Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28 (Acts 20:19-32)

As he prepared ter leave Asia fer tha last time and head off ter Jerusalem and then Rome, Saul Paul wrote words of gratefulness ter them who helped him along his journey. Those in Saul Paul’s crew included:

• Soapter of Berea
• Secundus of Thessalonica
• Gaius of Derbe
• Timothy of Derbe
• Tychicus of Macedonia
• Trophimus of Asia
• Apollos of Alexandria
• Priscilla and Aquila of Rome who settled in Corinth
• Dionysius of Athens
• Damaris of Athens
• Silas of Jerusalem
• Jason of Thessalonica
• Lydia of Thyatira
• Judas Barasbaus of Jerusalem
• Simeon Niger of Antioch
• Lucius of Cyrene
• Manaen of Antioch
• Epaphras, founder of the church in Colossi who may have also assisted in planting and serving the churches in Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.

By tha time Saul Paul set sail fer Jerusalem, ne’er ter return ter tha churches in Asia agin, tha Son whar shinning on churches and growing disciples fer him in Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Lystra, Iconium, provinces of Syria and Cilcia, Pisidian Antioch, Colossi, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

At tha conclusion of his work in Asia, Saul Paul said, “I am innocent of the blood of all men. I have boldly proclaimed to you the whole will of God. I have completed the task. I have declared to both Jews and Gentiles, to all men, that they must turn to God in repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus. I am compelled by the Spirit. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears. I have not hesitated  to preach anything that would be helpful to you. Therefore keep watch over yourselves. Keep watch over all those in your care. Be good shepherds of the church of our Lord which he bought with his own blood.”

This be tha conclusion of tha matter fer Saul Paul and that task laid upon all who would dare ter proclaim tha good spiel and disciple others.

Complete tha task laid upon ya. In humility declare that all must turn ter Skipper in repentance and faith in our Lord, tha Son. Serve tha Lord with great humility by demonstrating love ter all, joy in all circumstances, tha peace of Skipper, patience in trials, kindness in times of praise and in response ter opposition, goodness ter all, gentleness ter all, faithfulness in all circumstances, and self-control over yer tongue, thoughts, heart, and flesh.

Do this and ah righteous crew ‘ill be those who sail in yer wake, ya may lay ter that.

Because some Jews had plotted against Paul just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. Acts 20:1-6 (Acts 20:3)

After tha riot and ruckus in Ephesus, Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke bid tha disciples good-bye and set off fer Macedonia. Thar Saul Paul went through tha area spouting many words of encouragement ter tha believers until at last he arrived in Corinth whar he stayed three months. During this time in Corinth Saul Paul penned these words:

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).

Thus, while he waited fer tha winter weather ter abate, Saul Paul wrote words of encouragement ter tha believers in Rome.

When tha three months be up and jest as they whar about ter set sail fer Syria and head on up ter Jerusalem, some Jews made plans ter kill Saul Paul. Most likely they wanted Saul Paul dead fer tha message he spake, but also ’cause he had gathered a good deal of wealth from tha churches fer tha believers in Judea suffering persecution.

This be Saul Paul’s way: encouraging and gathering funds fer those believers who be oppressed. Ah good many times we think we got a hard go of it, that tha rowing we do be back-breaking work. And often times that be tha case. Only back in those days in Judea and Samaria near ’bout all believers faced hardship and peril ever day. Economic persecution agin tha church be fierce. Jealous Jews continued to round up believers and toss ’em in ter prison.

Tha Son warned such hardship would come ter believers:

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also (John 15:19-20).

Encouragement, admonishment, assistance: those be tha resources Saul Paul brung ter believers. Kin we say we deliver tha same ter feller believers? Doth we pray fer, write ter, send funds ter, offer words of hope, encouragement, and correction? Of doth we jest let folks drift along with wind and currents on whatever course they sail without any regard fer thar safety? 

