1. Paul's Ministry (verses 18-21)
2. Paul's Destiny (verses 22-24)
3. Paul's Prophecy (verses 25-31)
4. Paul's Security (verses 32-35)

I told you all last week of the early days of Rock Valley Bible Church. We began in July of 1998 in the basement of a home in Rockford as a home Bible study. We met on Thursday nights for two years. Then, in July of 2000, we began meeting in a rented church building in Rockford. We met on Sunday nights.

On March 3, 2002, we met for the first time on a Sunday morning. We met at Rockford Christian High School. That was 20 years ago. I had quit my job as an I. T. professional. As a church, we had about 10 families. At that point in the life of the church, my entire ministry at Rock Valley Bible Church was ahead of me.

On that occasion, I took the opportunity to put forth the heart and duties of a pastor. I pledged on that day to those who were there my heart’s desire to fulfill my pastoral calling to Rock Valley Bible Church. And I didn’t know how long it would last. As a church, we were not financially independent. We were trusting in the Lord to bring people and resources to continue on.

I took as my text, the farewell address that Paul gave to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:18-35). Of all passages in the New Testament, it lays out most clearly the duties of a pastor. It speaks of a pastor’s deep concern and love for his flock, as Paul shed tears for the elders. It speaks of the character of pastoral work, serving and giving one’s life for the flock. It speaks of the temptations to ministry, shrinking back from declaring the whole counsel of God. It speaks of the dangers of the ministry, wolves coming into the flock. It speaks of the message that pastors are to preach, repentance and faith and the gospel of the grace of God. It speaks of the pastors obligations, to warn the flock and protect the sheep.^[1]

No one doubts the importance of this passage as it speaks of pastoral ministry. Alexander Strauch says this, “Acts 20 is a priceless treasure trove of wisdom and insight for all church leaders. .. Paul’s instructions and pleas to the Ephesian elders are just as urgently needed today as they were that day on the shores of Miletus.”^[2] Then, Strauch turns his attention to church leaders today. He says, “Every new generation of church leaders needs to discover afresh Paul’s instructions to the Ephesian elders. Acts 20 is the Holy Spirit’s summons to you to come, hear, learn, and then shepherd God’s church according to Gods’ instructions.”^[3]

It was only appropriate for me to use this text 20 years ago, to speak of the responsibilities of a pastor, and to respond with my own heart’s desire to be everything that Paul lays out that a pastor should be. I needed to hear them.

In the providence of God, we find ourselves in the same text this morning. as we have been working our way through the book of Acts, verse by verse. So, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to open in your Bibles to Acts, chapter 20.

Though we find ourselves in a section of Scripture that is addressed to elders. And though, appropriately for me this morning, my words will primarily be directed toward the elders of our church (Brian, Ryan, and Darryn), and though, the primary application of my words if for them, there is still application for each and every one of you.

First of all, it is helpful for you to know and embrace the role of your church leaders. You need to know what God has called the elders of this church to be and to do. So, you can know what to expect of them. You can expect them to teach you, and lead you, and love you, and care for you. You can’t expect them to be with you at all times in your life. You can’t expect them to solve all of your problems in life. You can’t expect them to make decisions for your life. Elders are there for you to love you and lead you and care for you. Not to control your life. Not to dictate your every decision. It's helpful for you to have a proper expectation of them.

Second, it’s helpful for you to understand how they are to live their lives for you to follow. That’s why Paul laid out character qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. That’s why the writer of the Hebrews wrote, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7). It’s helpful for you to know that the faith and love and zeal and passion of elders are given to you as models to follow. Now, of course, none of us follow the Lord perfectly. But, elders of the church are put forth as examples for you to follow.

Third, it’s helpful for you to know your own role in supporting leaders in the church. "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you" (Hebrews 13:7). Here at Rock Valley Bible Church, the elders will give an account to the Lord for how well we have watched over your souls. Your role is to help them in their responsibility, to make it their joy to serve you and love you. for that is better for you.
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OK, so let’s set the context of Paul’s words.

