Pauls Message to Leaders and Beyond. (Acts 20: 17-38)

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Hello and welcome to this episode of The Bible Project daily Podcast Today, we dive into Acts 20:17-38, exploring "Paul's Message to Leaders and Beyond." While the passage focuses on church leaders, its lessons apply to all of us. Paul, one of history’s most successful Christian leaders, offers wisdom on leadership and Christian living that is both profound and practical.

Through humility, compassion, and perseverance, Paul’s life exemplifies faithful service to God and others. Whether you're leading in a church, a community, or your own home, these principles are indispensable. Join us as we unpack Paul’s heartfelt address to the Ephesian elders and discover how his insights can transform your faith journey.

Episode Notes:

Scripture Focus: Acts 20:17-38

Key Themes:

1. Humility in Service – Paul’s leadership was marked by dependence on God and a genuine heart for people.
2. Compassionate Ministry – Serving with tears and deep empathy for others.
3. Endurance in Trials – Remaining steadfast in faith despite opposition and challenges.

Key Points Discussed:

• Paul’s life among the Ephesian believers as an example of Christ-like leadership.
• The dual role of repentance and faith in salvation.
• A call for leaders to shepherd and protect the flock with diligence and care.
• Warnings about external and internal threats to the faith community.
• The importance of committing to God and His Word, which strengthens and builds us up.
• The ultimate blessing of giving and sharing the Gospel.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can Paul’s example of humility, compassion, and endurance shape your own walk of faith?
2. What steps can you take to ensure you’re receiving and sharing the “whole counsel of God”?
3. How can you actively contribute to the unity and growth of your faith community?

Takeaway Quote: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

Let’s go beyond worldly blessings and embrace the joy of giving—sharing the Gospel and investing in others for God’s Kingdom.

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• 10:15 (Cont.) Pauls Message to Leaders and Beyond. (Acts 20: 17-38)

Transcript

Pauls Message to Leaders. (Acts 20: 17-38)

Transcript[t.

You may hear this title and think what has that got to do with me.

 Well, what applies to leaders applies to all of us, so we need to pay particular attention to what Paul has to say about leadership and indeed Christian living. 

 Why pay attention, well I would say that Paul is arguably the most successful Christian leader in the history of the church. So, what does he have to say to leaders about leadership in general and living the Christian life is particular is worth listening too….

 With that in mind, let's turn to Acts 20, starting at verse 17.

 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 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. 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.

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.

(Acts 20: 17-24)

In this passage, Paul talks about his life and ministry among the Ephesians, offering both an example from his own life and encouraging them by giving them a call to action, particularly to the elders before he leaves.

Ephesus was a city where Paul had spent several years. It is today located in modern-day Turkey. As Paul now travelled to Jerusalem, he stopped at Miletus and sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet him there. He wanted to address them there before continuing his journey.

A quick word about elders: if we were to base our church leadership structure strictly on scripture, we would see that early church did not seem to have the concept of a single pastor leading a church. Instead, it talks about a plurality of elders. Each church had a group of elders—godly men who rule and oversee the church together. There is also no external control over the church, only advise. The leadership comes from within, among the church members.

When the elders gathered, Paul spoke about his ministry, saying, "You know from the first day that I came to Asia I always lived among you, serving the Lord with humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me because of plotting by hostile Jewish factions."

Paul in this summary highlighted three key aspects of his ministry:

1.   Humility: Paul served the Lord with all humility. Humility is shown to be the opposite of pride. While pride says, "I will do this my way and can almost sideline God, humility instead recognizes our dependence on the Lord. Paul demonstrated this humility from day one.

2.   Tears: Paul served with many tears, this term is meant to emphasise his deep emotional connection and compassion for the people. Ministry involves sharing in the joys and sorrows of others. Paul wept with those who wept, he showed genuine care and empathy.

3.   Trials: Paul faced many trials, particularly from those Jews who plotted against him. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his mission.

These three elements—humility, compassion, and endurance in the face of trials—are crucial for all of us, not just leaders. They encapsulate what it means to live a Christ-like life.

