The Marks of a God-Honoring Ministry

if God’s people would take their
Bibles and turn to a different place today, not to the Gospel
of John, but to the book of Acts. To the book of Acts and specifically
to Acts chapter 20 this morning. And I suppose I should start
with a bit of an apology. T.J. and Emily won’t remember
this because they were They were probably in trouble to tell you
the truth during the first ever worship service but my mom and
my aunt were also present and so I Apologize in this only in
the sense that this will be Repeat for them because it’s the same
passage that I preached 20 years ago What Paul does in this passage
is really set forth a the pattern for any ministry, the pattern
for any church. I’ve referred to it here by title
as the marks of a God-honoring ministry. And I think you will
be tempted to want to keep score and maybe render a grade on me
and my ministry, and that’s certainly fine, absolutely appropriate,
but I would encourage you to press in and allow the Lord to
press into your life and examine your commitment to these seven
marks. Acts 20 is the passage that will
Center into this morning scripture records an amazing account of
the relationship that developed between the Apostle Paul and
this bustling city of Ephesus the history of Paul’s involvement
with the city is Largely recorded in the book of Acts primarily
between the chapters of 18 and 20, but the story actually begins
during what’s known as Paul’s second missionary journey near
the end of that Paul and His wishes would finally come true. God would bless his efforts to
take the gospel into the city of Ephesus and not just into
the city but to the entire region. Acts records a very brief visit
to this city Paul and his message of the gospel salvation by Jesus
Christ alone. It was enthusiastically received. So enthusiastic was the welcome
that when Paul indicated the need to leave the church literally
begged him to stay. Paul did not consent but he did
make them a promise with a very important condition one that
we often forget. Paul said, I will return if God
wills. We make a lot of plans in our
life, don’t we? And we make a lot of statements
and a lot of intentions, but we would be wise to humbly submit
our plans as Paul did, if the Lord wills. Well, by God’s good
providence, God did will, and Paul would return, and this time
he would have a long and rich ministry among them. His very
fruitful stay would last nearly three years in that region. Ultimately, Paul would again
be called and compelled away from Ephesus, but the relationship
that Paul had with the Ephesian church had matured significantly. Paul’s relationship with this
church was very unique. There were many other churches
with whom Paul seemed to have a warmer relationship. Think
of the Philippian church and the warmth and affection in that
letter. There were churches about whom
Paul seemed more enthusiastic. If there was a passage that I
would read that kind of echoed my thoughts about Providence
Bible Church, I would read 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. There were other churches
that elicited a greater measure of Paul’s concern, and you can’t,
immediately your mind goes to the book of Galatians, doesn’t
it? But the church of Ephesus and his relationship with it
was unique. When Paul wrote to them, there
were no expressions of deep affection. There were no heartfelt accolades. There were no grave concerns.
You back away and you look at all the facts. The Church of
Ephesus seems to have been a church that solidified quickly and immediately
got down to the work of serving the Lord. It wasn’t a church
with a whole lot of problems, not a lot of drama, and that
seemingly affected Paul’s relationship with them because it It almost
seemed like a business-like relationship, almost matter-of-fact. But make no mistake, it was a
friendly, loving, passionate relationship. And we’re provided
with a glimpse of that in Acts chapter 20, which records Paul’s
final visit, at least the final visit that Scripture records.
Paul knew that in all likelihood his ministry to Ephesus was over. Paul would go on to write a letter
to this church, as you know, from prison. He would continue
to serve them. But he sensed that his personal
face-to-face involvement in their growth as Christians, their growth
as a church, was coming to an end. He expected to be arrested
in Jerusalem, and he was. His worldwide traveling days
were over, and he calmly explained to his Ephesian friends that
they would no longer see his face. Paul passionately wanted
them to know that they would be fine. In fact, he says in
a very real way, they would be better off without him. Paul
is nearing the completion of his third missionary journey.
