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.”

This passage is the last portion of Paul’s third missionary journey. In this period he wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans. From verse 7 through 38, Paul is moving fast as much as he can. But in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he shares the heart moving message as a shepherd of the church of God. 

1. Read 20:1-6. Why did he head for Macedonia (19:21; 20:1)? Describe the journey through Macedonia and Greece. How long did he stay in Greece (3)? How many accompanied them (4)?

*After the great success in the city of Esphesus(19:21), he decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia(Corinth: the most successful mission land during his Second missionary journey). “After I have been there, I must visit Rome also.” 

*He had already succeed his mission work during his first, second, and third missionary journey. He should have relaxed and think of his retirement or sabbatical year. But he determined to go to Rome. 

He wanted to pioneer the world with the power of gospel because he had experienced something in Ephesus(three years of disciple making ministry). His motive is not self centered, but God centered and world mission minded. He saw through the real secret through discipleship ministry in a very challenging cities such as Ephesus. 1Corinthians 16:9, “Because a great door for effective work has opened to me...” Nothing is impossible with God even to pioneer the Rome, imperial city of his own generation! 

*According to time line, he died at AD 67 under the persecution of a emperor, Nero. But he saw the great opportunity in his times to spread the gospel. Interestingly Apostle Peter died around AD 67. But what he had done after early part of this book was scarce or ambiguous. Even Apostle Paul pointed out(1Corinthians 9:5) that he was truly free man of mission whose heart was burnt with vision to pioneer the whole world in and through Rome. 

*Think Globally (world mission minded) and act locally (fully pioneered each campus)! 

*Therefore he was heading for Macedonia and Greece, not because of uproar in Ephesus but because of his clear vision and the very will of God. 

*He stayed three months in Greece, most likely Corinth. Most likely he ended up writing the book of Romans, in which we can figure out what was in him. He did not enjoy the fruit of his labor. He was restless as long as there were fresh new fields to conquer for the Gospel. His plan was to visit Spain. He mentions this decision in the letter to the Romans. Romans 15:24 says, “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.” Of course, his plan to pioneer Spain did not work out because he was martyred in Rome.  But the direction for a decade at least is of paramount!

*Likewise we must have a clear prayer topic and plan in our hearts, at least we must see great open door for the world mission in 10 years. We are living in the great metropolitan, international city, Los Angeles. May the Lord help us to pioneer local campuses one by one with world mission mind like him whose heart was globally oriented. 

*Verse 2 “he traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people,...” Apostle Paul usually reasoned with Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue in the beginning when they were new believers. But now once they were established, he kept encouraging them to reinforce them as disciples who can be qualified and reliable to teach others. 

*Verse 4 “Accompanied by” seven junior or intern shepherds appeared and became companions of Paul. It reminds me of what Jesus was accompanied by three, twelve, and 72 with the world mission mind. Especially Timothy was helpful to him during second and third mission journey. Paul was never sole proprietor type business for the kingdom of God. Although the pioneered churches in the Gentile was young, he encouraged them to give their best for the work of God especially world mission as precious coworkers. He was praying to mobilize and maximize the potential leadership material at the right place. For example, in Acts 17:1-9, apostle Paul had to spend three weeks (three sabbath days) only in Thessalonica. But there was a great work of God in such a short time. He had sent him there and supported them. He came back to him at Corinth (Acts 18:5) and Apostle was able to preaching exclusively and wrote the letter to Thessalonian believers. In this way he served very effectively through co-working with growing leaders. Co-working systemically is very important to effectively and efficiently serve the work of God. So Paul knew how to mobile the leadership materials to right place right time!

2. Read 20:7-12. What happened in Troas? What can we learn from this event about the early church in Troas? About Paul?

*Paul and his team came to Troas. This is where Paul had first seen God’s vision of the man of Macedonia (Ac 16:9). Although Paul had already been in Troas for a whole week, this final evening evidently meant much to him. He had much to say because this would be his last message. If they started after dinner, it means Paul’s gospel message lasted at least five hours. 

*The place where they were meeting was an upstairs room. A young man named Eutychus came to the meeting and sat at the window on the third story. His eyes became heavy. Finally he fell into a deep sleep.  He fell to the ground. Paul’s companion, medical doctor Luke made a diagnosis as dead! V 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. Here miracle is not the point. Rather it was because Paul lived by the power of the resurrection every day. “I die everyday” (1Cor 15:31a). He practiced the resurrection power. 

*V11. “Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.” The people of Troas stayed to listen till daybreak. They loved to hear the word of life. 

3. Read 20:13-16. Trace on a map about his journey to Miletus. What decision did he make (16)?  Read 20:17-21. Who did he meet though he was in a hurry? How did he describe his life in Ephesus? 

