The Farewell Speech Series

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.