INTRODUCTION
Outline.
2. The Leadership’s: Divine Assignment
Remarks.
1. Today we will be discussing point two, of the lesson series: “Divine Call to Leadership.” This lesson deals with the leadership’s, divine assignment. Again, one of the church’s greatest needs is sound and faithful leadership. This is not just a calling for men; but it includes their entire families; who are devoted to the work of Christ, and the shepherding of God’s people. Divine leadership is not just the appointment of a man; but, the calling of an entire family to serve the church. There will be times in that service, that the family unit will be challenged; and in some cases, even caused to question their calling. Yet, if accepted, and successful; many will be called and won to Christ; and souls will be saved by their sacrifice and their careful watching, over God’s people.
2. We will discuss in this point, the elders at Ephesus, divine assignment. Paul continued with his discourse with the elders at Miletus: “For I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock... And of your own selves shall men arise... Therefore watch and remember... I cease not to warn every one night and day with tears,” Acts 20:29-31. This is an office of service and devotion to the people of God. The leadership is ever vigilant in its oversight of the church. They must defend her from false doctrines and the wolves that constantly attack it. This will be accomplished with careful watching, prayers unto God often, and many tears being shed for its safety and salvation, as, “they watch for their souls.” Let’s consider first, the urgency of their assignment.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE LEADERSHIP’S: DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
A. Urgency of their assignment: “For I know this after my departure.” This was something that was already working; as the apostles spoke to these leaders on the beach, at Miletus. He knew this as a result of the Holy Spirit’s; empowering him, as an apostle. Notice:
1. First, he notes: “For I know this, that after my departure,” all these things will occur. They shall occur real soon. It was Paul’s presence, vigilance and preaching, in Ephesus; that had kept these wolves at bay. But now, “he goes bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem; and they will see his face no more,” Acts 20:22; Acts 20:25; Acts 20:38.
a. He admonishes these elders, to be on guard for after his departure, these wolves will be entering in among them, Acts 20:29. They were promised first, to come from without. They: “Shall enter in among you.”
b. They will attack the “faith and confidence” of the leadership, and the church.
c. Therefore, they must watch for, and be prepared to deal with, these assaults from evil workers, and false brethren (those of the circumcision), Philippians 3:2; Galatians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 11:26.
2. Further, the minister’s work is to prepare the leadership, other ministers and the church to stand on the word, whether he is there or absent. He advised the church at Philippi: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that he stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” Philippians 1:27.
a. This was Paul’s ministry, to equip the church to stand against all attacks; from outside as well as those that come, from among his countrymen and false brethren.
b. He warned the Galatians of such a departure, Galatians 1:6-12. He thought it very strange that these “new babies” in Christ, were on the immediate verge of “departing from the grace of God; unto another gospel, which is not another,” Galatians 1:6-7.
c. He asked the Thessalonians to “Pray for him, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith...but the Lord is faithful; who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil,” 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3.
3. Next, he warned Timothy of such a departure: “The Spirit speaketh expressly that some shall depart from the faith,” 1Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This will occur in the latter times; in the not so distant future. He doesn’t suggest how far away this departure lurks; he merely states it will come. Paul affirms: “Some shall depart from the faith.” There shall be a, “great apostasy.” Paul in this Letter notes some signs or teachings of this great apostasy. Notice:
a. First, they are giving heed to seducing spirits. The apostle seems to recognize a supernatural element which speaks by false prophets, in false utterances which claims to be from God. These seducing spirits might work through hierarchs, who claimed to speak for God, or through councils which claimed to make infallible utterances. They speak and preach the commandments of men, Matthew 15:7-9.
b. Further, they are teaching the doctrines of devils. These doctrines are the work and suggestions of demons. The word for devils in Gr. is “daimonion,” which means demons, not devil, it always refers in the New Testament, to an “evil spirit,” Acts 19:15-16.
c. Next, they will be speaking lies through hypocrisy. He states: "Some shall depart from the faith ...through the hypocrisy of men, speaking lies." These are men which will speak lies; some no doubt because of deception; and others to insight deception. They may know the “truth”; but, for “filthy lucre sake,” they fail to reverence and teach it, Titus 1:11-16.
d. Additionally, the great deceiver shall: “Come after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall sent them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness,” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
NOTE: Illustrate: Tares among the wheat, Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:37-43; Matthew 13:49-50.
e. Finally, this is due largely because their conscience are sheered with a hot iron. The liars just mentioned, have had the sensitiveness of their consciences destroyed by the branding iron of the devil.