Sensing this band of pirates meant them harm, Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke left tha port of Cenchrea and back-tracked through Macedonia. Thar crew of Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Tim, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia, went on ahead and waited for ’em at Troas. Once Saul Paul, Silas, and Luke reached Philippi, tha three went aboard ah ship bound fer Troas.

What began with ah riot in Ephesus devolved in ter ah murderous plot ter kill Saul Paul and rob believers of assistance. Only, think on this ah wee little bit: Saul Paul, through tha nudging of tha Holy Ghost of Truth, left fer Jerusalem by ah nudder way. Years earlier, some wise fellers, ‘aving been warned in ah dream not ter go back ter Herod, returned ter thar country by ah nudder route (Matthew 2:12). Soon after tha wise fellers took off, Joseph, tha earthly step-dad of tha Son, got ah divine warning.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13)

Be fer that, Skipper instructed Moses on which direction ter head off.

“Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14:1-4)

In all ways and at all times Skipper be seeking ter bring glory ter himself — ter draw all folks ter himself. Sometimes he ‘ill warn his own of trouble and advise that we take another route. It be on us ter pay attention and obey.

By listening ter tha Holy Ghost of Truth, Saul Paul spared his life and preserved tha funds meant fer tha believers.

Make it yer task ter keep year ears close ter tha ground and near ’bout always right next ter tha feet of tha Son. Do this and ya ‘ill know fer certain that tha course ya sail be one marked out fer ya by Skipper. Might not always be a pleasant passage, but if ya be sailing with tha Son, yer soul ‘ill be in good hands, ya may lay ter that.

If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. Acts 19:39 (Acts 19:12-41)

After Saul Paul decided ter gather gifts fer tha brothers and sisters in Judea, he passed through Ephesus. While thar ah great disturbance broke out agin tha Way.

Ah silversmith named Demetrius made silver shrines ter tha little god Artemis and that chap made ah good deal of money off’n his work. He called tergether all workers in tha idol-making trade and warned ’em that if they whar not careful, Saul Paul would put ’em out of business, fer he promoted only one god, Skipper.  “Also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited if this Paul fellow keeps this up,” he said, “and the goddess herself will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

Now as ya well know, thar be no divine dignity or magic power in little gods, fer all man-made gods simply be idols ter tha Devil himself. Ever god ever crafted by man come from tha mind of man and tha mind of man be perverted by tha thoughts from tha Devil.

When tha workers of tha idol trade heard Demetrius spreading such talk, they became furious and started shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon tha whole city be in an uproar. Folks rushed ter seize Gaius and Aristarchus, Saul Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. Saul Paul himself wanted ter appear befer tha crowd but tha disciples forbade him. Even some of tha officials of the province, friends of Saul Paul, sent him a message begging him not ter venture near tha theater whar tha mob be gathered.

Inside tha theater tha rabble whar in great confusion. Some shouted one thing, some another. Most didn’ even know why they whar thar: they simply showed up due ter all tha commotion. All shouted in unison fer about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Such be tha behavior of them led astray by tha lies of tha Devil. Thar blood boils hot, tongues flap, fists fly. They ‘ill make all manner of demands ter be heard and claim they be aggrieved by one party or ah nudder. Only most kin not cite evidence of why they hate and lash out. They kin only say other folks aggrieved ’em.

Tha city clerk, fearing Roman soldiers might take matters in ter thar own hands, quieted tha crowd with these words: “If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.”

Now think on this a wee little bit: when tha man of lawlessness comes, rioting and shouting, looting and shooting, ‘ill be ah normal day fer most folks. All ‘ill live in fear of thar neighbor. All ‘ill be estranged from family and friends, fer tha power of tha Devil be great over folks when they give themselves over ter hate, lies, and wickedness.

Tha fruit of Skip’s Holy Ghost of Truth be love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Agin this tha Devil stands no chance. 

Tha end of tha rioting in Ephesus be this: Saul Paul sent fer tha disciples and after encouraging ’em, he bid ’em good-bye and set out fer Macedonia. He traveled through that area speaking many words of encouragement ter folks, finally arriving in Greece whar he stayed three months in Corinth.

