ACTS 20:17-38 PAULS LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS2017 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Acts 20:17-38 Pauls Leadership Essentials

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2017. Well, this evening we're going to be looking at Acts chapter 20 and finishing out the chapter. But we want to begin just by reading a smaller portion of it. So verse 17 through 25 is what we will read as we get started here. And let's begin in verse 17. It says, from Miletus...

Verse 21. Verse 21.

Testifying to Jews and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see now I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me, but none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself.

Here as we look at this portion of scripture in Acts chapter 20, we've been following along with Paul through his third missionary journey. He's on his way to Jerusalem, wrapping up the journey. And he's

He spent three years in Ephesus on this journey, and now as he's on the way back, he's just touching base with the leaders of Ephesus on his journey home. It's a little short pit stop there, and he calls for the leaders of Ephesus to come and meet him, and he has this exchange, this encounter, this things that he shares with them that are kind of like his last words. You can see there from verse 25 that,

Paul's expecting entirely to never see these people again. And so if you could just maybe imagine, you know, being in Paul's shoes for a moment. He's spent three years there in Ephesus, building and establishing the church. He's been away for a couple of months while he's, you know, finished out the rest of his missionary journey. And now he connects with these leaders again, and he is fully expecting to never see them again. These are his last words, right?

to the leaders of the church that he's spent the last three years building and ministering to and planting and, you know, just pouring into people.

And so you can understand that these are important things that the Apostle Paul is sharing. They're things that he considers to be crucial for the leaders of the church of Ephesus. And so I've titled the message this evening, Paul's Leadership Essentials. That in these last words that he has with them, I believe we have some really great insights for leaders in the body of Christ today.

elders in the body of Christ. And so as he's saying goodbye, fully expecting to never see them again, he kind of highlights some of the most important things that they needed to hear and needed to know in order to be faithful with the church that God had established there in Ephesus.

Now, as we talk about these elders and Paul's message to them, I refer to that as leaders or leadership because I kind of simplify the distinction in the scriptures. So in 1 Timothy chapter 3, you have the qualifications for elders as well as the qualifications for deacons. And the way that I approach that is an elder is anyone who has authority or is responsible for people.

And so if there's people who are entrusted to you, and I would extend that to the scope of the family, if there's people that are entrusted to you that you're going to stand before God and give an account for, then there's an eldership there. There's a leadership there that is necessary. And within the church as well, and then even beyond that, you could even take that into the workplace and understand that that leadership is really about

part of most of our lives, that we are called to lead and we are given responsibility as leaders. And so as we look at these leadership essentials, these are things that are appropriate for us to consider and to take to heart and to put into practice. And so an elder is anyone who has responsibility for people. And with that in mind, remember what the

He says, And so you can approach these things kind of in two ways. You can look at this and understand as a leader, these are essential principles for you.

But that also means that you're going to give an account and you need to watch out for the souls of those who have been entrusted to you because you're going to stand before God and give an account for how you watched over their souls and how you influenced their lives and how you demonstrated the character and nature of God to them. You're going to be accountable for that. And so there's a great responsibility and a great need, again, to follow the example and listen to the instruction here that Paul gives in these closing words to these elders of Ephesus.

But it's also appropriate for us to consider on the other side because we all have also been entrusted to others who are our leaders. And so we need to, you know, allow these things to influence, first of all, who we receive from. And so as we look at these leadership essentials to understand that we are to be a little bit particular and not just receive things.

what anybody tells us or what others tell us necessarily, but that there's to be an evaluation and we'll see that as we go forward. But the point is, you know, we use this to kind of evaluate and understand there are good leaders and there's false leaders, there's bad leaders, and we need to use this criteria to understand that, well, some people should have the authority to speak into our lives and we should receive from them. And if they, you

you know, our people of God who are placed over us, well, the scripture encourages us to then be submissive because they're watching out for our souls and they're going to give an account. And so we have a responsibility then to be submissive to those that God has placed over us. And so it works both ways, these leadership essentials.

Exhortation for us of what to do and how to lead, but also reminders that those who are in authority over us, these are the standards that God has set for them. And so we need to make sure that we are, you know, allowing those kinds of people to minister to us, to speak into our lives, to direct us, and that we are submitted to them. Well, there's six things that we'll walk through as we look at these leadership essentials from the Apostle Paul.

The first one is found in verses 18 through 21. And here the point is that leaders must set the example. In verse 18, Paul says this, and when they had come to him, he said to them, you know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you.

As Paul begins talking with these elders, the first thing he talks to them about is, you guys remember from the very beginning when I came into this area, you remember, you know how I lived.

