Saying Goodbye

Acts 20:13-38

Good morning everyone. It is great to be back. I have really missed seeing you all and worshipping our great God together. Thanks for your prayers, encouragement, messages and meals. I’ve been thankful for the body of Christ here at Epping.

1. Introduction

Well there’s a famous book written by Mark Twain called The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I wonder if you’ve heard of it. It’s about two characters trying to break free. Huck is trying to break free from the society that constrains him. And Jim, he wants to break free from slavery. They become friends, travel buddies. So there’s a scene in the book Huckleberry Finn talks to a girl about a church. He says there’s no less than 17 ministers. They don’t all preach the same day. Well, she asks what do the rest of them do? He says, oh nothing much. Pass the plate and one thing or another. But mainly they don’t do nothing. Well then, she asks, what are they for? Hucks says, Why they’re for style don’t you know nothing?

What do ministers do? What are they for?

Well it’s obvious, Nello and I are here for style. We’re a very stylish team. I’m sure you’ll agree. That’s a joke. We’re not stylish at all.

But what are pastors for? Pass the plate but they mainly don’t do nothing? I had a mate who asked, so what else do you do but go to church on Sunday. Ouch. but others think pastors are vital. The holy men. You need to pass through them for religious rituals, like baptism and communion, marriage. Others think of pastors like a CEO of a company, managing the church for success. Or counsellors, pastors elders help counsel people in distress. Others think of pastors as tea drinkers. They come around to drink tea and chit chat. And others think of pastors as those who put on a good worship service, pick nice hymns deliver a stimulating lecture. What are pastors for? What’s the point of them?

This morning Paul tells us why we need pastors. More than that he gives us the purpose of leadership in the Church. we got to be clear on this, so we can glorify our God. It starts with its leaders,

To locate where we are, Paul has been travelling. he gives us his travel diary in verses 13-16. Nearing the end of his 3rd missionary journey. And he asks the elders of the Ephesian church to meet him in Miletus. It’s about 60 km away from Ephesus, a coastal town. Why there? He’s trying to get back to Jerusalem by Pentecost. He’s got a gift – money – for the Jews in Jerusalem. It’s from the Gentiles. It’s the perfect time to give it to them. A great way to show love and unity between the newly established Jew and Gentile churches. And Paul’s got a sense of occasion. So he’s hurrying to get there.

But like any good pastor, he can’t resist one last talk to the church leaders, the elders in Ephesus.

Paul wants to say his final goodbye. But more importantly he wants to firmly drill in their minds their responsibility. He wants the elders to know their purpose. Don’t lose your way. Know your purpose.

So what does he say? My two points this morning. When it comes to leading a church. What are pastors to do? Live godly lives – integrity, love, serve with your heart. Secondly, Speak the truth of the Gospel – know the Gospel, speak it, keep guard over it.

Now right up front I want to say, yes this passage is primarily talking about elders, shepherds, overseers. That will include paid ministers like myself and Nello. But it is not restricted to ministers. It will include elders, Dave, Neil, Alistair, but it is not restricted to them either. Because it includes all people in Christian leadership. Has God put someone in your care? Bible study leaders, kids church teachers, youth group leaders, this passage applies to those who meet one on one, people who invite friends to church, to husbands and dads and mums especially to dads. The fact is if you are a Christian you are or will be placed in Christian ministry. You will have to teach the Scriptures, model godliness. This passage is important for all of us. You need biblical leadership. You need to know what this looks like.

1. Lives a godly life (20:18-19, 33-35)

Firstly, God desires godly leaders. Come with me to verse 18. Look what Paul says to begin his speech. He appeals to his own godliness.

acts 20:18-19

Acts 20:18–19 ESV

And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;

Paul looks back and recalls how he lived among the Ephesians. He was godly. He can say it confidently. You yourselves know how I lived. You’ve seen it. There’s no doubt about it. I was godly. Above reproach. The whole time. From the first day to the last day.

Paul served the Lord the whole time wholeheartedly. See there? With all humility. It wasn’t to build his brand. Build his reputation as a keynote speaker. No, he served with humility. About humility, CS Lewis helpfully says ‘humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.’ He didn’t think about himself. His ministry wasn’t about him. It was all about Jesus. Even in suffering.

Acts 20:22–24 ESV

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Do you hear what Paul’s saying? My life. Irrelevant. It’s not precious. I’m going to Jerusalem. I’m going to suffer there. God’s already told me. But I’m here to serve Jesus. Just like his Lord Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. That was Paul’s desire. He showed it in how he lived. It’s about the Gospel.

