Weekly Sermon
Acts 20:17-21 reads, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the 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, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this passage of Scripture, we pick up the life of the apostle Paul at the end of His third missionary journey. While going about the areas of Galatia, Asia, and Macedonia, establishing and confirming churches in the faith, Paul collected money for the financially destitute church of Jerusalem. Here we find Paul in Miletus for a few days, as the ship on which he had booked passage is resupplied and outfitted for the journey. The apostle Paul, never one to waste time, takes this opportunity to send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, (Ephesus being approximately thirty miles distant). Now, as the New Testament Scriptures often use the term “elder” as a reference for the official leadership of churches, we recognize these men in our common terminology as the pastors of the church at Ephesus.
Unto these pastors the apostle Paul spends the whole of Acts 20:18-35 in a farewell address. Contextually, this address can be divided into four parts. First, in verses 18-21 there is Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men. Second, in verses 22-24 there is Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading. Third, in verses 25-31 there is Paul’s exhortation to these pastors concerning their ministry. Fourth, in verses 32-35 there is Paul’s commendation of these pastors unto God. In this message we shall consider the first of these matters – Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men. Apparently there were those in Ephesus, as was so often the case at other places in the apostle’s ministry, who were slandering His character and ministry. Thus the apostle Paul began this farewell address with a reminder to these pastors concerning their personal knowledge of and experience with his godly character and behavior. In so doing the apostle Paul, by the example of his own life and ministry, reveals to us the reputation of a man of God. Even so, if we desire to be men and women of God, then we must seek these same characteristics as a part of our reputation. So then, from Acts 20:18-21 let us consider five characteristics for the reputation of a man of God.
Acts 20:17-21 reads, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the 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, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this passage of Scripture, we pick up the life of the apostle Paul at the end of His third missionary journey. While going about the areas of Galatia, Asia, and Macedonia, establishing and confirming churches in the faith, Paul collected money for the financially destitute church of Jerusalem. Here we find Paul in Miletus for a few days, as the ship on which he had booked passage is resupplied and outfitted for the journey. The apostle Paul, never one to waste time, takes this opportunity to send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, (Ephesus being approximately thirty miles distant). Now, as the New Testament Scriptures often use the term “elder” as a reference for the official leadership of churches, we recognize these men in our common terminology as the pastors of the church at Ephesus.
Unto these pastors the apostle Paul spends the whole of Acts 20:18-35 in a farewell address. Contextually, this address can be divided into four parts. First, in verses 18-21 there is Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men. Second, in verses 22-24 there is Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading. Third, in verses 25-31 there is Paul’s exhortation to these pastors concerning their ministry. Fourth, in verses 32-35 there is Paul’s commendation of these pastors unto God. In this message we shall consider the first of these matters – Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men. Apparently there were those in Ephesus, as was so often the case at other places in the apostle’s ministry, who were slandering His character and ministry. Thus the apostle Paul began this farewell address with a reminder to these pastors concerning their personal knowledge of and experience with his godly character and behavior. In so doing the apostle Paul, by the example of his own life and ministry, reveals to us the reputation of a man of God. Even so, if we desire to be men and women of God, then we must seek these same characteristics as a part of our reputation. So then, from Acts 20:18-21 let us consider five characteristics for the reputation of a man of God.
A Man of God Is Constant in Behavior
Acts 20:18 reads, “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.” Notice in this verse the two phrases, “from the first day” and “at all seasons.” Herein the apostle Paul was pointing to his reputation, to what these men knew about him, from the very first day of his ministry with them. In addition, he was pointing to his behavior among them from that very first day throughout all of the seasons that followed thereafter. The apostle Paul was able to make such a reference because he knew that his behavior was constant and consistent. He was not one to waver in unbelief. He was not one to become weary in well doing. He was not one to seek the pleasures of this world, even for a season. He was not one to faint in prayerlessness. He was not one to walk in the spiritual condition of lukewarmness. Rather, the apostle Paul spent all of his time and ministry in fiery zeal for the Lord his God and Savior. Even so, if we are to obtain the reputation of a man or woman of God, we must be constant and consistent in spiritual growth and ministry. We cannot be up spiritually in godliness one year and down spiritually in worldliness the next year. Rather, we must be always stretching forward with all of our energy, pressing with all of our heart “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Do we have such a reputation of constant spiritual behavior? Could we honestly say to those around us, “You know, from the first day that we have met even throughout every season following, that I have behaved in godliness?” If not, let us repent of our past unfaithfulness unto the Lord our God. Then let us make this day the first day of a more constant faithfulness for our Lord.
