In this closing portion of Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian Elders, he instructs them to live for eternity by pursuing the word of God, a sanctified life, and faithful stewardship.
Paul Instructs The Elders To Live For Eternity
Acts 20:32-38
Years ago, a missionary who had selflessly labored in Africa for 40 years got sick, and had to come home to the United States, and he just happened to be traveling on the same ship that brought President Teddy Roosevelt home from one of his hunting safaris. When the ship docked at the harbor there was a great throng there to receive the President. Dozens of reporters were there popping photos, and dignitaries and government officials were present to welcome the President home. At the same time, the faithful missionary who had spent his entire life laboring in Africa, had absolutely no one to greet him. Indulging in a little self-pity, the missionary turned to his wife and said, “It’s just not fair. Mr. Roosevelt comes home from a hunting trip and the whole country is out to meet him. We get home after years of service and nobody is there to greet us.” His wife wisely replied, “But Honey, we aren’t home yet.” I think that story aptly sums up an important truth for the Christian. He does not live for earthly pleasures, praises or rewards. He lives for Eternity. This is the overarching truth that Paul is instructing these Ephesian Elders in as he prepares to leave them never to return again.
Now, let’s recall the context of this passage of Scripture. Paul is on his way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. He can’t bear to sail past Ephesus without at least one final visit with the Elders of that church, so he docks at Miletus and calls the Elders of the church in Ephesus to come to him. When they have gathered, he gives them his Farewell Address. In this Farewell Address, we see Paul doing 4 things:
- Paul Reminds the Elders of His Ministry Among Them
- Paul Teaches the Elders about Faithfulness To God’s Call
- Paul Charges The Elders to Shepherd the Flock
- Paul Instructs The Elders to Live For Eternity
Now, you might be thinking, “Brian, why do you say that Paul is instructing these Elders to live for eternity? The word “eternity” is not even mentioned in this passage. Yes, that’s true, but the word “inheritance” is. Look at verse 32, “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” What inheritance is Paul talking about. What does the Bible teach about the Christian’s inheritance? Let me give you a brief theology of the Christian’s inheritance:
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, `Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, do your work heaertily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 6:12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 9:15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
1 Peter 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Peter 3:9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
So, what have we learned about our inheritance? It is referred to as the earth, eternal life, the kingdom, the kingdom of God, the reward, salvation, the promises, and a blessing. How is it described? It is something we are predestined to, it is glorious in its riches, it is in Light, it is eternal, imperishable, undefiled, and won’t fade away. So, to focus on this inheritance is to focus on Eternity; to live for this inheritance is to live for Eternity. So, Paul’s concern is that these Ephesian Elders live for eternity. If they do that, what will it look like? Well, according to our text it will mean that they will be pursuing 3 things:
1) The Word of God (32)
2) A Sanctified Life (32)
3) Faithful Stewardship (33-35)
1. They Will Be Pursuing The Word Of God: (20:32)
A. Commend: This word carries the idea of “entrust.” If the flock has been entrusted to the care of the Elders, into whose care are the Elders entrusted to? In other words, if the Elders shepherd the flock, who shepherds the Elders? Paul gives us the answer in vs.32 “And now I commend (entrust) you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” The answer is that God Himself will shepherd and care for the Elders through the Word of His Grace. The word of His grace is probably a way of referring to “the gospel of the grace of God” in vs.24. So, these Ephesian Elders, are absolutely dependent on the Word of God as summed up in the Gospel of grace, in order to receive their eternal inheritance. Paul is leaving, never to return. He won’t be around to help these Elders any longer. How will they survive the onslaughts of the Devil? How will they be able to maintain their faith in Christ. How will they be able to know the will of God for their congregation? The answer is God will do it! How? Through His Word.
