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9. Paul’s Parting Sermon to the Bishops and Elders (Acts 20:17-38)
ACTS 20:17-24
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 18 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 all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20 how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Paul’s ship stopped at the port of Miletus, and the apostle asked the elders and the leaders of the church in Ephesus and Asia, its province, to come to him, even though they were 60 kilometers away. He deemed a visit to Ephesus inadvisable, after the people there had rioted against him. The faithful brothers hurried to see and hear their spiritual father in Christ, and to receive the divine blessing and power from him for their ministry in the Holy Spirit.
On this occasion Luke relates to us the unique sermon Paul delivered to his fellow-laborers and ministers of the churches. It is good for every believer and minister of Christ to delve deeply into each word of this message. It contains guidance on how to attain to fruitful ministry in both preaching the gospel, as well as in church service. Paul presented three points:
Paul was the ambassador of Christ to all the nations. Yet he came as a simple, humble servant, just as Christ was gentle and lowly in heart. He who does not come to church with these qualities, and who does not represent these virtues in his ministry and office, does not build up, but destroys and tears down.
In the first place, it need be mentioned, the goal of those ministering in the Lord´s service is not the church, but the Lord himself, before whom they stand accountable. They love Him, and desire to present the church to Him as a Holy Bride. This ministry is not as sweet as the honeycomb, but means freeing slaves from the bonds of sins, cleansing those who fall into sinful mire, enduring the stubbornness of the rebellious, guiding spiritual babes with great patience, and blessing enemies who persecute them. The devil´s first goal is to attack ministers of the Lord, to get them to fall from the height of God´s love into the swamp of adultery, hatred, and disdain, all by way of his temptations, tricks, and violence. This is why Paul testifies to ministers of the Lord that the banner over the ministry is written amid many tears, troubles, and sorrows, and not in the midst of tasty fruits, gladness, enjoyment, and rest. He who wishes to serve the Lord must prepare himself for troubles, rejection and dispute, and not for an increase in salary, promotion to a higher rank or other such spiritual fantasies.
Paul manifested in his life and character pure Christian doctrine before the church. He lived what he said, and conducted himself in accordance with his preaching. His good example epitomized his gospel message, and his deeds were as important as his words. Our life and conduct in our surroundings is to be an obvious testimony of Christ’s redemption, love, and power. What is not embodied in you cannot be understood by your hearers, for your conduct is the foundation of your preaching.
To convey the meaning and significance of his gospel, Paul followed three procedures: preaching, teaching, and testimony. He found suitable words for everyone, in accordance with their understanding. He did not give babes in the Spirit concentrated food, but milk and yogurt, so that they might understand and digest his gospel. The goal of his testimony was the spiritual growth of the believers in Christ, as well as their understanding of the importance of the word of God. They were not to lack any vitamin for the establishment of spiritual life in them. Paul did not hide or keep back anything of the fullness of Christ, but revealed to the church the universal redemptive plan of God, beginning with the grace and promises of God. He gave them, too, an understanding of the Spirit- filled life. He directed the believers to the blessings, powers, and consolations of the gospel, and urged them to hope and prepare for the coming of Christ, and for the glory to come to the brokenhearted.
Paul was not satisfied to just preach sermons and give teaching during church meetings. He also visited families in their homes, and spoke to individuals in their place of business, as well as in the streets. He urged them to save themselves from the coming wrath of God and continue in the grace of Christ.
The foremost subjects in Paul’s sermon were repentance, turning to God, and conversion. Seekers of God should no longer love their money and themselves, but desire to penetrate deeply into the understanding of the Holy One, to study His will, recognize their sins, confess their faults, and be ashamed of their evil deeds. Thus, there is no real faith without true repentance, and there is no forgiveness without knowledge of sin. Have you trembled and felt disgust over your past? Do you fear God? Have you denied yourself and confessed your sins before the Holy One? Do you live continuously in repentance and brokenness?
The first goal of our knowledge of God is the breaking of our puffed- up selfishness. The second goal lies in our taking resort to Christ, for there is no present or future hope for the world. Our hope is only in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ is the substance of our faith. It begins with our hearing about His life and person, and continues on as we begin awakening to him, begin to approach Him, learn to trust and abide in him, commit ourselves to him, and cultivate an expectation of his coming. Then we recognize that before we sought him he sought us, reconciled us to God, waited for our turning, drew us to Himself by His love, received us who were going astray, purified us, sanctified us, filled us with His Holy Spirit, admitted us into the communion of the saints, and called us to serve God. We see in our faith in Christ a twofold movement: our going to Him, and His coming to us. Have you met Christ personally? Do you abide in His New Testament teachings? He is prepared to save you. Do you believe in him?
Paul said that he was bound in the spirit, for he had dispensed with the freedom of his earthly life and lived in and for Christ. He did not go his own ways, but listened at all times to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This divine Guide, who sent him to Jerusalem, told him beforehand that painful tribulations awaited him there at the end of his apostolic life, just as his Lord had suffered at the end of his life in Jerusalem. The fruit of his weariness and effort was not reward and respect, but afflictions, imprisonment, and contempt.
Paul did not flee from the calamity he was about to encounter, but did approach it cautiously. He did not consider himself an important or notable person, nor did he write his biography or compile a record of his own experiences. He considered himself an unprofitable servant, and trusted completely in the work of the living Lord. Would that the Lord grants us the same attitude in respect to our own lives! Would that we, too, should consider ourselves unprofitable, so the Lord Jesus might become all things to us.
Apart from his self-denial, Paul desired two other things: First, that he might remain faithful to his Lord amid the temptations that were about to come upon him, and not fall into offense and hatred. He desired to love his enemies, forgive them their aggression against him, and continue to conduct himself in holiness and grace. Second, He was not satisfied with just continuing to be faithful in conduct, but also wanted to finish his sacred calling. He did not live for himself, but for his Lord and for His church. Paul did not seek this ministry, nor was he able to carry it out by himself. Christ had chosen him, and given him the power to fulfill his calling.
What was the summary of Paul´s life in the ministry? It was a testimony to the grace of God. The Holy God withheld His wrath from us, since Christ had justified us. He manifested Himself as our Father, offering the Holy Spirit to all those who loved His Son Jesus. He made out of corrupt sinners His holy children. Is this not marvelous grace, wonderful grace?
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we worship You with joy, gratitude, and praise, for You did not destroy us because of our many sins, but had mercy on us in Jesus Christ, and made us Your children by grace. Help us to walk worthy of this grace, and preach Your wonderful kindness to all those without hope.
QUESTION:
- What was the manner, content, and summary of the preaching of the Apostle Paul?