PAUL’S FINAL ADDRESS ( PART 2 ) to EPHESIANS ELDERS. Acts 20

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Paul aimed to ’Finish his race with joy, and the ministry which he received of the Lord Jesus,’ which was ‘To testify to the gospel of the grace of God. '(v24 )

I write this on the eve of the Athens Olympics, of which Paul had been a spectator. He was determined not to toss in the sponge, admitting defeat; rather to joyfully seal his God-given ministry, enriching many precious lives. Heart attitude determines our stand.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, ‘We do not lose heart.’ (2^nd letter 4:16)

Yana Pittman refused to give in when, as Australian gold medal favourite for the 400 metre hurdles in Athens, she tore a knee cartilage in training two weeks plus before her event. Arthroscopic examination showed the tear, which was repaired in UK, reviving hope she would compete in that event. Her church prays for her recovery, affirmed by her godly mother in an international linkup.

Paul acknowledged ‘That the outward man was perishing, yet the inward man was being renewed day by day. He bravely continued, ’Our light affliction which is but for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ He explained how this vision changed his entire approach.’ We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.’ He reasoned, ‘The things that are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (vv`17,18) This truth comforted me immensely through all my days in the Pacific in WW11.

As Paul addressed the elders, he would have recalled our Lord Jesus’ words, ’I have glorified YOU , (My heavenly Father) on earth. I have finished the work which YOU have given Me to do.’ ( John17:4 ) Christ was a model to Paul, who is such an example to us. Are we commendable to our children, our friends, and associates?

Paul freely expounded a favourite theme, the ’ Gospel of the grace of God’, where God did the unbelievable for us.

Paul knew this would be his last visit to these Ephesian church leaders, declaring ‘Now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.’ (v25) He would not shy from any truth, while they grieved that their teacher would never again explain the deep things of the Lord.

What does Paul’s claim mean, when he said, ‘He was innocent of the blood of all men’. Did it imply that Paul had never taken life? No. He preached, warned, and pleaded with men to turn to His sovereign Lord. Ezekiel expressed this . ’When I say to the wicked, ’You shall surely die‘, and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked ways, that same man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.’ God’s solemn word is largely forgotten. Paul preached all the counsel of God.

The other aspect applies, ‘If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity: but you have delivered your soul‘.(3:19 ) Paul knew this release - and so do we when we witness faithfully. Murray averted every approach when he was dying of cancer of the lung, with secondaries in the liver. Finally, he allowed me to tell of the Lord Jesus dying for his sin, and rising from the dead to justify him.. He allowed me to pray with him., gently holding my hand. I do not know whether he opened his life to the cleansing flood of the Lord of life; but I was deeply relieved. I stayed with his close family at the bedside during his intensive, life-support care, but he gave no flicker of recognition of his Lord.

Ezekiel stated this truth again in his 33^rd chapter. ’Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. You shall hear a word from my mouth and warn them for me.’ (v7) Let’s zealously pursue souls as Ezekiel did.

Proudly Paul could say, ’ I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.’ Peter preached at Pentecost, ‘Christ, being delivered by the carefully-planned intention and foreknowledge of God you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.’(2:23) No mistaking Peter’s penetrating thrust.

Jeremiah caught the same theme, ’Thus says the Lord, Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, all the words I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.’ We treasure this eternal advice.

Paul recalled our Lord’s last words in Matthew 28:20, ‘Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen! Possibly, Paul recounted this to the elders. If so, this would doubly bring it to mind.

‘Feed My sheep’ which our Lord spoke to Peter in the Resurrection meeting at Galilee, dominated Paul's thinking.

’Take heed to yourselves- and to all the flock-(who are precious ) among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood.’ ( v28) Paul longed that the elders would nourish , teach, instruct, rebuke gently, challenge constantly their beloved flock. Faithful pastors treasure their flock, as their very own, pouring out their hearts in ministry. Pray for your elders.

Paul reminded them of the power of the life-blood of his Lord; atoning, redeeming and cleansing; stressing that the blood of the eternal God was shed when Christ hung on Calvary’s cross. We, too, must preach the precious blood of God’s Lamb. While some despise this, faithful believers rejoice to hear it taught.

Paul’s voice nearly broke as he ‘Commended them to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.’ (v32) He left them in the hands of the eternal Father. He reminded them that God’s gracious Word would restructure their lives: and they had an eternal, unfading legacy, shared with all the saints. An unforgettable prayer followed as ‘Paul knelt down and prayed with them all.' Tears flowed. 'They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words he spoke, that they should see his face no more.’(v37) Hearts melted! Is your’s tender?