In The Word
Read: Acts 20:17-38
Farewell to Ephesus
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.18 And when they had come to him, he said to them,
“You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 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. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul knew that his role was changing (Acts 20:25). He knew that his “race” was coming to an end. He also knew he needed to leave the care of the church to others. So, Paul began to give final instructions. He reminded those with him of his example: through many tears and labors, he worked with them and taught them. It was this example that they should follow as they ministered to God’s flock. Paul also reminded them that he did not back down from the gospel. Paul said, “I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God” (Acts 20:27). Paul knew that he must entrust this life-changing gospel to these leaders, and he wanted them to be as bold as he was; because he knew that “wolves” would seek to come in during his absence. In short, they must have the heart of a minister.
Albert Barnes has said, “A minister of the gospel will: feel, and deeply feel, for the salvation of his people. He will weep over their condition when he sees them going astray, and in danger of perishing, He will, be specially affected with opposition, because it will retard his work, and prevent the progress and the triumph of the gospel.”
God has committed a great responsibility to us as believers. It is our responsibility to live it, advance it, and sometimes suffer for it. Do you have a minister’s heart?