Paul is on his third missionary journey, he left the great church of Antioch some 3 or 4 years before this time. he traveled through southern Galatia. then he landed in Ephesus, where he ministered for three year. When he left Ephesus, he went north to Troas, then he crossed the Aegean sea and traveled throughout Macedonia, encouraging the disciples. eventually, he made it to Achaia. Then, he reversed course, Traveling back through Macedonia. back to Troas. finally making his way down the coast, until he came to Miletus. It is from there that he summoned the elders of the church in Ephesus, that he might give them one last message of farewell before heading off to Jerusalem. and they came to Miletus to see Paul off.

And this is where our text takes place. So picture the scene. The elders of the church are there with Paul. They loved Paul. Paul loved them. And Paul speaks with them, as never to speak with them again. Here’s the counsel that he gives to the shepherds of the church.

Acts 20:18-38
And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

This passage breaks down into four nice sections. Each new section begins with a marker. “And now” Look at verse 22, "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem." Look at verse 25, "And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again." Look at verse 32, "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace." That’s why, when I preached this message 20 years ago, I had four points. I got through two of them last week. We will get through the other two this morning.

Last week, if you remember, we looked first at verses 18-21.

1. Paul's Ministry (verses 18-21)

This is where Paul talked about the character of his time in Ephesus. He said that his whole time there was spent “serving the Lord” (verse 19). He served “with all humility and with tears and with trials” (verse 19). He didn’t shrink back from telling them everything that was profitable for them (verse 20). He taught them in public (verse 20). He taught them from house to house (verse 20). He spoke of the need for repentance (verse 21). He spoke of the need for faith (verse 21). In this way, Paul fulfilled his ministry among them. He was serving them. He was speaking with them everything that was profitable.

And last week as we looked at these verses, I told you that it was a sort of “mid-term” exam for me. I asked you to evaluate how well have I done this? I was encouraged after my message to receive some affirmation. Shortly after my message, someone texted me, “Steve, by God’s grace you’ve passed your mid-term! May God continue to give you the grace and mercy to pass the final exam. We are grateful for you and your family.” I received several affirmations from some of you. I even received a long letter of appreciation this week for my labor as your pastor.

To all this, I am thankful to God. And I’m trusting God for his grace to allow me to continue on. I’m praying for the elders of this church to labor with me. Also, last week, we looked at Paul’s second point:

2. Paul's Destiny (verses 22-24)

That is, what Paul was expecting to happen to him in the future. His plans were to continue on from Miletus to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. Paul was expecting hardship. He was expecting to be imprisoned for the faith. He was expecting many afflictions. This wasn’t merely a feeling or a hunch. This was what the Holy Spirit testified to him would happen (verse 23).

Yet, he was willing to suffer in such ways for the kingdom of God. Verse 24 puts his life in perspective, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

This was Paul’s heart. It is the high calling of every pastor. Not to live for ourselves, but to live for the Lord. and to finish well. and to accomplish all that he has given to us to do.

So, now, this morning, we move on to new territory, beginning with the “And now” of verse 25. In this section, Paul turns from his own future to the future of the elders of the church in Ephesus. I’m calling this, ...

3. Paul's Prophecy (verses 25-31)

I say, “prophecy” here, not in the sense that Paul received some special revelation from God about the future of the elders of the church. but in in the sense that Paul has some experience with church leadership. He knows what will await the elders of the church in Ephesus.

First of all, Paul addresses his own departure.

Acts 20:25
And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.

This news was difficult for the elders of Ephesus to hear. There was a bond of love between Paul and these men. They loved their time together. and to think of departing, never to see each other again brought them to tears. That’s how this scene ends, with tears of sorrow of their departure. "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship" (Acts 20:36-38).

I can relate to these words. This fall, we dropped Stephanie (my fourth child and youngest daughter) off at Boyce College in Louisville. The day was filled with orientation, for the students and for the parents. The final event of the day was a corporate gathering of worship in song. Al Mohler, the president of the college, gave a message, from Luke 2, about growing up. and how saying goodbye to children going off to college is a natural process of them growing up. Near the end of the service, one of the faculty members led us in a time of prayer. He said, “Parents, I want for you to put your arm around your child. Hug them close. And pray for them as they embark upon this new chapter in their life.”

