout the history of the church, across a number of traditions, congregations have responded to the public reading of Scripture. Some have responded with a simple “amen.” Other congregations find the reader of Scripture concluding with, “This is the Word of the Lord,” followed by the congregational response, “Thanks be to God.” Congregations might also respond with statements such as “Praise you, O Christ” after a Gospel reading.

I want to make the case that a congregational “Thanks be to God” is both a biblically justified and spiritually beneficial response to the reading of Scripture in corporate worship.  God commands the church to devote itself to the public reading of Scripture and to give thanks in all things. When these two commands are considered in light of the Bible’s repeated description of congregational response to the read Word, we have a solid biblical and theological case that such a practice is spiritually edifying. 

The Public Reading of and Response to Scripture

The Bible itself depicts God’s people corporately reading and responding to it. 

First, God commands the public reading of Scripture. He instructed his people to read his word publicly in the Old Testament (Exodus 24:3; Deuteronomy 1:1, 27, 31:9-12; Nehemiah 8), and does the same in the new. (1 Timothy 4:13).[1] Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Spirit, further commands that Colossians and 1 Thessalonians be circulated and read in local churches (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Revelation states plainly, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear (Revelation 1:3). God intends for his people to hear the voice of the risen Christ beyond the reading of the sermon text. We are to read the law, the prophets, the writings, and the gospel. As Stephen Presley has written, “Following these examples and exhortations, the early church has always prized the public reading of Scripture. They could not image a worship service without someone reading healthy portions of Scripture drawn from across the canon.”[2]

Second, congregational response to the Word is modeled in Scripture. Throughout the Bible, God speaks to his people, and they respond. After Moses reads the covenant stipulations in Exodus 20-23, the people respond, “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.” (Ex 24:3) Upon hearing the covenant curses and blessings, the people respond with, “Amen” (Deuteronomy 27). Call and response are clearly woven into the structure of several Psalms (106, 118, 136). During the covenant renewal in Nehemiah 8, the people respond corporately to Ezra’s reading of the law by raising their hands and saying, “Amen, Amen” (Nehemiah 8:6). If these examples are not persuasive, perhaps we should note that call and response is part of the liturgy of heavenly worship (Revelation 4-5). Finally, it is worth meditating on the fact that the canon’s last words are a call-and-response. 

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen (Revelation 22:20–21)

Cultivating a Thankful Church

But a congregational praise to the Lord in response to hearing his word is not just biblical. It’s spiritually beneficial. Why? Because it cultivates the gratitude that God commands his people to have. 

God commands the church to give thanks in all things. The Christian life and worship in the body of Christ are to be characterized by thanksgiving. The Psalms instruct us to enter God’s presence with thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2, 100:4). Of particular importance for our purpose is Paul’s command in Colossians 3:15-17 for the church to give thanks in the context of corporate worship. 

15  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,  with thankfulness  in your hearts to God. 17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:15–17)

Along with Colossians 3:15-16, I do not believe it is an exegetical stretch to apply Paul’s commands for the church to give thanks in everything (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18) as support for the spiritual benefit of congregational response. As the saints gather to hear the Word of God, responding with “thanks be to God” upon hearing the Word read is a beautiful expression of corporate obedience to God’s command to give thanks in all things.

Is the formula “This is the Word of the Lord, thanks be to God” explicitly found in Scripture? No. It is, however, deeply biblical. God has commanded his people to commit to the public reading of Scripture. He has commanded us to give thanks in all things and provided numerous congregational responses throughout Scripture. 

As you gather for corporate worship, prepare your heart to respond joyfully and boldly to the words “This is the Word of the Lord.” The living God speaks to his people by the living Word of God. How can we not give thanks?

[1] Although some translations may imply a private reading is in view (KJV, NKJV), the pairing of exhortation and teaching with the command to read Scripture only makes sense if the reference is the public reading of Scripture. See Sam Waldron, How Then Shall We Worship?: The Regulative Principle and the Required Parts of the Church’s Corporate Worship (Evangelical Press, Great Britain, 2022) 206-207.

2Accessed July 7th, 2026.

Nathaniel R. Martin

Spiritual Obstinance, Spiritual Darkness, and the Supremacy of Christ: Acts 19:8-20

 

Sermon Idea: Above all spiritual obstinacy and darkness is the supremacy of Christ and the superior power of His gospel. 

Introduction: During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he encountered several Jewish leaders who could be described as spiritually obstinate. They were hopelessly stubborn, unable to see the glory of God in Jesus standing before them, just as they were unable to see the glory of Jesus in the pages of Scripture.   

Speaking to unbelieving Jews, Jesus said, 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (Jn 5:38–40)

Jesus also encountered numerous evil spirits and demons who not only knew who he was, but who were fearful of him. One such encounter was in the country of the Gerasenes, as a man who lived naked among the tombs was tormented by a legion of demons that caused him great harm.