He’s in the midst of that journey, which takes him from Antioch
in the east, all the way westward through Tarsus and Lystra, Laodicea,
Ephesus, and then Paul heads to Macedonia. In traveling to
Jerusalem, he stopped in a port near Ephesus, and he calls the
elders to meet with him. If you would, if you’re in Acts
chapter 20, pick up with me in verse 17. From Miletus, he, that
is Paul, sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the
church. And when they had come to him,
he said to them, you yourselves know that from the first day
that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials
which came upon me, through the plots of the Jews. How I did
not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable
and teaching you publicly and from house to house solemnly
testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now behold, bound in spirit,
I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen
to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies
to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life
of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course
and the ministry which I receive from the Lord Jesus to testify
solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold,
I know that all of you among whom I went about preaching the
kingdom will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to
you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and
for all the flock. among which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers to shepherd the church of God which he purchased
with his own blood. I know that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. And
from among your own selves men will arise speaking perverse
things to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the
alert remembering that night and day for a period of three
years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 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. I have coveted no one’s silver
or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these
hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with
me. In everything, I showed you that by working hard in this
manner, you must help the weak and remember the words of the
Lord Jesus that he himself said, it is more blessed to give than
to receive. When he had said these things,
he knelt down and prayed with them all and they began to weep
aloud and embraced Paul and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially
over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face
again. and they were accompanying him to the ship. And so with
that little discussion as a foundation of Paul’s relationship with the
Ephesian church, let’s backtrack all the way back to verse 17,
where Luke records this meeting, this called meeting between Paul
and the elders of the Ephesian church. This was no optional
meeting. This was a summons. In fact,
this Greek word is found only in the book of Acts, but it speaks
of an authoritative invitation. This was a command performance
by the Ephesian elders. Paul rallies them, he summonses
them to this meeting. And then he calls them to this
meeting And you would have to think if you didn’t know scripture
and didn’t know the Apostle Paul, you would think that he’s some
kind of an egotist. Because during the course of
this little discussion, he issues these 20 I statements. I did this. I was. I did not. I am. I do not. And you would
have to think that either Paul is an egotist or directed by
God himself. He was setting himself forth
as an example to these Ephesian elders. I believe it’s the latter. I think this was a pattern. This
is Paul’s calling in ministry. Paul said the same thing to Titus.
In all things, show yourself to be an example of good deeds.
We’re called as believers to be an example to other believers,
all of us. Jeremy Taylor, the commentator,
said this, great is the force of godly example. It’s one thing
to read the command in scripture, but to see it being lived out
in another brother’s life, there’s just something powerful to that.
Great is the force of godly example, both to the believer, to provoke
him to further obedience, and to the unbeliever, either to
bring him into a liking for religion or to condemn him. You see, the
world watches you as well, and you are an example to them. My beloved grandfather was a
character, and he used to say to me, don’t do as I do, do as
I say. Paul says it a little differently,
doesn’t he? Paul says, do as I do. Watch me and do likewise. To the Philippians he said, join
in following my example. Later on in Philippians 4.9,
the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in
me, practice these things. And so I suggest to you that
that’s exactly what Paul is doing here in Acts chapter 20. It’s
Paul’s personal testimony of his life and his ministry. These
are the marks of a God-honoring ministry. These are the marks
by which any ministry is examined, first and foremost. A ministry that honors God is
characterized, first of all, by a commitment to proclaiming
the gospel. There is no other hope for mankind. Whatever help is rendered is
really fruitless if in the end it isn’t accompanied with and
undergirded by the gospel itself. Paul calls upon their memory
in verse 18 and he says you yourselves know and he begins this process
of making them remember what he had done among them, making
them think about his example, the way that he lived, his humility,
his intensity, his faithfulness, his graciousness in the face
of persecution and hurt, his sorrows, his boldness, his tirelessness
in proclaiming his Lord Jesus Christ. But first of all, it
was his service. You yourselves know from the
first day that I set foot in Asia how I was with you the whole
time serving the Lord. He wanted them to remember his
service. It was his service in the teeth
of incessant challenge and difficulty, his tirelessness in proclaiming
Christ. But look first at verse 19. He wants them to remember first
that he served among them and he wants them to remember the
context in which he served. The context in which he served
we would have to gather from other epistles that testified
of all that Paul endured. Here he just says, with all humility,
with tears and trials which came upon me from the plots of the
Jews. But we would have to look elsewhere to begin to glean just
the sheer plentitude of what Paul had endured. To the Thessalonians,
Paul reminded them that he had suffered and been mistreated
at Philippi. In 2 Timothy 4.10, he speaks
of a man named Demas who had deserted him in ministry. In 1 Corinthians 4, he speaks
of his plights, hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, roughly treated. We are homeless, we toil, working
with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless.
