Be Shepherds Of God’s Flock
Acts 20: 1-38 Lesson 23
Key verse 20: 28 NIU UBF 11-02-08
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood.”
In this passage we learn a little more about being shepherds of God’s flock through the practical life of Apostle Paul. Paul’s shepherd heart is revealed for the churches, in this the last portion of his third missionary journey. In the midst of danger and hardships he constantly encouraged the believers. He constantly taught people, even writing letters to other churches. From him we learn how to live as shepherds of God’s flock in this generation. We also learn how to please God as we live out our calling to world mission. May God bless you.
Part l: Paul The Good Shepherd (1-6)
Paul was encouraging the new believers and strengthening the church leaders wherever God led him. Look at verses 1, “When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia.” Paul faithfully lived his life as a good shepherd for the growing flock of God. He stayed in Ephesus, encouraging the disciples, during the rioting which was led by Demetrius the Silversmith. This reminds us of Msn Andrew who stayed with his the flock in Belgrade during the Allied bombing of Yugoslavia. After the danger was over Paul said his “good-byes” and left after giving them many words of encouragement. Look at verse 2-3a, After leaving Ephesus “He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3where he stayed three months….” What did he do in Greece for three months? I believe that he visited the new believers and held many Bible studies and had staff meetings for the leaders. He gave the word of God and gave them the latest news concerning the burgeoning work of God going on among the Gentiles. Maybe he held Bible Schools like he held in the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus. We do know that Paul wrote the letter to the Romans while he was here.
His entourage reflected the new Gentile Church. Look at verses 3b-6, “Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” Where there was a great work of God going on there was also a great work of the devil. The Jews made a plot to take Paul’s life. It was time to move on to continue the work of God elsewhere. In these verses we see several of Paul’s travel companions. These men represented churches that Paul had started in Asia. Each man was carrying and offering from his home church to be given to the believers in Jerusalem. By having each man deliver the gift, the gifts had a personal touch, and the unity of believers was strengthened. These men were able to report back to their home churches the way God was working through their offering. Everything Paul did was for the glory of God and the strengthening of his church.
Part ll: The Work Of God At Troas. (7-11)
Paul ministered to the flock of God as Troas. Look at verses 7-8, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.” The disciples at Troas observed the Lord’s Supper weekly and studied the Bible diligently. They had a great sense of unity among them. When a special event took place and special speaker was coming they all changed their own plans and came to hear the word of God. They had great unity of heart and mind.
But this was not going to be your average prayer meeting. One day, while Paul was having an all night Bible study with the fellowship of believers. The upper room they used was lit by many lamps. The crowds and the lamps made the room very hot. Then the unthinkable happened. Young Eutychus, who may have worked hard all day, at the bottom of society, sank into a deep sleep on the window ledge and then fell to the ground from the third story where he was found dead. What did Paul do? Let’s read verses 10-12, “Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.” Paul came down and threw himself on the boy. He probably cried out many loud prayers, shedding tears for this man’s life. Then a miracle happened. The boy was alive! Resurrection faith welled up in very one’s heart. We would probably call 911 and have the boy checked out at the local ER. But they didn’t have a hospital. So they thanked God and went back to the upper room. They ate together with glad and sincere hearts.
Part lll: Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders (13-21)
Paul had a clear agenda and a sense of deep urgency. We see this as Paul continued on his journey in verses 13-16. Let’s read these verses together. “We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Kios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. 16Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.” Paul could not stay in Troas, nor did he want to go back to Ephesus. He wanted to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost. Paul had missed attending the Passover in Jerusalem, so he was especially interested in arriving for Pentecost, which was 50 days after Passover. He was carrying with him gifts for the Jerusalem believers from churches in Asia and Greece (see Romans 15:25,26; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8:9) The Jerusalem church was experiencing difficult times. He wanted to give the offering in the most meaningful way possible. If Paul delivered the gift at Pentecost it would have been the most meaningful time, for the day of Pentecost was a day of celebration and thanksgiving to God his provision.
After that, Paul’s mission team traveled until they reached Miletus. There he called for a farewell meeting with the Ephesian elders. Let’s read verses 17-21 all together. “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When 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. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You 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. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church, where he began to make a farewell speech to them. In his speech Paul reveals the heart and the mind of the shepherd. From him we learn how to live as shepherds of God’s flock. We also learn how to please God as we live out our calling to world mission. Let’s see.
First, Paul served the Lord with great humility and tears. Look at verse 19. “I served the Lord with great humility and tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.” Paul served the Lord among the Ephesians with great humility and with tears. What is humility? It is not being a quiet person who never wants to press his own agenda on others. No. True humility is to use all of your God-given gifts and talents to serve others with in Jesus’ name. To serve God in humility and tears, Paul had to practice Jesus’ servantship to others. He had to serve as Jesus served, by laying down his life for the sheep. He served them thus, with Bible study and with prayer, until the gospel was formed in their hearts and lives. Indeed, humility is servantship, the secret of the fruitful shepherd life. I thank God for teaching us servantship through our maintaining our house church ministry, our Friday night fellowships and our Bible Schools. May we all grow through learning humble servantship especially during our student years.
