A Pastor's Final Plea (Acts 20:1-38)
An episode of the The Gathering Sermons podcast, hosted by The Gathering, titled "A Pastor's Final Plea (Acts 20:1-38)" was published on March 1, 2026 and runs 48 minutes.
March 1, 2026 ·48m · The Gathering Sermons
Summary
Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 1st March 2026Passage: Acts 20:1-38Sermon Summary:At this point in Acts, Paul is nearing the end of his life. Thegospel has made its way through Jerusalem, Judea, andSamaria—even swaths of Asia, just as Christ promised.(Acts 1:8)—and yet Paul shows no sign of slowing down.If anything, this week’s passage of Acts 20:17-38 speaks to Paul’s immense love for Christ and his impeccablecharacter: he admits that he knows nothing about whatawaits him in Jerusalem (v.22), yet recounts the constanttrials he has faced in his attempts to preach the gospel.(v.19) It is almost certain that Jerusalem will be nodifferent, as the Spirit testifies to him in each city of theimprisonment and affliction that await him (v.23), but hecares not for his own life. He wants only to complete themission God has given him. (v.24)Even so, there is immense love in his heart for the peopleGod has called him to. Knowing that it would be the lasttime for those from the church of Ephesus to see him, Paulgathered the elders of the church to him and shared withthem his final testimony. (v.17) As he recalls how he servedthe Lord amongst them with all tears and humility (v.19),how he did not hesitate to speak to them the truth (v.20-21), and how his heart and mind were focused fully on thethings of God and His commandments (v.33-35); he urgesthem to be “imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)And what of you, church? As you set out to follow Christ,can you say that you have sought to imitate Paul—or evenbetter yet, Christ—in all things? What is the call or missionthat God has given you to shepherd or steward? Have youlistened? Have you obeyed? How are you being calledhigher to know, love, obey, and enjoy Him in all things? Will you listen? Will you obey?
Episode Description
Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)
Preacher: Ps. James Tang
Date: 1st March 2026
Passage: Acts 20:1-38
Sermon Summary:
At this point in Acts, Paul is nearing the end of his life. The
gospel has made its way through Jerusalem, Judea, and
Samaria—even swaths of Asia, just as Christ promised.
(Acts 1:8)—and yet Paul shows no sign of slowing down.
If anything, this week’s passage of Acts 20:17-38 speaks to Paul’s immense love for Christ and his impeccable
character: he admits that he knows nothing about what
awaits him in Jerusalem (v.22), yet recounts the constant
trials he has faced in his attempts to preach the gospel.
(v.19) It is almost certain that Jerusalem will be no
different, as the Spirit testifies to him in each city of the
imprisonment and affliction that await him (v.23), but he
cares not for his own life. He wants only to complete the
mission God has given him. (v.24)
Even so, there is immense love in his heart for the people
God has called him to. Knowing that it would be the last
time for those from the church of Ephesus to see him, Paul
gathered the elders of the church to him and shared with
them his final testimony. (v.17) As he recalls how he served
the Lord amongst them with all tears and humility (v.19),
how he did not hesitate to speak to them the truth (v.20-
21), and how his heart and mind were focused fully on the
things of God and His commandments (v.33-35); he urges
them to be “imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)
And what of you, church? As you set out to follow Christ,
can you say that you have sought to imitate Paul—or even
better yet, Christ—in all things? What is the call or mission
that God has given you to shepherd or steward? Have you
listened? Have you obeyed? How are you being called
higher to know, love, obey, and enjoy Him in all things? Will you listen? Will you obey?
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