1) They have become blinded by the evil one – they are preaching a message of deceit and deception, 2 Corinthians 4:1-7.
2) And for it, they have become the product of their own words of deception.
3) Paul concludes: “But evil men and seducer shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” 2 Timothy 3:13.
4. Again, he repeats this warning, in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He charges the young Evangelist:
a. To preach the word “in and out of seasons;” when they want it and when they don’t want it.
b. That the “time will come they (the church) will not endure sound doctrine; or they will no longer desire ‘sound doctrine’ or the ‘truth’ to be preached unto them.”
c. But after their own lust: “They shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; they will search for doctrines that satisfy the lust of the flesh and not the fruit of the spirit,” Galatians 5:19-21; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesian 5:9.
d. They shall “turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables;” they will chose error, in place of truth. Those who preach it, and those who follow it; shall become slaves to unrighteousness and ungodliness, Jude 16-19; 2 Timothy 3:13.
e. But “watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” But you must be on guard, to stand and preach against these heresies. You must endure afflictions; do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of thy ministry.
f. Conclusion: In these verses Paul reminds the preachers that a “falling way;” a “departure from the faith” and, the church “will not endure sound doctrine.” They shall, “turn away their ears from the truth,” as a result of preachers which have “itching ears.” The church shall “turn away their ears from the truth and be turned unto fables.” The church must remain on guard for such departures even in our day and times.
B. Attacks from without: There will come: “Grievous wolves entering in among you, not sparing the flock,” Acts 20:29.
1. The “grievous wolves” were the false teachers, and the special interest leaders known as the Judaizing teachers, who taught that the Gentile Christians must keep the Ceremonial law of the Jews. This included: “Circumcision and keeping of the law of Moses,” Acts 15:1-4.We will speak to this in great depth later in the lesson. It is important to note, that....
2. Paul's ministry in the gospel was full of tenacious debates and battles with the schismatics (the sower of sects and divisions).
a. Several are listed in Timothy’s Epistles: 1Timothy 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2 Timothy 2:17.
b. These references identify the names of some six of these “grievous wolves,” to which Paul speaks of in his discourse to the elders.
3. The Apostle John also identified some of these wolves, in Revelation 2:6.
a. He notes some were false teachers, at Ephesus.
b. He warns of similar men in his Letters to the children, the Elect lady, and to Gaius; in 1 John 2:18-19; 2 John 7-11; and 3 John 9-10.
c. John wrote: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us,” 1 John 2:19.
4. Jesus warned of false prophets: “Which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits...Wherefore by their fruits shall ye know them,” Matthew 7:15-20.
5. Peter warns of false prophets among the people. He first mentions how holy men of God in the Old Testament; presented the scriptures, as opposed to false prophets. Notice:
a. First, he wrote of holy men of God: “Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” 2 Peter 1:20-21.
b. Further, he wrote of false prophets: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow... and the way of truth shall be evil spoken of,” 2 Peter 2:1-2.
c. Finally, Peter warns and assures us; that, as there were false prophets then, there shall also be “so called” prophets, and false teachers today. The elders must be on guard, to resist their teaching and influence.
C. Attacks from within: “Also of your own selves shall men arise.” Or, they shall come from within your ranks, men promoting themselves wiser and teachers of men that will cause offense and trouble, in the body of Christ.
1. The apostle predicts that some of the wolves would rise from within the congregation of God. They would profess to be learned; and bearing teachings from even the apostles of Christ.
2. Paul had just sometime earlier been sent to Jerusalem to put to silence: “False brethren...who had come in privily to spy out the liberty which the church at Antioch had in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 2:4.
3. The beginning conflict in the church. We now turn our attention to such an event in the 1st century, which illustrates the message of Paul to these elders. No doubt, he was reflecting on these events, as he spoke unto these elders. Luke wrote:
a. They came from Judaea to Antioch: “Certain men which...taught the brethren, and said, except ye (are) circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved,” Acts 15:1.
1) This teaching created: “No small dissension and disputation among with them,” Acts 15:2. In other words, the debate got a “little heated.” Voices got loud; and tempers were aroused between Paul, Barnabas and those of the “sect of the Pharisees.”
2) These teachers professed that their doctrine had originated in Jerusalem, “from among the apostles and elders,” Acts 15:24.
b. The church at Antioch: “Sent Paul, Barnabas, Titus and other disciples to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question,” Acts 15:2; Galatians 2:1-10. This teaching was causing dissention and division among the saints at Antioch.
c. Paul and others arrive at Jerusalem: “They were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them,” Acts 15:4. Paul and Barnabas spake of their success among the Gentiles, Acts 11:22-26; Acts 13; Acts 14. This was a rehearsal; of their first “Missionary Journey,” among the Gentiles.
