“It’s Not the Last Chapter Yet”
Acts 20:17-38
Farewell Messages
• Moses - “choose life” - Deut 30:19-20
• Joshua - “choose this day whom you will serve” - Joshua 24:15
• David - “Keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.” 1 Chron. 28-29
• Paul - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4:6-8
• Paul’s farewell to the Ephesians (Acts 20:17–38)
A farewell message is a review and affirmation of the most important things in life, and it also reminds us of God’s plan for taking care of His people.
Looking Back – A Review of the Apostle’s Faithful Ministry (Acts 20:17-21)
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Visualizing the Present - Six Ministry Metaphors (20:22–27)
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
• God’s leader in the church is an Accountant. (24a)
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself,
• God’s leader in the church is a Runner. (24b)
if only I may finish my course (race) (Phil. 3:12–14; 2 Tim. 4:8)
• God’s leader in the church is a Steward. (24c) – “Lord Jesus has given me”
and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,
• God’s leader in the church is a Witness. (24d)
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (2 Cor. 2:15–16)
• God’s leader in the church is a Spokesman. (25)
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
• God’s leader in the church is a Watchman. (26-27)
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Ezekiel 3:17–21; 33:1–9 - Acts 20:31)
Looking Ahead – Church Leaders as Shepherds of God’s Flock (20:28–38)
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
• Shepherds must watch for the dangers around us. - “wolves” (29)
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
• (Matt. 7:15; 10:16; Luke 10:3; 2 Peter 2:1–3)
• Shepherds must watch for the dangers among us. (30)
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them..
• (3 John 9–11)
• Shepherds must watch for the dangers within us. (31–35) (“pay careful attention to yourselves” 28)
• Five sins are especially destructive to the life and ministry of spiritual leaders in the church.
1. Those who lead must watch for carelessness. (31)
31 Therefore be alert, (be on your guard!) remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Heb. 13:7)
Those who lead must watch for shallowness. (32)
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.Those who lead must watch for covetousness. (33)
33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel..Those who lead must watch for laziness. (34)
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.Those who lead must watch for selfishness. (35)
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Saying goodbye is hard, even for a Christian. (20:36–38)
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.