Acts 20:17-38 Lessons for Leaders
An Anglican vicar visited our church and was chatting after a morning service. He explained that his job was to look after a group of five village parishes but added that he had other ministers to help him. I queried what he meant by ‘other ministers’ and he replied that these were other clergymen. This led on to a discussion about whether all Christians were meant to be ministers for Christ.
“But isn’t there a difference between the ordained ministry and the laity?”
“Not really, all Christians should minister to others, it is just we have different roles. In the New Testament the Greek word laos is used of all the people of God, whether apostles, elders, deacons or ordinary church members. One of the reasons that churches in China, Africa, South America or Iran are growing is that all members of the church see themselves as ministers for Christ with responsibilities to share the gospel with others.”
We do have a problem today. Many churches are only training clergymen, there is too little training of Christians in the pews on how to live for Jesus and to speak about Jesus to non-Christians. Within the church every member will have different roles, some will specialise in being pastor/teachers, others in being full time evangelists, but every Christian must be encouraged and trained to live effectively for Christ.
I had a patient who was the church warden of her local village church. After the medical issues had been dealt with, I asked her how the church was going. She replied,
“It is getting very difficult. We are getting smaller and older.”
“Please tell me,” I replied, “Do members of the church talk about the Lord Jesus with others in the village?”
“Oh good gracious me, no, we don’t even speak about him amongst ourselves!”
I could only think of one thing to say,
“If that is true, then your church must die.”
To live for Jesus and to speak about him is essential - but it does require training and encouragement.
Paul’s purpose
Paul had spent two years establishing the church in Ephesus but, after the riots there, he left to go and encourage the young churches in Macedonia and Greece. After three months a plot against him was discovered so he changed his plans from taking a sea trip to Syria, to returning overland through Macedonia. Paul’s heart was always set on encouraging and teaching the new Christians. On this overland journey he stopped off at Troas for a short time and taught them there. He was determined to get to Jerusalem as soon as possible so decided against revisiting Ephesus, but he longed to inspire the Ephesian church elders so he asked them to come and see him when his ship docked at nearby Miletus. The talk he gave to them was indeed inspirational.
Paul knew that the Christian message was true, it was God’s message to humanity, and he was repeatedly defending its veracity and his ministry. The word ‘defend’ is subsequently used five times in the Book of Acts about Paul’s ministry (Acts 22:1, 24:10, 25:8, 26:1, 26:24).
Paul did not think that the responsibility for spreading the gospel rested on the shoulders of the church leaders. No, it was the leaders role to motivate and train their members for the work of ministry. He wrote subsequently to the Ephesians,
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service. So that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12
This is what God wants, a body of people trained and built up to live as God’s chosen people, to glorify their Saviour. It is significant that the ESV translation emphasises that all christians should be trained to be ministers, to be effective for Christ,
“. . . the shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV
Peter taught exactly the same message. All Christians must see themselves as ‘priests’, God’s representatives to people of the world. He wrote to all Christians,
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood . . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
All Christians should therefore see themselves as God’s ministers
Paul’s sermon
Paul’s talk to the Ephesian Elders centred on two facets of his ministry, his example and his message. He recognised that people learn more by being shown than by being told. Models of ministry are vital if Christians are to be trained to be effective for Christ. Elsewhere Paul said to all ordinary Christians,,
“Therefore I urge you to imitate me. . . He (Timothy) will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:16-17
“Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1
“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Philippians 3:17
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or even seen in me – put into practice.” Philippians 4:9
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord . . .” 1 Thessalonians 1:6
How many Christian leaders today can speak like this?
a. Paul’s life and character
His Hard Work
Paul’s appointment was no sinecure.
“I served the Lord . . . “ Acts 20:19
This was his secret, he was a servant of the Lord Jesus.
The Lord himself was the one who had commissioned him and that was where his reward would come from. Paul knew he would have to give an account to his Lord about how he had lived for him. At the end of this talk he was able to say to the Ephesian church leaders,
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak . . .” Acts 20:35
Notice that he worked hard so he could inspire others to follow his example and keep giving out to others.
A group of students training to be church pastors were visiting a vicar who had a very successful youth ministry in his church. His name was the Revd. Llewellyn Roberts, frequently called ‘Uncle Lew’ by those who knew him. The students asked him what was the secret of his success, expecting to hear something about hours of prayer or the like. Uncle Lew, who couldn’t say his ‘h’s’ properly simply said,
“ ‘ard work, ‘ard work.”
This is one lesson Paul wanted the Ephesian elders to understand. There is no short cut in ministry.
His Humility
Paul could say to those who knew him well,
“I served the Lord with great humility and tears.” Acts 20:19
Paul would not associate meekness with weakness. The word ‘meek’ is used of a tough stallion that has been broken in and is therefore usable. Paul was very clear thinking and determined to succeed.
This attitude would not lead to an easy life. He had to face criticisms from both outside and inside the church. These upset him deeply and he wept at times, but he still kept going with determination. His ministry involved much personal sacrifice but it was the reputation of the Lord that mattered most to him.
