Paul’s Farewell Message to the Ephesians

Introduction

We find Paul at the end of his third and last missionary journey

he spent two years in Ephesus, then traveled around the sea, by land, down to Corinth, then back up

pick up in verse 13

Acts 20:13–38 CSB

13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul on board, because these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went on to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and the day after, we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.

We see that Paul would like to go to Ephesus, but knows he cannot and get back out of there quickly

the first time, second journey he stopped, they wanted him to stay

we all understand this… there are people that you know, that if you begin a conversation with them, it is not going to be short

if you don’t know that person you might be that person

Acts 20:13–38 CSB

17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. 26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as 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 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” 36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. 37 There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

PRAY

v13-16 are the travel plans that get us to the place of the meeting with the Ephesian Elders

We see from the text that Paul know that he will not see them again.

so this is that last things that he will tell them… last words

The gospel humbles, drives and frees us. It is an invitation to a life that is contrary to this world.

Gospel Humility

I am amazed at prideful pastors

Really any prideful Christians for that matter

I often think of the beatitudes…

Blessed are those who are poor in Spirit the kingdom of heaven is theirs

Blessed are those that mourn they will be comforted

Blessed are the meek, the humble, for they will in inherit the earth

I see humility all over Paul as he is talking to these elders from Ephesus for the last time

Acts 20:17–25 CSB

17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 18 When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. 21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 25 “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again.

The gospel humbles us

we cannot enter into any relationship as one that boasts

I have nothing to boast on, but Jesus

All people are saved the same way

not just an attitude of humility

knowing our testimony

that we repent to God

he is the one that we have sinned against

we put our faith in Jesus

not believe that he died on the cross

but trust that his death means my debt is paid

his perfect life, means I can righteously stand before God

This is how Paul took the gospel to the Ephesians

went and spoke in the synagogues

they begged him to stay

he didn’t, left Pricilla and Aquila there

went back on third missionary journey and stayed two years

This is why Paul can say that his life is worth nothing to himself

left to himself it is lost

what did he do to be saved… was not chasing after God, but going to kill and arrest Christians

his value comes from his maker and his savior

that is only place i have worth as well

Theological Boldness

For all the access to all the theological training, books, lectures and everything that we have, we are getting more and more ignorant on the subject

Acts 20:26–31 CSB

26 Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as 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 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.

Paul has give the the entire plan of God

Those that Paul were talking to were called by God

not yes men that Paul put into place

the same one that saved them, has called them

They were called to shepherd the flock that God had given them

a shepherd leads, feeds and protects

Warning of wolves coming

wolves look to devour

they are not always from outside the flock

Paul warns that they will be from their own flock

unlike the Galatians, where Paul tells them others have come in, listening to outside voices

we believed this to have happened

why Paul writes to them in Ephesians 4,

that the church gives different offices in the church

to train the church to do the work of the ministry,

so that all can grow in unity of the faith

Ephesians 4:14 CSB

14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

They were very good at this… so much that they forgot their first love

they began to be so doctrinal that they did not worship the one that saved them

see the letter in Revelation 2 as a reference

We are always to look for and be on guard for false teaching

I desire for you to read and check what I am saying

the same way that I would caution you not to simply believe anyone because they have a book or a radio show

do not just take what I say without looking at the bible yourself

I have told the Elders, whose job it is to make sure that we are staying on track theologically, if they hear me say anything unbiblical, call it out immediately

we do not want any to go away believing a false thing from this pulpit

the costs are too high

Devoted Evangelist

Paul walked this walk

through all of these missionary journeys,

we have seen Paul go through so many things and go different ways that put him in danger

Acts 20:32–35 CSB

32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 35 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Innocent of their blood

spoke the truth

there was nothing withheld that they were dependent on him for the way to God

there was no, you must come to me to get to God

prepared for his departure

taught them to follow Christ, not Paul

Committed them to the Lord

Not the same as when he dusted off his clothes and released responsibilities

but admitting they belong to God, not Paul

leaves Paul and any leader with a free conscience

knowing they have prayed, shared and just waiting for God to work

This is why Paul does not have an, “You own me attitude…”

Not his life

not his mission - Christ has sent him

he knows there is nothing that they can give him that will enrich him more that what he has in the Lord

Memory Verse:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 20

21 I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus

Discussion Questions

What were the key reasons Paul decided to sail past Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem?

How can Paul’s example of humility and serving others inspire you to treat people in your life?

What does Paul mean when he states he is 'innocent of the blood of all of you'?

In what ways can you apply the principle of being a devoted evangelist in your daily life?

How did Paul prepare the Ephesians for the challenges they would face after his departure?

What does the phrase 'it is more blessed to give than to receive' mean in the context of Paul's teachings?

How can we guard ourselves against 'savage wolves' or false teachings in today’s church?

How does trusting in God's grace influence your approach to difficulties in your life?

What actions did Paul take during his ministry to show his commitment to the church in Ephesus?

Why is Paul’s mention of the Holy Spirit significant when discussing his future trials?