As Jesus entered into this region of darkness, the demon-possessed man fell immediately at the feet of Jesus and pleaded with him. 

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” (Lk 8:28)

In both of these scenarios and others like them throughout the Gospels, Jesus remains supreme. The unbelief of the crowds and the rejection of him by the Jewish leaders did not stop the Kingdom’s advance. Nor did the spiritual darkness and evil spirits prove to be a match for the authority of Christ. With a mere word, he delivered many people from the bondage of evil spirits.

Acts 19:8-20 teaches us that the supremacy of Christ continues even as he has ascended into heaven. We have put an emphasis in our study of Acts on the risen and ascended Christ, because he is the proper subject of the book. The acts recorded by Luke are not primarily those of Peter and Paul, but those of the risen Lord Jesus. 

In Acts 19, Paul encounters spiritual obstinacy from unbelieving Jews. Even still, the Word of the Lord becomes known throughout the entire region. Why? Because our risen Lord lives, reigns, and acts. Above all spiritual stubbornness is the supremacy of Christ, who accomplishes his purposes. 

Through Paul’s ministry, evil spirits are also cast out. Even though the risen Lord reigns in heaven, every evil spirit fears his name. He may be in heaven, but he acts, and when he does, the devils of Hell cannot rival his power. They do what he says. 

Above all spiritual obstinacy and darkness is the supremacy of Christ and the superior power of His gospel. That is the simple truth I want to show you this morning. 

Before we do, I want to help us think wisely about the nature of the spiritual realm, especially the spiritual darkness behind so much of the world’s evil. We need to reflect on stories like this because they remind us that there is a spiritual realm where angels minister, and demons oppose God’s people. 

In the West, many have become practical unbelievers in the spiritual realm. What I mean by that is many Christians profess to believe in the supernatural but live day to day with practical unbelief in them. They profess to believe, but pray pithy prayers lacking conviction. They mentally assent, but relate to the church, the Bible, and ordinances as if they are unaware of spiritual warfare.

For many of our missionaries serving in pagan cultures where animistic belief and pagan religion are rampant, texts like these resonate deeply. In those contexts, an awareness of evil spirits is imperative. 

That said, we need to engage with these texts carefully, reading them with the rest of Scripture in clear view. 

C.S. Lewis wrote his famous book, The Screwtape Letters, as a senior demon writing to a younger demon about how to properly tempt and attack a human being. It’s a really insightful book, but Lewis was aware that he needed readers to engage with it wisely. This is what he writes in the introduction. 

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.” 

One way we avoid unhealthy engagements with texts like these is to keep the whole story of the Bible in view. If you’re a Christian, you should read them through the lens of your deliverance in Jesus Christ, which is not only from your own personal sin but also from the domain of darkness and death. 

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:13–14)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pe 2:9) 

With these truths in mind, let us look at the text together to see and savor the supremacy of Jesus Christ. 

I.) Spiritual Obstinacy (Acts 19:8-10) 

It is good for us to remember that Paul is in Ephesus. Last week we saw that 12 men repented and came to faith in Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of the church in Ephesus, and what we read about here in Acts 19 is the continual strengthening and equipping of this young church. Look with me starting at verse 8. 

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)

As was Paul’s custom, he made his way to the synagogue, but now he stayed for an extended period. His method remains the same. He reasoned and aimed to persuade from the Scriptures about the kingdom of God. 

References to the kingdom of God in Acts are few, but when they do appear, they occur at critical moments. In fact, references to the kingdom bookend the entire narrative. 

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (Ac 1:3)

30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Ac 28:30–31)

In between those two references, it appears at key moments when the word is spreading. The Kingdom of God was central to the preaching of Jesus and the apostles, so what is the kingdom? It is the reign and rule of God exercised over his people. It comes in the person and work of Jesus, so that entrance into the kingdom comes only through repentance and faith in Jesus. 

This is how Jesus preached the gospel: 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:15) 

God is sovereign over everything and everyone, but it is those who give their allegiance to Christ as king who are members of the kingdom of God. There is nothing more important in your life than this. Have you given your allegiance to Christ through faith? Have you professed that faith in Christian baptism? 

The question is not whether Christ is risen. It is not whether God has made him both Lord and Christ. The question is whether you’ve bended your knee in allegiance to him. 

As good as this message of the kingdom is, it’ll sometimes fall on obstinate ears. Like Jesus before him, Paul met opposition to the gospel. 

 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:8–10)

It is heartbreaking when those presented with the truth so clearly continue to harden their hearts against it. We need to notice that this does not discourage or distract Paul from this purpose of his mission. 