Yvonne was on one side of Stephanie. I was on the other. I tried to pray. But I couldn’t for the tears that were flowing. They were tears of saying goodbye. But I knew that I would see Stephanie again. She was here a few weeks ago. She’s coming home again in few days for her fall break.

I can only imagine what it was like for the elders of the church in Ephesus, never to see his face again. I can only envision the day when I say goodbye to the elders of this church, retiring from ministry, or moving on to some other place. I can only hope that our time today, is cultivating such an atmosphere that leaving each other someday, will be filled with such emotion.

Well, as Paul thought about his departure from the elders of the church, he reflected upon his own ministry. He said, ...

Acts 20:26
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, Acts 20:27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Paul was taking the imagery of the watchman from Ezekiel 33. In that passage the LORD puts for the scenario of a war-time attack. He says to Ezekiel, ...

Ezekiel 33:1-6
The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand."

Then, the LORD applied that to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 33:7-9
“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Paul is using this imagery of himself here in Acts 20. He says, “I have been a faithful watchman! I have blown the trumpet! I have given the warning! If someone perishes in their sins, it’s not on my hands!" This is what Paul says in verses 26 and 27.

Acts 20:26-27
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

I have sought, by God’s grace to do this. I have sought to declare to you the whole counsel of God. One of the things that I have loved about Rock Valley Bible Church is the tone that we have set here at the church. that we open a book of the Bible, and work through it verse by verse, from beginning to end. This week I looked at the things I have preached at Rock Valley Bible Church.

I started with a year in 1 Thessalonians (August 2000 – July 2001).
I continued on with five years teaching through Matthew (December 2001 – November 2005).
During that time, I took a month to preach through Habakkuk (August 2003).
After that, we were nine months in Colossians (April 2006 – January 2007).
A month in Philemon (Feb/Mar 2007).
Three months in Malachi (Mar/Apr/May 2007).
A year and half through 1 and 2 Peter (Aug 2007 – February 2009).
A month in Jonah (March 2009) Two years in Hebrews (September 2009 – July 2011)
A month in Ruth (October 2010)
Three months in 2 Timothy (August 2011 – November 2001)
Fifteen months in Mark (January 2012 – April 2013).
Three months in the Psalms of ascents (Psalm 120-134) (April 2013-August 2013).
A year in Philippians (Sep 2013 – June 2014).
Six months in Leviticus (Sep 2014 – March 2015)
Nine months in 1, 2, and 3 John (August 2015 – April 2016)
Three years in Romans (September 2016 – June 2019).
Six months in Proverbs (August 2019 – March 2020).
Then more than 2 years into Acts (August 2020 – present)

That’s 21 books of the Bible, along with a bunch of short series for Christmas, Easter, and many other special occasions. With these things, you may even remember which book we were in when you began coming to Rock Valley Bible Church. “I came half-way through Matthew.” “I came just as you were finishing Philippians.” “I came when you were in Romans 12.” “I came when you were preaching through Leviticus.” (NO. Nobody came when we were preaching through Leviticus. That is, nobody stuck. When somebody came to church, only to hear Leviticus, they didn’t stay at church.)
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Anyway, I did some calculation. As of today, finishing up Acts 20, I have preached through 135 of 268 pages of New Testament in my Bible. That's 50.3% of the New Testament! That means, that I’m half way through the New Testament. I guess I need another 20 years at Rock Valley Bible Church until my final exam of preaching through all of the New Testament. (I don’t know if I can make it that long.)

(I’m guessing that I have preached through 5% of the Old Testament) which would take me until I’m 150 to preach through the entire Bible. So, I may not have had the time to teach through the entirety of the Bible in a manner that I would like. However, neither did the apostle Paul. He was only 3 years in Ephesus.

This means that “the whole counsel of God” doesn’t mean “every verse of the Bible.” Rather, it means, “all the will of God.” It means “Not skipping over anything.” That's what I try to do in my teaching, "not skip over anything."

