BE SHEPHERDS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD 

Acts 20:1-38 

Key Verse: 20:28 

“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.” 

   In the last passage we learned that apostle Paul pioneered the Ephesian church. God blessed his daily Bible studies and the entire province of Asia heard the word of God. Today's passage covers the rest part of his third missionary journey. May the Lord help us to learn his vision, faith, and beautiful shepherd's life in Jesus. 

Part 1. WORLD MISSION VISION(1-6) 

     Look at verse 1. “When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-bye and set out for Macedonia.” After experiencing the great victory in Ephesus, Paul was burning with a vision to go to Rome and evangelize the whole world through Rome. Chap. 19:21 reads, “After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, 'After I have been there,' he said, 'I must go to Rome also.”' So he was heading for Macedonia again. The world situation was not favorable to the gospel with increasing persecutions from the Roman Empire and still economically depressed due to a famine during the reign of Claudius. But he did not shrink back. Rather he believed that now was the high time for great harvest. He also believed the power of the gospel, saying “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Though he acted locally pioneering the Ephesus, he was thinking globally planning to visit Rome. His coming to Rome had considerable significance because the gospel of Jesus would be carried to the ends of the earth. Here we learn that we need world mission mind and strategy. It does not happen over night. It requires a road map to accomplish. It reminds me of Alexander the great. In 359B.C., his father Philip rose to power in Macedonia. He prepared his teen son, Alexander for the task of ruling by sharing his secret vision with him. When he became a king at twenty, he carried out his father's plan to rule the world through conquering Persia. Before invading Persia's heartland, wisely he won the battles at the Granicus and Issus of Asia minor. So he secured his position and he further conquered Persia and the remained world within 10 years. Similarly apostle Paul's world mission strategy led by the Holy Spirit was to focus on the city such as Corinth and Ephesus and go to Rome to raise up shepherds to fulfill heavenly Father's desire to evangelize all nations with the gospel. Then the Holy Spirit opened the actual door to enter the Rome in four years and pioneer the imperial city of Rome in his remained 10 year life time. In 250 years the Lord opened the heart of a Roman emperor Constantine to make Christianity to be the official Roman religion. Likewise in 1985 the founder of this ministry Msn. Samuel C Lee gave us a prayer topic in 10 years to have an international Bible conference in Moscow. At that time the door of the iron curtain of Russia was closed. But God heard our prayers and expedited to open the door to Russia. In 1991 we could have the first Moscow summer Bible conference. Likewise when one person have God's vision, the history is changed because the Lord God rules. What shall we do in 10 years? May the Lord open our eyes to see God's great vision.  

   Look at verses 2&3a. “He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months.” Those three months were important. That time he wrote the book of Romans. In the book, we can see that God nurtured his vision further. Romans 15:24 reads, “I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.” Here he confidently shared his vision to see the Roman church as a base of operations for a world mission to reach the end of the earth. 

   Look at verse 4. “He 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.” Seven local leaders accompanied Paul’s mission journey. They were representative of the places he had pioneered. Though the churches were very young, they were willing to send out their leaders as missionaries. Here we learned that Paul focused on raising up leaders whenever he went to the new place. Also by bringing to Jerusalem Gentile Christian leaders and an offering from their churches, Paul wanted to make a solid the Jewish-Gentile unity through helping the poor in Judea. Here we can see Paul’s spiritual growth. Once he was a proud young man, trying to destroy the church of God. He was only concerned about making his own name great. But after meeting the Risen Christ he became a light for the Gentiles and a fruitful missionary for the glory of God. It was a great blessing for him to lead an international team to Jerusalem to share God’s vision! Also meaningfully since the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in Jerusalem in chap. 2, it had been just 30 years for them to see the actual fruit on the same Pentecost day in and through them.  

PART2. PREACHING WITH RESURRECTION FAITH(8-12) 

    Paul and his team came to Troas. This is the place where Paul had first seen God’s vision of the man of Macedonia (Ac 16:9). He must have reminded of how the Holy Spirit was leading him so far. He must have renewed his decision to obey Him. Although he had spent almost a week, the final evening he had to speak all night. The lamps in the third floor were flickering as Paul was preaching till midnight. Paul seemed to finish his message by saying, “Therefore, brothers, stand firm!” But he continued. He changed the topic and his message went on and on without an ending point until the midnight. Paul could have dismissed the meeting by saying, “I need rest for tomorrow’s journey. Good night.” But he was eager to share everything he knew. They gathered in the early evening. Paul’s message lasted around five hours. Our message lasts only about half an hour. Of course, this was a special occasion, because Paul was leaving the next day. Still, we must admit that the early Christians loved the word of God very much.  

