Paul spent two years in Ephesus building up the church and using the city as a base to spread the gospel throughout Asia. Now, in Miletus, he gives his final words to the Ephesian elders. These words matter as history, but even more as guidance for church leadership today.
The Whole Purpose of God
Anyone called to teach in the church should aim to follow Paul’s example and share the full scope of what the Bible teaches.
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20:27)
What is God’s overall purpose? I think Henry Blackaby offers one of the clearest answers. He teaches that God is already at work in the world, and He invites us into a relationship with Him so that we can faithfully join Him in what He is doing.
One temptation in ministry is to make our own plans, support them with a few key Bible verses, and then ask God to bless them. Blackaby encourages a different approach: study Scripture, notice where God is working, and then join Him. When we do that, we are engaged in the whole purpose of God.
The Shepherd’s Role
When Christian leaders are called pastors, they are in very good company. Psalm 23 calls God our shepherd, and in John 10, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Paul uses this same image to encourage the leaders in Ephesus, and every church leader who follows them, to take up that role.
Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. (Acts 20:28)
Ezekiel 34 contains a long passage about shepherds who should feed, care for, seek out, and guide the flock. Instead, they do the opposite. They use the flock to satisfy their own self-centered desires.
Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? (Ezekiel 34:2)
This verse captures the main theme, but I encourage you to read the whole chapter for the full picture.
Paul gives two main reasons why church leaders should follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd in John 10, rather than the harmful shepherds of Ezekiel 34:
- The Holy Spirit has entrusted us with this role. It is a great responsibility.
- The church was bought with the blood of God’s Son. The flock is precious to Him.
Protect the Flock
You may have heard preachers talk about returning to New Testament faith, as if the early church were the purest form of Christianity. But when you read Paul’s words in Acts and in his letters, you see that the early church had plenty of problems.
I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. Therefore be alert . . . (Acts 20:29–31a)
How can we stay alert and protect ourselves and others from people who use the gospel for their own purposes?
I believe it starts with understanding God’s overall purpose. Do you know what God’s purpose is? Does it match what you are hearing from someone who may be distorting the faith? Once you can answer those questions, you will be better equipped to protect yourself and others.
Commended to God’s Grace
Before Paul knelt and prayed with the elders from Ephesus, he gave them one final blessing.
And now I commend you to God and to the message of his grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
I expect that most people who read this blog serve God by praying for their church and for the people they care about. You can use Paul’s words in your own prayers.
For example, you might pray:
“I commend my pastor (or teacher, or leader) to You, God, and to the message of Your grace.”
Then continue:
“Lord, build up the people in my sphere of influence. Help them receive the inheritance of all who are sanctified and set apart for Your purposes.”
Take Paul’s words, make them your own, and watch what God does through your prayers.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 20:27–32 on YouTube today.
