PAUL'S EXAMPLE BEFORE GOSPEL MINISTERS
Acts 20:17-38

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The ministry of Paul the apostle is described in the second half of The Acts of the Apostles (chs.13-28). (Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus prior to Acts 13:9.) The first half of this Pauline section (ch.13-20) describes his public ministry, especially his missionary journeys; the second half (chs.21-28) describes his ministry while a prisoner for what he had done in the first half.

The present passage describes an event toward the end of his public ministry (20:17-38). Having arrived at Miletus on his journey to Jerusalem (20:15f), Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus, about thirty-six miles to the north, to meet with him (v.17). He knew he would never see them again (v.25), as he would soon be imprisoned (vv.22f). He therefore here gave to them his parting counsel and final farewell.

Actually, Paul exhorted these gospel ministers in two ways in this passage (vv.17-38). In addition to exhorting them through his instructions to them (vv.28-30), he exhorted them also through his example before them (the rest of this passage).

Note well that in Paul's description of his ministry, he speaks much of his devotion to Christ, but nothing of his accomplishments for Christ. In sharp contrast to certain professing preachers today, Paul does not boast of the numbers of souls won, baptisms performed, churches gathered, and so forth.

In observing Paul's description of his ministry, we see he practiced what he preached. We here will preach what Paul practiced. Let every gospel minister be exhorted to imitate him.

I. Consider your life a public record for all to read (v.18): "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you." The minister's life speaks volumes regarding what he believes. May his readers be edified by what they see. (See Paul's account in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.)

II. Serve the Lord humbly (v.19a): "serving the Lord with all humility". If Christ humbled Himself in saving men (Philippians 2:6-8; Matthew 20:28), surely His ministers should humble themselves in serving Him. John the Baptist expressed it well: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

III. Serve the Lord tearfully (v.19b): "serving the Lord ... with many tears". "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5f).

IV. Serve the Lord despite all trials from unbelievers (v.19c): "serving the Lord with ... trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews". The plots of Christ's enemies will become trials to His ministers, testing their fortitude and resolve. Paul in his trials gloried in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:24-25a, 30ff).

V. Declare all that is spiritually beneficial (v.20a): "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you." Men have needs no man can meet. But God has made Christ to be the panacea for all their needs (1 Corinthians 1:30). His ministers therefore "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

VI. Teach the truth both publicly and privately (20b): "and taught you publicly and from house to house". Ministers teach by preaching, and preach in teaching - sometimes to men generally in public venues, sometimes to individuals personally in their homes. Take advantage of every opportunity provided.

VII. Testify to all the duties God requires of them (v.21): "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ". These twin truths are two sides of one coin, and are the two parts of Christ's ministry (Mark 1:15). Men must repent of their dead works (Hebrews 6:1), and turn from sin to God with godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-12), and obey the command "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

VIII. Do not be deterred by adversities (vv.22-24a): "... chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself." God's ministers imitate Moses in "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" (Hebrews 11:25f)

IX. Finish with joy the Christian race and ministry (v.24b): "so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus". May all Christ's ministers say at the end of their lives, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (1 Timothy 4:7).

X. Testify to the gospel of God's grace (v.24c): "the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus [is] to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Christ's ministers do not testify to the "ministry of death, written and engraved on stones" (2 Corinthians 3:6ff), nor to the "works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5), but rather to the free and sovereign of God in Christ.

XI. Treat each ministerial opportunity as your last (v.25): "And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more." The Puritan Richard Baxter (1615-91) aptly confessed, "I preached as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men." This may be the last time I preach to you. I pray I preach the truth. This may be the last time you hear the truth. I pray you believe it.

XII. Be innocent of the blood of all your hearers (v.26): "I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men." Christ holds His ministers accountable for the souls of men around them (Ezekiel 3:17-21 / 33:1-9). Only by preaching Christ to all will they be found innocent of blood guiltiness.

XIII. Do so by declaring the whole counsel of God (v.27): "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." This is the revealed will of God regarding salvation in Jesus Christ. Christ is God's counsel to men! And Christ is all Paul preached (2 Corinthians 4:5). Someone named Chadwick (I wish I knew more about him) aptly declared:

XIV. Warn everyone night and day with tears (v.31): "watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." Christ's ministers are weeping warners, not humoring entertainers. English pastor Benjamin Beddome (1717-95) has reminded us of Christ's example (see Luke 19:41ff) and exhorted us:

XV. Look to God and His grace for all blessings (v.32): "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." To the contrary, the self-righteous commend themselves to everyone around them, build themselves up while tearing others down, think their inheritance in heaven is a reward for their good works on earth, and consider themselves holier than others through self-sanctification.

XVI. Do not covet what belongs to another (v.33): "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel." A preacher covetous of riches and goods from others will, for the sake of obtaining them, compromise the gospel. A preacher who compromises the gospel of Christ is not a minister of Christ. A minister of Christ will say to those who would have him compromise for personal gain, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!" (Acts 8:20).

XVII. Provide for your own needs if necessary (v.34): "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me." Ministers of Christ will do so if necessary. But shame on any church that is negligent in providing for the needs of her minister! (1 Corinthians 9:3-14).

XVIII. Be an example to the flock in good deeds (v.35a): "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak." Paul set a worthy example for us when he "provided ... for those who were with me" (v.34).

XIX. Practice the blessedness of giving (v.35b): "And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" People who love the grace of God are gracious people.

XX. Pray both for and with God's people (v.36): "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all." This item is listed last, but certainly is not least.

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