He presses on strategically and invests in the disciples who had believed. We don’t give up on people, but we don’t prioritize time with those who speak evil of the way. We prioritize time with those who are ready and eager to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Above the rejection and attempts to stop the spread of the faith is the supremacy of Christ, who works mightily through Paul’s time with a mere twelve men. I can think of someone else who spent dedicated time with just twelve men and changed the world. There is an important lesson to learn from the ministry of Jesus as echoed even here in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. 

The most fruitful growth is deep before it is wide. Look at verse 9-10 again. 

took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:9-10) 

Imagine spending two years learning how to read and interpret the Scriptures from the Apostle Paul. He invested deeply in these brothers, no doubt discussing many of the themes found in letters such as Romans, Galatians, and others. They didn’t spend two years with Paul content with a diet of spiritual milk. Paul trained and formed these men in the deep things of God, so that their palate longed to taste the meat of the Word. 

The word advances in verse 10, becasue these mature men were spreading the Word throughout their time with Paul. Depth has led to breadth. The irony of prioritizing width over depth is that you end up stunting the church’s growth. It doesn’t matter how big you get if you neglect spiritual depth and maturity; you’re just left with an unhealthy church full of people who can’t help each other grow. 

II.) Spiritual Darkness (Acts 19:11-16) 

Not only was the word advancing through these disciples, but God was working extraordinary miracles through Paul. 

11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. (Acts 19:11–12)

As a reminder, signs and miracles are used early in the life of the church to verify and support the proclamation of the Word. They are not ends in and of themselves and always point beyond themselves to support the proclamation of the Word. These are normative experiences or gifts, but given by God for the purpose of spreading the Word in new regions, especially those that may be filled with pagan idolatry and religion. 

The focus of this passage, however, is not on Paul but on the sons of Sceva who attempt to use the name of Jesus for their own selfish gain.

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. (Acts19:13–14)

We have enough clues in the text to tell us these are not purely motivated people. After hearing or seeing God work through Paul, they invoke the name of Jesus as if it’s a mere magical incantation or formula. They do so not for service to Christ or to the hurting, but for their own selfish gain. They want the power, and they think doing things in Jesus’ name is a means to gain more power. 

It does seem noteworthy that the word translated “adjure” is never used by Jesus in any exorcism he performs. Scholars tell us it was used in magical incantations, and used notably by demons in Mark 5:7. 

7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me. (Mk 5:7)

It is a dangerous thing to seek spiritual power apart from God and his grace. The world is not a neutral place, and curiosity about spiritual darkness can be detrimental to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:15–16)

The evil spirit acknowledges Jesus and Paul, but neither respects nor responds to these sons of Sceva. The evil spirit knows they are frauds and inflicts great harm on them, resulting in public shame. It is terrifying to realize that people can suffer great harm from evil spirits.

Here it is important to understand the Bible never described Christian believers being possessed internally by a demon. That is impossible, for Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). 

In fact, Christ is so supreme and the presence of the Spirit in the life of the believer so powerful, that we can resist the devil and the influence of demons. 

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (Jas 4:7–8)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith (1 Pe 5:8–9)

Spiritual warfare in the Christian life is real, but we stand not in our strength but in the Christ who is the victor, who has won the battle, and who will return to inflict the full weight of Judgment on Satan into eternity.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:10–11)

III.) Superior Power (Acts 19:17-20) 

We have said that the primary point to take away this morning is that, above all, spiritual obstinacy and darkness, the supremacy of Christ and the superior power of His gospel prevail. 

Verses 17-20 drive that point home. 

17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily (Ac 19:17–20)

The culture of Ephesus was rampant with magical arts, power, and pagan religion. The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is in that context that so many see the failure of the sons of Sceva. They know what we know: that had Paul given the same command in the name of Jesus, the evil spirit would have obeyed. 

The magic arts of the sons of Sceva failed, and in that failure, many came to see that Jesus Christ, as preached by Paul, is a superior power and a superior Lord. 

This event not only brought people to saving faith but also led to greater repentance among disciples of Jesus in Ephesus who were reluctant to leave their dark spirituality entirely.

8 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.  (Acts 19:18-19) 

By seeing more of Jesus’ supremacy, they gave up and repented of practices that were hindering their walks with Jesus Christ. 

God’s grace often finds us trapped in all kinds of sin and idols. Although we have been changed and made new, it takes time to align our entire lives with God’s righteousness. These disciples have come to recognize that Jesus is better than the sinful practices they once indulged in. 

That’s what we need to believe this morning. What might be hindering our walk with Jesus? We need to know Jesus is better! 

He is better than the vain philosophy and progressive ideology. 

He is better than every distracting pleasure. 

He is better than any addiction, big or small. 

He is better than any habit or act that harms our ability to enjoy being in sweet communion with God. 

What do we need to proverbially throw into the fire this morning? Let’s shed it like clothing before a race: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely (Heb 12:1)

Why? 

Above all spiritual obstinacy and darkness is the supremacy of Christ and the superior power of His gospel.