He is declaring that he has set a good example for them, that it was something that they were aware of. It was something that they knew about, that he lived among them in a way that was an example for them and appropriate for them to follow that example. And he gives some of the things or the ways that he was an example. In verse 19, he says he was serving the Lord with all humility.

Now, it's interesting, right, for someone to say, you know, I'm really humble. But Paul the Apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says, look, I serve the Lord. And I was faithful to serve the Lord and not in a proud or a boastful way, but putting the needs of the Lord first and honoring the Lord first, I serve the Lord with all humility.

Along with that was many tears and trials, which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews. And so not only did I serve the Lord humbly, but I also endured adversity and persecution. And he'll talk about that a little bit more also. But then in verse 20, he says, I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you and taught you publicly and from house to house. So Paul goes on to say, I endured.

taught you, but not like, you know, in secret meetings, I taught you publicly, and I taught you house to house. I was with you in a variety of ways, and sharing truth with you, and speaking truth into your lives throughout my whole time there. And in verse 21, testifying to Jews and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

And so Paul says, look, I've set a good example for you. You know how I've lived from the very first time when I came into Asia. I have followed these things. I have done these things. And he sets himself as the example for these elders that he's leaving behind in Ephesus. And of course, we know from Paul that this was his pattern. He would go in with that mindset of

that his life was to be an example for other people to follow. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11, verse 1, imitate me just as I also imitate Christ. And this is a reality for those who are called to lead. God has entrusted people to you.

He's placed people in your life and he's, well, made you accountable for them. And God has set the standards such that we, like the apostle Paul, need to be able to say, imitate me just as I also imitate Christ. And there is an appropriate amount of

hesitation that should be there in our hearts, right? Like, that's a little bit scary to say that I am the example. Everybody follow me and live just like I live. I mean, there should be an appropriate amount of fear of like, you know, setting ourselves up in that way. And yet, that is the reality that God has presented to us. Those who are called to lead are called to lead by example, right?

And there is an element for those who are in leadership and for those who are given responsibility, there is an element where we would just love. If I could just, my life and the way I live doesn't matter, but just do what I say and not what I do. And we would love that because we could live in the flesh, we could relax, we could just not worry about godliness and not have to worry about, you know, sin in our lives or deal with those issues. And we could just tell people what to do. But that is not God's type of leadership.

God's style of leadership is you as a leader. And again, whatever capacity in the home, in the church, in the workplace, you as a leader set the example from the very beginning. Notice what Paul says. From the very first day I went into Asia, I've modeled this for you. I went in with this mindset. And so the reality is, is you as a leader have this responsibility to say to those that God has entrusted you,

I'm the example that God has given to you. You imitate me just as I also imitate Christ. Now, Paul never claimed to be perfect, but he did call people to follow his example. And that is the model for us. Leaders must set the example. You need to set the example for people to spend time in the word the way that you spend time in the word.

to prioritize things in your life the way that, well, you prioritize things in your life, to be involved in the work of God in the way that you are involved in the work of God, that you are the model and you are the example and you are called by God to show those who are entrusted to you what God wants for their life. Not just to tell them what God wants for their life, but for you to show them

Model it for them. Set the example because that is what God has called you to do. And so leaders must set the example. That's what Paul the Apostle believed. That's what he demonstrated. And that's what he reminds these Ephesian elders about. You remember how I've done this. And he's the model for them to follow. Now again,

This is appropriate for us who are called to lead, that we need to be reminded and we need to have this mindset. I need to live my life in a way that is exemplary, where I can say, imitate me as I imitate Christ. I'm not perfect.

but I'm going to show you how God wants you to live. And that is the call. But again, we also have those who are over us in the Lord. And again, as I was sharing at the beginning, there does need to be, and it's appropriate that there is some evaluation. And so let me share with you another verse from Hebrews chapter 13. This time it's verse seven. He says, "'Remember those who rule over you, "'who have spoken the word of God to you, "'whose faith follow, "'considering the outcome of their conduct.'"

And so here's what the author of Hebrews says. Look, there does need to be a submission to those who are over you in the Lord, but don't just blindly submit to anyone who claims to have authority. Consider the outcome of their conduct. Let there be an evaluation of their faith, of their lifestyle, of the fruit that comes forth from it so that you don't blindly follow those who are not actually called by God to lead.

But those who have been called by God to lead, remember them, he says. They've spoken the word of God to you and follow their example. And so there is the importance of us following the example as we evaluate and consider the fruit that comes from the example that was set. And so we need to set the example as well as follow the example of those who have gone before us and demonstrated the lifestyle that God has called us to live.

