A person’s last words tell us a lot.

Hugo Grotius, (1583-1645) a humanistic, lawyer and legal theorist, diplomat and political philosopher.: “I have lived my life in a laborious doing of nothing.”

Supposedly Socrates said: “All of the wisdom of this world is but a tiny raft upon which we must set sail when we leave this earth. If only there was a firmer foundation upon which to sail, perhaps some divine word.”

William Wilberforce, a Christian British politician who led in the effort that ended slavery, “My affections are so much in heaven that I can leave you all without a regret; yet I do not love you less, but God more.”

Jim Elliott, a missionary who was martyred for his faith, “Only one life will soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Today we continue our sermon series through the book of Acts as we consider Acts 20:17-38. These are some of the apostle Paul’s final words to a group of elders from the church in Ephesus that God has used Paul to start. Even though Paul would live longer, he knew that he would never see them again. 

Have you ever had to say good-bye? Maybe good-bye to coworkers, classmates or even family members. It can be difficult. But the more difficult it is, likely the more meaningful the life that you shared with them.

The Apostle Paul surely had said many “good-byes.” He had traveled so much, met so many people, and started so many churches. In this passage Paul sensed that the end was near. 

While Paul traveled from Rome back to Jerusalem he stopped near the city of Ephesus and called for the church elders to come meet with him near the port. Paul sought to be encouraged by them and to exhort them to even greater faithfulness.

These elders were from Ephesus, a city that was a crossroads between continents. All the roads from as far of as the Euphrates and Mesopotamia reached the Mediterranean at Ephesus, where their goods would then be taken to Europe and northern Africa. The city was very multicultural and given to pleasure and superficiality.

Ephesus was a huge port city known for its harbor, its pagan temples, its riches and its immorality. It is told of how Christians were taken from Ephesus to Rome to be thrown to the lions. So much so that Ignatius called Ephesus “the Highway of the Martyrs.”

It is quite surprising that a church could survive in Ephesus at all, but in all reality the church in Ephesus had done well. 

The church was started on the apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. The year would have been around A.D 52. We see it described in Acts 18:19. Paul arrived in Ephesus, taught in the synagogue. He then left Aquila and Priscilla there to nurture the new believers and promised to come back if God permitted.

In Acts 19:8-10 we find the next snapshot of the life of the church in Ephesus that occurred in a few years later during Paul’s third missionary journey.

“8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So, Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

During these two years Paul helped these new believers walk away from false doctrine and pagan practices. Scripture describes what happened in these words,

“11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured, and the evil spirits left them.” 

Sorcerers even repented and turned to God and many openly confessed sin. 

God moved mightily in the church of Ephesus, and it was only 3-4 years old. God moved in such a powerful way that Acts 19:10 tell us that, “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

The name of Jesus became known throughout the city of Ephesus and this church in Ephesus had become the mission center, reaching much of what is now modern-day Turkey.  

Paul had since then gone on to other destinations and churches and 5 years had now passed as we consider today’s text found in Acts 20. 

Paul was now returning to Jerusalem and stopped at a port city called Miletus that was near Ephesus and requested that the church elders from nearby Ephesus come and see him. It would be their final time that they would ever see the apostle Paul. 

Acts 20:18-19 continues with these words.

 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 

They knew how Paul had lived the whole time he was with them. Paul lived an authentic, transparent life. Much like Jesus, he did not just preach to, but shared life with the believers in the church in Ephesus. Here, Paul does not just refer to how he talked, how he spoke or how he led even though it surely included that. It says they knew how he lived. . . the whole time. That shows us that in Paul’s life the gospel was not just his preaching point, it permeated how he lived. His life had integrity to it. Integrity means, “the state of being whole and undivided.” As Jesus spoke of the disciple Nathanael when He first met him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." (John 1:47)

