In this message we will turn our attention to Acts 20-21, focusing primarily on Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders in chapter 20. Not only in Acts 20-21, but in many other parts of the New Testament as well, we see three things concerning which the apostles are consistently resolute and focused, and from which they cannot be moved: sound teaching, sound conduct, and sound stewardship. We welcome you to join us as we ask the Lord to anchor us in these three realities.

Tim Miller

Church

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<li class="li1">Today in our Acts series, we will turn our attention to Acts 20-21, focusing primarily on Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders in chapter 20. The title of today’s message is “Unmoved.” </li>
<li class="li1">Key concept for today’s study/message: “Soundness”
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<li class="li1">Gk. hugiainō: “be healthy or sound; literally, of physical and mental soundness be healthy, be well (LU 7:10); figuratively, of doctrinal teaching be correct, be accurate, be sound (1T 1:10)”; “to be correct or accurate, conceived as being free from infirmity or disease”</li>
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<li class="li2">10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health (“well” [NET, NIV], “completely healed” [NLT], “whole” [ASV], “healthy” [LEB], “restored to health” [CEB]). (Lk.7:10, CSB)</li>
<li class="li2">But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine (Gk. hugiainō; “healthy doctrine” [ISV]; “wholesome teaching” [NLT]; “the true teaching” [NCV]; “sound instruction” [LEB]). (Tit. 2:1, NRSV)</li>
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<li class="li1">Not only in Acts 20-21, but in many other parts of the New Testament as well, we see three things concerning which the apostles are consistently resolute and focused, and from which they cannot be moved: sound teaching, sound conduct, and sound stewardship.
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<li class="li1">Sound teaching: Instruction that Jesus and the apostles would consider whole, intact, healthy, accurate, free of disease, and divinely sanctioned and approved.</li>
<li class="li1">Sound conduct: The way of life that Jesus and the apostles would consider whole, intact, healthy, accurate, free of disease, and divinely sanctioned and approved; accords with sound teaching.</li>
<li class="li1">Sound stewardship: The kind of handling of the gospel, and the various functions and ministries connected with it, that Jesus and the apostles would consider whole, intact, healthy, accurate, free of disease, and divinely sanctioned and approved; gospel regarded, treated, and passed on according to its true worth, glory, and sanctity; laboring faithfully and diligently, even at great personal cost, to see Jesus’ people established in sound teaching and sound conduct.</li>
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D.Examples
14 I am writing this (i.e., how we live “foolishly,” in hope of the age to come; vv. 1-13) not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children (sound stewardship). 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel (sound stewardship). 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me (“follow my example” [NCV, REB, TEV]; sound conduct). 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son (i.e., “disciple” ) whom I love, who is faithful (or “trustworthy” [CJB, REB]; Gk. pistos) in the Lord (sound stewardship). He will remind you of my way of life (sound conduct) in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach (sound teaching) everywhere in every church. (1 Cor. 4:14-17, NIV)
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<li class="li2">4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (“entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed” [NIV]). 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (1 Cor. 4:1, ESV)</li>
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2:1 But as for you, communicate the behavior (sound conduct) that goes with sound teaching (Gk. hugiainō; “healthy doctrine” [ISV]). 2:2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled (sound conduct), sound (Gk. hugiainō; “healthy” [CEB]) in faith, in love, and in endurance (sound conduct). (Tit. 2:1-2, NET)
11 Command and teach these things (sound teaching; cf. 1 Cor. 4:17 [Timothy] above). 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (sound conduct). 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching (sound stewardship and teaching). 14 Do not neglect your gift (sound stewardship), which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them (sound stewardship), so that everyone may see your progress (growth in sound conduct and stewardship). 16 Watch your life (sound conduct) and doctrine (sound teaching) closely. Persevere in them (sound stewardship; be “unmoved”), because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers (stakes incredibly high). (1 Tim. 4:11-16, NIV)
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<li class="li1">The New Testament writings are themselves a product of sound/faithful stewardship, and often reflect a two-fold sound teaching/sound conduct pattern and arrangement. Consider, for example, Ephesians and Colossians:</li>
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Letter to the Ephesians
Product of Sound Stewardship
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Ephesians 1-3
Focus on Sound Teaching
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Ephesians 4-6
Focus on Sound Conduct
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Letter to the Colossians
Product of Sound Stewardship
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Colossians 1-2
Focus on Sound Teaching
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Colossians 3-4
Focus on Sound Conduct
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<li class="li1">Accords with the Great Commission</li>
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18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of (lit. “instruct”; see HCSB footnote) all nations (sound stewardship), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them (sound teaching) to obey everything I have commanded you (sound conduct). And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt. 28:18-20, NIV)

INTRODUCTION

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<li class="li1">In Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, we see that Paul was unmoved from sound teaching, sound conduct, and sound stewardship:</li>
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17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you (sound conduct), from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing (sound stewardship) by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house (sound stewardship; cf. Troas in Ac. 20:7-11; “many sleepless nights” [2 Cor. 11:27, CSB]). 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus (sound teaching). 
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem (sound stewardship), not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (sound stewardship; cf. Ac. 21:13-14—“ ‘…I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ When he would not be dissuaded [from going to Jerusalem at the risk of his life…]” [NIV]).
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you (“if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible” [TEV]). 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim (sound stewardship; cf. Ezek. 18 and 33) to you the whole will of God (sound teaching; failure in verse 27 extremely serious consequences). 28 Keep watch over yourselves (sound teaching and conduct; cf. 1 Tim. 4:16) and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (sound stewardship). Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood (sound stewardship). 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock (diseased/unsound conduct, teaching, and stewardship). 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth (unsound teaching) in order to draw away disciples after them (unsound conduct and stewardship). 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears (sound stewardship and conduct). 
32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (sound teaching). 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing (sound conduct). 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions (sound conduct). 35 In everything I did (sound conduct), I showed you (sound stewardship) that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak (sound conduct), remembering the words the Lord Jesus (sound teaching) himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (sound teaching and conduct)” (Ac. 20:17-35, NIV)
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PAUL’S PARTING WORDS TO THE EPHESIAN ELDERS

In this message we will turn our attention to Acts 20-21, focusing primarily on Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders in chapter 20.