Well, moving on to verses 22 through 25, here we have point number two, and that is leaders must sacrifice to finish well. Here's another reality of leadership, and that is that it's going to involve sacrifice.

If we want to lead from our comfortable couches, then, you know, we're in the wrong place and we're not going to be leaders and we're not going to be effective in the way that God has called us. In verse 22, Paul says, And see, now I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

And so as Paul is sharing with the Ephesians, he says, look, I'm bound in the spirit to go to Jerusalem. God has called me to Jerusalem. I know that's where I'm supposed to go. At the same time,

The Holy Spirit is speaking to me every city I go to. And so we followed along some of that journey last week as Paul was stopping in Troas and, you know, all these different ports and everywhere he's connecting with believers. And we'll even see more examples in the chapters to come. Believers are coming up to him and saying, Paul, the Lord has shown me what lays ahead for you is chains and tribulations.

There's trouble ahead, Paul. The direction you're going, the place that you're going, there's going to be chains and tribulations. But Paul says, I'm bound in the spirit. The Lord's told me to go. He's called me to go. And at the same time, parallel to that, he's telling me trouble awaits. And so God is preparing Paul for the trouble that he is headed into. Now, some have taken this to think God was trying to get Paul to not go to Jerusalem.

That Paul was just, you know, stubborn. He wanted to go to Jerusalem. And so he was just going no matter what. But I would suggest that's contrary to the nature and character of the apostle Paul. We saw earlier when Paul wanted to go to Asia originally and God said no. And then he wanted to go to Bithynia and God said no. And the Lord was very capable of preventing Paul from going in the direction that God didn't want him to go.

But Paul the apostle here, instead, he knows what God's called him to do. And even though chains and tribulation are part of what God's called him to, he is continuing to be faithful to what God's called him to. And that again, it's the example that he sets for us. He's willing to endure the tribulations to finish what God has set before him. And he says that in verse 24, he says, but none of these things move me.

Paul says, I'm going to Jerusalem because this is part of the ministry that I receive from the Lord Jesus. God has called me here. That is clear. And even though chains and tribulation await me, that doesn't move me. That doesn't knock me out of the race or knock me off the path. That doesn't move me.

He says, I don't count my life dear to myself. This is called sacrifice. He is willing to lay down his life. He's willing. He says, I'm willing to suffer whatever it takes. The main thing, the most important thing is that I finish my race, that I do what God has called me to do. That's the most important thing in my life. And even so much so, I know I'm not going to get to see your face anymore.

And so not only is there the physical chains and tribulations, but there's the emotional side of it as well, and the goodbyes. And I mentioned this last week. We kind of have a sense of that. We know that. We've been part of sending out missionaries. Man, I was thinking about when he was sharing, you'll see my face no more. I was thinking about the day that we sent off Rick and Christy to Okinawa. And I remember being at LAX.

and sending them off. You know, from here, they're leaving, they're moving there permanently. And man, I was crying, like blubbering, and I, snot was running out of my nose, and I was running all over the airport trying to find a tissue. And like, it was just a mess. And I can imagine, you know, there's some serious emotion that's going on here. And you'll see that at the end of the chapter as well, that this is the end. This is goodbye. And that's

still not enough to stop Paul from going forward in what God has called him to. Even if you have to say goodbye to people that you love, leaders must sacrifice to finish well. We must finish the race that God has set before us. And you don't have to finish Paul's race, but you have to finish your race. God has a purpose and a plan and a call, and he's commissioned you for specific things.

But you need to understand it's going to involve sacrifice. And maybe it's not chains and tribulations, but there is going to be cost. I think it's interesting that as we've been reading through the New Testament now, we've been in Matthew chapter 10 yesterday and today. And I was reflecting today on yesterday we read the first part of Matthew chapter 10 where the disciples are commissioned. And Jesus, you know, names them. Here's the names of the 12 disciples.

And he names them and then he gives them power to cast out demons and to heal diseases and he sends them out. But then as we went into today's passage, it's all connected together. They're commissioned, they're empowered by God. But then he goes on to share essentially in the remainder of Matthew chapter 10,

You're commissioned, but count the cost and understand what you're getting into. There's going to be wolves. There's going to be scourgings. You're going to be hated. You're going to be persecuted. Families are going to be split. There is going to be serious cost to serving the Lord in this way as his disciple. In Matthew chapter 10, verse 37, he goes on to say, if you love your father or mother more than me, Jesus says, you're not worthy of me.

