Why the long sermon?
Sometimes in the Scripture, as in life, we encounter strings of events which seem nothing more than meaningless diversions. We view them as irritations to overcome and put behind us so that we can carry on with what’s important to us. This passage of Acts is wrapped in exactly those kinds of events, but when you look closely and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, we find God’s purpose precisely timed and encoded in every detail. We need to ask God to direct our every move, trust Him to do so not matter the outcome, and continue to obey Him in the details.
Scripture
Acts 20:1-16 ESV 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. [3] There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. [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. [5] These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, [6] but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. [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. [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. [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. [13] But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. [14] And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. [15] And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. [16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Through the Scripture
Make the most of the time created by difficult situations
The riot in Ephesus caused by the silversmith could certainly be called adversity. Paul and his ministry team could have bemoaned it and allowed it to distract and demoralise them (as it was no doubt intended by the enemy), but instead Paul reassures the disciples and leaves early for next leg of his mission, in the opposite direction to which he is ultimately headed. The riot has created space for him to work more effectively. Adversity is often an opportunity for more effective ministry, think about Ivan Martos.
Acts 20:1 ESV After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 ESV In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
Make the most of the time to deal with difficult situations
Paul ended up with three months in Greece, which he probably spent in Corinth. Judging by the letters to the Corinthians Churches that he sent from Ephesus, they really needed him there. God sovereignly gave him this time with them, and not only that but also the opportunity to write the book of Romans. When things look crazy around us we need to keep asking and trusting God to make the most of the time to deal with what matters to Him.
Acts 20:2-3 ESV When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. [3] There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Romans 1:16-17 ESV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Make the most of the time with God’s people
Paul wrote to the Corinthians to explain the importance of the collection for the poor in Jerusalem. This explains in some measure the presence of representatives of so many different churches with Paul on these “detours”. But there’s something more. This gave Paul hours of travelling time to teach and minister with dedicated men of God, chosen to do His work. We need to look around us in difficult times to see and recognise the people God has sent to receive our attention.
Acts 20:4-6 ESV 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. [5] These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, [6] but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
2 Corinthians 8:19-21 ESV And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. [20] We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, [21] for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.
Make the most of the time to speak God’s Word
Jesus came to preach God’s Word. God’s word is living and active, it births faith and faith saves lives and glorifies God. The importance of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every possible opportunity can never be underestimated. We need to take every opportunity we get, even when it seems inopportune.
Acts 20:7 ESV 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.
Ephesians 5:16 ESV making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 ESV I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: [2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Luke 4:43 ESV but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
Make the most of the time to love and minister to peoples needs
Ministry isn’t just about speaking though, it’s about taking every opportunity to seek God’s power and grace for peoples needs. Paul was supernaturally empowered to raise the dead (as Peter was) but we all have gift from God to serve each other in times of need. We must allow circumstances to blind us to the opportunity to minister to peoples needs.
Acts 20:8-10 ESV 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. [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.”
Matthew 10:7-8 ESV And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Make the most of the time created by God’s miracles
It would have been easy to call a close to the evening given the tragic injury of this young man, but it was a golden opportunity to drive home the wonderful truth of God’s omnipotent love for His people in raising the dead. We need to ask God to have the same outlook for opportunities created by His supernatural intervention.
Acts 20:11-12 ESV 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.
Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Make the best use of time to prioritise God’s purpose
All of these things seemed to fall effortlessly into place for Paul as chaos made way for God’s divinely orchestrated plan. But Paul was a man of prayer, faith and obedience, and we should also be. Following this simple philosophy will make sense of chaos and order our lives around God’s plans and purposes, something we could never achieve in our own stregth or wisdom. Ask for God’s will and plan and purpose, be on the lookout for the opportunities He creates and obey Him in the details.
Acts 20:13-16 ESV But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. [14] And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. [15] And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. [16] For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Matthew 6:9-13 ESV Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Daily Devotions
Monday: Turning Adversity into Opportunity
Today’s Verse: After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)
Reflection Adversity is often an opportunity for more effective ministry. The riot in Ephesus caused by the silversmith could have been a reason to bemoan the situation and allow the enemy to distract or demoralise those doing the work of the Lord. Instead, space was created to work more effectively. When unexpected disturbances arise, we must recognise that God has made the day of prosperity as well as the day of adversity. He uses these "bumps in the road" to ensure we do not live under the false illusion that we control the future, but rather to make us dependent on Him and His will.
Additional Scripture
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
Life Application Look at the current difficult situations or "riots" in your life not as meaningless diversions, but as precisely timed moments where He is creating space for His purpose. Ask Him to direct your every move and trust Him to use even the most uncomfortable circumstances to further His kingdom and His glory.
Prayer points
Pray for the ability to see opportunities for ministry in the midst of adversity.
Ask Him to help you trust His timing when your plans are interrupted.
Pray for the grace to encourage others when you are facing difficult transitions.
