DAY #213: Acts 20:17-38

As wildly successful as Paul’s ministry was—the miracles, decisions, baptisms, and successfully discipled believers and planted churches—he did not boast. The glory was consistently given back to the one directing it all—it was the Lord’s work, not Paul’s.

Paul’s ministry in Ephesus exuded boldness in telling the truth. Paul had one message for all. Both Jews and Gentiles alike were included in his mission, and both needed the central message of turning from sin and turning to God.

In this day of growing complexity, the church often falls prey to the temptation to become sophisticated and complicated, to fit into the culture. Believers must never let the message get lost in the trappings of the ministry (buildings, programs, schedules, calendars) or the ever-present busyness of church activities.

The Holy Spirit told Paul that he would be imprisoned and experience suffering. Even knowing this, Paul did not shrink from fulfilling his mission. His strong character was a good example to the Ephesian elders—as well as to all Christians, many of whom would suffer for Christ.

Paul’s statement of his priorities and values is a great perspective for any believer of any age. Self-preservation must be subservient to the faithful completion of the work assigned by the Lord Jesus. Paul was a single-minded person, and the most important goal of his life was telling others the Good News (Philippians 3:7-13). No wonder Paul was the greatest missionary who ever lived.

Paul outlines the philosophy of the ministry that pastors and church leaders should follow as he charged these elders in Ephesus to beware—first for themselves and then for the church. Although Paul had likely chosen and trained most of them, the operative force behind everything had been the Holy Spirit. Those who lead God’s people must beware by keeping a careful watch over themselves and the flock.

The leadership (elders, pastors, deacons) would be the first line of attack from the enemy. Before the flock could be protected, the shepherds must protect themselves! These leaders were also to feed and shepherd God’s flock. They were to guide, direct, protect, feed, and help the flock to grow into its full potential.

Other attacks would come from inside the church (even some of you). Paul warned that some of their own members, in order to build a following, would distort the truth and lead away a portion of the flock to their own doom. False teachers did, in fact, hound the church at Ephesus.

Paul’s warning is simply, “Watch out!” The leaders needed to remember Paul’s example of wakefulness, his constant watch and care over them. Since the vicious enemy is always around (both inside and outside the church) and always looking for victims, the shepherd must never let down his guard.

Paul’s relationship with these believers is a beautiful example of genuine Christian fellowship. He had cared for them and loved them, even wept with them in their needs. They responded with love and care for him and sorrow over his leaving. They prayed together and comforted one another.

Like Paul, all believers can build strong relationships with other believers by sharing, caring, sorrowing, rejoicing, and praying with them. And—like Paul—the best way to gather others around is by giving oneself away to them and to the gospel. It is not surprising that these men accompanied him down to the ship. They may have stood, wept, and prayed until the mast of their beloved shepherd’s ship disappeared over the Aegean horizon, and only then returned to Ephesus, determined more than ever to shepherd their flock with the passion of the one who had so lovingly shown them the way.

SO WHAT? (what will i do with what i have read today?)

Leadership. Everything rises and falls on leadership. A family rises or falls based upon what kind of leadership a dad and mom bring. A marriage rises or falls based upon the kind of leadership a husband brings. A business rises or falls based upon the kind of leadership that is provided.

The same is true in our churches. The impact and effectiveness of our churches has a direct linkage back to the leadership. So we need to ask, what kind of leader am I? Am I providing the spiritual leadership that is required? Am I providing for the spiritual needs of those entrusted to me and am I protecting and watching over my "flock" as God requires?

Oh Lord, help me be diligent in my duties. Help me be the man of God that my marriage and my kids and my church needs and deserves. Remind me constantly that the enemy is roaming around - looking to take down those whom I have been entrusted to protect.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)