And if you love your son or your daughter more than me, then you're not worthy of me. In other words, you have to love Jesus more than anything else. That's going to involve some sacrifice. To prioritize the Lord is going to involve some sacrifice that you have to put God first. He goes on from there to say, if you don't take up your cross and follow me, you're not worthy of me. If you're not willing to lay down your life,

If you're not willing to die to yourself, to lay down your desires and what you're looking for and what you want, what you prefer. If you're not worthy of me, Jesus says, if you're not willing to do that. And then he says the famous verse, he who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. All of this is connected to, it's all the same discussion that flows out of Jesus appointing these guys and saying, you're my 12 disciples. Now go deliver the message.

He's appointing leaders and he's saying, leaders, you must sacrifice in order to finish well. You have a great privilege. It's a great honor to be part of the work of the kingdom of God and to influence people's lives and have an impact for eternity. Great privilege. Count the costs. And in order to finish the race that the Lord has set before you, you're going to need to be willing to sacrifice.

You're going to need to be willing to suffer. You're going to need to be willing to say goodbye, to be separate, to be persecuted, to be hated, to be misunderstood. You need to be willing to sacrifice in order to be a leader for the Lord. Think about in 2 Corinthians 6, where the Corinthians are, well, false apostles, bad leaders, are in the church of Corinth and questioning Paul's authority and

And in 2 Corinthians 6, Paul establishes his authority. And he says, we commend ourselves as ministers of God. And then he goes on to list his credentials. And what are his credentials? He says, in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings.

Paul's credentials that he was a valid minister, that he was a valid leader, that he was called to lead by God was not look at my accomplishments, look at all my successes, look at how many people attend my church or attend my events. His proof that he was valid as a leader was look at what I endure, look at what I'm willing to sacrifice in order to be faithful to what God has called me to.

The marks of a minister, 2 Corinthians 6 is really powerful. And for leaders, for those who have been entrusted with people, we need to understand that it's going to involve sacrifice. And we're gonna need to suffer. We're gonna need to be ready and willing to pay the price to finish the race that God has set before us. Leaders must sacrifice to finish well. There's no other way to finish well. If there was another way to finish well, then Jesus would have done that

But in order for Jesus to finish well, he had to suffer. He had to sacrifice. And then he calls us to follow his example. And so we need to expect to have that same type of thing happen in our lives. There's going to be sacrifice. Well, moving on to verse 26 and 27, point number three, leaders must give God's whole counsel.

This opportunity to lead, this privilege of ministering to people and having people entrusted to us. Again, whether it be in the home or in the church or in the workplace or somewhere else, we have a responsibility now as leaders to not just give our thoughts. And this can be really tempting. Sometimes when a person is given an opportunity to speak, an opportunity to teach or an opportunity to lead,

There's the attitude. There's the mentality. Now I can finally tell people what they need to hear. You know, finally, Josh gets an opportunity to speak and he says, look, I don't know why it's so frustrating that Jerry doesn't tell you what you really need to hear, but I'm so glad I have the opportunity. Now I can tell you what you really need to hear. You ever feel that way? You know, you're looking at someone else and you're seeing the things that they're sharing, the way that they're giving instruction. And you're like, I could teach that so much better.

I can be so helpful, and we're convinced, you know, that we have the thoughts and the instruction and the ways that are just going to answer people's problems, right? And sometimes we can approach our ministry and our calling as leaders with that same thing, with that same mentality, that we have the words, we have the teachings, we have the methods that people need to hear, right?

And so if only they would listen to me, they wouldn't have any marriage problems. And if only they wouldn't listen to, or if they would listen to me, they wouldn't have problems with their children. Or if only they would listen to me, they would be on fire and faithful Christians. You know, if only they could hear what I have to say. And we need to be careful about that kind of thinking because our responsibility as leaders is to bring forth the whole counsel of God and not the whole counsel of Jerry. It's not everything that I have to say or think about.

a subject, but it's everything that God has to say. I guess I should actually read the verses in teaching and making this point, right? Verse 26 and 27. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Paul says, I am innocent of the blood of all men.

Now, this is kind of a reference back to Ezekiel chapter 33, where God speaks to Ezekiel and says, look, I've made you a watchman. And so when I tell you to speak to a wicked person and say, hey, you shall surely die. If you don't tell them this word that I've given to you, I will require their blood at your hand. Now, again, this references back to Hebrews chapter 13 as well.