Second, Paul taught them the life of repentance and faith in Jesus. Look at verse 21. “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” In teaching the Bible, Paul helped people to acknowledge that God is the Sovereign and Almighty God. People had lived without God, driven not by the truth, but by the sinful nature. As such, they were dying in their sins. But Paul led them to God. To lead them to God, Paul taught them the life of repentance. Repentance is not some offensive word that we need avoid or apologize for saying in public. Repentance is beautiful, life giving word for repentance purifies the heart and brings us close to God through faith in Jesus. We too must teach, “Turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” We can teach it when we teach it to ourselves first.
Third, Paul’s attitude towards God’s high calling was exemplary. Look at verses 22-24. Verse 24 reads, “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.” In serving the life-giving gospel, which Jesus had commissioned him to preach, Paul met many hardships, persecutions and sufferings, risking his very life. But he neither betrayed the mission Jesus gave him, nor was he deterred from fulfilling it. Why?
Paul had committed himself to the life of suffering. Look at verse 23. “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” At the time Jesus called him to serve the gospel, Paul became convinced that God’s servant “must go through many hardships…” (14:22) He was certain that he must share in the remaining sufferings of his Lord Jesus. (Rom 8:17; Php 3:10; 1 Pe 4:13; 2 Tim 1:8) But according to verse 24, Paul carried his mission to the end because he loved Jesus and the gospel more than he loved his own life. Paul knew in his heart that in this world, there is nothing worth living for other than serving the gospel. Indeed, for the gospel, he was ready to lose his life. Now he was going to Jerusalem. (22) His mission in Jerusalem was twofold. First, he wanted to bring a sense of unity between all Christian brothers, be they Jew or Gentile in origin. Second, he wanted to stir his people’s hearts to world missions, reminding them of their calling to be “a light to the Gentiles.” And third he wanted to deliver the offering. To fulfill his mission, Paul was ready to lay down his life. In reflecting on Paul’s life of mission, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Mark 8:35, “For whoever wants to save his life will loose it, but whoever looses his life for me and the gospel will save it.” This is hard teaching in a world filled with a “what’s in it for me” attitude. But let’s pray that we may loose our lives as we serve our Lord Jesus.
Fourth, Paul commanded them, “Be shepherds.” Read verses 28-31. “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. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Paul had many things to say as his final words. But he did not say, “Take care of yourself.” or “take it easy.” He said to the Ephesian elders, “Be shepherds.” Of course Paul knew that shepherd life was not easy for it involves much self-sacrifice. It also meant a whole lot of personal, spiritual vigilance. He said, “Keep watch over yourselves.” You can’t keep watch over anyone if you do not keep watch over yourselves through personal prayer, Bible study and repentance. Paul commissioned them to be shepherds of the flock of God like the Good Shepherd Jesus. He went on to teach them the sacrifice of the true shepherd in verse 31. Indeed, a shepherd must personally take care of the flock, not for one or two days, but even for more than three years, night and day, serving them with humility and tears.
Fifth, “Live by the word of God’s grace.” (32) Look at verse 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 the those who are sanctified.” Paul had to leave his beloved disciples behind and go forward with the mission God gave him. How could he leave them, and to whose care would he entrust them? Paul committed them to God for God is able to protect his flock and lead them in truth. (It reminds us of Hannah who entrusted young Samuel to Eli’s care.) Paul also committed them to the word of God’s grace. God’s grace is God’s sacrificial love for unworthy sinners. God’s grace is God’s forgiving love. Paul wanted them to grow in the grace of God, which is the foundation of their Christian lives and the assurance of their spiritual inheritance. Paul urged them to live, not by their feelings, which led them astray from God, but by the word of God’s grace so that they become spiritual giants, unshaken by the world. It is true that those who forget the grace of God in their lives eventually become estranged from God. However, those who grow and stand firm on the grace of God become good shepherds who can lead others in the word of God’s grace and unto the kingdom of God.
Sixth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (33-38) Look at verses 33-35, “I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In 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.' " Here, Paul taught the Ephesian elders to struggle hard to overcome selfishness and serve the Lord and his flock sacrificially. He taught them that love is not in words, but in deeds, the deeds of giving one’s self to others. As Jesus’ people, he urged them to grow in the sacrificial love of our Lord Jesus.
They loved each other so much. Look at verses 36-38, “ 36When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.” Paul and the elders parted company in tears for they loved Paul and appreciated his precious sacrifices in helping them grow as the shepherds of God’s flock. I realize that my own heart is cold to others. I rarely weep for others. My heart does not go out to others as it should. I pray that my own heart may love others with this kind of love. Lord, give me and all of our co-workers the same love as Apostle Paul and the early Christians.
How inspiring is Paul’s third missionary journey! Through his life’s example we see how we can make an offering of our own lives for the advancement of the kingdom of God. We learn how we can grow in the sacrificial love of our Lord Jesus, building up the foundations of a young ministry through 1:1 Bible study and personal shepherding. Apostle Paul served others with humility and tears as he faithfully taught a life of repentance and faith in Jesus. Have you ever shed tears over anything other than your own sufferings? Let’s be humble and shed tears for others and for the work of God. Let us also commit ourselves and our sheep to the word of God’s grace, the full gospel, so that we can all grow to become spiritual giants in this generation, able to stand unshaken by the world. Amen!
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