A Man of God Serves the Lord
Speaking concerning himself, the apostle Paul began Acts 20:19 with the phrase, “Serving the Lord.” Paul recognized that his life was not his own, but that he had been bought with the price of Christ’s precious blood. He recognized that because of God’s abundant mercies unto him, it was his reasonable service to be a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord his God and Savior. He recognized that his salvation and ministry had been given to him by God’s grace. He recognized that his calling was by God alone. He recognized that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Master by right, by purchase, and by authority. Therefore, the apostle Paul submitted himself unto the will his Lord and Master Jesus Christ. He sought to walk under the filling influence of God the Holy Spirit. He sought to obey the commandments and precepts of God’s Holy Word. He sought to follow the leading of God in every aspect of his life. He cared not for the approval a men. Rather, he sought only the approval of his Lord. This was the very service that the apostle Paul maintained from the first day throughout all seasons. He constantly and consistently served the Lord. Even so, men and women of God today must also serve the Lord, doing His will, and not pursuing their own will, living for His approval, and not seeking after the approval of others. Indeed, they must do so faithfully; for 1 Corinthians 4:2 declares, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” So then, does our reputation include the fact that we serve the Lord, and not ourselves, and not men?
A Man of God Is Humble in Mindset
In Acts 20:19 the apostle Paul continued describing his character with the phrase, “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind.” Now, when an individual begins to speak of their own godly behavior and humility, we naturally suspect that just the opposite holds true in that individual’s life. Yet herein the apostle Paul was speaking under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. Thus we are compelled to accept the truth of his statement. Paul truly was a man of humble mindset. However, as we read about the apostle Paul, and as we read the message of his epistles, we commonly think of him, not as a humble man, but as a domineering man. Such we conclude because he was so firm and uncompromising in his beliefs, in his exhortations, and in his rebukes. Yet this contrast between true humility and uncompromising firmness is a mistake in our thinking. In our thinking we often define a humble man as one who always yields to the whims and desires of others. Yet true, Biblical humility is less defined by how one responds unto the will of other men, and is more defined by how one responds unto the will of the Lord our God. In fact, a man of true, Biblical humility will certainly be a man of uncompromising conviction and of pointed reproof; for that is the will of the Lord his God. On the other hand, a man of true humility will also be a man selfless love and gracious forbearance. In any realm of personal right, he will yield before others and will honor and prefer others over himself. Even so, Philippians 2:3-5 proclaims, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” So then, is this an aspect of our reputation, that we are humble in mindset before God and that we esteem others as better than ourselves? Such is the character of a man or woman of God.
A Man of God Endures under Tribulation
Again in Acts 20:19 the apostle Paul continued with the description of his character as a man of God, saying, “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews.” From the moment that Paul began his missionary ministry, he was a man under tribulation, trouble, and persecution. Even as we have already noted, within the church at Ephesus, a church which the apostle Paul himself had been used of the Lord to start, it appears that his name and ministry was being slandered. Indeed, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 Paul described the trials of his ministry, saying, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool.) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” Yet in all these things Paul did not become weary in well doing, but endured with joy, rejoicing that he might suffer for the name and the work of Christ. Even so, in James 1:2-4 the instruction is given, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” So then, are we men and women of God? Do we have a reputation of joyful endurance under tribulation?
A Man of God Teaches and Testifies with Boldness
In Acts 20:20-21 Paul declared, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us take notice of the opening phrase in verse 20, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you.” Paul did not shun to declare unto both believers and unbelievers all the counsel of God which was profitable unto them. He presented the negatives of God’s Word, as well as the positives. He spoke concerning the reality of hell, as well as concerning the reality of heaven. He taught the truth of mankind’s sin, as well as the truth of mankind’s salvation. He revealed the commandments of Scripture, as well as the promises of Scripture. He presented reproof, rebuke, and correction, as well as encouragement, exhortation, and comfort. He laid out the curses for disobedience, as well as the blessings for obedience. Even so, in 2 Timothy 4:2 he instructed Timothy under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” So then, do we ourselves also have such a reputation of boldness for the truth? Oh, that we might be known as men and women of God!
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Acts, Faithfulness, Serving the Lord, Biblical Humility, Suffering for Righteousness,
Godly Witnessing, Godly Ministry
Please share this post with others:
RSS Feed
