Verses 7-8, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.” Here we see evidence of the early church meeting for teaching of the word on Sunday, the first day of the week. Paul preached the message until midnight, and later in Verse 11 we see that he resumed and continued teaching until daybreak. Not even a man falling out a window to his death could stop this message The man persisted in attending even though he obviously was exhausted. Think of the excuses people give for cutting fellowship and study time short, or missing church altogether. Christians today call gathering over worldly activities fellowship, and can manage to do that; but have no perseverance for the things that feed the spirit and refuse the bring their bodies into submission.
Paul, knowing that he would be leaving said in Verses 18-27, “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Paul's focus was not on himself, what he had given up, or what trials were lying ahead of him. His life was not his priority. He was focused on the kingdom of God. Paul also did not care who he offended and did not fail to warn sinners of their eternal destiny if they refused to repent. He declared the whole counsel of God, not just the parts that people want to hear. How many churches do you know that do that today? How many professing Christians do you know that will even defend the truth?
Paul warns them of the wolves that will come seeking the sheep after he leaves, and tells them to watch out for them. Not for just their own safety, but also for the sake of the flock. Verses 28-31, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Warning the flock was part of the shepherding responsibility and still is today. Ezekiel 34:2-5, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.”
We are not to accept any other doctrines and need to be in the word and in prayer daily in order to guard ourselves. One of the biggest deceptions today is the promise of freedom to pursue the lusts of the flesh while calling it grace. 2 Peter 2:18-22, “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.' ” It is deception because you think you are getting freedom when you're actually being brought back into bondage, which Jesus set you free from by His death on the cross.
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