Obey those who are over you in the Lord and be submissive to them for they watch out for your souls as those who must give account. There is a reality to leadership that is far greater than just, you know, having authority in this time and space. There is an accountability before God that every leader has and God will require things at our hands.

that he gave to us and that we did not fulfill and we're not faithful to. And so Paul here says, look, I'm innocent of the blood of all men. God entrusted me with his counsel, with his word, and I have been faithful to deliver that to you at Ephesus. I have been faithful to make sure I didn't just

highlight and focus on the things that I prefer, that I didn't just, you know, deal with the things that I am most fond of, but I made sure to teach you everything that God says to bring forth the whole counsel to you. Now, for us, we're familiar with this verse, especially as a Calvary Chapel. It's kind of like a theme verse, a core verse for Calvary Chapel churches. And typically, as we read that, you know, we kind of take that to

speak to our method of chapter by chapter, verse by verse, we go through the whole Bible, the whole council. And that's appropriate to apply that way, of course. But I think a little bit of context is important too, because, well, they didn't have the New Testament yet. So when Paul says, I brought to you the whole council, he doesn't mean that I taught you Genesis to Revelation verse by verse. That's an approach to

delivering the whole counsel. But they had the Old Testament, but they were also teaching new truths that are revealed and delivered to us in the New Testament, like the rapture, like the church and church operations and church ministry and spiritual gifts and so on and so forth. And so as Paul says that he gave the whole counsel, understand that he's not just saying, I covered every verse. He's

But that he approached every subject. He delivered forth the full and complete message of God with, you know, the easy things to share and the difficult things to share. That's what Paul is communicating here. And we approach that, you know, with the verse by verse approach.

method, because it's one way for us to do that, to make sure we don't just focus on our favorite subjects. And we do that so that we can be faithful to the Lord and deliver the whole counsel of God. But it's not just limited to that one context. You could think about it for children's ministry, right? Children's ministry has a responsibility to bring forth the whole counsel to the kids. But

You know, that doesn't mean they're supposed to give every verse, you know, but to give the whole sense of what God has said and what God wants for them. And that's what Paul says. Look, I made sure that I gave you everything that you need to know from God. Now, think about that for a second, okay? And think about the context where you are a leader. Have you given, have you brought forth the whole counsel of God in that way where you can say, I'm innocent? Right?

I have taught you, I have shared with you, I have spoken to you everything that you need to know for life and godliness. I've given you everything that God says for your life. Now, not that God would necessarily have you speak every detail of, you know, all the plans that he has, but that you've delivered the truth that God wants those people entrusted to you to hear, to know, to receive, that they would be able to live the lives that he's called them to live. That is...

a huge responsibility. Again, these things that are entrusted to us, there's eternity involved here. And let me remind you of what Paul says, I'm innocent of the blood of all men because I have been faithful to that. We as leaders need to be sure, we need to make sure God has entrusted people to you. Make sure that you don't just give your thoughts and your words, and especially that your thoughts and your words don't take priority over the

the thoughts and words of God, but that we bring forth the whole message of God to the people that he's entrusted to us. And also understand that if we don't, there's going to be an account and there will be blood required at our hand. And we talked about this a while back on a Sunday morning. I don't know exactly what that means, but I don't want to find out by experience for sure. I don't mind finding out by watching it happen in your life, but I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding.

Just kidding. But you get the point. I want to find out. I want to make sure that I'm faithful to deliver the whole counsel of God's word. And backing up a point, I also understand that's going to require some sacrifice. There's going to be a cost. There's going to be an expense. But I need to be faithful to bring forth the whole counsel of God that he has for you. Well, moving on to verse 28 through 31, we have point number four. And that is that leaders must protect the flock.

We have a responsibility on a variety of levels. And one of the responsibilities we have is that of protection of those that have been entrusted to us. And that protection is not just in the physical world, right? But it's also in the spiritual realm.

It's also in the doctrinal realm. There's a protection that we must provide for those that God has entrusted to us. And this first element of protection found in verse 28 may be a little bit surprising, but you need to protect the flock from yourself. Check out verse 28. Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock.

Take heed to yourselves, Paul says, to the Ephesian elders. You guys are leaders in the body of Christ. You have responsibility in the church. Take heed to yourselves.

He's going to talk about the wolves who will come in. He's going to talk about the false teachers who will rise up. He'll deal with those in the next verses. But first and foremost, before he even gets to all those, hey, you make sure you watch out for yourself. This may be a little bit of a hard truth to accept, or maybe it's not that hard for you to accept, but one of the greatest threats to the people that God has entrusted to you is you. You are one of the greatest threats. Here's the reality.

You are a leader to those who God has entrusted to you, whether you are good or bad. You're an example, whether it's good or bad. You're an influence, whether it's good or bad. You make an impact for eternity, whether it's good or bad. You are a leader. It's not that

You know, hopefully one day you can work really hard and get good enough to then be an example. And okay, now I'm an example. Now I've reached this level in my life where I'm now an example to you. Those that God has entrusted to you, they're entrusted to you. And you're an example to them, whether you're on fire for the Lord or whether you're wandering aimlessly, chasing after sin, chasing after things that are not of God. You're an example.