   A young man named Eutychus came to the meeting. Maybe he was a teenager. We don’t know why he seated in a window. Maybe he needed a fresh air or there was no room. As the message was on and on without reaching a conclusion, he began to dose off. “Maybe he played too much basketball.” His eyes became heavy and finally he fell into a deep sleep. He lost the balance and fell to the ground and died. If we see someone dose off during our worship service, what should we do? We have to wake them up. Now there was a yelling and screaming. How did Paul react? He did not panic but was calm. Look at verse 10. “Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”' By Paul’s resurrection faith, Eutychus was raised from the dead. How could Paul have such faith and power to raise the dead? It's because Paul himself lived by the power of the resurrection every day. He practiced the resurrection power. He died every day in his natural self and rose with Christ every day. He was taken home and they were greatly comforted. Paul took a short break and ate bread. Still the congregation were not dismissed. They stayed to listen till daybreak. Yet they were greatly strengthened by the word of God. When we listen to God’s word with reverence and worship God with all our hearts, he gives us great joy and true victory over life and even death. 

PART 3. BE SHEPHERDS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD(13-38) 

     Look at verse 16a, “Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,” Paul was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. This time Paul intentionally avoided Ephesus on his way to Rome to obey the direction of the Holy Spirit after delivering the offering for Jerusalem Christians on time. If he stopped by Ephesus, he might be stuck with his dear sheep. He denied himself and put God’s plan over his plan or human attachment. So he landed at Miletus, about thirty miles to the south, and sent for the Ephesian elders. In verses 18-35 he delivered his farewell message to them. Here he spoke like a loving father. He used to be a very sharp man showing a lot of knowledge. He was a man of passion. But this message shows us his great compassion after our Lord Jesus Christ. In part 1, I mentioned Alexander to be a man of strategy. But I learned that he did not conquer the world by force merely, but by practicing love for his subjects. Always he lead his troops from the front, never demanding anything that he was not willing to do first. As a result there were many volunteers to join him. He even risked himself to rescue of a fellow soldier no matter what his rank. Here my point is that ancient or now the value of a sacrificial love never changed. God's love never fails. Jesus' life giving sacrifice wins souls. Paul showed us here about how he practiced such life giving missionary life in six ways. 

   First, great humility. Look at v.18b, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.” Apostle Paul chose to have common life with them from the beginning despite cultural difference. In this way he had positively built up intimate fellowship with them. Look at v.19. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.” His ministry was characterized by great humility and even by tears and trials. In chap. 15, he didn't bring John Mark for his mission journey because of his weak faith. It showed that he was strict without compassionate heart. But he changed a lot in several years. In verse 31b, Paul mentioned that he served them for three years night and day with tears. For example when a growing shepherd candidate left, he shed many tears and appealed him to come back. While serving the Ephesians, he fixed his eyes on Jesus who's the very nature of God made himself nothing, becoming a servant and obedient to death-even death on the cross. In fact, he was serving the Lord. In the past he used to serve himself and his own ambition. His name was Saul after the first proud king of the Israelite. But the more he meditated the grace of Jesus, the more he changed from a man of cold heart to a man of love and a truly humble servant. Also he was tested severely by his own people who followed him to destroy his ministry. Here “tested” indicates that he's tempted to leave for better mission field, thinking that it's God's sign for other places. But he continued to stay and serve them with great humility and tears. 

   Second, Paul's message. Look at v. 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.” Paul's preaching was not vague because he knew them personally. Not only did he preach at the podium, but he was willing to visit them from house to house to strengthen each family. Look at v. 21. “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Paul was a great intellectual. But his message was simple and had clear focus. Both Jews and Greeks are sinners before God for they are disconnected from God. They must turn to God in repentance and have faith in Him. He firmly believed that only turning to God in repentance and having faith in Jesus restore our broken relationship with God. Look at verses 26&27, “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.” Here Paul identified himself to be a watchman for God's truth(Eze. 33:7). He had been faithful to proclaim the whole will of God to his Bible students. So he was truly free and innocent before God and now's their turn to bring the same gospel message to next generation. 