His Integrity
There is no doubt that Paul was a man with integrity. He said to the elders,
“You know how I lived the whole time I was with you.” Acts 20:19
“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” Acts 20:34
Paul was no passenger in the church’s ministry, he did everything he could to stimulate and support other Christians. He enthusiastically walked the walk just as he talked the talk. Today this integrity would mean that he had nothing to hide. He would not be ashamed about the websites he visited, the books he read, how he behaved at home, talked about others in private or how he used his money. He just longed to talk about Jesus to others and he was genuinely concerned for the spiritual growth of those around him. How many church leaders today are like this?
In a radio programme, the atheist journalist, Matthew Parris, suggested that it didn’t matter what a person does in their private life, so long as they do well in their public life. His interviewer rejected this view, he thought that character mattered immensely. How people behave in private will eventually be reflected in their public life. It is too easy for people to be appearing to serve the church when really they are serving their own egos and self interest. It is always worth asking when thinking of appointing a preacher, ‘Who are they serving?’ and “Do they live the way they speak?” How many popular Christian leaders have failed when their private lives are scrutinised.
He Was Loved
All these qualities meant that the Ephesian church elders deeply loved him. When he explained that they would never see him again this resulted in an outburst of loving emotion for him.
“When he said this, he knelt down with them all and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:36-38
His Priority
Paul is most concerned that other Christians should share hi priorities. He was a passionate teacher of God’s word, determined to train up and encourage others and he longed that the church elders should model the same to people in their churches.
“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.” Acts 20:20
The primary role a church leader is to teach God’s word to as many people as possible. Paul did this both by preaching and in private conversations. He taught wherever he could in order to help others find and grow in Christ. What an example this is not only for the elders of the church in Ephesus but also for the leaders of churches everywhere today. All elders should be imitators of Paul but it is equally important that they should then encourage others in the church to behave in a similar way.
Paul was completely committed to serving his Lord. His life was of little consequence to him compared to the urgency of his task.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:25
Paul is able to contrast his style of leadership with the arrogant show of the false leaders around who did not demonstrate these priorities. Their lack of spiritual power was seen in their ineffectiveness. Paul had written to the Corinthian church because some there had drifted away from Christ and had wrong priorities,
“Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But |I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the power of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corinthians 4:18-21
Paul’s Message
Paul’s message was about how people can be saved. His message was all about Jesus and he expected the Ephesian elders and people in the Ephesian church to have this same message.
“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21
Everybody must return to live under God’s authority; this is not an option for us,. If we don’t, we will face God’s judgment and punishment. The only hope we can have of finding God’s forgiveness for the way we have treated God is to be found in Jesus and his death for us as our substitute. There is no other way to be saved. Didn’t Jesus say,
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John were on trial for their lives before the Jewish Sanhedrin. They said,
“Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
What a tragedy it is for many churches leaders to infer that living moral, kind lives will be enough to satisfy God. That is the appalling Pelagian heresy but it is very common thinking today.
At a reception after the funeral of a lovely Christian lady I asked one of her relatives if he shared her faith or wasn’t sure about these things. His reply was shocking,
“Yes, I’m a Christian, I’ve been baptised but I’m not the practising sort.”
This lead to a discussion about who is a real Christian, who will be saved. Outward ceremonies, such as baptism and confirmation and orthodox theological beliefs save nobody. It is Christ who saves us and to walk away from him is to walk away from salvation. It is only if people are relying on the Lord Jesus that anyone can be saved. Notice the emphasis Paul makes here,
“ . . . and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21
Saving faith is always personal. All true Christians can say, ‘Jesus is my Saviour and he is the Lord of my life; he controls how I live.”
Elsewhere Paul summarised what the apostolic message is,
“But he has now reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.” Colossians 1:22-23
We can only be saved because God himself bore the penalty for our sin on that cross. Anyone who leaves the Lord Jesus has made a fatal step. He wrote in a similar way to the troubled Corinthian church,
“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
To move from the doctrines of the apostles is to drift from Christ. Many people have their own beliefs that differ from those of the apostles but their religion is vain and worthless in God’s eyes.
However it is even possible to be theologically in tune with the apostles, to be intolerant of false teaching and to work hard for the church but still to lose what is most important to the Lord, a love for him. A generation later John relayed a message from God about the state of the Ephesian church: this was the same church that Paul urged in Acts 20: 28 to be good shepherds over the church. The church in Ephesus had retained many good characteristics but still God said,
“Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things that you did at first.” Revelation 2:4
Those elders of the Ephesian church must have encouraged the church to remain apostolic in their doctrine but somehow the church had lost their love for the Lord Jesus. It is a love for Jesus that is vital for our salvation. John warned the church that they must repent, turn back to Christ and for each person to make living for Jesus and his glory their priority. If they forsake living with and for Jesus the consequences would be disastrous.
“If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:5
Church leaders have an awesome responsibility. They must firstly ensure that they are as faithful to the Lord Jesus as Paul was, but then teach and encourage others in the church to become ministers of the Lord Jesus, their role is to ‘prepare God’s people for works of service’ (Ephesians 4:12)
The great American preacher, D.L.Moody was on a mission in England. He was asked to meet a church leader from Ireland. Moody asked his host about him,
“Is he O and O?”
“What do you mean?” his host asked.
“Is he out and out for Jesus?”
What a great question for us to ask, first of ourselves and then of other people in our churches. It really does matter if the Lord is to be with us.
Great leaders have followed other great leaders, but most importantly they live close to and follow the Lord Jesus.
BVP