And that's the reality that we face. And so Paul says, first and foremost, take heed to yourselves. You need to pay attention. There needs to be an appropriate amount of self-evaluation and self-correction because you are influencing and affecting and impacting the people that God has entrusted to you.

Paul tells this to Timothy also in 1 Timothy 4, verse 16. He says, take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. So again, you're talking about your life. Take heed to yourself, your heart, your mind, your attitude, your lifestyle. Take heed to yourself as well as the doctrine. You need to know the truths of God and hold fast to the truths of God. He says, continue in them for in doing this, you will save both yourself and

and those who hear you. You see the attachment there? It's inseparable. You and those who hear you. You and those that God has called you to lead. These things cannot be removed. It's not like in the business world we could think, well, it doesn't matter what kind of personal life you have. What kind of leader are you in the workplace? And that's appropriate, perhaps, for the workplace. That is not spiritual leadership at all.

You cannot separate those things that, well, it doesn't matter what kind of person you are in the workplace. As long as you're a good example when you get home, you know, that's really what matters to your kids. And now you can be a good leader at home. That doesn't work that way. It's permanently tied together. Your life, your heart, your attitude, your walk with God, it's all tied to the way that you impact and influence and affect the people that God has entrusted to you.

the greatest danger to the people that God has entrusted to you is you. And it should put us on our faces before God to continually be looking to God to correct, to lead, to build us up, to teach us, to show us what we need to do. There are

to be a great humility in our lives and in our hearts where we are crying out to God because he has entrusted these people to us and we are in no way qualified to lead them. But he's called us to lead them and we're already leading them whether we like it or not and whether we're good examples at it or not. And notice how valuable they are to God. Paul points out here in verse 28, you're, well, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.

The Holy Spirit has given you this authority. He's given you this place to shepherd the church of God or those who are entrusted to you. But notice it says, which he purchased with his own blood. You remember those people that God loves so much that he sent his only begotten son to die upon the cross for them. Remember those people? Of course you do. You're one of those people, right? But those people that God loves so much that,

that he went to that degree and sacrificed himself. Those people are the people that he's entrusted to you. I don't know if that makes you shiver a little bit, but I kind of go, oh my goodness, like God's most valuable possessions, his most valuable people have been entrusted to you. Take heed to yourselves. Make sure that

You're walking with God. Make sure you're evaluating your life. Make sure you're hearing from God that you are receiving from God because it makes an impact. Not just when, okay, I'm doing good and receiving from God and so I'm making an impact. But it makes an impact, maybe for the wrong direction, but it makes an impact when you're not hearing from God, when you're not receiving from the Lord. Remember when Moses misrepresented God and struck the rock and God calls him aside and says, hey, you can't go into the promised land.

And we read that and we go, man, that's kind of harsh. I mean, he served so faithfully. But yeah, misrepresenting God is a very serious thing. Take heed to yourselves. It will be required. One of the greatest dangers that those people face is you and your example. So take heed to the flock by taking heed to yourself.

Well, in verse 29, he deals with now external threats. He says, for I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. So one of the reasons why you need to take heed to yourself and take heed to the flock is because Paul says, after I'm gone, there's going to be an invasion and people are going to come in and not spare the flock. Savage wolves, he calls them.

These are people who will attack the sheep, who will hurt the sheep and lead them astray and not have mercy and not care about their eternity, that they're focused on their own selves. And that is a reality. That is a reality in Paul's day. It's a reality today. Think about it this way. There's going to be people who come into your kids' lives who are savage wolves, who don't care about them and who will rip them off even for eternity. So take heed to yourselves and take heed to the flock. You have a responsibility.

Those people that are entrusted to you, there's threats, there's dangers, there's really bad doctrine, there's horrible truths, there's great deception, and you need to take heed. You must protect the flock because there are going to be these external threats. But not only that, there's also going to be some internal threats. In verse 30, he says, "'Also from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.'"

And so there's going to be external threats, but there's also going to be those internal threats where it's not necessarily someone from the outside coming in and bringing some deceptive doctrine, but that even amongst you elders, there's going to be one of you. There's going to be maybe several of you that you go astray and you begin to do damage and bring destructive doctrines in

into the lives of those that have been entrusted to you. There's going to be those internal threats. Again, this is a reality that we face today as well. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 2, verse 1, there were also false prophets among the people, looking at the Old Testament, those time periods. We saw that a lot, right, in Jeremiah. All the false prophets that Jeremiah had to deal with, they're

There were those false prophets, he says, even as there will be false teachers among you who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them and bring on themselves swift destruction. God's going to deal with those false teachers, but pay attention, take heed, protect the flock because there's always been false teachers and there is still false teachers today. And those that you've been entrusted with are going to hear from them.