It was not just his public face. It was even evident in those private moments when there was no crowd watching. Paul was a man of integrity who was the same regardless of the situation in which he found himself. Paul was not stating this out of pride. He was speaking out of the heart that we see in 1 Corinthians 11:1 where Paul said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

Paul was speaking to the elders, equipping them to be the type of leaders of integrity that would be essential as God advanced the kingdom through them. Much of this was to be applied to the leadership of the elders, but we are all called to the same spiritual integrity as people who lead in the church, in our homes and in our work. At times we lead from a place of position or title like boss or parent or teacher, but we also can lead unofficially as we influence those around us. That is best done when, even in our imperfection, we are becoming more like Jesus in both our public and private lives as we lead with integrity.

Paul then highlighted the essential attitude of service. Paul had done many things for the kingdom of God but no matter how grandiose the results might have been or how great the people he spoke to, it all was an expression of serving the Lord. Paul was the servant and Jesus was the Lord, master, King of his life. Paul knew his place. He had been a chief of sinners and now was counted righteous in Christ. Paul had been a slave to sin and was now a slave to Christ. 

Paul had suffered so much for the name of Christ and yet would always be indebted for all that Christ had done for him. This was the source of his humility and allegiance. And it was this humility that opened the doorway to all of God’s working in his life. It is the same in our lives. Humility opens the door for us to receive all that we have in Christ and pride closes the door. 

Paul says that he served the Lord with great humility and with tears. For some this seems an odd testimony. What do we usually think if someone tells us that they are humble. It is almost proof that they are not, but here Paul is saying something else. He is just stating the fact that they all knew. As Paul walked fully in the gospel, he was enabled to walk in humility. Now he was instructing these elders of the essential importance that they do the same.

Paul then mentions his tears. Oftentimes, tears seem to be for those who are weak, too sensitive or too emotional. We must remember that Jesus cried. He cried out of compassion as he mourned with Mary and Martha after Lazarus’ death. Christ knew that he would soon raise Lazarus from the death but still the pain of His followers brought Him to tears. We also see Jesus crying over the city of Jerusalem because of their hardness of heart. He wept for their lostness. Scripture also tells of other instances where Paul cried.

In Philippians 3:18 we read, “18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. “

2 Corinthians 2:4, “For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”

May we, too, be drawn to tears for the lost, by our love for others and over our sin. 

Paul then talked of how he continued to serve with humility even in the midst of severe testing. Many times life becomes difficult and when we are squeezed what is in our hearts comes out. Some would say it is okay to be ungodly in the midst of harder times because we can’t help it, or they deserve it, but that is not the perspective of scripture. 

As we become more and more mature in our faith we should see a transformation even when we are faced with severe testing. Paul was at that place where even when life was at its worst the gospel was still what came out of his life. As Paul walked in Christ he was enabled to walk in humility, service and tears even in the midst of adversity.

Acts 20:20-21 then continue.

20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

The gospel had so transformed Paul’s life and the life of others that he no longer hesitated to preach the word of God. He was so convinced of the truth of God’s Word and the need of fallen man that he could not stay silent. Paul preached “anything that would be helpful.” He was not concerned with winning the debate or pleasing the listener, Paul was committed to their greatest good so he preached anything that was helpful. It was likely much in line with 2 Timothy 2:4, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Whatever it took, Paul was committed to ministering the word of God to those he encountered. 

This preaching sometimes took place publicly with the entire congregation and at other times house to house in one-on-one conversations or with small groups of people who needed to be shaped by God’s Word. Once again we see the public and private portions of the Christian life. We are called to this as well. If our ministry of God’s Word is limited to Sunday in the church building we will never experience the spiritual integrity that Paul knew. It is as God’s word shepherds our hearts during the week through real life situations and relationships that our lives will begin to resemble God’s Word.

Paul preached to both Jews and Greeks and called them to repentance and faith. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. The work repentance literally means “to turn.” When Paul talks of repentance and faith it is a turning away from the sinful ways of the world and self and turning towards Christ. It is no longer putting faith in the world but putting faith in Christ. 