B. Application: Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God.” Just as a man is absolutely dependent on food to maintain his life, so too a Christian is absolutely dependent on the word of God to nourish and maintain his spiritual life. The Scripture promises eternal glory only to those who persevere to the end, not the person who starts the Christian race with a sprint, but then falls on the sidelines winded, and gives up. In order to persevere to the end and receive your eternal inheritance, you must feed your soul on the Word of God. This is doubly important for Elders, because this is the way God shepherds them. 1 Tim.4:16 says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” If an Elder is serious about obtaining salvation, he will persevere in his teaching and in paying close attention to himself. Some of you are very young in the Lord and new to the things of God, so I’ll state the obvious. All of you need to be in the Word every day! Just as you would never willingly go a day without eating, so you should never go a day without feeding on God’s Word. It is the way God has designed for you to maintain your communion and fellowship with Him. Ps.1:1-2 says that the blessed man delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” As you read His Word, He will speak to you. Then take whatever He has spoken to you, and talk to Him about it. The Word and Prayer are Divine gifts to enjoy God with. So, how are you doing? Is it the habit of your life to take time alone with God in the Word and prayer every day, preferably at the beginning of your day? That should be the top priority of your life. That is more important than your relationship with your husband, wife, or children. It is more important than your job. Yet, in your daily life, what really gets the top priority? Many of us would never dream of not showing up for work, but we will not show up to spend time with God for days or weeks on end! We would not neglect our husband or wife or child or job, but we will neglect God. Don’t you see that is great sin?! God help us to go to God through His Word every day, and feed upon His rich truth!
2. They Will Be Pursuing A Sanctified Life: 20:32.
A. How Does The Word of God Bring Us To Our Eternal Inheritance? Vs.32 says that the word of His grace is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” The word enables us to obtain our eternal inheritance by building us up and sanctifying us. Now I understand those 2 phrases, “build you up”, and “sanctified” as synonyms. They are describing the work of the Word in our lives from 2 different perspectives. One perspective is that the Word builds our faith and makes us strong. The other perspective is that the Word purges us from sin and makes us holy. In Jn.17:17 Jesus says to His Father in prayer, “Sanctify them in Your truth; Your word is truth.” So God’s Word is absolutely essential if we are going to be live holy lives.
B. Who Receives the Inheritance? “those who are sanctified.” The sanctified, and no one else, will receive this inheritance. Acts 26:18. The word sanctified literally means “to set apart.” So, those who receive the eternal inheritance are those who are set apart. There are 3 ways in which the Christian is set apart. Initial Sanctification: He has been set apart at regeneration (1Cor.1:2). Progressive Sanctification: He is being set apart from sin to righteousness in his daily life (2Cor.7:1). Ultimate Sanctification: He will be set apart completely and totally from sin to God in his final glorification (Eph.5:25-27). Now, for our purposes this morning, I want to emphasize the 2nd aspect of sanctification – Progressive Sanctification. This sanctification is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. It begins at the New Birth, and continues throughout your entire earthly life. You will never come to a point in your life when you are entirely sanctified, perfectly set apart from all sin to God. The Holy Spirit will be showing you ways in which you are not entirely set apart to God for the rest of your life. After He reveals these areas to you, He will prompt you to confess it as sin, and repent of it. Then He will give you the power to turn from it unto God.
Now it is important for you to know that only sanctified people go to heaven. Heb.10:14; 12:14. Sanctification is not the ground of your salvation, it is the fruit of your salvation. You don’t cleanse your life of sin in order to obtain salvation; you cleanse your life from sin because you have obtained salvation. A holy life is the evidence you are saved. When the Holy Spirit comes in, He inevitably makes you holy. If you are His, you might as well give up, and surrender right now, because He will have His way in you! A holy life is the necessary proof every person must have in order to enter heaven. You say, “Wait a minute Brian. How can you say that? The thief on the cross was saved, and he wasn’t a holy man?” I beg to differ! In the few short hours he hung on that cross next to Jesus he, 1) confessed that he was a sinner and deserved his punishment; 2) confessed the sinless of Jesus Christ; 3) confessed that Jesus was a King over a kingdom; and 4) humbly implored Jesus to receive Him. Sounds like a holy man to me! It is true that some believers live a more sanctified (holy) life than others, but all are being sanctified progressively as the Spirit works in them.
