Paul’s Lessons On Ministry (Part 2)
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[SLIDE 1] Introduction
If you have your Bible, then please turn to Acts 20:18-31
18 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, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 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. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 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. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
Illustration
Let me begin by asking you a question, “How many of you like dogs? How many of you have owned one?”
When I was in elementary school (perhaps as young as grade 2-3), my family owned a handful of dogs, such as a pomeranian.
[SLIDE 2] And we owned a type of dog known as an Old English Sheepdog. This dog was way bigger than me, and I did not know how to take care of it.
Now, a sheepdog is oftened referred to as a herding dog. And the dog that my family owned many years ago was one of the many breeds of a sheepdog.
Did you know that a sheepdog is smart, fast, and naturally good at guiding sheep, making it very useful on farms?
Did you know that sheepdogs guide sheep by running around them and creating a safe area? They do this carefully, using their body, speed, and sometimes their bark, to lead the sheep without scaring them.
Did you know that sheepdogs not only guide sheep, but also protect them from danger? They are brave and often stand between the sheep and any threats.
These dogs are trained to respond to the shepherd's commands, often given by whistle or voice.
[SLIDE 3] Now, you cannot find in the Bible the word, “sheepdog.” I would suggest that the sheepdog serves as an illustration of the responsibility and role of the elders and pastors in the church, ultimately serving the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Like the sheepdog, elders and pastors are called to be spiritual caretakers and leaders of God's flock.
We are to be vigilant, watching over the flock (which is the believers gathered in the church) that God has entrusted us with.
And that’s the encouragement and exhortation from the Apostle Paul to the elders.
Biblical Theology
Context
Paul is speaking to the elders. He demonstrated to them, from his life, his selfless servanthood, tenacious teaching, evangelistic endeavour, and sacrificial steadfastness in verses 18-24.
So, as we continue to study Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders, I cannot help but to say that I’m preaching to myself as a pastor.
Much of the application from this passage is directed towards the elders. But, we can also broaden the principles for believers.
[SLIDE 4] What Is An Elder?
When you hear the word, “elders,” you may think of older people, the seniors, or the elderly of our church.
But that’s not what the Bible means.
As I’m about to explain biblical eldership, I encourage you to take notes because it’s going to be a bit academic.
Even if elders don’t apply to you, it’s still good to listen because it helps you to understand the Bible’s teaching on this topic.
In the church, God has given two offices of leadership to govern the body of Christ: Elders and deacons.
I won’t have time to elaborate on the office of deacon due to time, but they’re important in the church.
If you want more teaching on the office of deacon, then you can listen to my sermon that is posted on the church website when I expounded Acts 6:1-7.
[SLIDE 5] Paul is addressing to the elders because they are the spiritual leaders of the church. They are responsible for the church’s doctrinal health and purity. They are to focus on the ministry of the word of God and prayer.
The qualification for the office of elders are described by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
The office of an elder is not different from pastor and overseer.
Elders, overseers, and pastors are terms used interchangeably and synonymously in the New Testament.
[SLIDE 6] In Acts 20:28, notice that Paul says to the elders that the Holy Spirit has made them OVERSEERS.
It’s the same word used to describe the qualification of overseers in 1 Timothy 3.
[SLIDE 7] And Paul told Titus to appoint elders in Crete. In Titus 1:7, Paul describes the qualification of an elder:
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
[SLIDE 8] Furthermore, we see that elders and overseers are used interchangably. What about pastors?
Pastor is a Latin word for shepherd.
The only time the word, “pastor” or “shepherd,” is used as a noun is in Ephesians 4:11
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
However, pastor can also be used as a verb or an action to describe the responsibility of elders/overseers.
[SLIDE 9] Look at Acts 20:28 again. Paul says to the elders, “the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to CARE for the church of God.”
That word, “to care,” is the same Greek word for “to pastor” or “to shepherd.”
[SLIDE 10] Similarly, the Apostle Peter gives his exhortation to the elders in 1 Peter 5:1-2
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
Shepherd the flock of God…it’s the same word used in Acts 20:28 “to care.”
