19. “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.”
Service for the Lord Jesus must be done in a spirit of humility, a heart of yearning for those being served, and the expectation of conflict from the enemy. The service may be small and unnoticed, but if truly serving Christ, these traits will mark the servant.
20. “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house.”
Service for Christ is profitable. It brings blessing, comfort and encouragement, whether done privately (house to house) or publicly. How important to see that Paul showed an example before he taught a doctrine. It is vain to teach the things of God if the teacher is not first living them in love and reality.
21. “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The two essential elements for blessing in this life and for eternity are repentance and faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. May the Lord exercise our hearts never to allow this vital truth of God to be watered down in our ministry to others.
22. “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there.”
Paul’s love bound him to a path not according to the will of God. We must speak very softly about the beloved Apostle in this situation, for with us it often is not love for souls, but simple self-will that leads in a path contrary to the mind of God.
23. “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”
The Lord graciously warned Paul what was awaiting him. He did not know how those things would come to pass, but the Apostle knew that persecution for the name of Christ awaited him. Would we be eager to serve the Lord if we knew that such persecution awaited us? What a tremendous love and faith the Apostle displayed!
24. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Paul looked forward to finishing his service with joy. Life itself was not important enough to deter him from serving the blessed Lord Jesus. That is the only right motive for our service Christ.
Paul’s ministry to the Ephesians was characterized by three fundamental elements. First, he testified “the gospel of the grace of God.”
25. “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”
Second, he preached the kingdom of God. A person believing the gospel is responsible to walk according to the new life it imparts by faith. The gospel wins souls while the kingdom guides souls.
26. “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.”
Paul had been faithful in proclaiming the gospel to all with whom he came in contact. Oh! what a standard for our hearts today! Do we leave by actions or words a testimony of the gospel of our Lord Jesus with those we meet?
27. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Here we have the third thing which characterized Paul’s ministry the counsel of God. Declaring all God’s counsel of blessing gives assurance and joy in our most holy faith. Beautiful moral order of Christianity: faith and conduct, then assurance and joy!
28. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.”
Paul is passing the torch. He had watched over and fed God’s flock purchased by the blood of His own (JND) and now that responsibility was passed to the overseers (elders) in the Ephesian assembly.
In this we receive another vital moral principle. Those who desire oversight are to feed the flock. But ruling over the flock will be ineffective if the shepherds are not first feeding and strengthening the sheep of Christ.
29-30. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
Two enemies would confront them after the apostles were gone. (1) Open violence and conflict from the outside and (2) subtle, hidden evil from within. It is the same today. Meeting such enemies requires faith, courage, being steadfast, and unmovable.
31. “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”
What consistency and love shined in the beloved Apostle’s life. May we spend every moment seeking to defend, support and, above all, live our Christianity.
32. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
As we seek grace to walk faithfully in these dark days, let’s remember every resource we have and need is found in God and in the word of His grace.
33-34. “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”
Paul’s reason for preaching was single-minded love and devotedness to Christ. What is ours?
35. “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Paul’s actions, as much as his words, taught the precious truths of the Lord Jesus. May we show the gospel before we speak it.
Ed.