What should church ministry look like?
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Tonight we are going to look at 5 main priorities that should be part of the church. Especially, when we think about church ministry.
Main Text:
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. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Short Intro:
Short Intro:
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.
Last week we talked about several things here before Paul shares some of these responsibilities of what ministry is too look like. Paul opens here with a sad note of sharing with these Ephesian leaders that this would be the last time they would see his face. We know that Paul had served there in Ephesus for 3 years and now his work was done. Paul had laid a firm foundation and taught these leaders everything they needed to know so that they were ready to minister on their own. Paul had proclaimed the kingdom to them which meant that he had taught them everything about the gospel. Paul had shown them that sinners need to hear the good news about Jesus, turn from their sin and trust in Christ for salvation. Because Paul had thoroughly fulfilled his obligation to teach, this is why Paul could say in verse 26 that he was innocent of the blood of all men which would have been both Gentiles and Jews. Paul had not only shared the gospel with those who were lost, but he also took time to help the church leaders know the full truth of God’s Word. This reminds us of what we see from Ezekiel the prophet who warned Israel to turn from their sin and not to continue in it. This is a very sobering reminder not only for ministers but also for all believers to speak God’s truth. We now come to 5 priorities that Paul shares as he thinks about the church.
1. Ministers must watch their own lives by living for God.
1. Ministers must watch their own lives by living for 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.
The first priority that Paul speaks of is the importance of keeping a watch out for our own lives so that we are right with God. Effective ministry, preaching, teaching a bible study, being a leader is not just a good outward appearance, but it is all about a rich, deep relationship with God.
No one is ready to face the pressures of this life and the responsibilities of ministry who is not right with God. These pressures, as well as the demands that go with them are why leaders in the church have to be constantly on guard. This is why some people don’t need to be teaching or even leading a bible study. Why? Because they are not right with God. So, the first step when it comes to being on guard is to have a time of self-examination. Here is what Paul says to Timothy.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
As leaders in the church we have to look at our own personal lives as well as what we are teaching. In a house there were vessels for dishonorable uses, like garbage and other waste. There were also vessels for honorable uses like for food and drink. Only clean ones of high quality were fit for honor. Although there is no one who is perfect and without sin, there is an extreme importance of making sure our lives our pure and holy as God calls us to live for Him. Paul helps us to see this wonderfully in his letter to the church at Corinth.
12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.
2. Ministers must shepherd the flock or church God has given them.
2. Ministers must shepherd the flock or church God has given them.
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.
After making sure our lives are pleasing and right to God a ministers next priority should be to care for the flock. We would say that the care here should involve feeding and leading the church. When we think about this visual illustration here of a shepherd and a flock of sheep this is speaking of God’s relationship to His people. Since sheep are helpless and constantly in need they also need constantly love, care, and protection. Here are a few Psalms to help.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
When it comes to the Bride of Christ, the Holy Spirit calls men to help be the under shepherds of His church who are responsible to lead their flocks. One of the most important responsibilities for every shepherd and elder is to feed the church a steady diet of God’s Word. In John chapter 21 we see that Jesus instructed Peter to do this.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Sadly, there are many pastors or shepherds who are not feeding their church flock God’s Word. And because of this there are many weak sheep, who begin to eat the poisonous weeds of false doctrine and false teaching.
Another area where we would say a minister should shepherd the sheep is not only by feeding them but also by leading them. Since sheep are followers, the shepherd’s job is to lead and guide the flock. We must set the direction for the sheep to follow. We don’t see anywhere in God’s Word where the congregation leads, but we do see where the pastor and elders are called to lead.
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.
God has designed for the leadership of the church to lead and to be the spiritual overseers of the flock. For those of us who are leaders someday we will give an account for how we led so there is a high standard for leadership. Ultimately when we lead, we come to see in Scripture that the church is never our church or my church, but it is God’s bride.
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;
Since the Lord gave His life for the church and purchased her with His very own blood, then we should see the high importance of leading well. In fact, this demands that every leader treat the church with a love and compassion. Paul describes to us Christ’s sacrificial love for the church in Ephesians.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
3. Ministers must guard or protect the flock.
3. Ministers must guard or protect the flock.
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.
Ministers are to not only watch out for their own lives and feed and lead the flock, they must also protect it from predators. Paul knew that after he left or even died, there would come a time where fierce wolves will come into the church as they already had in the church at Corinth. Any time the gospel is presented and the truth is proclaimed, Satan will do his best to come against that and typically this is done by the lies of false doctrine. Peter addresses this very thing in his writing.
12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”
Peter as well as Paul understood that these predators could be outside the church but also within the church and they would do everything they could to draw away people by speaking false things. In order to guard the flock there are 2 things that Paul addresses here.
A. Ministers must be on the alert. Charles Jefferson talks about the importance of a vigilant shepherd. He said in his book that the Eastern shepherd was first of all a watchman. He had to stay awake at all times because the foe was always near. There were all kinds of enemies. There were floods that could over flow the rivers and sweep away the sheep. There were animals like lions, bears, wolves and even large birds. There were also robbers or men who would steal and kill the sheep. So these shepherds had to be alert at all times.
There have been many pastors who were not watchful and allowed the church to be torn to pieces because they fell asleep and when they enemy snuck up and false ideas crept in they never knew it. There are so many false errors today and these are the fierce wolves they can so easily tear apart our faith and hope and why so many people leave churches.
B. Ministers must also warn their flocks. Paul had taken time over the past 3 years to be there and help warn the church about false teaching. The word here admonish means to warn. Paul did this night and day and even with tears. In other words, Paul wept because he knew the terrible consequences when false teachers would could in not sparing the flock and mangle the people.
4. Ministers must lead by careful study of God’s Word and Prayer.
4. Ministers must lead by careful study of God’s Word and Prayer.
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
If a minister is to feed and protect his flock then he must be a student of the Scriptures and be devoted to prayer. Only when a minister has this knowledge can he properly lead and guide the flock from error.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Paul was constantly reminding the early church to be a praying church. Pray for me, pray for one another, pray for your church leaders. The early church was bathed in prayer. The other important pillar of the church is to study the word of God, which is able to build you up.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
Prayer and the ministry of the Word must be a daily part of a true ministers life.
5. Ministers must be free from self-interests.
5. Ministers must be free from self-interests.
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
A God-honoring ministry and minister must remain focussed on giving and not getting. There is no way that the Lord will bless the ministry of someone who is preoccupied with money. Why? Let me give you 2 helpful Scriptures.
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The Love of money has always been a character trait of false teachers. They love money more than they do God and the church. Paul’s ministry was not characterized by self-seeking materialism. Paul tells us that he did not covet people’s silver, gold, or clothing. Paul supported himself and worked hard. This is why Paul now appeals to these church leaders that they do the same. To work hard as unto the Lord and remember that it was more important to give and help others than to receive.
Paul’s ministry was successful because his life was right with God, he made it a priority to feed and lead the flock. He also saw the high priority to guard the flock and to pray and know God’s Word. And finally, he was free from the self-interests of things around him because he truly loved God more than anything.
