Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles
12 - Paul's Last Missionary Journey
Last time we left Paul in Antioch with the church that first commended him to his pioneer missionary work. After a fairly lengthy stay in Antioch Paul was ready to set out on what has become known as his “Third Missionary Journey.” The story of this journey is recorded for us in Acts chapter 18 verse 23 to chapter 19 verse 41.
We are told that he travelled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia. These were the places he had visited on his previous journeys. His purpose was to “strengthen all the disciples.” This was a vital part of Paul’s ministry. We are told in Acts chapter 14 verses 21 and 22 that on his first journey he returned to the cities of Lystra, Iconium and Pysidian Antioch, “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” in Acts 18 verse 23, the word used in the original for “strengthen” has the idea of “establishing”. Paul wanted these new believers to be firmly grounded in their faith so that they could withstand the attacks of the devil and be able to give an answer to those who questioned them about their faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul’s purpose was not only to preach the gospel and so win men and women for Christ, it was also to make them true disciples, established in the truth. This must be our purpose today.
Towards the end of his second journey, the ship on which Paul was travelling had called at Ephesus and he had taken the opportunity to visit the synagogue and reason with the Jews. Unlike many of the other places he had visited, the Jews at Ephesus asked him to spend more time with them. However, Paul could not stay, but promised to return if it was God’s will for him. This he did on this third journey, returning to the synagogue, as he had promised, to speak further with the Jews there. For three months he spoke boldly about the kingdom of God, but some refused to believe and publicly began to speak out against the message that Paul was preaching concerning the way of salvation. It is evident, however, that some did believe the message and became followers of Christ. Because of the opposition Paul withdrew with the believers and took them to the public lecture hall of Tyrannus where he had discussions daily and had the liberty to preach and to teach those who believed. Chapter 19 verse 10 tells us that “this went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” We see in this again Paul’s method of grounding new believers in the Word so that they in their turn could go out and teach others also. As a result of this the gospel spread across the whole region, the disciples witnessing to both Jews and Greeks as Paul had done.
Ephesus was the centre for the idolatrous worship of the Greek goddess Artemis, worshipped by the Romans as Diana. We are told in Acts chapter 19 verses 23 to 26 that the preaching of the gospel had such an impact that many Ephesians turned to the Lord from their idols. This resulted in all those who made money from this idol worship inciting the mob, and Paul and his co-workers were in great danger. Luke tells us that the town clerk took charge of the situation and calmed the rioters with some wise words and so Paul was given protection. After this Paul sent for the believers and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. And what did he do when he arrived in Macedonia? “He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people…” chapter 20 verse 2. Paul was nothing if not an encourager of God’s people. Never underestimate the power and the necessity of believers encouraging one another in the faith. This is a ministry we can all engage in and which we all need, no matter how long we have been Christians. Do you show an interest in the spiritual well-being of the believers where you are and do you seek to comfort and urge them on in their walk with the Lord?
The Apostle Paul was a great encourager as we have discovered several times in this talk.
Paul’s third journey continued and he finally arrived in Greece where he stayed for three months. Accompanying him were seven fellow-workers in the gospel whose names are recorded for us in verse 4. Paul dearly loved and appreciated those who pioneered with him in the spread of the gospel. They were men from all over the areas where Paul and his fellow evangelists had planted churches. On leaving Greece, Paul followed the advance party of these men to Troas where, on the first day of the week (the Lord’s Day) they came together to break bread. It is more than probable that they, along with the local believers, participated in the Lord’s Supper - the remembrance of the Saviour in his death as instituted by the Lord Himself, as described in Luke chapter 22 verses 14 to 20.
Paul and his companions stayed seven days in Troas and then Paul set off on foot for the port of Assos while the others went by ship and took him on board there.
Paul was anxious to get to Jerusalem, but he wanted to meet with the elders of the Ephesian church one last time and so he called for them to come to the next port which was Miletus. He gave a very moving address in which he reminded them of the faithful way in which he had ministered among them and declared the gospel to both Jews and Greeks. He reminded them that they were God’s appointed shepherds of the Lord’s flock in Ephesus and like a true pastor himself, Paul gave these men some very sound advice for their leadership of God’s people. He told them that they must first keep watch over themselves. As leaders in the church they would especially be open to many trials and temptations and so they must keep close to the Lord and ensure that in their own walk with Him they were examples to the believers under their care. Then they were to keep watch over and be true shepherds of God’s blood bought church, guarding them from the false teachers that would seek to draw the believers away after them. We see Paul’s deep concern for the Ephesian Christians as he reminds them that for three years he never stopped warning them night and day with tears. (chapter 20 verse 31). This reminds us of the great responsibility that elders in our churches still have today. We should constantly pray for them and seek to encourage and support them in every way we can, just as the great Apostle did.
Luke records the closing scene of this touching meeting. It is full of emotion: “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.” (Verses 36 to 38).
Having followed Paul on his missionary journeys, we have seen him as a champion of God’s truth and as an evangelist without equal, and we have recognised him as a pastor. He dearly loved the people he brought to salvation, and they loved him. Even in his letters to these churches, when dealing with matters which required censure, we see over and over again his loving heart.
Leaving Miletus, Paul and his companions set sail for the Palestinian mainland landing eventually at the port of Tyre. Although Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem because of the danger to his life his answer to the concerned believers was: “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”, such was his commitment and his love for his Lord.
This final visit to Jerusalem ended with some sadness for this great servant of God. A band of militant Jews from the province of Asia stirred up a religious riot in which Paul was seized and dragged from the Temple and would have been severely beaten except that he was rescued by soldiers from the Roman garrison. Even in this situation Paul asked permission to speak to the crowd and in Acts chapter 22 verses 1 to 21 we have his clear testimony to the work of God in his life. This again incited the crowd and only his assertion that he was a Roman citizen saved him from a flogging by the soldiers. A lesson surely to us all that God can and often does use the least likely of people to deliver his servants.