Elders/overseers/pastors are to shepherd the church.
At this church, we teach that pastors and elders are spiritually qualified men recognized as “overseers” of the church. That’s clearly stated in the Scripture.
Hence, we include that teaching as stated in our church bylaws. (If you’re a member of our church, when was the last time you read the church bylaw?)
[SLIDE 11] Allow me to read out some of the portions under Part 4 (titled Officers) section 19 (heading: pastors, elders, bishops).
Pastors and elders are men recognized as “overseers” of the church.
Their aim shall be the “equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the whole body of Christ” as in Ephesians 4:12.
The function of the pastor(s) and elders is to exercise shepherd-like care over the flock. This involves: giving themselves to prayer, study, the ministry of the Word, and the nurture of souls, leading and overseeing the church in all its ministries and functions, including local evangelism.
That’s what make OBC doctrinally distinct from other churches because we teach that this is the biblical view of church governance and leadership.
If you want to know who the elders are, you can find them in the photos in front of the washroom.
Leadership is very important. And it was John Maxwell who once said that “everything rises and falls on leadership.”
Today, you can attend a three-day training on leadership that might cost $2,000.00, not including travel or food.
This is because in any business or group, people know that good leadership is valuable. There is a great price to be paid for leadership because being a leader is difficult.
Bad leadership can harm institutions, but good leadership can help them greatly.
Verses 25-31 is the center of Paul’s farewell message, which is his direct instruction to the elders.
So, Paul, in his farewell message, offers instruction on good leadership.
Exposition
[SLIDE 12] 1. Lesson Of Clear Conscience (vv.25-27)
After Paul addresses that he’s going to Jerusalem to finish his ministry by testifying to the gospel of the grace of God, Paul knows that the Ephesian elders will not see his face again.
Since the Ephesians elders will not see Paul’s face again, Paul says, “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.”
Paul brings up the idea of a court room whereby he testifies before the Ephesian elders that he has not failed in (or shrink from) his obligation in declaring to them the whole counsel of God.
Therefore, he is innocent of the blood of all, which means that he’s innocent from serious wrongdoings or sins. He has a clear conscience.
By using the idea of blood and innocence, Paul may also be pointing us back to an Old Testament teaching in Ezekiel 33:7-9.
[SLIDE 13] You can read it on the screen, but to summarize...
God was speaking to His prophet named Ezekiel. In that context, God talks about the people known as Israel’s Watchman.
In Israel, a watchman was a person whose job was to look out for danger and warn people if trouble was coming.
Ezekiel and the prophets were like the watchman.
They were responsible of declaring God’s message to God’s people.
The prophet’s job was to warn the people when they were doing things wrong and tell them to change their ways.
If he didn't do this, and something bad happened to God’s people, it would be his fault for not giving a warning. (v.8)
The prophet would be unfaithful and God would rebuke and discipline this prophet for failing to give the people God’s message.
But if he did warn them and God’s people didn't listen, then it would be their own fault.
Similarly, the Apostle Paul sets an example. If he shrinked from declaring the whole counsel, purpose, and plan of God, then he would be guilty of sin. However, he did not.
So, it is the truly a primary duty of the elders/overseers/pastors to uphold the word of God and teach it. Being able to teach is one of the qualifications of an elder in 1 Timothy 3.
[SLIDE 14] Also, Titus 1:9 states this about the elder.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
While being a teacher of God’s word is a privilege, it is not fun and game. James gives us this warning:
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
As a pastor, I will one day stand before God and I will have to give an account before Him for what I did and taught.
It’s a joy and honour being a pastor because I get serve you and see you grow spiritually, but this calling by God to be a pastor is weighty and must be taken seriously.
So, Paul launches with instructions to the elders in verse 28.
This specific verse is overloaded with rich truth about the job description of an elder/pastor.
Books have been written on this singular verse on the topic of church leadership.