This is unusual as churches go.I was talking with a pastor recently who said that he was going to preach through 1 Corinthians. I said, “Oh, I haven’t done that yet. I’m looking forward to it, as it addresses our American culture so head on.” Then I said, “How long are you going to take?” He said that he was going to take 10 weeks. You can do that. You can faithfully preach the message of 1 Corinthians in 10 weeks. But his approach is not my approach.

As I checked up on him recently, I discovered that he is skipping large sections of the book (even entire chapters) This, I haven’t done. When I have started a book, I have worked through it all until the end. Preaching everything that God would have of us in that book. (Now, that’s not to say that there is nothing left to preach. On the contrary, there is much more. But it is to say that I’m not skipping sections.)

And I can say with Paul, "for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). I have not skipped over anything that has come our way in the text. Pastors can easily do this, preaching only the chapters that they want to preach. skipping the difficult chapters. preaching only on the topics that they want to preach on, skipping over controversial or difficult doctrines.

This has been my heart from the beginning of Rock Valley Bible Church. Here's a quote from my message from 20 years ago, "When I leave Rock Valley Bible Church, (either by natural causes, when God takes me to be with Him, or by imprisonment, or when you send me to plant another church), my goal is that I might be innocent of the blood of all men, because I have faithfully communicated the whole counsel of God to you. The best way to do this is through expository preaching through the scriptures. To preach topically allows me to chose the topics that I want to preach. To preach expositionally, allows the spirit of God to choose the topics for us."

After declaring himself innocent, Paul puts for the fundamental duty of elders of a church.

Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Of any verse in Paul’s message in Acts 20, this is the key: Verse 28. It speaks of the importance of an elder watching over his own soul first. Then, and only then watching over the flock. You can’t watch over the souls of others if your own soul is in turmoil. The Pharisees were great about watching out for the souls of others, while neglecting their own. They could judge and detect a speck of dust in someone else’s eye, while neglecting the log in their own eye (Matt. 7:3-5). Jesus called them “Blind guides” (Matthew 23:16).

But such should not be the case for elders. Alexander Strauch puts forth this importance: “The elders are responsible to first guard their own spiritual lives, bot individually and as a body of elders. This takes effort, self-discipline, desire, thought, prayer, and obedience to God’s Word. It also takes an environment of honest, open group accountability between elders. You might ask, ‘As a church elder, what do I do?’ First, take seriously your own spiritual state before God. Be attentive to your spiritual growth, your daily walk with Christ, your moral integrity, and your biblical and theological believes. My dear friends, this is your first duty before God and you congregation.”^[4]

This was Paul’s counsel to Timothy as well. "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:16).

This has been my aim and goal. to cultivate my own spiritual life that I might speak and act with integrity. I have sought to do this. Fellow elders, I exhort you do to the same. It is difficult: Richard Baxter said that “the enemy has a special eye on you.”^[5] Satan knows that the best way to take down a church is to take down its leaders. His attack is upon you!

So, fellow elders, watch over your souls! You have every motivation to do so. You can have confidence that you are an elder of the church by God’s design.

Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

When I laid hands on you, the Holy Spirit was affirming everything that was happening in our church. Darryn, I (and other former elders of Rock Valley Bible Church) laid hands on you on May 15, 2011. Ryan and Brian, we laid hands on you on Nov. 25, 2018. At those moments, the Holy Spirit was installing you all as a “overseers.”

An overseer is another name for an elder. We “oversee” the flock. Further, look at verse 28, we are to “care" for the church of God. In many translations, it is that we are called “to shepherd the church of God” (which is more literal). From this we get the word, “Pastor.” So, elders are overseers. Elders are pastors. “Elder” and “Pastor” and “Overseer” all refer to the same office. Each of these words emphasize different roles. An "elder" represents wisdom. A "pastor" emphasizes "care." "Overseer" addresses leadership. But all of these terms refer to the same office. I’m not the special “pastor.” All elders are “pastors.” I’m just freed up to do so full-time.