4. The Jerusalem Conference: The great debate and decision. The arrival of Paul, Barnabas and others’ at Jerusalem, and their opening exhortation of the work that God had done with them (among the Gentiles); fueled the start of a great debate over the Gentiles’ obedience to the faith, Romans 15:18-19. Notice, Luke wrote:
a. But there rose up: “Certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses,” Acts 15:5. These men were already in the assembly. They are now ready to espouse their doctrine: The circumcision of the Gentile Christians, and their need to keep the Law of Moses to be saved. This charge will now open the discussion of this question; and the Jerusalem leadership will allow it to progress, without censorship. To exhort and convince to gainsayers, we must permit them to speak. Consider....
b. The apostles and elders: “Came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing. Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren...But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they,” Acts 15:6-11. The Apostle Peter begins the rebuttal of the claim; that the Gentiles needed to be circumcised; and to keep the Law of Moses to be saved.
c. Barnabas and Paul: “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them,” Acts 15:12.
d. James, the Lord’s brother: “And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren hearken unto me: Simeon (Simon Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written:
1) First, “After this I will return, and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord... who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world,” Acts 15:13-18.
2) Further, “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God,” Acts 15:19.
3) Finally, “But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day,” Acts 15:20-21.
e. The assembly pleased: “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas chief men among the brethren,” Acts 15:22.
5. Results of the Jerusalem Conference were communicated:
a. They wrote letters: “And they wrote letters by them after this manner; the apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment,” Acts 15:23-24.
b. It seemed good: “Unto us being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth,” Acts 15:25-27.
c. It seemed good: “To the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:”
1) “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols,”
2) “And from blood,”
3) “And from fornication:”
4) “From which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.”
5) “Fare ye well,” Acts 15:28-29.
6. Conference concluded: “So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gather the multitude together, and delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation,” Acts 15:30-31.
a. Judas and Silas: “Being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them,” Acts 15:32.
b. After they had tarried: “There a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.”
c. Paul and Barnabas: “Continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others also,” Acts 15:33-35.
d. God had divinely sent Silas to Antioch; that he might accompany Paul, in the work, during his second missionary journey, Acts 15:36-41.
D. Their deceitful work: “Speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” What was the doctrine of this departure? Paul gives some signs of this departure in the next few verses. We will find these “doctrines” as teaching of demons. They are opposed to “sound doctrine” which he speaks of throughout 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. These doctrines will include, but are not limited to:
1. Forbidding some to marry. Not long after Paul's time the superior holiness of the unmarried life began to be preached in the church, and this resulted at last in monasticism and a celibate clergy. This is one of the doctrines of the Holy Roman Catholic denomination. It however, is not a teaching of the New Testament. Notice:
a. Paul to the Hebrews: “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge,” Hebrews 13:5.
b. No Apostle, evangelist, minister, pastor or leader in the New Testament ever forbad the union of marriage before one could serve in the work of the Lord. This is heresies ordained by the evil one – the devil himself.
c. Peter, the lead apostle to the Jews was married “and carried about his wife.” Notice Paul: “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” 1 Corinthians 9:5; Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30.
d. The bishops or elders, “are to be the husbands of one wife,” 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 3:12; Titus 1:6.
e. The widows are to be “the wife of one husband,” 1 Timothy 5:9. This by the way; was the same phrase; for both the husband and the wife. Therefore, whatever it meant for the men; it meant the same thing for the women.
2. Commanding to abstain from meats. The practice of abstaining from meats came out of a misrepresentation of the: “Letter to the Gentiles,” in Acts 15. In that Letter, they were: to:
a. Commanded to: “Abstain from meat offered to idols, and from things strangled and from fornication,” Acts 15:28-29. What the deceivers had done was to drop the clause: “offered to idols” in their teaching; and made it a commandment to abstain “from meats” or all meats. This of course was not the commandment of God, Acts 10:9-15; Acts 11:5-10. God had created all things good, and nothing to be refused. Notice Paul’s instruction in the text:
1) First, God hath created all things. The foods which God hath created are for use, to be eaten thankfully by those who know the truth, instead of having their minds darkened by delusions. Paul continues....
2) Further, every creature is good. Everything God had created is good and has its proper use, Genesis 1:31. Hence, it is not to be refused, as sinful or unclean. This applies to what God has created. God did not create one thing that was not good. Therefore, all should be received, because of the goodness of God.
