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MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 20:13–38

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move, and we learned earlier that the book of Acts can be divided into four movements.

    1–8 > From Jerusalem to Samaria
    9–15 > From the Jews to the Gentiles
    16–20 > From Asia to Europe
    21–28 > To the ends of the Earth

Chapters 1–8 track the movement of the church from Jerusalem to Samaria. Chapters 9–15 track the movement of the church from the Jews to the Gentiles. Chapters 16–20 track the movement of the church from Asia to Europe. And chapters 21–28 track the movement of the church as it makes its way to the ends of the earth.

Today we close out both Paul’s third missionary journey as well as this third section in the book of Acts. At the beginning of this section the church was mostly confined to Palestine, Syria, and the Galatian cities that Paul and Barnabas had visited on Paul’s first missionary journey. Now as we come to the end of this section, the church has moved from Asia to Europe and churches have been planted all across Europe, especially the areas of Macedonia and Greece. It is from Europe that the gospel will now go to the ends of the earth.

In today’s passage Paul gives his farewell address to the elders of Ephesus before returning to Jerusalem. This is the only speech directed to Christians recorded in the book of Acts. (Read Acts 20:25–27 and pray.)

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Sadly, goodbyes are a part of life in this world. Everything has a season. People move; people die; we lose contact with each other. This world in its present form is passing away, and we are a part of this present world.

In today’s passage we have a record of Paul’s last words to the elders of Ephesus. It is a good word, and it teaches us some important lessons on how to leave well and how to say our goodbyes to each other well.

I. From Troas to Miletus (13–16)

Paul is now ready to head back to Jerusalem. The plan is to sail first to Miletus near Ephesus and then charter a ship for the longer voyage back to Jerusalem. Look at verses 13–16 now as we get started:

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. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The 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. Paul 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. (Acts 20:13–16)

We get some more travelogue here as Luke traces Paul’s journey from Troas to Miletus. They make four stops along the way—at Assos, Mitylene, Kios (the birthplace of the poet Homer), and then the island of Samos (the birthplace of the mathematician Pythagoras). These were all port cities, so they would have put into port each night and then traveled by day.

Notice Paul walked the first leg of the journey alone from Troas to Assos, while the others sailed around the coast to meet him there. This was about a 20-mile walk, so a day’s journey. Perhaps he just needed some down time or wanted to use this time for prayer and reflection. Perhaps he was getting himself ready for the trip to Jerusalem where the Holy Spirit already told him suffering awaited him.

They actually sailed past Ephesus and continued south to Miletus. Paul was in a hurry as he wanted to reach Jerusalem before Pentecost. There was not enough time for a visit, but he still took the time to send for the elders at Ephesus for a final goodbye.

II. Paul’s farewell speech (17–35)

This brings us to Paul’s farewell speech. From Miletus, Paul sends for the elders from Ephesus. Ephesus was about 40–50 miles north of Miletus, so it probably took several days for the messengers to get there and another several days for the elders to travel back. Paul had spent three years with these believers in Ephesus, and he wanted to say goodbye before sailing back to Jerusalem. So let’s look at his speech now together.

   A. Past ministry in Ephesus (17–21)

First he reminds them of his past ministry in Ephesus. Look at verses 17–21:

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 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. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 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. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:17–21)

Paul begins his farewell address by reminding them how he lived among them. He appeals to their eyewitness testimony of his ministry in Ephesus.

This part of Paul’s address provides us with a wonderful summary of Paul’s ministry and sets the pattern for ministry in the church today. Paul served the Lord with humility and tears. He was passionate about the people and his ministry there. He did all this while facing persecution, but that didn’t stop him. He persevered. He did not hesitate to preach anything that would benefit them spiritually. He taught both publicly and from house to house. He preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.

   B. Future sufferings in Jerusalem (22–27)

Next he tells them about his future sufferings in Jerusalem. Look at verses 22–27:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 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.

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:22–27)

Notice how Paul changes from saying “you know” to “I know.” As John Stott writes: “He turns from the past which they knew to the future which the Holy Spirit was teaching him and which he now shared with them.”

Paul shares with them about his upcoming trip to Jerusalem. He clearly felt a strong leading of the Spirit to depart at this time. He tells them he is compelled by the Spirit to go, so he is acting in obedience. He doesn’t know exactly what will happen there, but the Holy Spirit has already warned him that prison and hardship are coming.

This reminds us of the time Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, a time of testing and trial. The Holy Spirit doesn’t always lead us into pleasant situations. Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us into hardship, and we need to be ready to follow. For Paul, obedience to God was more important than life. All he asked was that he might finish the race and complete the task given him by Jesus, the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Paul also tells them that they will never see him again. Of course, he was talking about here on earth. They would certainly see him again in heaven. This was likely another revelation given to him by the Holy Spirit. He tells them he is innocent of all blood. This is similar language to the prophet Ezekiel who served as a watchman over Israel (Ezek. 18; 33).

Why is Paul innocent? Because he has proclaimed to them the whole will of God. Pastors do not get to pick and choose which parts of God’s word to proclaim. We don’t get to just preach the easy parts or the parts everyone wants to hear. You have to preach the unpopular parts as well. This is one of the reasons why I like to preach through whole books of the Bible. I don’t get to skip over any sections that way.

   C. Present exhortations to the elders of Ephesus (28–35)

Paul has spoken of the past and the future. Now he turns to the present as he exhorts the elders of Ephesus. Paul has fulfilled his own responsibilities, so now he exhorts the elders concerning theirs. Ever the preacher, Paul tells them four things: 1) Keep watch over yourselves. 2) Keep watch over the flock. 3) Rely on God’s grace. 4) Serve unselfishly.

