A Farewell

I started writing this message on Tuesday of this week. At the time, I did not think that this title would have a dual meaning.

We will talk about Paul’s farewell speech in Acts 20, and we will also say farewell to our friend Steve.

Sometimes when I write a message, I just start out with what I am feeling, not necessarily what the verses are saying theologically, but what the Holy Spirit is saying to me.

Most of the time, I don’t say those things here in the pulpit, because that is my time with the Holy Spirit and it gets very personal at times.

But today, I want to share with you a little of what these verses said to me through the Holy Spirit.

It may not make total since to you, but it is just how I relate with the Word and what is revealed to me.

Paul is in Miletus and the Holy Spirit has revealed to him that he will not see this church again with his mortal eyes so he calls the elders of the church in Ephesus,

If I knew that I was going off to die and I would not see anyone again, what would I say to those I love? To those that have wronged me? To those that do not care to much for me or my ways?

To those who do not care too much for me, if you don’t like me because I followed the Lord and that upset you, I do not apologize in the slightness. I followed my Lord to the best I could and if that rubbed you wrong, it is cause you needed the Lord.

If it is because I have a very smart mouth and an attitude you do not like, for that I am sorry and ask for forgiveness. Know that I love you even if you do not love me.

To those who have wronged me, I forgive you with the same forgiveness that my Lord gives to me everyday. What ever it is...it doesn’t matter. I love you.

To those I love, I pray that even when I wasn’t showing love to you, know that I love you and I appreciate everything about you.

To the church, on the day I am called away or called home, know that I love you. The wonderful times, the frustrations, the difficulties, the fellowship, the friendships, to those who left I have loved you and every minute of this journey.

This is just a little bit of what I write to get what the Holy Spirit is showing me off my chest, so I can focus on what it is saying theologically.

You see I can not get started with the preaching aspect till I let the relational aspect through.

The reason is because first and foremost I am His and we have a relationship.

Reading in the verses today, you will see this aspect of Paul. His relationship with the Lord and his heart for the people of the church.

Normally, I would say your homework is to read all of Acts 20, but today, your homework is to ask those questions I asked myself.

Then read Acts 20. It changes how you see Paul and the situation he was in.

Let’s pray and then get into this message for today.

Your Character/Your Message

Paul has called all the elders and gives them his emotional farewell address. Paul starts off by challenging them to examine his past leadership while he was among them.

Acts 20:17–27 CSB

Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church. 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, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. 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. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 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. “And now I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see me again. Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.

Let’s break down these verses to get a better understanding of where Paul was taking the elders.

Paul starts off with what it means to have a servant’s heart.

He tells the elders that he served them with humility and tears.

It sounds like boastfulness, and it would be if taken out of context.

You must see this as a mentor speaking to his portages.

The greatest disadvantage the previous generation did in the church was not have a mentor/disciple philosophy.

Paul was not boasting he was telling them

1 Corinthians 11:1 CSB

Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.

He was telling them that he faithfully preached the whole council of God. That he held nothing back from them.

His message never changed even when he went from house to house. Repentance in the sight of God and faith in the resin Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul was trying to get them to understand their character and their message.

Ministry and leadership are not just something you do, it must be who you are.

If there is no commitment or authenticity in who you are, then how those around you will known the unfiltered truth.

Your character, your message must look the same and it is non-negotiable.

We see this today with so many pastors failing because their character and their message does not look the same.

Be honest with yourself today, is your character an example of your message or the opposite?

The Shepherds

The Wolves

We have all heard the statement “wolves in sheep’s clothing!”

But what does this mean when it comes to the church.

Acts 20:28–32 CSB

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. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. “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.

Paul tells the overseers (pastors/elders) to first "pay careful attention to yourselves" Your character Your Message! to remain spiritually sound, and then to the entire flock over which the Holy Spirit made them guardians. What does this mean to the ones in the pews today?

Simple question that can be answered with another simple question...What are you doing with the household the Holy Spirit gave to you?

The church is described as "the Church of God, which he obtained with his own blood," highlighting its immense value and justifying the need for intense protection. Should you not protect your household the same way?

We are quick to pull a pistol if their is someone attacking your home, but do you not realize that your household is under attack from the devil! Yet we turn a blind eye to that because it may disrupt

the way we do things.

Paul warns that after his departure, "fierce wolves" (external dangers) will attack, and even from within their own group, men will arise "speaking twisted things" to draw disciples away.

This is with the church and with our homes. I am not trying to say everything is evil, but we must be vigilant in our church and in our homes.

Paul warns them to be alert, remembering his three years of warning them. Finally, he commends them to God and "the word of his grace," which is able to build them up and provide their inheritance among believers

There will be one day that I will not be the pastor here, there will be one day that I will not be right there to guide or pick up my children, there will be one day that I will not be there to do the 30 different favors my wife asks me to do

But I can say that I commit it all to the grace of God and the inheritance is yours. From the church to my home the inheritance is yours.

Your Character/Your Message

The Shepherd/The Wolves

Selfless Generosity

Selfless Grace

Paul wanted to warn the elders about those who would exploit religion for personal gain.

Acts 20:33–38 CSB

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that I worked with my own hands to support myself and those who are with me. 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.’ ” After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them. There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Paul affirms that during his three-year stay in Ephesus, he did not covet silver, gold, or clothing. Instead, he used his own hands (tentmaking) to provide for his needs and his companions' needs.

Paul instructs the elders to follow his example of hard work, supporting the weak, and remembering the words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive". This highlights that spiritual leadership should be marked by self-sacrifice rather than greed.

The questions I asked myself at the beginning gave way to thinking...what am I really leaving behind?

After speaking, Paul kneels and prays with them. The elders are deeply moved, weeping, hugging, and kissing him, primarily saddened because he stated they would never see him again. They accompany him to the ship, showing deep love and respect for his mentorship