Elder Leadership

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus

Paul begins his ministry in the synagogue - Acts 19:8

Acts 19:8 NIV

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

This lasted three months

Paul’s Ministry moves to the Gentiles when he is rejected by the Jews - Acts 19:9-10

Acts 19:9–10 NIV

But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

This lasted two years

The Gentiles responded by leaving their sinful ways - Acts 19:18-20

Acts 19:18–20 NIV

Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Opposition arose from those who profited from mysticism - Acts 19:23-26

Financial opposition

Acts 19:23–26 NIV

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.

Cultural/Religious Opposition - Acts 19:27

Acts 19:27 NIV

There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

The city clerk calms the riot - Acts 19:35-41

Acts 19:35–41 NIV

The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Paul is forced to leave Ephesus and after visiting several places in Greece, he heads toward Jerusalem, with one last visit to Ephesus.

Paul’s preparation for this church to continue without him?

Paul had appointed elders in every city - Acts 14:23

Acts 14:23 NIV

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Paul also modeled leadership as will be shown in the following passage

Paul’s visit with the Elders from Ephesus

A review of the past - Acts 20:18-21

Acts 20:18–21 NIV

When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Elders learned to serve

Elders taught to the needs of the people

Elders were faithful to the Gospel messgae

A statement on the present - Acts 20:22-24

Acts 20:22–24 NIV

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Elders have a hard task

Elder’s task must be their “only aim”

A warning about the future - Acts 20:25-31

Acts 20:25–31 NIV

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Elders teach the whole will of God

Elders protect the flock

Elders are on guard for error

A commissioning for the future - Acts 20:32-36

Acts 20:32–36 NIV

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

Elders are built up by God’s grace

Elders must not be motivated by personal gain

Elders must work hard

A sad farewell - Acts 20:36-38

Acts 20:36–38 NIV

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Elders must build deep personal relationships