*So far Paul spent already five days for the trip from Macedonia (Neopolis) to Troas, seven days at Troas, and four days from Troas to Miletus (Assos-Mitylene-Kios-Samos-Miletus). He is aiming at reaching at the city of Jerusalem until Pentecost (16). Passover and Unleavened Bread (7 days, verse6) and Pentecost (50days from the Passover). Already 16 days had passed by. So He was in a hurry to arrive at Jerusalem. 

*Verse 16 “Paul decided to sale 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.” 

*Ephesus was the city where apostle Paul had spent most of his time (three years, Verse 31) and effort.

At least he should drop by there and encourage the believers. But he intentionally avoid spending time with them. Ephesus was the main center for Asia (East territory). Outwardly he is a coward to avoid the persecution (19:23-41) because he had already gone through riot in Ephesus. But the real motive and reason was his clear direction to please the Holy Spirit who was the owner of world mission. He might have personal desire to have fellowship in such a important Jewish holiday season and stayed there longer. But he had in mind what the Holy Spirit wants. 

*Once again he put God’s plan over his human attachments to his flocks. So he landed at Miletus, about thirty miles to the south, and sent for the Ephesian elders. 

*Paul recalled his past ministry in Ephesus vividly in verses 18-21. 

V18 “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you...” Paul followed the Jesus' example. When Jesus called his disciples (Mark 3:13, 14), first of all he was with them through common life. Paul focused on intimate shepherd and sheep relationship. 

V19. “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.” His ministry among them was marked by humility and even by tears and trials, but it was centered on the Lord. While serving the Ephesians, Jesus was in his heart all the time and he was able to overcome all kinds of humiliation and misunderstanding and false accusations. Paul always fixed his eyes on Jesus. In fact, he was serving Jesus. In serving God’s work, humility is the number one quality. 

V20a “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you” He was a bold Bible teacher to speak up the truth of God without filtering. 

V20b “but have taught you publicly and from house to house. He did not only teach them publicly but also visit their house and build up love fellowship with them. 

V21. “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.

4. Read 20:22-24. Why was he so determined to go to Jerusalem (Rm 15:25-27)? What was his attitude toward the race (the task)?   

*According to Romans 15:25-27, he wanted to unite Gentile (Greek believers) with Jerusalem  (Jewish believers) by bringing offerings to help them out at the time of famine (Acts 11:28). 

*Vs 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.” Paul’s journey to Jerusalem reminds us of Jesus’ journey to die on the cross for the sin of the world. Paul’s life was in real danger because he was obedient to Jesus’ world mission command. He expects nothing but imprisonment and afflictions. 

*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’s concern is more for the faithful completion of his ministry than for his own safety. He was consumed with a passion to proclaim the grace of God. He could have had no greater goal than completing the task Jesus gave him to do. Without God’s mission, Paul’s life had no meaning. Paul’s single passion was to finish the race God had marked out for him. His last word was “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) 

5. Read 20:25-32. Why is he “innocent of the blood of all men” (26, 27; Eze 33:7-9)? What was the solemn warning and charge to the elders (28)? Think of his confidence in committing them to God and the word of his grace (32)?

*He sensed that he would not come back to them any longer (verse 25, 38). “declared to you” (verse 26). These remarks are like the very serious last will of apostle Paul. 

*Verse 26 “There I declared to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.” Based on  Ezekiel 33:7-9, he identified him as a watchman of God. V 27, “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” He have taught them with the whole will of God. He did not preach God's grace at the expanse of His holiness (justice). He was a faithful watchman before the living God. 

*V28 First of all he encouraged the elders to watch over themselves. Without examining themselves before the word of God and pray, it was easy for them to fall into statistics. The Holy Spirit made them overseers. It was not institutional designation. Rather through personal Bible studies more than three years. When they repented their sins(justified) and sanctified through disciple training, they became elders through the Holy Spirit. So now is their turn to be a shepherd for the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. All they have to do is to follow the very example of Jesus and Paul, their Bible teacher. True shepherd and their true color will appear when the wolves come (29, 30). 

*Verse 32 shows Paul’s faith in God. “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.” Just before, Paul had strongly encouraged the Ephesian elders to be good shepherds for the church of God. Paul charged them with the trust. But ultimately, Paul trusted in God and committed the church into God’s hand. He knew that God had been working in Ephesus by the word of his grace. The word of God planted in their hearts would grow and produce fruit by the sovereign hand of God. Despite hardships and trials, Paul believed God would work mightily in all things to build up his people through his word of grace.  

6. Read 20:33-37. What was his own example in terms of giving? Describe their parting scene.

*Paul was a self-supporting lay shepherd. Paul worked hard to supply his own needs and the needs of his companions. A shepherd must work hard. A shepherd must practice a giving life. This may sound burdensome, but it is the way of true blessing. After his farewell address, Paul knelt down with the Ephesian elders and prayed. He depended on God in prayer. 

*“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.” The end!

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