MEMORY VERSE

 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

TEXT: Acts 20:1-38

Apostle Paul had spent considerable time in Asia preaching and ministering the gospel. He had been a mighty instrument in God’s hand for the evangelisation of Asia Minor with multitude of people turning to the Lord. His exploits were, however, not without significant opposition and persecution from the enemies of the gospel as his life was under constant threat and danger. An instance was the chaos and commotion that attended his outreach, orchestrated by Demetrius, the spokesperson for the goddess Diana in the city of Ephesus.

After the uproar however, the apostle purposed to travel through Miletus en route to Jerusalem hoping to join the brethren for the feast of Pentecost. But he needed to meet the elders of the church in Ephesus for a valedictory fellowship because of his concern and love for the church in that city. His foreboding and fear for the future of this church which had been born at great cost to his life (having “fought with the beasts of Ephesus”), and his exhortation to steadfastness and vigilance form the thrust of this lesson.

1.COURAGE AND PERSECUTION

Acts 20:1-16; 2 Timothy 3:12; James 5:10; 1 Peter 2:20; Matthew 10:22; 1 Peter 5:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 27:3; Matthew 28:18-20

Paul’s farewell exhortation and fellowship with the brethren at Ephesus and its surrounding coasts stand as a clear demonstration of courage in the face of persecution. He “called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece” (Acts 20:1,2).

It takes courage to remain undaunted on one’s conviction and duty. The apostle needed to exhort these disciples in order to strengthen their hearts and remind them that persecution was part of the believer’s calling and mark of identity with the Lord (Mark 10:29,30). Paul already knew that suffering for Christ’s sake was part of the call of God upon his life (Acts 9:16), the truth which he reiterated in his epistle to the Philippians “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).

As Paul moved from Ephesus to Macedonia and then to Greece, he was totally committed to the establishment of the disciples to ensure they abide in the Lord, and they remained unwavering in their conviction. The great commission goes beyond leading people to Christ: it involves teaching the converts to observe all things whatsoever the Lord had commanded, training them to become efficient labourers in the kingdom and encouraging them to be strong in the Lord.

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

As Paul departed Ephesus to go to Macedonia (Acts 20:1,2), he passed through Greece and came to Troas. The city of Troas was an important seaport on the Aegean Sea, in northwest Asia Minor and was the main port between Asia Minor and Macedonia. In his missionary journeys, Paul focused primarily on chief trade towns and capital cities from where he hoped that the gospel would be carried to other parts of the world.

He visited Troas regularly, at least, three times. It would be recalled that early in his second missionary journey, while at Troas, he received the vision “to come over into Macedonia” (Acts 16:8,9). About seven years later, he returned there after the days of unbelief. Just about this time, he wrote his first epistle to the church at Corinth and taught that Christ our Passover, and Christians need to live a sincere and truthful life; virtues that unbelievers need to have (1 Corinthians 5:7,8).

On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul delivered a lengthy sermon, but there were not enough seats for the congregation. A young man, Eutychus, who sat by a window, fell into a deep sleep, and fell from the third loft to the ground, dead. He was, however, raised back to life by God through Paul’s powerful prayer.

Paul went on foot to Assos and sailed through the sea to Mitylene. The next day, he sailed to Kios, then to Samos and on to Miletus, from where he sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus. His lifestyle demonstrated absolute consecration and that a committed evangelist, totally dedicated to the fulfillment of the great commission.

God recognizes no national boundaries when it comes to this task. He commands the Church to seek the lost, both far and near. Like Paul, the men and women who will bear the gospel to the ends of the earth should be people with current experience of salvation, sanctification and Holy Spirit baptism. True missionaries also need God’s calling to serve while demonstrating unwavering purpose, faithfulness and commitment.

2.CARE AND CONCERN FOR THE FLOCK

Acts 20:17-27; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-11; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; Matthew 20:25-28

Although he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, Paul considered the welfare of the brethren more important than this mission. Those who abandon Christ’s sheep in pursuit of mundane profits should weigh their decision against the price Christ paid to purchase His Church (Acts 20:28).

Now in Miletus, about 30 miles from Ephesus, Paul summoned the elders to a crucial meeting to deliberate on the future of the Ephesian church.

“And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons” (Acts 20:18).

The manner of his going in and out among them left no one in doubt of his sincerity and commitment to the work. His business was to serve the Lord, promote His honour and preserve His interest. He did his work with humility of mind.

His speech reveals:

1. He Served the Lord With Tears

He served the Lord with many tears (Philippians 3:18) and continued his work in the face of much opposition and trials that befell him “by the lying in wait of the Jews.” He did not allow the hostile disposition of the people to dampen his resolve to preach.

