Acts 20:17-38

20:22-23 | At Paul’s conversion, the Lord had promised that He would show the apostle “how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (9:16). Apparently the Spirit showed Paul some of these things as he approached Jerusalem.

20:24 | The spiritual race is not about speed or style; it is a marathon of faithfulness – running with the joy of the Lord. As Paul wrote elsewhere, the kingdom of God is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).

20:29-30 | Wherever the work of God is progressing, there will be those who oppose it or try to capitalize on it for personal gain. The responsibility of the godly leader is to speak truth regardless of the cost – a responsibility great leaders do not shy away from.

20:32 | When it was time for Paul to bid farewell to Ephesian elders, he commended them to God and to the word of His grace. To God the Ephesian elders would ultimately answer, and from God they would ultimately receive their every provision.

20:38 | One of the ultimate tests of leadership is whether anyone is following. In Paul’s case, his leadership was proven by those who followed him – or would have followed him had they been able (the Ephesian elders).