Make it yer task ter avoid taking yer grievances ter tha street and becoming mixed up with rabble rousers whose only goal be ter cause mischief. Instead, seek ter offer kind words, restore relationships, and above all, listen intently ter folks while they pour out thar heart. Who knows but in doing so ya ‘ill draw others ter tha light of tha Son.

“Jesus I Know, and Paul I Know About, but Who Are You?” Acts 19:15 (Acts 19:8-16)

While in Ephesus, Saul Paul spake boldly fer three months in tha synagogue. Thar he carefully explained how tha Son be Skip’s boy and how all who repent of thar sins and believe in tha Son ‘ill be saved. Only some obstinate fellers refused ter believe. Worse they publicly maligned tha Way, spouting all sorts of lies ’bout Saul Paul’s message and his teachings.

Fer this reason Saul Paul moved ter tha lecture hall of Tyrannus. Thar he spent two years preaching and teaching tha words of Skip. During such time as this Saul Paul worked many extraordinary miracles and cast out a whole passel of evil spirits: so much so that even tha handkerchiefs and aprons that brushed agin him whar taken ter tha sick and they whar healed.

In tha midst of all this some fellers who be tha sons of Sceva happened by. Seeing as how Saul Paul wielded such power by simply invoking tha name of tha Son, tha Seven sought ter grab a wee bit of fame fer themselves and practice exorcism in tha Son’s name. They would spout, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”

Only one time while they tried this, an evil spirit answered ’em. “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Right then tha poor feller who had tha evil spirit in him pounced on tha Seven. Tha evil spirit gave tha Seven such ah beating that they ran out of tha house naked and bleeding.

As a result, tha name of tha Son became held in high honor, as it should be. Many folks openly confessed thar evil deeds. Ah goodly number who practiced sorcery and demonic divination brought thar scrolls tergether and burned ’em in public. More and more after this tha word of tha Son spread.

Think on this ah wee little bit: tha power ter cast out evil spirits, heal folks, and perform miracles doth not reside in ah name but a person — and that chap be tha Son. Simply saying his name like it be a magic chant ‘ill no more bring down his power than mumbling senseless words. No, if ya seek tha power of tha Son ya ‘ill need his Holy Ghost of Truth. Even then, ya need ter make sure that tha prayer ya praying and task ya seeking ter do be in Skip’s will. While on earth tha Son doth not heal ever feller, but only them who Skip authorized, fer tha Son always and only did his father’s business.

Tha warning we kin take from this short tale be this: dealing in magic, chants, sorcery, and messing around with evil spirits kin lead ter a beating and worse: tha sort of death that ne’er ends.

Tha encouragement we kin take from this short tale be this: if Skip calls ya ter do his business and ya obey, his power through tha Holy Ghost of Truth ‘ill flow through ya inter others.

Start with prayer. Start with seeking Skip’s will. Avoid showy signs meant ter bring attention ter yesrself. In all things point back ter tha Son fer he alone be worth honor and glory.

Finally, ne’er ferget this: evil spirits know tha Son. Question be, doth ya know tha Son? And if an evil spirit whar asked ’bout ya, would they know ya ter be a follower of tha Son?

Apollis had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately. Acts 18:25 (Acts 18:24 – 19:7)

Apollis, a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. Though he whar instructed in tha way of Skipper and spake with great fervor and great inspiration, he ne’er had received tha Holy Ghost of Truth. He only knew ’bout tha baptism of John. Even so, he spake boldly in tha synagogue and taught accurately ’bout tha Son.

This be tha way of a good many who claim ter be believers of tha Son. They be god-fearing folk, Son-loving fellers and lasses. Only tha thing be, they lack tha power of Skip’s Spirit. Thar efforts and words, while full of truth and accuracy, lack power. Why most who claim ter follow tha Son doth not believe Skip’s Holy Ghost of Truth be real. These be folks who sit under teachers and preachers and also be teachers and preachers.