Paul's example is instructive for all Christians. He demonstrated how to serve faithfully, care deeply, and persevere through difficulties.

When it comes to the challenges we face in life, Paul sees them as part of our growing relationship with the Lord. If we can handle these three aspects, we have a great handle on living the Christian life.

Paul talks about his personal life first and then transitions to his public ministry. In verse 20, he states, "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but state publicly it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Despite undergoing various trials, Paul remained steadfast in preaching the Gospel of the grace of God, to everyone, everywhere, emphasizing repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

What he taught was that repentance involves a change of mind. For example, when Paul was in Athens (as recorded in Acts 17), he told the people to repent from idol worship and recognize the true and living God, the creator of heaven and earth.

People need to change their minds about who God is and place their faith in Jesus Christ, the one who died for our sins and rose from the dead. These two concepts—repentance and faith—are intertwined. You change your mind from unbelief to belief in Jesus Christ.

Salvation is about hearing the message, and then changing our minds about who God is and who Christ is. Instead of trusting in ourselves, we trust in Him. This process is not about what we do; it is all by grace through faith. Salvation is not of ourselves. We do nothing to earn it because Jesus did it all for us.

Salvation has nothing to do with what we do; it is entirely about what Jesus did. We must understand who Christ is and trust in Him, not in ourselves.

After discussing his personal life, Paul makes a sad prediction about his own future. He says, "I know that in every city that prison and hardships are awaiting me. Adding, 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."

Paul then emphasizes that is called to declare the whole counsel of God. 

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. 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.

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.’ ”

(Acts 20: 25-35)

In verse 25, he mentions preaching the Kingdom of God, and in verse 24, he talked about preaching the gospel of the grace of God. Some commentators suggest these are the same, but they are distinct. 

The Kingdom of God is a future event, whereas preaching the gospel is a present action. The whole will/council of God includes both salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the future establishment of His Kingdom. Paul preached this entire message, both aspects faithfully.

In verse 32, Paul says, " I commit you to God and to the word which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." This inheritance further indicates that the Kingdom of God is future, and we inherit it by faithfully serving the Lord.

This commitment to declaring the whole counsel and will of God is crucial.

I've always believed that the important issue for me is to get out the entire word of God. We need preachers who will bring what Paul did: the whole counsel of God.'  It's a whole lot more entertaining people on a Sunday morning , it is to edify people and build them up. Paul said, 'My job is to edify, not entertain you.' And he was committed. He actually says, 'Nothing will stop me. I know I'm headed for trouble, but it doesn't matter. I'm still going to do this.'

He set an example by telling people the whole counsel of God.  And by the way, if you do that, let me tell you, not everybody will appreciate that. 

That's when the trouble comes in. People don't always appreciate you telling them the whole counsel of God. 

Paul said, 'I'm committed, and I'm going to do this, no matter what and I think we need the same commitment. Not like the fellow who wrote his girlfriend saying, 'I'll swim the widest river, climb the highest mountain, and cross the hottest desert to be with you. P.S. I'll see you Saturday if it doesn't rain.' 

We need to be committed, even in the face of severe trials.

Remember he is talking to leader here and he says to them, 'Take heed first to yourself.' One of the dangers of being a leader or a layman is that you need to pay attention yourself to what you say and teach.

The biblical idea of shepherding includes several concepts. It involves seeing to it that they people are fed with the Word and protected. So, the shepherd's job is to feed the flock and through that biblical knowledge protect them from the wolves. 

The way you shepherd sheep is by feeding them, not beating them with a whip. Although sometimes you have to use the shepherd’s crook if they get so far out of line they are denying the plain truth of the gospel, but the main part is feeding them.

Paul warns that ‘savage wolves will come in among them, not sparing the flock. But also from within themselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, attempting to draw away the followers. 

So, there are two dangers: one from the outside and one from the inside. Both are called wolves, and they are savage. They spoil the sheep; they kill them.

I would suggest that at this time it included Judaizers coming in and telling the believers that they had to keep the law, which Paul makes very clear if you listen to that it will destroy your spiritual life. That's in the book of Galatians. 