[SLIDE 15] 2. Lesson of Spiritual Sensitivity (vv.28)
Paul gives a commandment to the elders. He commands them to “Pay careful attention.” Other Bible translations would say:
“Be On Guard.”
“Take Heed”
“Keep watch.”
“Watch out.”
“Beware.”
It means to be alert and ready of any danger, need, or error, and to respond appropriately.
So, this is a rather strong commandment. There are two things that the elders are to pay careful attention to:
First, pay careful attention to yourselves.
Paul was commanding the elders to be spiritually sensitive about their spiritual wellbeing, personal holiness, and Christian character because that’s an utmost importance.
Charles Spurgeon, the 19th century English preacher, wrote a book called, “Lectures To My Students.”
It was written to young men who desire to be pastors of the church.
What’s fascinating and perhaps sobering is that the 1st chapter that Spurgeon wrote:
isn’t about giftedness.
It isn’t about learning how to preach.
It isn’t about learning how to lead, counsel and do church administration.
[SLIDE 16] The first chapter is titled this way, “The Minister’s Self-Watch.” Listen carefully as I read a portion of this chapter.
“The first matter of true religion being settled, it is of the next importance to the minister that his pietry be vigorous. He is not to be content with being equal to the rank and file of Christians, he must be a mature and advanced believers...”
and the reason why Spurgeon says that is because of what he says about ministers…
“You must remember, too, that we have need of very vigorous pietry, BECAUSE our danger is so much greater than that of others.”
Why is the danger of a minister so much greater?
The tempter targets the ministers.
In recent years, I have seen well known ministers made headline in the news.
They fell into sexual immorality, sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, mishandling of money, or abusive leadership.
Some even renounce their faith.
The consequence? The church is greatly damaged and disenchanted. Sometimes, Christians may start to lose trust in the church leadership.
So, the elders are to pay attention to their spiritual wellbeing and personal holiness because that’s an utmost importance.
This principle also applies to all Christians because you’re not exempt from examining yourselves.
Perhaps, this is a wakeup call for you to reflect on your relationship with Jesus and spiritual growth.
It’s time for a deep self-examination including myself.
If you’re not paying careful attention and safeguarding your own soul, then watch out lest you have opened the door for your own flesh and the evil one to tempt you.
[SLIDE 17] The next thing that Paul says is to pay careful attention to ALL the flock (which is the church), in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
God the Holy Spirit - the 3rd person of the Trinity - has made, appointed, or destined the elders to be overseers of the flock of God.
Their responsibility is to shepherd the church of God because God the Son - Jesus Christ - died and shed His blood to purchase and obtain her.
And if you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ, know that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself from your sins and the wrath of God to come. Only Jesus Christ can save, and He did so by dying on the cross, to pay the penalty of your sins, and was raised on the 3rd day.
And if you turn away from your sin and trust in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and believe in what He has done on the cross, then you can be saved.
[SLIDE 18] 3. Lesson of Watchful Warning (vv.29-31)
Now, having given the Ephesian elders the commandment, Paul gives furthering warning to the elders about the future in verses 29-31.
Paul tells the elders that he knows that after his departure and goes to Jerusalem and perhaps never see each other again, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Paul continues his metaphor or figure of speech to describe false teachers as fierce wolves.
Jesus talks about them in Matthew 7:15
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
These wolves are described as fierce, cruel, and savage.
They’re greedy for money, fame, and power.
They hate the truth.
They have unbearable temperament.
They may be arrogant leaders likened to wolves who prey on sheep.
These wolves are OUTSIDERS who will come and try to indoctrinate the church to their false teaching.
They will not spare the flock, the church. These wolves will try their best to win the church to their side and cause chaos and destruction.
Paul had a pastoral heart and concern for the church. He knows wolves will enter into the church from the outside because he had seen it. It’s a pattern of the evil one.
For instance, in Galatians, he saw how the Galatians turned to another gospel (Galatians 1:6).
