Paul's Farewell Charge
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Last and final words tend to carry more weight… they are chosen with great care, intent on leaving a lasting impression.
The words we are looking at today from Paul carry that weight and impact. Understanding that he is on his way to Jerusalem and that what lies ahead is very uncertain Paul gathers the elders of Ephesus together for one last final instruction and challenge.
These Men
Years of companionship
Mentored, taught and discipled
He had poured into them, loved them, wept with and rejoiced with these men
Here is what he spoke to these elders (recognize our elders)… (READ)
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. “Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you 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; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. “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. “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Encouraged to Remember...
Encouraged to Remember...
“You yourselves know” In verses 17-21 Paul has them remember the years with him and challenges them to emulate his example!
Despite the hardships, threats, difficulties, trials and griefs...
Paul served them in humility… but even more so...
Paul was faithful to teach the whole purpose and council of God
Twice in this speech Paul uses the phrase “I did not shrink”
He did not hold back or avoid because of fear or concern...
Sometimes teaching God’s truth is tempting to avoid at times...
He taught publicly and in private
Why remind them of these things???
These are the elders… Paul wants them to follow in his example!
Now be the example for others as well!
You as elders teach these things… publicly and privately!
A Clear Conscience
A Clear Conscience
“Behold” How God is currently working in Paul’s life...
A course that leads to discomfort, afflictions, sorrow...
Paul expresses to them his willingness to suffer for Christ (to keep the course, finish the race)
God does not need super humans, amazingly talented gifted individuals… He can supply those things when needed.
God is looking for faithful men and women to serve Him, follow Him, regardless
Paul understood the importance of “testifying solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”
Paul as he shares with these beloved men expresses he will not see them again. (we know later he would have one last time to visit, but Paul genuinely felt this was his last time.)
THEREFORE… he is innocent of the blood of men, a reference to
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. ‘He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life. ‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’
A clear conscience… Paul had sounded the alert, “declared the WHOLE PURPOSE OF GOD”
As elders they were being charged to do the same...
Don’t just declare the things that will tickle the ears of people, win favor, or be easy
Don’t just teach the things that are comfortable… Teach and preach the whole purpose of God!
This is hard to do! This is not always enjoyable. Truth can hurt and at times it is not pleasant to be the deliver of God’s truth!
What a wonderful way to live life… knowing you have declared to truth to ALL who God has desired you to!
To not shrink… hold back or Avoid!
Be on Your Guard!
Be on Your Guard!
For yourselves and the Flock!!!
Verse 28 delivers with it the weightiness of their role as overseers...
Holy Spirit made them overseers (commissioned them)
Shepherd God’s church/people/sheep
Purchased with the blood of the very Son of God Jesus Christ!
Warren Wiersbe: Never underestimate the great importance of the church. The church is important to God the Father because His name is on it—“the church of God.” It is important to the Son because He shed His blood for it; and it is important to the Holy Spirit because He is calling and equipping people to minister to the church.
In light of the weightiness, Paul delivers a warning… “wolves will come!”
It is NOT a possibility it is a fact
They will come from outside and within the church!
They will teach contrary to the authority of God’s Word, contrary to truth
D.L. Moody: The elders have a twofold responsibility. They are to feed the sheep by teaching them the Word of God, and they are to protect the sheep from false teaching. The warning about false teachers is prophetic. The epistles reveal that false teachers were not always outsiders; often they were insiders (See ). False teachers are ruthless and pose a twofold danger. They will attempt to pervert the truth and persuade believers to follow them.
THEREFORE BE ALERT!!!
Day and night… never ceasing
This is something to never let ones guard down on
Admonishing with tears… he was advising them concerning the dangerous consequences of these actions...
Paul closes with commending them to God and the Word of His Grace...
These will build you up
Look to the inheritance to come from Him
Don’t fall trap of doing this for sordid gain, but rather give your all to His church and allow Him to reward you!