They're going to be taught bad doctrine. They're going to be taught things that are not true, that are not of God. And you need to be on alert and protect and prepare them for the false doctrine, for those lies and deceptions. You need to prepare them and also help catch when they're receiving those things that you have a responsibility. We can't protect people from everything, right? We can't, we can't.

but to continue to be on alert and the lookout. And here's where it gets a little bit tough because you guys know what it's like to try to minister to people who are buying into things that are not true. I'm sure you've had the experience, right? And they don't want to hear from you. And it can become very personal and your feelings get hurt. And so you're like, well, fine, I give up. But you have a responsibility to not give up.

God's entrusted those people to you. You have a responsibility to not let your personal emotions and feelings about it get in the way of you protecting the flock. Watch out. Protect the flock from yourself. Protect the flock from those external wolves, but also those internal false teachers. It's going to take place. It's a guarantee. This isn't like, well, maybe one day, you know. Hey, at Living Water, it's a guarantee. I can guarantee it.

We're going to have people come in who try to teach something that's not of God. And we're going to have people in our midst who go astray and begin to teach things that are not of God. It's a guarantee. We're going to face this at some point. I mean, we've already faced it in the past. I'm not saying it's never happened, but you get the point. Like, it's going to be ongoing. We need to expect this in the ministry,

And in whatever capacity God has entrusted people to us, there's going to be these things. So protect the flock. It's our responsibility. Verse 31, therefore watch and remember that for three years, I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Notice Paul's taking this serious. He says, these are serious threats. For three years, I've been warning you about this with tears because these are things that affect eternity.

So we need to have the appropriate level of seriousness and understand these things affect the flock of God and make a difference. And so protect the flock from these things. Well, verse 32, the point is point number five, leaders must trust God to work in people. Verse 32, it says, so now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified. I think this is a really important verse also.

For leaders, there is a tendency to want to try to control everything, to try to be the Holy Spirit in people's lives. But Paul says, look, I've been called to Jerusalem. I can't stay here. I can't be the one who filters out all doctrine and bad truth. I can't be the one who stays here and protects the flock and protects you elders who are protecting the flock. I can't be the one who is just like ruling over your life all the time. I can't be your Lord. I can't be your God.

So what do I do? Paul says, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. I'm trusting you to God. And I'm trusting that God is going to help you overcome the threats to the flock. And I'm trusting that God's going to help you overcome the threats that are you, that you having issues and going through things and walking astray. And I'm going to trust you to God. Now, soon after the apostles were off the scene,

the church as a whole collectively found it difficult to commend people to God and to the word of his grace. It's hard to trust people to God, even though that sounds a little bit weird, but we know it's true. It's hard to trust people to God. And so they began to set up, well, we'll set up a person of authority over this region and a person of authority over this region. And we'll entrust those people to that person so that they could help watch out for all the people in this region and

That was the beginnings of the structure that became, well, now the Pope is the ultimate person who's entrusted with everybody. And then there's all the bishops underneath. And it was the beginning of that. And there is a tendency. We want to try to do that. There is a tendency for us to want to lord over people's lives and not necessarily because

We want to, you know, we're just so fearful about what's going to happen when they're on their own and they're responsible to hear from the Lord and to read his word and respond to it. Like what's going to happen? And we can tend to be very legalistic. And so our approach, instead of maybe setting up a person is here's the laws and follow the laws. And instead of entrusting people, we're teaching them how to hear from God and respond to his word and

We set up people. We set up ourselves. We set up laws. We need to let them go. Teach them how to walk with God. Teach them how to hear from God and then entrust them to God. We must trust God to work in people. We can't be their lords. We can't fill that role. We can't protect them from every mistake and every error. We can't tell them exactly what to do in every situation. We build them up. We train them up. We have a responsibility to protect them.

And then we've given them, like Paul said, I've given you the whole council and now I'm just entrusting you. I'm placing you in God's hands. Now you're responsible to take those truths and to walk in them and live in them. We have that same responsibility to build up, to train up those that God has entrusted to us and then entrust them to the hand of God, that they would then live out the things that we've modeled for them and the things that we've taught them.

Well, finally, finishing up in verses 33 through 35, leaders must support the weak. Paul says in verse 33, I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities and for those who are with me. Verse 35, I have shown you in every way by laboring like this that you must support the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Another important reminder for us, essentials for us as leaders, our responsibility is to support the weak. So Paul says, look, I didn't covet anybody's silver or gold. I didn't lock the doors and take an offering until I got the awesome bomber jacket that I really wanted.