I think there are outside forces today that would destroy our spiritual lives. In fact, I think there are even more of a danger today than it was in the past. 

In my lifetime, it has to do with the media, especially with the internet nowadays. There is everything false doctrine available at the touch of a button, sometimes pushed in your face by the algorithms. That didn't used to be the case; you had to go read a book to find some of this stuff. I'm talking about theological threats. 

These are the main wolves today that destroy the flock, and we need to be aware of that. 

But he also says, 'There will be some from within your congregation, and perhaps even from within the elders, who will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away.' They should know better, yet they will speak perverse things.

So, the wolves are going to destroy, and those within are going to divide. They’re going to cause division. 

The New Testament puts a great premium on unity. It says anyone who causes division in the body is doing serious harm. 

He continues, 'So now, brothers and sister, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.' It is the word is able to build you up and give us our true inheritance. 

The New Testament is full of warnings about false teachers

The whole book of Second Timothy, written to the Ephesians, contains warnings about false teachers many years after this. And then, many years after that, First John, which many believe was also written to the people of Ephesus, includes more warnings about false teachers.

Furthermore, in Revelation chapter 2, written around 95 AD, John also writes about the church in Ephesus. So this is at least 40 years after Pauls warning here. This is what it says in Revelation 2:1-2:

'To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, these things says, he who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your labour, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not and have found them liars.'

They got the message. You don't just listen to everybody, he says, even from within the congregation. You test them, make sure what they’re saying is in the Word of God. You need to follow is the Scripture, not some individual, including this individual. 

You mustn’t do or believe things just because I say it; you do it or believe it because I showed it to you in this Book called the bible.

Paul continues by saying, 'By the way, you’re going to need grace to pull this off. He says, 'I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.' 

Apparel was a form of wealth. In those days they handed clothes down from father to son. So, when he says, 'I didn’t covet your silver, gold, or apparel,' he’s saying, 'I didn’t come here looking for money.'

Paul always worked to support his ministry. He argued that he had the right to be supported by the congregation, but he said, 'I didn’t do that, especially when I first went to a new church to establish the congregation.' 

Paul is saying, 'I worked not only to support myself but also to give to others who were working with me, to support the weak.

Paul is saying, 'Look, here’s my example. Here’s what I encourage you to do. You are to shepherd the flock, see to it that they are fed, and I’m going to warn you that there will be threats from outside and threats from within when you do that but you’ve got to watch out and make sure that doesn’t happen. That’s are job, everyone’s job.

Final verses.

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.

(Acts 20: 36-38)

Paul then knelt and prayed with them all, and they wept freely.

They thought this was his farewell, but he was in fact able to see them again later. We know from his letters that he did see them again. But at this point, they didn’t know that, and they were weeping because they were faithful to him and his ministry among them.

So, with their hearts filled with sorrow and their eyes filled with tears, Paul departs. 

So in summary, he talked about his own personal example. It seems to me that people often overlook the basic point of this passage: Paul exhorts the elders to see to it that the flock is fed, to shepherd them, and to protect the flock. He says you need to do that because some threats will come from without and some from within. He warns them about this. Then he says, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

I think this is mainly about giving of yourself, being committed to ministering the Word, preaching the gospel, being committed to people by proclaiming to them the whole counsel of God. Paul is saying to them, 'You need to be committed to the Lord, and to the Lord people, and to spreading the Word.'

It will be more blessed to give than receive.

 Are you blessed? Think about it from a worldly point of view.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you woke up this morning with relative health and free from illness, you are more blessed than several millions who will not even survive this week.

If you've never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torment or the pangs of starving you're ahead of 500 million people on this planet right now

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, or even death, you're more blessed and have more religious freedom than almost 3 billion people in the world. 

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and can access more than £100 of spare change or savings you are among the top 10% of the worlds population, wealth wise.

But Paul says you can be more blessed than even this. 

If you want to be even more blessed, Paul says then go give.   But go give people the gospel and the whole council God and then you will really know what it is like to be blessed abundantly.