More than that, he served with tears. he says it twice verse 19, verse 31. Verse 31 there

act 20:31

Acts 20:31 ESV

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

I admonished, I warned, I urged, I pleaded with tears. His point? He put everything into it. He wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable. It wasn’t a 9-5 job. This was Paul’s apostolic calling. To bring the good news of Gospel to the Gentiles. To teach and preach the Gospel. Paul knew that their spiritual lives hung in the balance. There’s nothing more important to him. Eternal life and death at stake. So, he agonised over them. With tears.

Friends, it’s clear. Paul served with humility, with tears, and he was severely tested. He was persecuted. It didn’t stop him preaching the Gospel. The elders saw how he endured constant suffering, especially from this small group Jewish group who hated Jesus.

We know our true character comes out when we’re tested. When we’re tired. When it’s not easy. it’s easy to lead when our lives are going well. When things are going down stream. But it’s much harder when you are persecuted. When you’re swimming against the tied. Getting smashed. People hating you. People heckling you. Paul’s saying I’ve been tested. But you know I’ve been godly. Does testing, suffering, struggle and toil make you bitter or better?

Paul looks back and says. I’ve been godly. I know what my goal is; to serve Jesus. I lived it out. One of the big practical ways this played out was his view on money. Material comfort. He didn’t ask for any money from them Look there verse 33 to 35 it just blows my mind

acts 20:33-35

Acts 20:33–35 ESV

I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 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.’ ”

Paul was not like the other religious leaders of the day. It was not about fame and fortune. You don’t need a $54million Falcon F7 jet to help you tell more people about Jesus. I’ve heard that. Seriously. No, Paul worked with his hands, he goes these hands ministered to my necessities. He worked day and night to support himself.

Now, Paul could have asked for financial support. But he chose not to. His motivation was love. He didn’t want any confusion. Paul wanted to make it very clear the Gospel comes free of charge. So he worked hard with his hands. He made and sold tents to keep food on the table.

Friends, Paul point is this: he was godly. It’s not even an argument. Of course, this idea of godly leadership is everywhere in the New Testament. When it comes to biblical leadership, how you live is what’s most important. Godliness is non negotiable.

You look at the list in 1 Timothy 3. Paul says to elders;

1 timothy 3:1-5

1 Timothy 3:1–5 ESV

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

It’s clear isn’t it? God looks our character. God desires godly leaders.

Leaders at Epping, take stock. How are you going living a godly life? Are you living out the truth of the Gospel? Christian leaders don’t just speak the Gospel. They got to live it out. Show that they have crucified the old sinful self, live by the Spirit. Live the resurrected life.

Ungodly behaviour can blow up churches. It really does. I used to love listening to Mark Driscoll growing up. I was a fan. He was a pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Now I didn’t really know him from a bar of soap. I didn’t know his character. I thought I did, heard his sermons. that church grew by the thousands. the bloke must be godly. He preached grace and salvation through Jesus alone. But actually, Bullying, arrogance closed the church down. Many fell away. It’s left a trail of mess. It’s so damaging. Friends, God desires godly leaders. Need we say more?

2. Speaks the Gospel (20:20-32)

That’s one half of the equation. Your character, your life. Godliness. it’s a non negotiable. But the other very important half is this; leaders speak the Gospel. like a dog at bone that’s what they do. They don’t stop. Listen to what Paul reminds the Ephesian elders is ministry among them. Verse 20

Acts 20:20–21 (ESV)

how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul did not hold back in speaking to them about Jesus. He preached. He declared it. He spoke publicly to large crowds, in lecture halls he hired. He preached privately in homes. He spoke everywhere. And never held back. To Jews and Gentiles.

What did he speak about?

Repentance and faith.

He wanted the Ephesians to repent. You’re going one way, do a 180, turn back, go back to opposite way. Turn back to God. Stop living apart from God. Worshipping idols like Artemis. Turn back. Repent. Worship the true living God!

They repent. How do the Turn to God? trust in Jesus. This is faith. Repentance and faith. now Faith not just wishful thinking. A blind leap in the dark. No it’s to believe in the resurrected Jesus. It’s believing in truth based on facts. Like you have faith the chair your sitting on will support your weight. It’s based on facts. Jesus died. Fact. Jesus is risen. Fact. Jesus died for sinners and rose to give them life. So repent and have faith.

Friends, this was the message. The Gospel. Such good news. He spoke it everywhere to everyone. Do you know this? Is it clear in your mind? Come speak to me if this is not clear for you.

Paul wants them to have the truth clear in their minds. He wants them to speak the Gospel. Why? dodgy false teachers are coming. So know the truth.