C. Application: Is the Holy Spirit using the word of God to sanctify you? Can you see evidences of that work in your life? Are you repenting of sin on a daily basis and then trusting God’s promises of forgiveness? I believe one of the signs of spiritual maturity is how quickly a believer repents after the Holy Spirit has convicted him of sin. An immature believer may go days, weeks, or months before they will repent of sin the Holy Spirit reveals to them. A mature believer will repent immediately. When you find yourself believing a lie about God, how long does it take you to recognize that and repent of it? Just take the 4 G’s. When you find yourself believing the lie that something else is better than God, so you go looking for someone or something to satisfy you, how long does it take to remember that God is Good so you don’t have to look elsewhere? When you find yourself trying to manipulate and control people and things around you, how long does it take you to remember that God is Great so you don’t have to be in control? When you find yourself becoming afraid of man and his opinions of you, how long does it take for you to remember that God is Glorious, so you don’t have to fear man? When you find yourself trying to prove yourself to God or others, how long does it take you to remember that God is gracious, so you don’t have to prove yourself?
3. They Will Be Pursuing Faithful Stewardship: 20:33-35.
A. Faithful Stewardship Involves Repenting of Covetousness: 33. Covetousness is just another way of talking about greed. Paul said that he did not covet anyone’s silver, gold or clothes. Can you say that you don’t covet anyone’s money, cars, home, job, boat, investments, vacation homes, or spouse? “You shall not covet” was the last of the 10 commandments. Now, what is the opposite of covetousness? Contentment. 1 Tim.6:8 says, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” I believe covetousness is one of the most common sins in America today. It is fueled by materialism. How do you know if you are a covetous person? A covetous person is never content, but lives to acquire wealth or possessions. Covetousness is a very serious sin in Scripture. In 1Cor.5:11 it is so serious that if a man is covetous the rest of the church are to refuse to associate with him! In 1Cor.6:10 it is a sin listed alongside of fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, drunkenness, reviling and swindling. Col.3:5 says that greed amounts to idolatry. We’ve all got blind spots when it comes to our own moral defects don’t we? That is especially true when it comes to the moral defects of an entire culture. Covetousness is a sin that we don’t even give a second thought. Why? Because we’ve become hardened to it. We live in such a materially prosperous country, that living for things or money is accepted as perfectly O.K. But God doesn’t regard it as OK at all!
B. Faithful Stewardship Involves Using Our Money and Possessions To Help Others:
1) Paul’s Work Ethic: 20:34. Paul’s hands ministered to his own needs. Paul wasn’t asking for a free handout. He wasn’t a freeloader. In fact in vs.35 he says that he worked hard in this manner. Paul was a hard working man. In 1Thess.2:9 Paul says, “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” Paul could have lived off of the churches he ministered to, but he chose not to. Paul says in 1Tim.5:8, “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Pretty strong language! In 2Thess.3:10 Paul said, “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat either.” A Christian glorifies God when he is a diligent worker who responsibly takes care of his family. A Christian who is lazy and squanders his time away is sinning, and needs to repent. God has put us on this earth to know and serve Him, not to pursue our own vain entertainments and amusements. The question should not be, “What do I feel like doing today?” but “What does God want me to do today?”
2) Paul’s Example for the Elders: In 20:34-35 Paul sets his own work ethic as an example before these Elders for their emulation. That brings up an interesting question. Since Paul was bi-vocational, and he sets his own life as an example for these Elders, does that mean that all Elders should work a secular job like he did? Not necessarily. 1Tim.5:17-18 says, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” Now, there are several interesting things here. First, notice that some elders will work hard at preaching and teaching, and some won’t. That’s because God gifts Elders in different ways. Some are gifted and called to preach and teach. Others are called to disciple men in small groups. Others are called to Biblical counseling. Others are called to Evangelism and training others in Evangelism. A second thing worthy of note in this passage is that certain elders are to be given double honor. Single honor would be the esteem and respect that goes along with the role of Elder in the body of Christ. Double honor would be that esteem and respect, along with financial remuneration. How do we know this? Because vs.18 tells us that this double honor has to do with a laborer being worthy of his wages. Further, Paul has already mentioned “honoring” widows in 1Tim.5:3, and in that context it is plain that he means to provide for their needs (vs.8,16). Now, why would the preaching/teaching Elders be given financial remuneration, while the other Elders were only given regular honor? Because Paul realizes it takes a great deal of time to study the Word in order to preach and teach. Thus, it is both right and proper for some Elders to receive financial gifts so that they are freed up to study and teach the Word, while other Elders serve the church bi-vocationally.