Further, elders, you have every motive to care for the church. It says in verse 28 that God “obtained” it with his own blood. More literally, God “purchased” with his own blood. That is, Jesus Christ “bought” the church, by dying for the church. This is the church that we get to care for. This is the church that we get to be a part of. The church that Jesus died for. And If Jesus died for the church, we can sacrifice as well!

The thought that has always stirred in my mind, long before I was ever in full-time ministry is this: Jesus loves the church far more than I ever will. Jesus died for the church. Any sacrifice that I will make will be minimal in comparison with his sacrifice. Any love that I have for the church will only be minimal compared with the love that Jesus has for the church.

My heart resonates with that of Timothy Dwight (the grandson of Jonathan Edwards). He wrote these stanzas which we often sing:

I love thy church. O God; her walls before me stand,
dear as the apple of thine eye, and graven on thy hand.^[6]

This hymn begins with the affirmation of love for the church of God. Then it describes God's love for the church. The church is compared with the apple of God's eye. That is, the most delicate, sensitive portion of the eye. When one comes too close to your eye, you will flinch to protect your eye. Similarly, when something or someone touches God's church for harm, it is sensitive to God. He will protect his church. He cares for the church. He loves the church. He sacrificed himself for the church. We are here today only because Christ Jesus came to earth and shed his blood for our sins. (Note the subtle reverse to the Trinity. Paul talks about God obtaining the church with "his own blood." This makes total sense, of course, if Jesus is God.)

Then, in the next phrases, Timothy Dwight affirms his love for the church:

For her my tears shall fall, for her my prayers ascend;
to her my cares and toils be giv'n till toils and care shall end.^[7]

Such ought to be the heart of everyone of us for the church. We should weep for her and her honor. We should pray for her. We should give our toils and cares for her, until our dying day. Elders and pastors should love the church. People of the church should love the church. We should love coming together. We should love the engagement of the church.

God loves the church. God compares the church to a bride that he is preparing for his son. Do husbands love their brides? Absolutely. Does Christ love the church? Absolutely. He loves the church far more htan any of us will ever love the church.
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Getting back to Acts 20, Paul begins to address not his future in leaving the Ephesian elders, but the dangers that the Ephesian elders would face.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

When I preached this message 20 years ago, I had little experience with wolves. But now, 20 years later, I have had some experience with wolves. I have had experience with those who were trying “to draw away the disciples after them.” Now, in much of this, you haven’t seen. It’s a sort-of behind-the-scenes sort of ministry. It’s not often, but we have had people come to the church, show their colors, and we have asked them to leave.

In fact, in one instance, there was a man who was being particularly divisive. I was patient with him. I talked with him on many occasions. But I remember even saying to him on the phone, “Why are you even coming to Rock Valley Bible Church?” He said to me, “Why are you coming to Rock Valley Bible Church?” Things got so bad that at one point I told him that he would not be welcome at Rock Valley Bible Church any more. He said, “You can’t stop me from coming to church.” In talking with the elders about the situation, we were prepared to go to the police to put a restraining order on this man, prohibiting him from coming on our property. In the course of events, he didn’t come back.

You didn’t know much about that. But how much do the sheep know about the wolves? They are quite oblivious many times. But know that such action has been taken. It’s the responsibility of the elders of the church to protect the church from divisive people.

I remember early on in the life of the church that there was a time when we had a men’s meeting, seeking input on a decision that would affect us all. At that meeting, one of the men spoke up in clear opposition to my leadership, not merely presenting an opposite opinion, but attacking me and my leadership. He literally questioned everything going on at Rock Valley Bible Church.

Now, this man was leading a small group at his home. So, I attended that small group that week. I stayed after and talked with the man. I said, “Does it make sense for you to continue teaching a small group in light of everything that you said at our meeting the other night? As a pastor, it’s my responsibility to maintain the unity of the church. I don’t think it’s proper for you to continue teaching. Do you?” He agreed with me and stepped down.

This is a part of pastoring the flock. When elders don’t deal with wolves from the outside, or divisive people from within, they sacrifice the health of the entire flock. Paul is saying that this danger is coming, deal with it.

Next, I love how he says to deal with it. Verse 31.

