Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-38
The account of Paul's exhortation to the elders of the church at Ephesus is one of the more moving stories in the Bible. It contains not only the evidence of Paul's love for his Ephesian brothers, but an insight into the ministry of the apostle. What we have here is a detailed description of what Paul did in serving Christ as well as the manner in which he accomplished his ministry.
Two activities of ministry are presented in this passage … instruction and admonition. There is a central focus on teaching the Word of God (Acts 20:20,27,32), as Paul declares, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."
Second, Paul admonished the people in the church in Ephesus (20:31). This word involves counseling, encouraging, warning, advising.
The manner in which Paul carried out the responsibilities of his office is highly instructive to us. He discharged the duties of his office with humility (20:19), tears (20:19,31), courage (20:19,20,27), diligence (20:31,34,35), self-sacrifice (20:22-24, 33-35), and seriousness (20:24).
This passage is not simply a model for pastoral leadership … it is a model for every form of service in Christ's kingdom, both inside and outside the church … in all our activities, as people who have taken the name of Christ.
