Acts 20

http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+20/

After the aforementioned riots quieted down, Paul gathered his disciples and told them he was leaving for Macedonia. He went through the region and spoke much about Jesus. Then, he went to Greece and stayed for six months.

Right after Paul decided to leave for Syria, he discovered that the Jews were trying to kill him again. Even though this happens time after time for Paul, he never gives up on God. Maybe his life would be less dangerous if he didn't do the work God called him to, but it certainly would be much less fulfilling. Instead of his original plan, Paul decided to head back to Macedonia. He left with man of his disciples, and Luke with some others joined them later. Luke recounts that when he arrived, Paul was teaching for his last night in the city of Troas and spoke well past midnight. By the window sat a young man. While Paul spoke, the young man began growing sleepy. After a time, he fell asleep and down from the third story window to his death. All of the people listening to Paul rushed downstairs to see what had happened. Paul told them not to worry because the boy was still alive. No sooner had he spoken these words that the boy sat up, went back upstairs, and ate with all of the others.

When they leave from Troas, Paul travels to the city of Assos on foot because he probably stopped along the way to teach in some of the cities along the way. Luke and some others traveled by sea to prepare a ship and pick Paul up in Assos. From there, they traveled around to some of the islands that Paul could not get to to teach on foot. They also hit some mainland cities, but Paul avoided Asia altogether. He decided he wanted to get back to Jerusalem for the Pentecost if possible.

Paul calls together all of the spiritual leaders of Ephesus to Miletus. There, he discusses many matters with them. He tells them that they know how well he served the Lord and did not avoid telling them anything about His plan. If God reveals things to us, we should share them with others. Paul spoke in front of crowds despite the fact that people wanted to kill him. Still during those times of danger, he worshipped God. It's so easy to worship God when things run smoothly, but the true test of faith comes in praising God even when our luck seems down. Paul warned the Jews and the Greeks that they need to change their ways or they will hurt only themselves. Now, Paul wishes to return to Jerusalem. He does not know what will happen to him there. He may be arrested or killed. The Holy Spirit tells him that imprisonment waits in all the cities along the way. However, Paul says that he does not place much value on his own life. He wants to finish the race. The Holy Spirit sent Paul on all of these journeys that have turned out alright thus far, and Paul wants to finish them, even if suffering may be involved. Paul finally broaches the topic that he does not believe he will see any of these officials again. He reminds them once more that he held nothing back from them, and their spiritual deaths are not his fault. As soon as he leaves, Paul knows that people will come through and try to destroy people's faith. Some of these people come up with good arguments, but do not let them confuse or upset you because as long as you believe, God will prove His existence, and you know that eternal life is not far away. Additionally, people within the church will try to corrupt what Paul has done in order to gain their own following. There are churches around today where the preacher has taken the spotlight from Jesus. That is not what his job is, and those people should be set straight. You should worship Jesus and not the ones who teach about Him; to add pressure, Paul tells these church officials that God's message is in their hands now, and it is up to them to spread it. Paul leaves for them an example: he did not work for money or presents and he always earned his keep wherever he was. Finally, he prays for the churches and weeps with their leaders.