Paul's Exhortation to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:17-38

Text: Ac. 20:17-38.
Paul apparently worked for a longer time in Ephesus (three years) than any other place on his three missionary journeys - Ac. 20:31.
We cannot miss the poignancy of his last visit with the elders at Ephesus -- the occasion must have been bittersweet.
What would we have said if we had been Paul?
What Paul did say gives all of us much to consider in regard to the Lord's work:
1. Not only elders, but the rest of us.
2. Not only elders already serving, but those just beginning.
At least four points stand out:

Paul urged the elders from Ephesus to "take heed" (v.28).
1. "To yourselves."
2. "And to all the flock."
Paul gave similar advice to Timothy - 1 Tim. 4:16.
It is a serious thing to live as people accountable to God - 2 Cor. 5:10. Cf. Hb. 12:28,29.
"Take heed" and "be careful" are good words of advice - 1 Cor. 10:12; Eph. 5:15-17.
All of us need the reminder Paul sent to Archippus: "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it" (Col. 4:17).

Paul spoke to the elders from Ephesus about the flock "among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers"
(v.28).
As overseers, elders endeavor to "shepherd" (v.28) the church.
1. As shepherds, elders do their work under the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Pt. 5:2-4).
2. That which they are to "feed" the flock is the truth of God. Cf. Jer. 3:15.
The church which they were to shepherd was not their own, but rather "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (v.28).
The eldership is a stewardship - 1 Pt. 5:3.
What carefulness must elders exercise in shepherding those whom God has bought with the blood of His
own Son!

Paul said to the elders from Ephesus, "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (v.29). Cf. vv.30-32.
1. Paul's advice was: "Therefore watch" (v.31).
2. The matter was so serious Paul said he had not ceased "to warn everyone night and day with tears" (v.31).
The dangers facing the Lord's church are quite real. Cf. Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Pt. 1:13.
1. Each of us need to be more careful than we sometimes are to guard what has been entrusted to us.
  Cf. 1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:13.
2. Elders, especially, are to watch for spiritual dangers to the flock and to be ready to deal with them
  - Tit. 1:9-11.
3. Good shepherds have the courage to interpose themselves between the flock and predators that endanger it. Cf. Jn. 10:11-15.
Elders need to be realistic, wise, and vigilant men whose eyes are wide open to what is going on in the world
around them.

Paul said to the elders from Ephesus that he had tried to show them "that you must support the weak" (v.35). Cf. vv. 33-35.
1. Elders must serve as examples to their brethren. Of the things that must be exemplified, there is no more fundamental principle in the law of Christ than the principle that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (v.35).
2. It is in mutual burden bearing that we fulfill the law of Christ - Gal. 6:2.
3. A severe accounting awaits shepherds who have neglected the weak - Ezek. 34:4.
4. No one needs elders more than the weak and no work comes closer to the essence of shepherding than tending to the weak - 1 Thess. 5:12-14; Jas. 5:13-16.
Ultimately, this is the source from whence the elder's joy flows: the blessedness of giving (rather than getting), of serving (rather than being served), of making a contribution. Cf. Jn. 13:17.

Jesus is "the Shepherd and Overseer" of our souls - 1 Pt. 2:25. Cf. Mt. 2:6.
Elders serve well when they follow the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Pt. 5:4).
When elders faithfully "shepherd the flock of God which is among you" (1 Pt. 5:2), they have this promise: "when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away"
(1 Pt. 5:4).