When we are persecuted, we endure. When we are slandered, we try
to conciliate. We become, as the scum of the
world, the dregs of all things. What a testimony. What a context
for ministry. In 2 Corinthians, he reminds
them we were burdened excessively beyond our strength so that we
despaired even of life. Paul wanted to die. And often
we know that sentiment. We are afflicted in every way,
he says in chapter 4 of that epistle, but not crushed, perplexed,
but not despairing, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down,
but not destroyed. The way he summarized it to the
Corinthians was, we are afflicted on every side. Conflicts without
and fears within. No matter where Paul went, he
was getting it from all sides, not only externally, but internally. Paul’s frequent metaphor for
the Christian ministry was that of a soldier. He was in battle. Yet all this, even in the face
of all this, Paul says, I was with you the whole time. I was
serving the Lord. You yourselves know and remember
it. But he calls them to remember two things in those verses. Not
only that he was with them serving, but also that he was bold in
his teaching. Look at verse 20. I did not shrink
from declaring to you anything that was profitable. This idea
of shrinking is recoiling out of cowardice. You know what you
should say, but you hold back. You know what God is compelling
you to say. You know that there’s only one
thing that you can say in this moment, but you hold back. And
I believe out of cowardice. And he speaks, he says here that
he spoke the truth. He didn’t hide anything from
anybody. He didn’t cover it up out of fear and cowardice and
timidity. He says in verse 20, I did not
shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable. We say, well, what could that
be? Well, I mean, there are a few clues here. If you look at the
passage, verse 20. Whatever it was, when he says,
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
whatever that was profitable, it was inherently profitable.
It was good for their soul. It was ultimately beneficial. It wasn’t just a warm meal or
a passing kindness. It was something that had in
its core of its being a profitability, a benefit to their nature. profitable
to their souls. Whatever it was, Paul gives another
clue that he was going about teaching publicly and from house
to house. Now let’s be real, Paul wasn’t
selling Amway. Paul wasn’t going about peddling
some worldly goods. He was giving them something
that was ultimately profitable, profitable to their very soul. And we have another clue, whatever
it was, it was good for both Jews and Greeks. That was Paul’s
ministry. Paul’s ministry was a calling
primarily to the Greeks, but also to the Jews, to the Jews
first and foremost, but also to the Greeks. Whatever it was,
we have another clue, whatever it was involved repentance. Now
we begin to get a glimmer of what Paul’s referring to. This
idea of repentance is not just a change of mind, but it’s a
complete change of direction. It’s a change of heart. This
is the word that Paul uses in 1st Thessalonians 2, how you
turned from idols to God. Whatever it was, we have a final
clue, whatever it was, whatever this thing that was inherently
profitable, involved faith. And now we begin to see that
the only thing that fits, the only thing that’s profitable,
the only thing where you could go about teaching publicly and
from house to house, good for both Jews and Greeks, involving
repentance and faith, it’s the gospel. That’s what Paul was
committed to. It’s the gospel that Paul was
preaching and proclaiming. It’s the gospel that he could
not leave off. It’s the good news from God regarding
his plan of redemption. It’s the plan that was conceived
by God in eternity past. And from the moment of the fall,
God began actively working His plan to save people upon whom
He had set His love from eternity past. Look at verse 20, how I
did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable. Chrysostom, a famous preacher
of the gospel said that there is many a man who would march
up to the cannon’s mouth for the honor of his country yet would not face the laugh
of his companions for the honor of his savior cowardice that’s
what it’s talking about Paul says, I did not succumb to cowardice. I am not ashamed of the gospel.
As he told the Romans, Paul was not afraid to preach the gospel. Paul was afraid not to preach
the gospel. Are you committed to the gospel
alone? Are you committed to salvation
by faith in Jesus Christ alone? Do you promote good works? as a means of saving souls? Do
you promote acts of kindness as some way to soothe people’s
consciences? Not Paul. Paul was committed
to proclaiming the gospel because he saw that that was ultimately
profitable. Profitable to their souls for
eternity. A ministry that honors God is
characterized not only by a commitment to proclaiming the gospel, but
the faith in God to proceed into the unknown. Look at verse 22. Now behold, bound in spirit,
I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen
to me there. Well, he kind of knew. He had been given a heads
up by God himself through the Holy Spirit. Acts 19 records
that he purposed to go to Jerusalem. That was his intention. He submitted
his plans to God. For some time now, Paul has been
appealing to many different churches for contributions to go and meet
the famine crisis that was in Jerusalem. And now, that the
monetary gift is delivered he is committed to go even into
the teeth of the machinery as it were. He’s bound in spirit. There was no ecclesiastical body
compelling Paul to go, sending him as it were. There was no
church dictating his mission. God had called him to this ministry. The Holy Spirit was guiding him.