This be why when Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollis speaking, they invited him inter thar home. Out of tha public eye, in private, tha pair explained all tha ways of Skipper so that Apollis would be thoroughly equipped ter share tha good spiel. With this new knowledge — and perhaps baptized inter tha Holy Ghost of Truth, though we kin not say fer sure — Apollis left Ephesus and set out fer Achaia. Thar he vigorously refuted tha Jews in public debates, proving from Skip’s Code of Conduct that tha Son whar tha way ter be fergiven of sins.

Meanwhile, Saul Paul, who had been at Corinth fer some time, set off fer Ephesus. When he got thar, he met some disciples and asked ’em, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

“No. We have never heard of this Holy Spirit.”

“So what baptism did you receive?” asked Saul Paul.

“John’s baptism.”

Saul Paul explained that John’s baptism was one of repentance. He then placed his hands on tha twelve fellers and baptized them inter tha Holy Ghost of Truth. Soon as they be filled with Skip’s Spirit, they spake in other languages and prophesied.

Thar be much ter say ’bout Apollis, but think on this a wee little bit: he whar a learned man with a thorough knowledge of Skip’s Code of Conduct but without Skip’s Spirit. Without ah thorough knowledge of tha Code of Conduct, Skip says his people are, “Lead away as captives” (Isaiah 5:13). Skip warned Hosea: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Tha Son warned tha Sadducees “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29). Everything that whar written in tha past whar written ter teach us, so that through tha endurance taught in Skip’s Code his words ‘ill provide encouragement and hope fer us (Romans 15: 4). Doth we have ah thorough knowledge of Skip’s Code of Conduct?

Apollis had been instructed in tha way of Skipper. In tha beginning of things (Genesis 18: 19), Skip says of Abraham, “I have chosen him, so that he will direct (instruct) his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Doth we direct our youngins and family in tha ways of Skip?

Apollis spake with great fervor (boiling) and great inspiration. His message literally bubbled out of him, spilling out like ah flood. Doth our teaching and preaching reflect tha red-hot passion of them who be on fire fer Skip and his Son? Or doth we offer lukewarm words ter cold hearts?

Make it yer task ter gain ah thorough knowledge of Skip’s Code, study tha ways of Skipper in both tha accounts of old and new, teach and preach with red-hot passion, and receive great inspiration by being filled with tha Holy Ghost of Truth. Do this and ya kin be sure good seed ‘ill be sown and ah heavenly harvest ‘ill be tha result.

(Acts 18:1-11)

In Corinth Saul Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla. When Silas and Tim arrived Saul Paul devoted himself ter preaching and teaching tha words of Skipper in tha synagogue.

Only, some Jews became abusive. Fer this reason Saul Paul shook out his clothes in protest and said ter ’em, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it.”  Then he went next door ter tha home of Titus Justus and continued teaching.

When Saul Paul says “Your blood be on your own heads!” this be his way of refusing ter accept any blame fer tha destinty of thar soul. It be a fearful thing ter fall inter tha hands of Skipper and when our obstinance warps our minds, we kin not see our own vile wickedness. Often folks ‘ill think they be blessed and rich when in fact they be wretched and poor and bound fer hell.

Once, during tha night, tha Lord spoke ter Saul Paul in a vision. “Do not be silent. I am with you.”

Fer this reason Saul Paul stayed a year and ah half in Corinth teaching and preaching tha words of Skipper. While doing so, Crispus, tha synagogue ruler, believed in tha Lord, as did his whole household. All whar baptized and joined Skip’s crew.

Make it yer task ter do as Saul Paul. Speak up. Stand firm. If ya find yer self among obstinate folks with ears shut tight, move on ter homes whar Skip’s words be welcomed.  At all times take comfort in knowing that tha Son be with ya and drawing others ter himself through yer teaching and preaching and reaching.