Acts 20:28–31 ESV

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. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

When I take my four little children out to the shops, I gotta stand guard over them to protect them. The pedestrian crossing – danger there could be fierce dogs or cars lurking in any corner. i’ve got my eyes at the back of my head. Okay everyone hold my hands. Make sure everyone is connected. I’m holding my kids hands like a vice. When we’re at the escalators - danger, lollies at eye level - danger. See my point? I’m on guard for my kids. I pay careful attention. These are my little children. I want to make sure they get home safely.

Paul is calling these leaders get on guard, pay attention. Guard yourselves. Make sure you are standing in the faith. Don’t deviate from the Gospel. And guard the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Do all you can to keep them trusting in Jesus. Help them get home to their glorious inheritance.

why? there’s false teachers. Worse, even among yourselves will arise men speaking twisted things. Scary isn’t it? what will destroy the church isn’t necessarily from outside coming in. It’s from within. Those close to you. what will bring the church down is infighting , dodgy teaching from among us. So leaders watch your life and doctrine. Watch it carefully.

See, the thing with false teachers is They don’t carry a big sign. I’m a false teacher. it’s actually very subtle. The most dangerous thing with false teaching is what they teach is mostly true. It only distorts the truth a little bit. people see the same problem, and then they move into the centre or make it the main thing. For example, freedom it’s a good thing. huge in our world today. We are freed from religious rules. We are children of God. We are 100% saved by grace in Jesus. The Christian life is not defined by rules or practices. But if we moved that into the centre of our lives, we forget that Jesus is Lord. We think we are saved. We forget we need to live obedient lives for Christ. It will grind against us when he says something we don’t like. Oh don’t be legalistic.

friends, the church is so important. We got to speak the Gospel all the time. To ourselves, to others. church is ultimately that important.

This is God’s church. It’s not a chess club. a soccer club. no, God’s church is bought with his own blood. See the second half of verse 28 there. Do you hear that? God’s church is so precious that he bought with his own blood. The blood of Jesus. You are so precious because Christ paid his blood for you. the offered his own son for the church.

Look around you for a moment. The people you see here gathered around you. The church gathered here at Epping belongs to God. We are his treasured possession. He delights in his church so much so that he died for us. Christ died for us. Out of his great love for his church. And he’s the one who rules over the church.

of all things worth protecting - children, possessions, Gods people his church Jesus died for them.

But here’s the thing. Paul is not depressed. He knows he leaves them in safe hands. Verse 32

Acts 20:32 ESV

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.

He leaves them in God’s hands. He does it by the word of his grace. It’s the Gospel of his grace after all. So Paul can leave them with confidence. Why? He knows it's not about him. It’s the message of God’s grace. That’s what keeps them going.

Remember this: The good news is God is gracious. This is why John Newton says Tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. God saves us by grace. It’s all about what Jesus did. So God will lead his people safely home.

Friends, this is one of the most important passages in the Bible for understanding Christian ministry. The apostle Paul, God’s messenger is telling us what pastors elders are for. What they need to do.

Live a godly life, speak the gospel prayerfully and keep going doing that and guarding the flock in their own lives knowing God is gracious. He will lead his people home.

3. Implications

so as we consider some implications this morning

1. Pray for your leaders

As you can see in this passage. leaders have a big responsibility. watch their lives godliness. and speak the Gospel, guarding against false teachers. it’s taxing, so be praying for your leaders. So ask your leaders how can I be praying for you? It will warm their heart. Encourage them. They want your prayers. Ask them, how are you going walking with the Lord?. Pray for them that they will be reading God’s word, delighting in his grace, they won’t be influenced by false teachers. They would stay faithful. Pray for them.

2. Guard the people who God has put under your care.

Leaders guard the people God has put under your care. There are many voices that want to lead us astray. So pray, teach, rebuke, correct. Remember the Christian you are caring for is God’s blood bought church. Remember God cares for them. He gave his son Jesus to die for them.

Your ministry is not to be squeezed in between sport and your job. you’re ministry, people under your care this is the most important thing that you do. Leaders, let’s do our ministry with diligence, with passion for the Gospel, love for the Lord. Not half baked, half time on the phone, half time working. Like, we are serving Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

So take note Bible study leaders who don’t work hard to study the Bible and care for people

Sunday school teachers, rocking up without preparing

Dads and husbands, who prefer comfort over leading the family

Christian when you see someone going astray but you say nothing

This is all of us isn’t it?

Remember that God loves his church. He bought his church with the blood of Christ. He doesn’t just appoint paid people. But we are all to be paying careful attention, one day we will need to give an account.

3. Leaders, remember God’s grace

If you feel down, remember it’s the word of God’s what? Grace. We are saved by grace in Jesus. grace in the beginning, the middle and the end. So come on now, live godly lives, speak the Gospel, guard yourself and those under your care, relying on God’s grace remember that he would save wretched people like us.

Let’s pray.