    Third, Paul’s attitude about his mission. Look at verses 22-23. “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.” First Paul mentioned “Compelled by the Spirit.” It seemed to be against his will. But he was willing to deny himself and obey the direction of the Holy Spirit. It reminds me of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem to be crucified. Paul’s life was in danger because he was obedient to Jesus’ world mission command to the end. He expected nothing but trouble and persecution. Look at verse 24. “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.” Paul was more concerned about the faithful completion of his race than for his own safety. He was consumed with a passion to proclaim the grace of God. Nothing was a greater goal than completing the task Jesus gave him to do. Without God’s mission, he had no meaning. Paul’s single passion was to finish the race. It was even more important than achieving his successful ministry itself. If he could complete his mission, he would be truly happy. In this way he could confess later “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”(2Tim 4:7) Was he born differently than us? No! It was because he knew its value and treasured it in his heart. He can't deny the fact that without God's grace, he was supposed to be the worst enemy of God for he murdered Stephen. But Jesus graciously appeared to him and forgave his sins and called him for God's glorious task. So he was very thankful for such God's grace and valued it than anything else including his own life. So he was ready to pour out his life like a drink offering. 

   Fourth, Paul's final charge. Look at v. 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.” Here there are two commands; “Keep watch” and “Be shepherds.” There are three entities shown in this key verse; The Father God, his son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Our loving eternal Father in heaven so loved us that he sacrificed his one and only son Jesus on the cross to purchase his flocks. Ephesian elders were first born thanks to such God's love. The Holy Spirit enlightened them to know God's love. Also there are two job titles here; overseers and shepherds. Overseer is a person who looks over what others, young believers are doing. But a shepherd is much more  committed title because of its very nature. The duty of a shepherd in an open country like Palestine were very burdensome. In early morning he led the sheep from the fold, marching at its head to the green pastures. He watched them all day long, making sure that none of them went astray. In case a sheep disappeared, he sought diligently till he found and brought it back. Also sheep required to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them to a running stream. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed through the door to assure himself that none were missing. But his labors didn't finish the sunset. Often times he had to guard the sheep pen through the dark and chill hours from the attack of wild beasts or thief. Likewise being shepherds of God’s flocks is a burdensome duty but is a great privilege because it's to take care of God's precious children. But the real question is, “How can we become good shepherds?” First a shepherd must keep watch over himself through daily repentance. Also a shepherd must keep watch over all the flock. A shepherd must remember that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers and shepherds. So he must first humble himself and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They were also bought and acquired by Jesus' precious blood. Apostle Paul knew this well and repeated the word “grace” throughout the passage. He served them just as he served the Lord. “Be shepherds of the church of God” There is one Chief Shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”(Jn 10:11). Just as Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin and death, a good shepherd is the one who follows His example. Look at verses 29 and 30. True picture of the shepherd will be revealed when the wolves come. True shepherd is ready to risk his own life to protect his flocks.   

   Fifth, Paul's faith in God. Look at v. 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.” Already Paul had encouraged the Ephesian elders to be good shepherds. But ultimately Paul trusted in God and committed the church into God’s own hand. He knew that God had been working in Ephesus by the word of his grace. The word planted in them would grow and produce fruit by the sovereign hand of God. Though hardships and trials would be waiting from all directions he believed that God would work mightily in all things to build them up. God would use suffering to sanctify them until they all become holy saints and receive the kingdom of God as their inheritance. 

    Sixth, Paul's hard work and giving spirit. Verses 33 to 35 show that Paul was a self-supporting lay shepherd. Paul worked hard to supply his own needs as well as the needs of his companions. In this way he himself practiced a giving life in his daily lives. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” “You give them something to eat.” It's easy to receive God’s blessing but it's hard to give our life. But the truth is “the more we give, the more blessed we're.” 

Through this passage I learned what was truly meant to be a shepherd. It is not a lip service, but a matter of commitment. Often times I focused on the mere number of disciples. When I was a business oriented man, I ended up calculating the profit and loss. But the problem was my shallow attitude. I was not able to give my heart fully. For a while I tried to help my Bible students. But when they did not appreciate as much as I'd expected, I quickly lost my desire to serve them. As a result, I repeated the same cycle. But through this passage I learned what the apostle Paul had done as a shepherd. He pioneered many churches such as Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus. But whenever he left, there were so many problems. At this passage I learn that he became a loving father after Jesus' love. When I became a father of teenager sons, I faced with so many problems. But I can't say that I am not a father for them any longer. I must serve them to the end and of course, if necessary with tears and much prayers. Likewise God wanted me to do the same thing with my Bible students.  Lately the Lord gave me a desire to give my whole heart and life to love them fully because Jesus shed his precious blood for each of them and blessed me to be a shepherd. May the Lord help me to grow as a true shepherd like Jesus and Paul who poured out himself as a drink offering.  

  In conclusion through this passage we learned that apostle Paul obeyed the Holy Spirit humbly to finish his race. Most importantly he followed our chief shepherd, Jesus Christ and was molded into a graceful shepherd at the Ephesian church. Let us pray that we all become like him to be filled with vision, faith and be good shepherds for God’s flocks to serve our Lord and his desire: world mission command. 

One word: Be shepherds! 

---