Acts 20:22-38 A Pastor s Parting Words I. Introduction A. Last week we saw Paul s example in ministry. B. Today we will finish up his parting words of exhortation to the Ephesians. II. Acts 20:22-25 Paul was committed to following Christ. A. Obedience is more important than well being. 22 "And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count 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 testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 1. This attitude of obedience was what made Paul one of the greatest servants in the church ever. 2. I am concerned for the church of Jesus Christ with so many walking away from the Lord and so many unwilling to even engage in a fully dedicated commitment to Christ. 3. We see men leaving their wives and children, we see people unwilling to commit of their time or resources, and we find that commitment to ministry and service too often goes only as far and as deep as convenience will allow. 4. If I think I have a life that is of more importance than the Kingdom of God, then I won t serve the way Paul did. 5. To often our families, friends, hobbies, career, and money get in the way of being all that God wants us to be and is calling us to be. 6. What are the things that have moved men of God from steadfastness, throughout history and today? a) Money b) Power c) Women 1
d) Pleasure e) Time B. Have you moved from those early days of faithfulness, service, and devotion to the Lord? 1. Return. 2. Strengthen yourself, so you don t drift. 3. I call you to make the Kingdom of God the top priority in your life. a) More than your job b) More than your pleasure and fun c) More than your physical well being d) More than your family 1 Corinthians 7:29 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,. C. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:25-34 25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. III. Acts 20:26-27 Paul was committed to the Word of God. 26 "Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. A. Paul gave the Church at Ephesus the Word of God faithfully. B. Failure to give the Church the Word of God makes the Body vulnerable to attack. IV. Acts 20:28-31 Paul was concerned for the Church. 2
A. 20:28a Paul was concerned for the leaders. 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and 1. How many have left this undone, leading to their fall? 2. You will only be effective with the children as you grow in your walk with Jesus. 3. Be in the Word and in prayer. B. 20:28b-31 Paul was concerned for the flock. 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 1. Keep the flock from error by declaring the whole counsel of God. a) This is a mandate that has been left undone. Many pastors today, by substituting gimmicks for the Word of God, are not taking heed to the flock. 2. Church leadership is not for those who are afraid to confront false teachers. a) There are two extremes to avoid. (1) One is to make your sole focus the enemy or potential trouble. (a) There are those who see only the trouble, and they miss the work of God that is happening right before them. (b) Remember Jesus said he would take care of the church. (c) If your only contribution to the church is to focus on danger, then I call you to look at the whole ministry of Paul and not just the warning aspect. (2) The other extreme is to avoid saying anything and so allowing the flock to be harmed. (a) We have been blessed by the Lord over the years, and He has kept those that would want to plunder the faith of the church away. (i) I and the leadership of the church are jealous for your faith and will confront those who seek to harm you spiritually. C. Consider the cost, and this will tell you why leadership should be zealous in defense of the church. 1. Jesus purchased the Church with His blood. 3
2. As a Pastor I should not let something so precious and costly as the Church be easily taken off into compromise. a) I must rise up and defend that which is valuable: THE CHURCH! 3. Unfortunately some are more concerned with the cost of carpet than the cost paid by Jesus to redeem? the Church. a) We should have a much greater zeal for staying unspotted from this world than for removing stains on the carpet. D. The theological dangers that face the church are presented by people who question: 1. The deity of Christ 2. The atonement 3. The resurrection 4. The inspiration of the Bible 5. The need for holiness V. Acts 20:32 Paul was confident in the grace of God. 32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. A. Salvation comes by way of the grace of God. B. But we read here that sanctification (being built up) also comes by way of the grace of God. 1. Any spiritual maturity or development that takes place in our lives is the byproduct of the work of God. C. Paul was confident that the grace that saved believerswould also build them up in their faith and bring them to their inheritance. 4
VI. Acts 20:33-35 Paul s was not after money. 33 "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 1. Paul didn t covet the money of the flocks he ministered in. B. Paul taught them the blessedness of giving. 35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " 1. So when we give to the help others out, this will prove to be a blessing not only to them but also to ourselves, for the Lord will see this as fruit to our account. 2. I exhort those of you who have yet to allow the Lord to have control of your finances to do so. a) Be led of the Lord, and put faith in God that He will meet your needs. VII. Acts 20:36-38 Farewell 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. VIII. Conclusion 5