Tuesday: Dealing with What Matters to God
Today’s Verse: When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (Acts 20:2-3)
Reflection God sovereignly provides time to deal with difficult situations that matter to Him. During three months in Greece, the book of Romans was written and time was spent addressing the deep divisions in the Corinthian church. Though the route might have seemed inconvenient or "the wrong way," it was God’s route to save and strengthen His people through teaching. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, and the power of His Gospel provides salvation to everyone who believes. He redeems time that looks wasted or inconvenient to bring about theological depth and congregational unity.
Additional Scripture
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
Life Application When things look crazy around you, keep asking and trusting Him to show you how to use that time for what matters to Him. Instead of switching off or "doom scrolling" through a crisis, seek ways to bring His peace and truth to messed-up situations.
Prayer points
Ask Him to show you the "difficult situations" He wants you to address today.
Pray for a deeper understanding of His grace and the power of the Gospel.
Thank Him for the sovereign way He orders your steps to help others.
Wednesday: Recognising God’s People in the Detours
Today’s Verse: 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. (Acts 20:4)
Reflection Time spent with God’s people is never wasted, even during "detours" and long journeys. Travelling with representatives from many different churches allowed for transparency and the administration of acts of grace for the glory of the Lord. These long roads provide hours for teaching and ministering to dedicated men chosen to do His work. We must look around us in difficult times to see and recognise the people He has sent to receive our attention. We are called to aim at what is honourable not only in His sight but also in the sight of man.
Additional Scripture
And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man. (2 Corinthians 8:19-21)
Life Application Value the relationships He has placed in your life, especially those who accompany you during seasons of change. Use the time you have with other believers to impart the Gospel and share your experiences of His faithfulness.
Prayer points
Pray for the people He has sent to walk alongside you in this season.
Ask for the wisdom to be transparent and honourable in all your dealings.
Thank Him for the opportunity to serve and be served by the body of Christ.
Thursday: The Urgency of the Preached Word
Today’s Verse: 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)
Reflection The importance of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every possible opportunity can never be underestimated. God’s Word is living and active; it births faith, saves lives, and glorifies Him. We must make the best use of the time because the days are evil and a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching. Jesus Himself declared that He was sent for the purpose of preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Whether in season or out of season, the word must be preached with complete patience and teaching, for it is the tool He uses to change hearts and minds.
Additional Scripture
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16)
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:2-4)
but He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43)
Life Application Take every opportunity to listen to and speak His Word, even when it seems inopportune. Do not take preaching lightly, but recognise it as God speaking through His Spirit to deliver truth that accomplishes His purpose.
Prayer points
Ask Him to give you a hunger for sound teaching and the truth of His Word.
Pray for those who preach the Gospel, that they would do so with boldness and patience.
Pray that He would use His Word to save and transform those around you.
Friday: Ministering to the Needs of Others
Today’s Verse: 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.” (Acts 20:10)
Reflection Ministry is about taking every opportunity to seek God’s power and grace for the needs of people. When tragedy strikes, such as the death of the young man Eutychus, we must not allow circumstances to blind us to the opportunity to minister. We are called to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand through healing and serving. He has supernaturally empowered His servants to give as they have received, without pay. This is the heart of ministry: loving people by meeting them in their moments of deepest need and crisis.
Additional Scripture
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10:7-8)
Life Application When someone around you is "wounded" or in need, do not be too busy with your own itinerary to stop and minister. Seek His power to bring comfort and life to those who are suffering, knowing that He has gifted you to serve others.
Prayer points
Ask Him to show you someone in need of His touch today.
Pray for the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to work through you to help others.
Thank Him for the grace and gifts He has given you to serve His people.
Saturday: Miracles as a Foundation for Faith
Today’s Verse: And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. (Acts 20:12)
Reflection Supernatural interventions are golden opportunities to drive home the wonderful truth of God’s omnipotent love. While miracles get people’s attention, it is faith that ultimately changes us. This faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. When He intervenes in a miraculous way, it creates a unique moment to speak the truth that people will never forget. We must have an outlook that looks for these opportunities created by His supernatural work to point people back to the Word that saves.
Additional Scripture
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
Life Application When you witness His hand at work in a "miraculous" or unexpected way, use it as a bridge to share the Gospel. Help others see that His power is a testimony to His love and the truth of His Word.
Prayer points
Pray that He would perform signs and wonders that lead people to faith in Him.
Ask for the wisdom to explain His miracles through the lens of His Word.
Thank Him for the comfort His power brings to His people.
Sunday: Prioritising the Purpose of God
Today’s Verse: For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16)
Reflection Following God’s plan requires prayer, faith, and obedience to prioritise His purpose above all else. Chaos makes way for His divinely orchestrated plan when we surrender our schedules to Him. We must ask for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, trusting Him to lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil. By following this simple philosophy of seeking His kingdom first, He will order our lives and make sense of the chaos in a way we could never achieve in our own strength or wisdom.
Additional Scripture
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Life Application Wake up each morning and entrust your hours to Him, asking Him to lead you. When your day goes "pear-shaped," recognise that it is simply taking the shape He intended. Be on the lookout for the opportunities He creates and obey Him in the details.
Prayer points
Pray that His will would be done in your life today as it is in heaven.
Ask Him to lead you to the specific places and people He has planned for you.
Commit your plans to Him and ask for the obedience to follow His lead.