3) Paul’s Stewardship of His Money: How did Paul use his money? We find him using his money in 3 ways in this text – 1) he provided for his own needs; 2) he provided for the men who traveled with him; 3) he provided for the “weak.” When Luke uses that word “weak” in Luke or Acts, he is referring normally to the chronically, physically ill who come to Jesus or the apostles for healing. In other words, this probably has reference to people that are unable to work and make a living to provide for their own needs. It’s not referring to people who are lazy, and just want a free handout. Then Paul quotes a syaing of Jesus Christ that doesn’t appear anywhere in the 4 gospels, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The word “blessed” means “happy.” If you really want to be a happy person, learn to be a giver. Learn to use your money to help others. Now, how do a lot of Christians use their money? On themselves! Paul viewed himself only as a manager or steward of God’s money. He didn’t view his money or possessions as his own private property to do with whatever he wanted, and forget about God’s kingdom or hurting people. No, this was God’s money. The constant question we should be asking the Lord is, “How do you want me to spend Your money?” It would be good for us to delete the word “my” or “mine” from our vocabulary, because it’s not true. Once you become a Christian, you are a slave of Jesus Christ. A slave doesn’t own anything. Anything he’s got, belongs to his Master, and he’s responsible for how he uses any of his master’s money or possessions. So Paul used his money to provide for his own needs, not all his wants. Then, anything he had left, he used to help out his team that traveled with him, and then to help those who were disabled and couldn’t work.
C. Application: Elders must be good examples for the rest of the flock when it comes to how they handle their finances. 1 Tim. 3:3 says he “must be free from the love of money.” Titus 1:7 says he must not be fond of sordid gain. An Elder can’t be a covetous person. He must be a generous giver. I know some people hold the view that Pastors shouldn’t ever know what anyone else is giving in the church. I don’t agree. Would we say that Pastors should never know if another person in the church never prays? Of course not. If someone had a weak or non-existent prayer life, the Pastors would want to know so they could help them with that weak area of their spiritual life. Jesus lumps praying, fasting, and giving all together in Matthew 6. Now, no one should ever pray or give or fast to impress the Pastors of a church. However, when the Leaders of a church are selecting another Elder or Deacon, they need to know whether that person is free from the love of money, or fond of sordid gain. They need to know if he is a faithful, generous giver.
What about you? Just because you aren’t an Elder or a Deacon doesn’t get you off the hook! The same things that are qualifications for Elders are also the will of God for every Christian. All Christians should be free from the love of money, and not fond of sordid gain. Are you? Are you a generous giver? Do you view all your possessions and money as God’s, and not your own. Do you pray and ask Him before making major purchases? When you get your paycheck, do you take off the top, first of all, the amount you have decided to give to the Lord’s work or to help people? Many Christians don’t do that. Consequently, by the time they have paid all their bills, there is almost nothing left. Prov.3:9-10 says “Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Did you catch that? Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce. Did you know that you can honor the Lord with your wealth? Did you know He wants the first of your produce? You say, “I don’t have very much.” Then, honor Him with what you do have. Do you have a place to live? Honor the Lord by dedicating that place to serve Him. Do you have food on your table? Share it with others. This requires us to make a radical change in our thinking – from “mine” to “His”.
Conclusion:
Before we conclude, let’s take a look at the final verses of this chapter. This company of Elders knelt down and prayed together. This ending scene is heart-wrenching. These grown men were weeping loudly, embracing Paul, and repeatedly kissing him. Why? Did they view Paul as an austere man who cloistered himself off from the real needs and hurts of others? No way. Paul cared for and loved people. That’s why he admonished each one with tears. When he left them, never to return, they felt a great loss. They probably wondered how they would ever make up for the loss of Paul’s presence. An Elder who pours out his life in service to the church of Jesus Christ will make such a great impact on that church. If he leaves or dies, they will feel a great loss indeed! When Charles Spurgeon died in January 1892, London went into mourning. Nearly 60,000 people came to pay homage during the three days his body lay in state at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Some 100,000 lined the streets as a funeral parade two miles long followed his hearse from the Tabernacle to the cemetery. Flags flew at half-staff and shops and pubs were closed.
May God enable the Elders here at The Bridge to be men who sacrificially serve this body and pour out their lives on their behalf, with the result that God knits all of our hearts together in love! And may God cause you to live for eternity! If you are truly living for eternity you can be sure of these 3 things: you will pursue the Word of God, you will pursue a sanctified life, and you will pursue faithful stewardship.
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