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I. THE TESTIMONY OF FAITHFULNESS.

1. Serving faithfully (ver. 19).

(1) With humility (Romans 7:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9: Ephesians 3:8; Philippians 4:12; 1 Timothy 1:15).

(2) In the face of opposition (Acts 9:23; Acts 23:11; 2 Corinthians 11:26).

2. Teaching faithfully (ver. 21).

(1) To everybody (Acts 18:4; Romans 1:14; 1 Corinthians 1:23).

(2) The whole truth (Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 3:17; Hebrews 12:2).

3. Lessons:(1) "Ye yourselves know." Happy is the Christian whose life has been so manifestly consecrated to Christ, that he can begin his address with so confident a statement as this.

(2) "From the first day." Wise is that Christian who shows his true colours just as soon as he comes among strangers. It took less than one day for the Ephesians to find out that Paul was a Church member before he went West.

(3) "With all lowliness." The chief of apostles and the greatest of preachers, thought so much of Christ that he thought very little of himself.

(4) "With tears." This bravest of apostles wept. The Son of God wept. To weep then need be no sign of weakness. Tears are not fears.

(5) "With trials." When we think we have a monopoly of Christian sufferings, let us pause and consider what lay behind these two words of Paul's (2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

(6) "That was profitable." Would Paul have thought it was "profitable" for a minister of God charged with a message of life to dying men, to puzzle them instead over questions of the "higher criticism"?

(7) "Repentance...and faith." Could the essentials of Christianity have been more completely set forth by any form of words whatsoever?

II. THE TESTIMONY OF FEARLESSNESS.

1. Fearless Christian determination.

(1) To seek Jerusalem (ver. 22; Luke 9:51; Acts 19:21; Romans 15:25; Galatians 2:1).

(2) Despite the dangers (ver. 23; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:3).

2. Fearless Christian resignation (ver. 24; Acts 21:13; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:20; Revelation 12:11; Colossians 3:16).

3. Fearless Christian separation (ver. 25; Acts 20:38; John 16:16; Timothy 4:7).

4. Lessons:(1) Paul was bound in the spirit to go to Jerusalem, and he was bound in the body after he got there.

(2) Paul knew, and still he did not know. He knew that dangers were before him, but he did not know or care exactly what they were.

(3) Paul preached of faith, and Paul had faith, and therefore Paul went on to Jerusalem without a doubt that the Lord would watch over him when he got there.

(4) Paul doubtless loved life, but he loved the Lord Jesus Christ a great deal more, so he proceeded to do his Christian duty regardless of consequences.

(5) Paul taught by word and deed that life is good for something only as it is put to some good use. He knew that he who loses his mortal life in Christ's service finds thereby the life immortal.

(6) Paul emphasised the fact that he received the gospel he preached, directly from the Lord. He evidently appreciated the sacredness of the trust.

III. THE TESTIMONY OF GUILTLESSNESS.

1. Freed from responsibility (ver. 26; Ezekiel 3:19; Acts 18:6; 2 Corinthians 7:2).

2. Through faithful admonishing (vers. 20, 27, 31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; Jeremiah 42:19).

3. Lessons:(1) We can save no man; we can warn him, and counsel him, and point out to him the way of safety. So much we are bound to do.

(2) We shall never free ourselves from responsibility by urging the old plea of the first murderer, "Am I my brother's keeper?"(3) We shall never be free from responsibility for others' salvation until we free ourselves. We must with our own hands wave the danger signal. It is not enough to pay the minister or missionary to act as flagmen in our stead.

(4) We can be free if we set about it vigorously and boldly, and are careful to declare the whole counsel of God.

(5) We can be free if we will. Do you as a Sunday school teacher feel that by your faithfulness you are freeing yourself from responsibility for your scholars' salvation?

(S. S. Times.)

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KJV: And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

WEB: From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.