A Legacy of Love

morningIntrodcution

Colonel Sylvanus Thayer was the superintendent of West Point Military Academy from 1817-1833. He is credited with updating the curriculum and military training of cadets to make professional soldiers with character and competence. The code of West Point is Duty, Honor, Country and Thayer laid the foundation for what West Point is today and their most prestigious awards is named after him.

That award was given to a 1903 graduate of West Point...General Douglas MacArthur on May 12, 1962...where the great general gave his famous acceptance...lauding the virtues of Duty, Honor, Country.

He said in part “No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this, coming from a profession I have served so long and a people I have loved so well. It fills me with an emotion I cannot express. But this award is not intended primarily for a personality, but to symbolize a great moral code – the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land of culture and ancient descent. That is the meaning of this medallion. For all eyes and for all time, it is an expression of the ethics of the American soldier. That I should be integrated in this way with so noble an ideal arouses a sense of pride and yet of humility which will be with me always.”

Duty, Honor, Country:... are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.” (https://nationalcenter.org/ncppr/2001/11/04/general-douglas-macarthurs-farewell-speech-to-west-point-1962/)

In his acceptance of this award...Macarthur is attempting to use words to encapsulate his legacy...summed up in those three virtues.

Why Leave a Legacy

People leave a legacy because they know they aren’t going to live forever...they can no longer guide people they once did...they won’t always be there for the people (or pofession; or cause) they so deeply love. So they leave a legacy...to help guide those who will pick up where they left off.

Acts 20

This is what we find in our reading this mornign from Acts 20...we find Paul giving his final farewell address to leaders of the church in Ephesus. Paul...like MacArthur...was sharing his legacy...leaving them...knowing he would never see them again...with his understanding of the heart of what Christian leadership looks like.

What does this farewell message have to do with you and me? Well...who are Christian leaders? All of us within our own spheres of influence. And this passage is important for you and me to understand the most important aspects of ministry in the church.

This is Paul’s one and only speech addressed to believers in the book of Acts.

He speaks of his humility in the task of Christian leadership...how he poured his heart into the building of the church.

He spoke of his perseverance when times got tough...when persecution increased...he kept going.

Then in vv. Acts 20:20-21

Acts 20:20–21 NLT

I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

IN other words...he stayed focused on the heart of the gospel message.

Do we at BPC do that? Do you personally do that when talking with others?

Leadership in Christ’s church...here at BPC or anywhere around the world...means demonstrating a single-minded focus on sharing the gospel. Everything we do as Christians should be done intentionally and with passion.

Paul says he was “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me..” The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 20:19.

Determination in serving the Lord is important...Paul wouldn’t quit...he expects the leaders in Ephesus not to quit...persevering in trials.

What are we to do?

What’s the heart of Paul’s message?

Christian ministry must be Spirit led. v.22...Paul says he is “constrained; compelled; bound” by the Holy Spirit. Our ministry must be spirit-led not self led. The Spirit will guide us where God wants us to go...as individuals and as the Church.

vv.23-24 Paul says that same Holy Spirit also says he faces trials and imprisonment as he continues to serve the Lord. Some believe when we are attempting to serve the Lord in meaningful ways...we will face spiritual attacks...trials...that will attempt to make us give up our servince to the Lord. Paul experienced that and told the elders that is part of the life of faith.

Acts 20:25–27 ESV

And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore 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 did his duty. He took on what the prophet Ezekiel called...Ezekiel 3:16-21...a watchman of the people. If a watchman does his duty and warns the people of God to turn from their sin...then he is innocent of their blood if they ignore him. But the watchman will be guilty if the Lord gives a warning and the watchman doesn’t sahre that message.

Paul has done his duty; shared God’s message; he is innocent of the blood of those who ignore God’s truth.

Closing: Paul’s Charge

We will close with Paul’s charge the elders...which is also a charge for us today.

Pauls says Acts 20:28

Acts 20:28 NLT

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

In other words: care for one another; look out for one another; love one another: in doing so we are fulfilling our service to the Lord and His church.

Paul then warns of “fierce” or “savage” wolves...that is...false teachers...who will pevert the truth...attempting to lead God’s flock astray. That is why it is so important for you and me to be reading out Bible’s...praying for the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we read. Why? Because fierce wolves will try to decieve us...preaching sweet and lovely sermons that don’t line up with God’s written word...but might make us feel good.

Paul warns of this over and over again.

Our passage closes with Paul encouraging the elders of Ephesus...of how he poured his heart out in ministry with them and for them to do the same...following what Jesus taught...It is more blessed to give than to recieve.

The bottom line today is Paul’s ministry...his leagacy...his farewll address...was a legacy of love.

Listen for his heart in the last few verses. Acts 20:35-38

Acts 20:35–38 NIrV

In everything I did, I showed you that we must work hard and help the weak. We must remember the words of the Lord Jesus. He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” When Paul had said this, he got down on his knees with all of them and prayed. They all cried as they hugged and kissed him. What hurt them the most was that he had said they would never see his face again. Then they went with him to the ship.

Paul’s heart was heavy...because he knew suffering laid ahead of him. He knew he wouldn’t see these beloved brothers and sisters in Christ again. As is said in football....Paul left it all on the field...he held nothing back.

The church all over the world has the same charge as the elders of Ephesus...pour your hearts out for God and God’s people...preach Jesus...the way the truth and the life...do so depite the difficulty or persecution; Do so in love.

May all of our ‘farewell’ addresses leave a legacy of love to the church.

Thanks be to God...AMEN.