Acts 20:1-16 "IN JOURNEYINGS OFTEN" In recounting a life of service for God, the Holy Spirit did not give us a diary of every place or every act of faith in the life of the apostle Paul. Instead we have been given an over-view of his missionary journeys so we can learn what is needed to be effective in our lives for God. At the end of the account of the riot in Ephesus, we learn that Paul recognized the need of the disciples there to be comforted and assured. They were going to be there after he left. They would have to live from day to day as marked people among those who resented them. It is important for those who go from place to place preaching the Gospel and ministering to the saints of God, to consider how important their encouragement is for those who live in that place. The pressure to conform to what is going on around them never does go away. They need the strengthening that comes from those who brought them the Gospel as well as those who come to minister the Word of God.
Paul did that not only in Ephesus when he left there, but as he went back to those places where the Lord used him before. In Philippi he probably was comforted himself, as well as being a great encouragement to the assembly there. In Thessalonica, Berea and other places where the Lord's people were gathered, he made it a point to take time to teach and exhort the believers to be faithful to the Lord in spite of the perilous times they were living in. We may think the assemblies we move among are well-fed spiritually and ministered to by those God has gifted to meet the needs they have. But there are benefits that are unique when one comes with a concern and compassion for the well-being of the Lord's people. During those days Paul also wrote again to the Corinthians after he had received the news from Titus that his first letter had been well received and acted upon. True, there were some there who resented his authority, but the assembly for the most part had moved to do what was taught in the first letter he wrote. The lordship of Christ had been reaffirmed and the saints had not ignored his instructions as being from the Lord Himself.
After being comforted and assured by the response of the Corinthian believers. Paul went there and remained long enough to clarify his teaching and guide them into a more careful understanding of what it meant to be gathered unto the Lord Jesus Christ. The lasting impact of one meeting at an assembly is usually quite negligible. There is the fact that the saints know they are not forgotten, but as far as strengthening the work and the faith of the believers - that takes time. Public ministry in meetings of the assembly, needs to be reinforced by private conversations and by personal example that is only possible by being in a place for a longer period of time. Even in Gospel work, it takes quite awhile before the Christians themselves are actively involved in bringing people they know to hear the Word of God being preached.
When we make plans to do certain things, we must always remember, "If the Lord will, we will do this or that." The final authority as to where we should be or where we should go next, is up to God - not up to us. When Paul was wanting to go Syria by ship, he had Jerusalem before him. The plans of God were quite different because there was still unfinished work to do. There were instructions and lessons to be learned by us today that needed Paul to return back through Macedonia, go to Troas and Miletus. There were also seven men from various places who were with him who needed to learn from the teaching of the apostle. It was probably their responsibility to carry finances to support the poor in Jerusalem, but they would never forget what they learned while with Paul. They would have learned how to work with brethren who were different from themselves. Sopater of Berea would have been a student of the scriptures. He would have learned from Aristarchus and Secundus the importance of reaching out with the Gospel, and they would have learned from him the value of "rightly dividing the word of truth." The variety of nationalities in Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus and Trophimus would have taught them how to adapt to others in order to work, travel and learn together under the influence and guidance of Paul. It is a good thing to live and work together that we may be more able to serve the Lord in difficult places and in difficult circumstances. These men were willing to be guided by the leadership of Paul. In that way they would be better equipped for a future day when they would need to take the responsibility of teaching and leading others. Paul made reference to this way of learning when at a later time he wrote Timothy and told him to pass on what he had learned to "faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." That practice needs to be continued today in order that we have leadership that not only knows the truth of God, but are able to effectively pass it on. By the time Paul, now joined by Luke, got to Troas, those saints would have been anxious to see him. Those brothers who went ahead of time would have told them he was coming. Meeting with those believers who gathered in the Lord's name there, would have been very memorable as they had fellowship for a number of days until the first day of the week when they met together to show the Lord's death and to remember Him in the breaking of bread. It was important to the Lord that we do this. It was important to the apostle and it should be important to us. Another point to consider was the gathering also included the teaching of the word that was given by the apostle Paul. A casual approach to the scriptures in a brief talk was not acceptable at Troas. When the Spirit of God guides in the ministry of the word, there will be opportunity to give the message God intends to be heard. The incident of the dead young man who fell three stories being raised from the dead by the power of God through the apostle, would have left a lasting impression on the saints reminding them that, what they were a part of, had divine authority behind it. May we never underestimate the importance of the assembly we are a part of and the work we have been called to do for the Lord. The visit to Troas wasn't long but would have been very important to the believers. It was important to God in that it is part of the written testimony of the early work of God left on the pages of scripture for our learning. Never let us be careless about what may not seem to us to be important. That may be the very thing that brings comfort to some of God's people.
For some reason Paul wanted to be by himself for the twenty mile walk to Assos. There are times when we should be alone to think and have private fellowship with the Lord. Not everyone will understand that need, but we do not owe everyone an explanation about those times of communion. Some things are just between us and the Lord. Often things are clarified to our own satisfaction and we can then go on confident that we are in the mind of the Lord about the way before us. In serving the Lord, it is to be expected we will have to travel and people may question us as to why we do not stay in one place longer. There are times when we know we must remain for a lengthy period of time, and on other occasions as much is accomplished in a short time as could be done over a long time. The overall knowledge of God's will, is what gives us direction. What happens from place to place is directed by circumstances the Holy Spirit brings, and also by common sense as to what is appropriate. Steps ordered by the Lord will lead us to places we may have never planned for - but are obviously right.
What is so important about these little places, why should we stop right here? A simple explanation is enough, a company of God's people are near - And it is only right when possible to take time to encourage them on the way. It may not seem all that important to me, but possibly will make their day.
When God has directed us in times past to do a work for Him - Those who He has saved by His grace, hope we will remember them. Some conversation, some scriptures read, some prayer and sincere praise - May be all that is needed to strengthen the saints, and spirits again to raise.
To follow up a work that began when the Gospel was first preached in a place - Requires some personal commitment from me that can only be done face to face. Really, what is our life of service about if the needs of the saints aren't met - And more that that, when we are willing to go, we find more than what we give, we get.
The short way home may seem the best, but the long way may be much better. To see and hear the voice of someone who cares is more meaningful than a written letter. For one under the pressure of the world and its ways, or of health that is deteriorating - To know someone thinks of them and is coming to visit, often is very invigorating.
Don't think time spent to strengthen God's people is time that is ever wasted. To give of yourself and minister some way, is better than a gift that can be tasted. The investment of gift may be measured in dollars and cents, but self is measured in love. To go extra miles and spend extra days is like a visit from someone above.
"Father, please keep me from being so self-centered that I forget the isolated saints who would be glad to see a Christian's dog. Help me to see from the viewpoint of others, so that I can effectively minister to their needs. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."