That's a new term I just learned. Kim's been teaching me a little bit about fashion. So bomber jacket, I guess they're coming back in style. So everybody go get one and make sure you give me one. Okay. Cause I want one. No, Paul says, look, I didn't cover it. You're silver. You guys know, he says, I worked with my own hands to provide for my necessities and for the people who are with me. And we talked about that, Paul being a tent maker and, and he worked hard to provide for himself.

And he says, look, again, I'm an example. I showed you this so that you would learn you must support the weak. That is, if you are a leader and expecting, all right, so I'm the leader, so everybody serve me, that's not the understanding of God's method of leadership. It's the other way around. You support the weak.

It's not that, okay, if we get enough weak people, they can support me. No, you support the weak. You minister to them, minister to their needs. You serve the people. That's your job as a leader. And a lot of times we think of authority, we think of leadership, and that's what Jesus said, right? The rulers of the Gentiles lorded over people.

but not so among you. Whoever desires to be first, let him be the servant of all. That is the model for leadership. You must support the weak. And sometimes as leaders, we get really impatient with the weak, but that's your job is to support the weak. The weak in faith, the weak physically, the weak emotionally, the weak mentally. Your job is to support the weak, not for them to minister to you and meet all your needs, but for you to serve them.

the weak that God has entrusted to you. And so Paul says, I live this way. I did all of this as an example for you. You need to know it's important and understand leaders must support the weak. You must serve the people that God has entrusted to you. Don't expect them to serve you. That's not God's way, but you serve them and meet their needs. And so here we have Paul's leadership essentials. Now, after this,

In the final verses of the chapter, it says, So very clear here. These are Paul's last words. It gives an extra weight to these truths that he presents. It gives an extra weight to these truths that he presents.

Things that we must evaluate and must consider as those who have been entrusted with people. Those who've been entrusted by God with people that he loved so much that he died for. These are appropriate things for us who are called to lead today. Listen, you must set the example and you must finish well, but understand it's going to require sacrifice. There's going to be cost. It's going to hurt. There's going to be suffering, but you're going to give an account.

So make sure you give the whole counsel of God. Don't share your thoughts, your opinions, but deliver everything that they need to be able to hear from God and walk with God so that then you can commend them and trust God to work in them, to walk in everything you've taught them and how to walk with God and hear from God.

Make sure you protect those that God has entrusted to you, starting with yourself, taking heed and paying attention to how am I doing and am I right with the Lord because I'm making an impact, whether for good or bad right now, but also protecting against those outside influences and those internal deceptions, looking out for those things that will send them astray, that will affect them, especially for eternity. And then we must support the weak.

We must be servants. Remember, that's how Paul started. You guys know from the very first day when I went into Asia, I served the Lord humbly. That's what God called us to, to serve the Lord. And it's appropriate. It's right to be a leader, to desire to be a leader. It's appropriate. If you desire that, it's a good thing. There's great things. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5, speaking to the elders, he says, look, do a good job. Serve as overseers. Do it willingly. Do it willingly.

Don't be lords over, but be examples to the flock. And then he says, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Listen, there's great reward. Not only do we have the responsibility and we'll give an account, but there's also great reward. Be the leader that God has called you to be and put into practice these essentials presented by the apostle Paul. Let's pray. God, I pray for each one of us. Lord, as you've entrusted us

people to us, whether it be children, whether it be people within the church or people in the workplace or different walks of life, Lord, but there are those that you've placed us and you've given them to us, Lord, with a real responsibility. And I pray, God, that you would help us to not neglect that responsibility that you've given to us. Help us to not misunderstand, but to be really conscious about

the seriousness of these things. And Lord, when you establish us as leaders in people's lives, it's not for only the good times or not when only we're good examples, but Lord, that there's also that responsibility of when we walk away and when we flounder, Lord, it affects the people that you've entrusted to us. And so God, I pray that you would help us to receive these truths and the weight, Lord, that they deserve. Lord, even so much so that

If Paul had any last words to give, these were the words he gave and he would give them to us again tonight. Lord, that if these were my last words to this congregation here, Lord, that it would be appropriate for these to be the last words, that this is the responsibility. This is the privilege. This is what's required. And so help us, God, to take these things seriously. And Lord, we are gonna fail and fall in all of these things because we are frail and you know that.

Lord, help us to turn to you quickly, to receive from you what we need to live out the life of leadership that you've called us to live. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. We pray you have been blessed by this Bible teaching. The power of God to change a life is found in the daily reading of his word. Visit ferventword.com to find more teachings and Bible study resources.