And in this particular ministry, Paul was compelled by God himself
to go, even in the face of danger. Look at verse 22 again. I’m on my way to Jerusalem, not
knowing what will happen to me there. We must have, as believers,
that’s what a walk of faith is in this life. We must have the
faith to proceed into the unknown. I did a study years ago, how
many thousands and millions of dollars are spent each year on
the fortune-telling industry. That’s what we want to know.
We want to know how it’s going to be. We like everything to be mapped
out and predictable. We like it comfortable, safe
bet. We want to minimize our risk,
don’t we? Comfortable, smooth sailing.
We don’t like uncertainty. We don’t like surprises, especially
if they’re negative. But Paul knew. That’s what’s
astounding. He says, not knowing what will
happen to me there, except for this one little fact, the Holy
Spirit solemnly testifies to me, and not just once, but in
every city. I take it that the closer Paul
got to Jerusalem, the more intense these revelations became. Bonds and afflictions. Not gonna
be easy for you, Paul. In fact, immediately following
Acts chapter 20, in 21 there’s a prophet named Agabus that takes
a belt, wraps it around his wrist, and comes to Paul and says, this
is what’s coming, Paul. Are you a fool? He bound his own feet and hands
and said, this is what the Holy Spirit says. In this way, the
Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver
him into the hands of the Gentiles. Well, that’s subtle. Not very. Paul wasn’t aimless. Paul knew
what he was in for. Paul knew. that he was in for
difficulty. I shared a story one time that
one of the most really striking events that I
had in my life, I was driving to Arizona, and you would think
that living almost my entire life in Colorado, this is kind
of a, sounds almost sissy, but the worst snowstorm that I ever
hit was not in Colorado, it was in Arizona. just outside of Flagstaff,
it was so intense and the wind was blowing so hard I couldn’t
see. I didn’t want to pull off the
road because I knew if a truck hit me that I’d be a goner. And
so I followed this truck. I followed on his, if he had
crashed, I’d have crashed right into him. It was my only hope.
I had just enough to go that next step. And on we went all the way into
Flagstaff. Sometimes that’s all we have.
How’s your faith? Do you have faith to proceed
into the unknown or do you have to have it all mapped out all
of life? There’s a third. The ministry
that honors God is characterized not only by a commitment to proclaiming
the gospel, the faith to proceed into the unknown, but a selfless
dedication to the work of God. Look at verse 24. I do not consider my life of
any account as dear to myself so that I may finish my course
in the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ to
testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. It’s not
that Paul didn’t care about his life. He loved the privilege
of serving his Savior. He, like any other child of God,
was thankful to have the blessing of the days that are spent on
earth. But Paul says here, comparatively speaking, just like he does in
Philippians 1, even his ministry paled in comparison
to God’s great plan of redemption. Why would Paul say this? Why
would Paul say, I do not consider my life as any account as dear
to myself? Why would Paul say this? The
truth is because most people do. That’s where most people
put their value above all else, including the gospel, including
the service of Christ. Their life is number one. Most
for love of themselves or fear of man would easily relegate
the work of God to a lesser place. What you have here is immediately
a picture not only you think of law enforcement out risking
their lives but think of missionaries risking their lives with no protection
for the service of God. Paul, this was always Paul’s
testimony in every church to the Philippians he said over
and over again My imprisonment for the cause of Christ. That’s
how he characterized it. For me to live is Christ and
to die is gain. Even if I’m being poured out
as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of his
faith. He was willing to be spent. He was willing to be used by
God. He was willing to die if need be. For what? Look at verse
24 again. I do not consider my life of
any account as dear to myself so that I may finish my course
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. Paul was selflessly dedicated
to God’s work precisely because he constantly remembered from
whom he had received his commissioning. Particularly for Paul, his ministry
was the ministry of proclaiming the gospel. Not the prospect. He wasn’t focused on the prospect
of Judaizers attempting to thwart his efforts. Not the brutal hostilities
of the Gentile merchants who were angry at him for ruining
their idol trade. Wasn’t even the threat of heathen
rulers. They didn’t frighten Paul. Paul’s
only fear was the fear of almighty God himself who had commanded
him into ministry. Number four, a ministry that
honors God is characterized by a commitment to proclaiming the
gospel, faith in God to proceed into the unknown, a selfless
dedication to the work of God, and number four, an absolute
commitment to God’s word. For this example, I would direct
you to verses 25 through 27, where Paul ultimately says, I
did not shrink from declaring to you, there’s that image again,
of refusing to cower, refusing to give in to cowardice. Paul
says, I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Ephesus was Paul’s base camp. It wasn’t just the city of Ephesus. It was the entire region that
he was preaching. He went about preaching the kingdom. Ephesus was his base of operations. And he says to them that he had
done so with great faithfulness. I went about preaching the kingdom
and I know that now behold you will no longer see my face.”