      1) Keep watch over yourselves (28)

First he tells them:

“Keep watch over yourselves …” (Acts 20:28)

That’s a good word for everybody, but especially for pastors. Pastors must guard their personal walk with the Lord first so they will be capable of watching over those in the church. As James writes: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). Pastor must be careful to preach the truth as well as live out the truths they teach so they will not be liable to the charge of hypocrisy.

      2) Keep watch over the flock (28–31)

Next, he tells them to keep watch over the flock. Look at 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.” (Acts 20:28–31)

A pastor is a shepherd, and shepherds guard the flock against those who would cause them harm, even at great personal cost. Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep, and Paul tells us God bought the church with his own blood.

This is a powerful statement not only of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, but also of his deity. God the Father did not shed his blood; God the Holy Spirit did not shed his blood; only Jesus, the Son of God, shed his blood. Jesus Christ, in his humanity, shed his blood for the sake of the church. And yet Paul can say God bought the church with his own blood. Jesus truly is the Son of God.

Paul warns the elders about those who will attack the flock both from within and from without. One of the pastor’s main responsibilities is to teach the truth of God’s word while also guarding against false teaching. Paul never let up his guard during the three years he was at Ephesus, and now he tells the elders of Ephesus not to let up their guard either.

You only need to read Paul’s letters to Timothy in Ephesus and Jesus’ letter to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:1–7) to see how necessary Paul’s warning here was. Paul knew that false teachers were coming, and he warned them in advance.

      3) Rely on God’s grace (32)

Thirdly, he tells them to rely on God’s grace. Look at verse 32 next:

“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.” (Acts 20:32)

Only God’s grace can build us up and bring to completion the work he has begun in us. We are saved by grace, we are sanctified by grace, and one day we will be glorified by grace. It is all of God’s grace.

      4) Serve unselfishly (33–35)

Finally he tells them to serve unselfishly. Look at verses 33–35:

“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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 20:33–35)

Paul exhorts them by way of example here. Paul shares how he did not covet anyone’s money. He did not take advantage of anyone. This is similar to what Samuel in the Old Testament said in his own farewell address to the nation of Israel:

“Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right.”

“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” (1 Sam. 12:3–4)

Paul continues. He tells them how he worked hard to provide for his own needs and those of his companions. He did this as an example for them so that they would also help the weak. He then gives us a saying of Jesus that is preserved only here in Scripture: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Notice the red letters if you have a red-letter edition of the Bible.) Once again, Paul does not ask the elders to do anything that he was not willing to do first himself.

III. Final goodbyes (36–38)

After exhorting the elders, Paul says his final goodbyes. Look at verses 36–38:

When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 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)

This is a touching scene showing how much Paul loved these men and how deeply they loved him in return. They knelt down together and prayed. It is always appropriate to pray with other believers upon leaving.

They wept, embraced, and kissed. Once again this shows the deep love and affection the pastors at Ephesus had for Paul. The part that hits them the hardest is Paul’s statement that they would never see him again. Then they accompany him to the ship where Paul takes his final leave.

CONCLUSION: This concludes Paul’s third missionary journey and this third section of the book of Acts. So what lessons can we learn for ourselves from this passage?

1) A word for pastors

First, a word for pastors. Watch yourself and your flock; preach the whole counsel of God. Richard Baxter was a pastor who served in England in the 1600s. One of his most famous works was his book The Reformed Pastor. Baxter organized the entire book around these verses in Acts 20, especially the command for pastors to watch over themselves and their flock.

2) A word for churches

Secondly, a word for churches. Call your pastors carefully and prayerfully. Your pastors have the responsibility to guard against false doctrine while teaching the congregation the whole counsel of God. Those who teach the word of God will be judged more strictly. So churches, call your pastors carefully and prayerfully.

3) A word for all believers

Finally, a word for all believers. Love each other deeply in the Lord. Paul loved the church of Ephesus and sacrificed greatly for them. They responded with great love for him. It should cause us sorrow when believers depart, but always remember, we will see each other again in heaven.

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As we said at the beginning of the message, goodbyes are a part of life in this world. Some goodbyes are temporary. Others are more permanent. Sometimes you don’t know a goodbye will be permanent until after the fact.

Therefore we should take our goodbyes seriously and always choose to leave people well. Whether you’re saying goodbye in the morning and expect to see the person later in the day, whether you’re saying goodnight and expect to see them again in the morning, or whether you’re saying goodbye for a longer season — choose to leave people well.

Don’t let your last words be angry words. Tell people that you love them often. If there is discord, be reconciled. If someone has offended you, forgive them. If you have offended someone else, ask for their forgiveness.

Fulfill your obligations to people. Your most important obligation? Make sure you have told them about the grace and forgiveness God offers them through Jesus. In that way, you will be innocent of the blood of all men and women. Make sure you leave with a clear conscience.

So shore up those relationships. Shed some tears. Leave well and leave people better than you found them. Last words should be chosen carefully. When you say farewell, you are telling people to “fare well”—to live a life filled with God’s grace and blessing as they continue their journey through this world. May we always seek to bless and be a blessing when it comes time to say our goodbyes.
 

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Note: Red letters outside the gospels

Some Bible versions print the words of Jesus in red. Of course, most of those instances are found in the gospels. However, there are a few instances of Jesus’ words recorded outside the gospels.

In the book of Acts you will find words of Jesus recorded in chapters 1, 9, 22, and 26, as well as this brief saying recalled by Paul in Acts 20:35 (“It is more blessed to give than to receive”). Other than that, the only recorded words of Jesus outside the gospels are found in 1 Corinthians 11:24–25 and Revelation 1–3, 16, 21–22.

Some publishers choose only to print words in red that Jesus spoke while physically here on earth. In those editions, there are no red letters outside the gospels.

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© Ray Fowler

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By Ray Fowler. © Ray Fowler. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org

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