Paul then continues with Acts 20:22-23

22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 

24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Paul could sense that suffering was coming but yet his allegiance was greater to Christ than to comfort, safety or security. We read in Philippians 3:4-9 how Paul had already died to self and put aside the things that the world valued.

Before salvation Paul had the title, the education, the bright future but once he came to Christ he set it all aside the self, the sin and the rewards of man so he could serve Christ completely. In Philippians 3:7-8 Paul wrote, “

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Paul’s eyes were now completely on the goal of finishing the race and completing the task for which the Lord had given him. 

Paul was called to testify to the good news of God’s grace. Testifying meant speaking as one who had truly experienced it. May we, too, testify not of what we have heard about, but about the gospel we are truly experiencing. 

Acts 20:25-27 then continued.

25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.  27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 

Ezekiel 33:1-6  helps us understand Paul’s idea of, “innocent of the blood of any of you” that is found in these verses.

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, 4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. 5 Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

Paul had been faithful to preach the kingdom of God. He had faithfully ministered to the flock as God required. Paul had not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God, not just part of it. 

As a church and as believers this is our calling as well. May we share the complete gospel the lost world. May we be a people who faithfully minister the whole of the will of God to one another. Both the joyful and the difficult truths so that we, too, can stand as innocent stewards of God’s word. 

Acts 20:28-31 continues.

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 

30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

The elders first are called to watch over themselves. We see numerous church leaders who have neglected these responsibilities and have not finished well. None are untouchable. Any can fall to temptation, but it is those who first watch over themselves  that are prepared to care for others. 

Paul then continued with the shepherd imagery, letting those elders know that false teachers would come as savage wolves seeking to separate and devour those in the church. Even from within Satan would use those to distort the truth and draw away disciples after them. This would require ongoing vigilance as keepers of the flock. 

The book of revelation does tell us what happened in the years that followed. In 96 AD, about 40 years later, Jesus came and addressed the church in Ephesus in the book of Revelation, through a vision to John. It seemed like these elders from the church in Ephesus had heeded Paul’s warnings. 

Christ commented in Revelation 2:2-3,

2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.”

Jesus is commenting on all the good that they had done. This church had seen glorious movements of God and persevered through difficult times. They had spread the gospel and done the work of the ministry. good church members for a long time.” They had worked hard, endured difficulties, stood against evil, defended the truth, and not grown weary. 

Acts 20:32-35 continues,

32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

In these verses we see certain characteristics that Paul is modeling for them as elders and shepherds of the church. Paul was not committing them to themselves and their own abilities. He was committing them to God who can do more than they can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). They were not to covet riches. They were to work hard. They were to help those in need. They were not to forget the words of Christ, “It is more blessed to give than receive.”

As they related to God with open hands it would prepare them to give away what was needed by others while also being ready to receive all that God had for them. In both they would find that in giving they would receive. 

It reminds me of an old chorus that we used to sing, based on the word of St Francis of Assisi.

“It is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

“Make me an instrument of your peace. I want to know what it’s like to follow you. 

When men look at me, I want them to see, the light of the world inside.”

Paul then continued with verses 36-38

36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

It seems to have been a precious time between teacher and disciples. The church was now strong and established. They had a great spiritual history and were built on a strong foundation. Paul was now fully passing on the baton to these elders of the church in Ephesus.

Their tears were the testimony to the sweetness of the fellowship and memories of what God had done. It was also the motivation to continue following Paul’s example as God would expand His kingdom through them in the years to come. 

This idea of spiritual integrity is key for all of us in roles of influence. God is looking for those that are fully His. Not that we will ever be perfect, but those who are living free of rebellion. Those who are growing in the lordship of Christ over their lives. Those who are seeking God with humility. Those who are so settled and at home in their identity in Christ that they are transparent, authentic, gracious, teachable, courageous, penitent, and have embraced the grace of God.