During his third missionary journey, Paul wanted to meet with Ephesian elders and give a charge to them. However, he did not travel to Ephesus probably because he was warned it would be too dangerous, so he sent messengers and had the Ephesian elders meet him at Miletus.
The reason why Paul wanted to speak with the Ephesian elders was because he believed he would never get another chance. This was his farewell address to them. I’m so glad that Luke recorded his words—this is a powerful charge that anyone in ministry should heed. Notice three powerful points:
1. THE HARDSHIPS OF MINISTRY (v. 18-24)
Paul first spoke about the hardships that he had faced in ministry. He had served with humility, and yet there were many tears and temptations. Is that not true of life? Many times life leads to both sorrow and struggle, and the same is true in ministry. We struggle with our sinful flesh. We struggle with temptations. We struggle with trials. Perhaps the greatest sorrow is when we see beloved Christians turn away from God.
Paul was honest in stating that he didn’t hold back. He taught them publicly, even going into their houses to hold meetings (v. 21). Expound: repentance and faith.
Paul then turned his attention to his upcoming journey to Jerusalem. He said that he was “bound in the spirit”—in other words, he felt that he was captive to do God’s will. He was obligated as an apostle. He did not know what would happen to him at Jerusalem, but he was confident that prison and confinement would be a major part of his journey. We know that he was right.
At this point, Paul’s audience was probably starting to pity him, and so, he made a powerful statement (read verse 24). Notice:
—a denying: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself…”
—a determination: “…so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus…”
We know that Paul did finish his course.
II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
—a declaration: “…to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
David Livingstone, that great missionary to Africa, once made this great prayer: “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to Your service and to your heart.”
You see, we shouldn’t ask God to make things easier (He probably won’t answer that prayer); we should ask Him for strength and grace to endure difficulties.
2. THE ADMONITION TO PREACH AND FIGHT (v. 25-31)
Paul could honestly admit that he had faithfully preached the whole counsel of God to these leaders. After this, he told them to take heed in two specific areas.
First, he told them to take heed to themselves. Their churches would only be as strong as they were. It’s been said that everything rises and falls on leadership. If a church has a weak pastor, it will be a weak church. The members will not exceed the spirituality of their pastor, for they are following him.
If you’re in any kind of leadership position, you need to take heed to yourself. How is your walk with God?
I Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
I Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Second, he told them to take heed to their flocks. They must be faithful to feed them, and to lead them properly. They must be aware of their needs, whether that is physical or spiritual. They must recognize that God Himself has made them overseers of their flock.
As a leader, you’re responsible for those in your care, and that’s a big responsibility! The worst kind of leader is the one who does not really care for those he is leading. Jesus talked about this in John 10:12-13, where He says, “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth…The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
This should NEVER be true of Christian leaders, but it often is. We are to be servant leaders, as Jesus modeled for us. Expound: Jesus washing disciples’ feet
Paul then warned of wolves who would come into the church in order to attack the sheep. There may even be men within the church who would reveal their true nature and begin speaking “perverse things” (v. 30) in order to form a religious cult. We must not forget that ministry involves combat.
Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
We must still earnestly contend for the faith! The constant “God loves everyone” message in today’s culture is woefully powerless against the assault of the world and its lies. The Church must stand firm on the truth and preach the whole counsel of God.
3. THE URGING TO FAITHFULNESS (v. 32-35)
Paul says, “I commend you to God.” That’s all that he could do now. He had faithfully preached to them and led them, and now he must let go. But God would always be with them. Paul also stated that he had not been interested in wealth or possessions. Instead he had used his hands to serve. Expound: leaders who want to make money
Paul’s final word was to quote Jesus concerning the support of the poor and the weak. Jesus had said this simple yet powerful truth: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (v. 35). While our selfish natures buck against this truth, we know that it is true. No one illustrated this better than Jesus Himself, who gave His own life in order that we might receive eternal life.
While it’s true that some people are naturally more generous than others, we all need to be generous. We all need to look for ways that we can give of ourselves and help others. We should give to those in need.
Illustration: The American industrialist, Henry Ford, was once asked to donate money for the construction of a new medical facility. The billionaire pledged to donate $5,000. The next day in the newspaper, the headline read, "Henry Ford contributes $50,000 to the local hospital." The irate Ford was on the phone immediately to complain to the fund-raiser that he had been misunderstood. The fund-raiser replied that they would print a retraction in the paper the following day to read, "Henry Ford reduces his donation by $45,000." Realizing the poor publicity that would result, the industrialist agreed to the $50,000 contribution in return for the following: That above the entrance to the hospital was to be carved the biblical inscription: "I came among you and you took me in."
CONCLUSION
Read verses 36-38. Expound: they would never see Paul again
We have to understand how important this charge was. Remember that these were the early days of the Church. These pastors would carry the truth upon their shoulders. The Ephesian church would hold a dear place in Paul’s heart. Years later he would write to them and admonish them in the same way he had done previously. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God. Stand strong in the truth of God’s Word” (see Eph. 6:10-18). The fight for the truth won’t end until the church is raptured.
We have a great fight ahead of us. Things are not getting better, and don’t expect them to. Things will only get worse. Jesus could return at any moment. Paul’s farewell speech is recorded in the Bible for a reason: we need it! We need to recognize the hardships of ministry. We need to continue to stand up for the truth, to preach the gospel, and to fight the good fight of faith. We need to be faithful until we go home to glory or the Lord raptures us away. We must never become comfortable, complacent, or carnal. Our church should be on the frontlines doing all that we can for the Lord. Will you stand and fight as a soldier of the cross?