2. He Was Industrious

He preached publicly and from house to house.

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

3. He Was a Faithful Watchman

He warned others about the coming doom (Ezekiel 33:1-7).

4. He Preserved the Purity of the Message

He did not add to or subtract from the message given to him for the church.

Indeed, Paul was a pattern worthy of emulation by all true ministers (1 Timothy 1:16).

3.COUNSEL FOR MINISTERS AND CAUTION AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS

Acts 20:28-38; Jude 4,14-20; 1 John 4:1-3; Matthew 7:15; 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:1-5; Ezekiel 34:2,3; Zechariah 11:17; 2 Timothy 4:5; Colossians 1:28

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Every called and commissioned minister has a two-fold duty to take heed to himself and to the flock committed to his charge.

As servants of Christ, we must first watch over our conduct and ensure that we are examples to the flock. We should take heed and ensure that our disposition does not contradict our doctrine, shunning the sins we condemn in other people (1 Timothy 4:12).

Secondly, we are to take heed “…to all the flock”, to feed, instruct, teach, guide and guard against those ready to prey on the church.

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

By inspiration, the apostle could discern the future of the Ephesian church; he foresaw grievous wolves preying on the flock that Christ paid so great a price to purchase and which the apostle laboured day and night to preserve.

Of particular note is that the wolves would even surface from within the church, not sparing the flock, peddling falsehood in order to mislead unsuspecting members.

We are to “feed” and not to fleece the flock for our own personal gain. Their physical and spiritual welfare must be of great concern to us.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2; Ezekiel 34:2-12; Luke 12:42).

Paul’s presence had been the restraining force against the activities of these foes and a means of guarding the church and preserving it (Galatians 2:4-6; 1 Timothy 1:20).

Now that he was going, the possibility of these enemies scattering the flock became the apprehension of the apostle. They would attempt to bring in crooked and damnable heresies (2 Peter 2:1).

The most dangerous enemies which the church has had have been nurtured in its own bosom. Some of these people embraced the pure gospel until they were captured by inordinate ambition, like Diotrephes (3 John 1:9), Phygelius or Hermogenes (2 Timothy 1:15), or the likes of Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20).

Men who love power and yield to its lust cause divisions and retard the church’s march to progress. It is therefore the duty of every believer to be on constant guard against these agents of the devil to avoid losing our heritage to the enemy.

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

About to leave them, the apostle committed them to the faithful care of God knowing full well that in spite of dangers lurking in the church, God is able to preserve His own (2 Timothy 1:12).

The “word of his grace…” is both sure and steadfast and possesses the capacity to build and preserve those who have submitted their lives to be governed by it. It is a great preservative against spiritual decay and destruction, error and heresies. Believers who hope to overcome the world and its destructive tendencies cannot but make the Word their bulwark.

As the apostle rounded off his valedictory sermon, he laid bare his testimonial of sincerity, hard work, self-support and sacrificial service.

“I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.”

He was not of the company of shepherds who defraud the sheep in order to satisfy their lust for gain. In Corinth, he lived and laboured with Aquila (Acts 18:3); he referred to the fact that he had deliberately supported himself, at least in part through his own labour (1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8).

How the servants of Christ today need to emulate this apostle and live by example! He showed that every Christian can leave behind a worthy testimonial.

Paul enjoined them to be committed to giving and supporting those that are less privileged because it attracts more blessings from the Lord. Those who practise giving enjoy far greater joy and fulfilment than those who depend on others.

Our Lord Jesus Himself approves of this lifestyle when He said:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Opportunities abound around us to lend a helping hand to someone. The Scripture enjoins us not to be weary in well-doing, for we shall reap if we faint not (Galatians 6:9,10).

As this great apostle took his leave of the Ephesian elders, he prayed with them and for them. It was a difficult parting, not only because he said they would see his face no more but he had been an instrument of encouragement, succour and exemplary Christian living to them. He loved them with genuine love.

Believers and Christian leaders should so live and relate with others such that when they reason of transfer or relocation, others might not have occasion to rejoice for it. It is a tragedy when the brethren push for transfer or relocation of their spiritual leaders.

Paul and the brethren eventually parted with prayer and tears believing that, if not here in the world, they would meet again in heaven, at the feet of Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. What should be the basis of believers’ courage?
2. How can believers fulfil the great commission?
3. How central is foreign missionary work to the great commission?
4. Mention important qualifications a potential missionary must possess.
5. What can church leaders learn from Paul’s concern for the church in Ephesus?
6. From our text, mention some characteristics expected of true ministers of Christ.
7. Why should ministers of Christ take heed to their spiritual lives?