3) Finally, if it is received with thanksgiving.
a) It is sanctified by the word of God. God has sanctified all things through His Word.
b) And through prayer, after the giving of thanks before eating God’s blessings.
b. These practices are still found among certain orders of the Latin and Eastern churches; the “abstaining from meats.” It was once forbidden for Catholics to eat meats on Fridays.
1) This teaching was later amended and they were permitted to indulge in meats. In which time was the Pope infallible; when they could not eat, or, now that they can eat?
2) Only the “apostles of Christ,” spake the word with complete infallibility.
c. He concludes, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained,” 1 Timothy 4:6.
3. The aim of these wolves: “To draw away disciples after them,” Acts 20:30. There are many “splintered and broken congregations” among us; because, they lack sound and faith leadership. And also, there are no “watchmen among them.”
4. Paul wrote to the Romans: “Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18. The elders and ministers must be watchful for those that will come into the body to cause contentions and confusions. He now makes mention of this important task of the leadership team.
E. The leadership’s divine assignment: “Therefore watch, and remember,” Acts 20:31. Paul continues his discourse with these elders with a warning. Consider....
1. The, “therefore” comes as a result of the words “before” it. Due to the soon “departure from the faith” and the “grievous wolves entering in among you;” ye therefore, watch and remember all the things I am mentioning now, and while I was with you, laboring in Ephesus.
2. He reminds them: “That by the space of three years I cease not to warn everyone night and day with tears,” Acts 20:31. My warnings were with tears of anguish.
3. He cautions them to consider the pain and travail he underwent while planting the church in Ephesus. Remember: “For a space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears,” Acts 20:31.
4. Paul likens himself as a faithful watchman:
a. Warning them, of the continued dangers of Judaism and heathenism, they had now prevailed against; when they embraced Christ by “grace through the faith,” Ephesians 2:8-19. Watch out for these so call teachers of Christ.
b. He warned everyone; besides the public warnings he gave in his preaching, he applied himself to particular matters he saw in them, which he could speak peculiarly unto them, regarding their faith in Christ.
c. He was constant in providing them warning; he warned night and day; his time was filled up with his work. In the night, when he should have been reposing himself, he was dealing with those he did not get to speak with in the day. That he might be “pure from the blood of all men... having declared unto them the whole counsel of God,” Acts 20:26-27.
d. He ceased not to warn. Though they were sometime resistant against his warnings, yet he did not cease to warn, that they by the grace of God, might not be overcome by the evil one; though they appear so pious in their walk; yet he did not think he should cease from continued warnings and exhortations. He like Ezekiel, warned:
1) The wicked man, to turn from his wicked ways.
2) The wayward man, to return from his wicked way.
3) The righteous man, to remain in his righteous walk, Ezekiel 3:18-21.
5. He spoke to them about their souls, with a great deal of affection and concern: he warned them with tears. As he had served the Lord, so he had served them, with many tears, Acts 20:19; Acts 20:31; Acts 20:37. A loving eldership and ministership: will not only pray for the church; but will sometimes weep over it, in private and public.
NOTE: Illustrate: Tears I shed for the church. I could only cry and pray for it. It seemed my preaching was not availing anything! 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.
a. He warned them with tears of compassion, thereby showing how much he was affected by the hurt and danger awaiting them, still in Ephesus.
b. He assures them that “the bonds and afflictions awaiting him in Jerusalem” would not deter him in his work, Acts 20:22-23; Acts 21:10-14.
c. He would soon assure them, “that their labour is not in vain in the Lord,” as he had also told the brethren at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 15:58.
d. We will return to this in point three, in this lesson series. Let me now summarize what we have considered, and conclude this lesson. Recall....
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
2. The Leadership’s: Divine Assignment
B. Summarize main points.
1. We have discussed the elders at Ephesus, divine assignment. Recall, Paul continued his admonition: “For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock... And of your own selves shall men arise... Therefore watch and remember... I cease not to warn every one night and day with tears,” Acts 20:29-31. This is an office of service and devotion to the people of God. The leadership is ever vigilant in its oversight of the church. They must defend her from false doctrines and the wolves that constantly attack it. This will be accomplished with careful watching, prayers unto God often, and many tears shed for its safety and salvation, as “they watch for their souls.”
2. We should reverence and respect our leadership, doing all we can to ensure that their work will not be in vain in the Lord, among us.
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation, H.B.R.C.B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
We thank these prolific writers for their wisdom and insight into the Holy Scriptures. We acknowledge here our consultation of their work, in this lesson.