For the Corinthian, he saw how the false apostles entered into the church and accused Paul of many false ideas (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Similarly, he knows that the evil one will empower these wolves to attack the church.
Moreover, if you think false teachers coming from the outside is terrifying, I think verse 30 is even more alarming and concerning.
Paul tells the elders that he knows that from among YOUR OWN SELVES will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
To twist means to pervert, mislead, distort. It means making the straight line crooked.
Paul is literally saying that danger doesn’t just lie on the outside of the church, but also lies inside of the church.
There will be those sitting and attending the church who will twist the Bible so that they could lead you astray.
Woah. What is Paul saying?
Paul is saying that there will be those within the Ephesian church (and also within the leadership of the elders) who will twist and pervert the word of God with their mouth.
Was Paul overreacting?
Certainly not.
False teachers did enter into the Ephesian church. And there was a spiritual defect inside the church.
That’s why Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to deal with this situation and condemn the false teachers from within the Ephesian congregation.
[SLIDE 19] Here’s Jesus’ message to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:2.
2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
If false teachings and spiritual defect happened to many of the churches in Paul’s days, then we should also pay attention and be vigilant. That was Paul’s instruction in verse 31.
Therefore, because of the utter importance of the elders’ role in caring for the church and the concern that false teachers will come, Paul commands the elders to BE ALERT.
BE WATCHFUL. That’s a command. Not a suggestion. Not an option.
It carries a sense of protection and guarding. It also means to be in constant readiness. It’s keeping your eyes open to danger…
Just like how you would keep your eyes opened to your young children when they’re playing on the playground to make sure they are playing safe and nobody kidnaps them.
Brothers and sisters, be careful of who you listen to in the world, especially on the internet. Be discerning. Be a noble Berean that searches the Scriptures to see if what you’re learning is from God. [SLIDE 20]
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
And then Paul appeals to them to remember what he did for them to care for them and pastor them.
That for three years, Paul did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
This just simply means that Paul worked really hard in making disciples and serving the new believers and training the men to become elders of the church.
But Paul didn’t spend three years merely teaching them about theology and Bible as an academic rigour.
He taught them with great pain and suffering.
To admonish everyone with tears.
To urge them to remain faithful to the living God.
He warned them with his own tears. He wept because he knew that false teachers would infiltrate. He knew there will be spiritual defects in the church.
Just like Judas Iscariot who spent three years of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he still betrayed him out of greed.
So, Paul genuinely cared.
It was a long-term care (for three years).
It was a constant care (did not cease).
It was a watchful care (to warn).
It was a universal care (everyone).
It was a heart-felt care (with tears).
Application / Conclusion
There you have it. I hope you have a general idea of what an elder and pastor is, and what their responsibility is as stated in the Bible. It is certainly a great duty.
Who is sufficient for these things?
But we are given this ministry by the mercy of God. Without God’s mercy in saving sinners, we won’t be here.
If God has called me and the elders to this task, then His grace will certainly provide us the means in completing the task faithfully.
That’s why we depend upon the gospel of the grace of God that Paul preached about.
[SLIDE 21] To slowly wrap up the message, I think it’s worth considering this question: “What should be the responsibility of the church towards the elders/pastors?”
Did you know you have obligations towards the leaders?
Let me quickly offer them to you
Pray
How often do you pray for your elders, pastors, and I know we didn’t talk about deacons, but pray for them too!
We certainly need your prayer every day so that we can be faithful to do all that God requires of us.
Pray that the LORD would give us the kind of care for you that the Apostle Paul modelled for us in this passage.
Submit
[SLIDE 22] Did you know that’s a commandment from God? Submit to your leaders and elders?
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Perhaps, there may be some of you who don’t submit to the elders. You may find excuses and reasons not to do it perhaps you disagree with them or maybe the elders do things differently from you.
But know that you have this obligation towards your elders. Be subject to them.
17 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.
Imitate
[SLIDE 23] As Spurgeon said, the minister is supposed to exemplify holier and godlier characteristics than a regular believer. When he does that, you have a godly example to imitate.
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.