Acts 20:31
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

That is, Paul says, "Look to my example. I was doing this for three years, night and day." And I think Darryn and Ryan and Brian, as you think about shepherding the church, my hope is that my example has ben enough for you. To see my labor and my sweat and my tears for these 20 years. Know that this is what it takes. Whether I am here with your or not.

Finally, let’s turn to our last point.

4. Paul's Security (verses 32-35)

Acts 20:32
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul's security in leaving these men is that "God has this." His security isn't in the fact that "you got this." Paul didn’t trust in the will power of the elders or their strength or their wisdom, but upon God. This is his security.

Paul was essentially giving them to God. He took the leaders of the church and gave them into God's hands. Paul said, "God, these men are yours." And then, he walked away. Paul was perfectly secure in this. He placed these elders secure in the arms of God. Paul didn't say, "Now I know that you are wise enough. Now I know that you are strong enough and bold enough. I know that you have it all in you." No. Paul said, "I know that God has it in himself to keep you."

Consider what Paul wrote to those in Corinth: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). This tells us that when temptation comes, you must know that God is in control of your temptation. It's not going to come too much. It's not going to be too great. But God will also show how to escape the temptation. You can walk in God's way.

Likewise with these elders from Ephesus. Paul gave them to God, who will not allow a situation beyond their ability to come upon them in the church. God will protect the elders, giving them the way of escape through their temptations.

But Paul didn't merely commend these elders to God. He also commended them to the word of his grace. That is, Paul commended them to the gospel. That's why we constantly need to go back to the gospel of the grace of God in our lives. We need to constantly go back to Christ and him crucified. It's not our works. It's not the things that we do. It's not our efforts. It's God in his grace that comes to us rich and free.

When the gospel comes to us, it purifies us and sanctifies us. It gives us hope. It gives us strength. "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age." The grace of God is what empowers us over our weaknesses and struggles.

This is why we often need to reflect on the gospel. This is why Paul said to those in Corinth, "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." The gospel needs to come upon us constantly. This message is the one that gives us strength to endure. If it was sufficient for these elders, it is certainly sufficient for us as well. It "is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." God and the word of his grace is able to sustain us until the final day.

Then, Paul speaks about his own sacrifice:

Acts 20:33-34
I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.

In other words, Paul said, "When I was there with you, I wasn't in it for the money. I didn't want your gold. I didn't want your silver. I didn't want your nice clothes. You know that I worked when I was among you. I earned everything I needed to live."

Now, I am thankful to God that you have allowed me to work as your pastor full-time. I'm thankful that I don't have to work to sustain my life. Certainly, "a laborer is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7). But Paul chose not to take their money. He finishes by pointing out the implications of his own example.

Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

If you remember the historical context of these words, you remember that Paul is bringing back a large financial contribution for the impoverished Jews in Jerusalem.

I can affirm to you that I have not been in the pastoral ministry for the money. In fact, I believe that I earned more money 20 years ago as a computer professional than I am earning today. That's not inflation adjusted. That's in raw numbers. My salary 20 years ago was greater than my salary today. That's not to bring pity upon me. It's simply to say that there is a sacrifice to ministry.

God has provided everything that we have needed. We have never lacked. We are fine. But there is a sacrifice that every pastor needs to make. Pastors shouldn’t be in the ministry for money. Yet, many times they are. And when pastors are in it for the money, they disqualify themselves. Paul said, "I didn't covet your things. I wanted to give and not to get."

This is my pledge to you this morning. I want to serve you out of a heart of love, not for a paycheck.

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on October 2, 2022 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1] See Derek J. Tidball, Skillful Shepherds (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986), 74-75.
 
[2] Alexander Strauch, Acts 20: Fierce Wolves Are Coming; Guard the Flock (Colorado Springs: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 2021), 12.

[3] Ibid.
 
[4] Ibid., 107.
 
[5] Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (repr. Grand Rapids: Sovereign Grace, 1971), 7, as cited by Strauch.
 
[6] Timothy Dwight (https://hymnary.org/text/i_love_thy_church_o_god).

[7] Ibid.