He was bidding them farewell. We can’t be sure that Paul ever
again set foot in Ephesus. We know that he wrote them an
epistle and there are accounts that have Paul back in Ephesus. But here he says with almost shocking words. He says, I testify to
you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. That
is a shocking image, isn’t it? And it’s a shocking reminder
to us. The image comes from Ezekiel’s prophecy. In Ezekiel 3, when
I say to the wicked, you will surely die and you do not warn
him or speak to him or warn the wicked from his wicked way that
he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but
his blood I will require at your hand. Paul seizes upon that imagery
and he says to the Ephesians, I’m innocent. I proclaimed Christ. I gave you the antidote. I gave
you the only cure. I introduced you to the Redeemer.
I told you about the Savior. I did not shrink from declaring
to you the whole purpose of God.” What is it? What is this whole
purpose of God? And maybe for one of the few
times in my life, I love the King James here. King James says, I have not shunned
to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.” What is it? I think it’s a better translation,
certainly a more striking translation, the whole counsel of God. That sounds important, doesn’t
it? Paul’s referring to God’s plan
of redemption that’s presented in God’s Word from cover to cover. Granted the New Testament is
yet to be completed, but Paul says it’s God’s word and all
of it, I did not shrink. I never held back. Even the difficult
or inconvenient parts, I never held back on declaring to you
the whole counsel of God. How about you? Like Tyndale,
like Wycliffe, are you ready to die? for the cause of the
scriptures. Are you ready to declare that
that is absolutely unequivocally God’s word and treat it as such
beginning with your own life in yielding to its commands and
dictates? Number five, a ministry that
honors God is characterized by a compulsion to warn people of
danger. For this, a lengthy set of verses,
verses 28 to 31, Paul begins by saying, be on guard. The word
is often used in translating terms, emphasizing a solemn warning. Jesus uses it frequently. Beware
of practicing your righteousness before men, Matthew 6.1. Beware of the false prophets,
Matthew 7.15. Paul says here, beware. Be on guard for your own lives. Be on guard for yourselves. And
he says to these elders that an elder’s number one job is
to watch himself, to watch over his own life. That’s where it
all begins. It begins with yourself, with
your own life. Observe, give attention, stay,
wait, watch. There should be, as the Puritans
used to say, a general distrustfulness of self. We think just the opposite,
don’t we? A general distrustfulness of
self because of the sinful tendencies within us. We have to be watchful,
we have to beware. Not only for yourselves, but
for all the flock. We’re supposed to watch over
their lives. And Paul initiates this great metaphor of the church
in his message to the Ephesian elders, that of the flock of
God, that they are shepherds watching over this flock. Elders,
Paul says, are to give their utmost attention. They’re to
beware and literally to be on guard over God’s church. But I want you to see this. that
this just isn’t any flock. The elders are to watch over
the church because it’s precious to God. It’s of infinite value. Look at the end of verse 28.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers to shepherd the church of God
which He purchased with His own blood. This isn’t just any This
isn’t a business. This isn’t a meeting. This isn’t
just any group of people. These are the very ones for whom
Christ died. And he says it’s a treasure above
all treasures to God himself. It’s of infinite value. It requires
the utmost care and protection. And for those saints, these elders
are to be on guard. They’re to be on watch. to shepherd
the church, God’s church, with a constant mindfulness that it’s
an institution that is nearest God’s heart. It is that for which
Jesus Christ himself died. It is the most glorious, most
precious, most graced institution on the face of the earth bar
none. Paul points out, staying with
this metaphor of the flock, he points out that wolves are going
to come. They’re going to come. Paul experienced it. And Paul
wanted these Ephesian elders to be mindful. And so when he says beware, what
does that do for you? Are you watchful? Are you watchful
over your own life? Are you watchful over the saints
lives? Are you watchful over the pastor’s
life? Do you pray? Do you plead for
God’s grace of protection? Number six. The ministry that
honors God is characterized, number six, by the wisdom and
the humility to point others to divine resources. Look at verse 32. This is amazing
for Paul to do this. Paul was saying goodbye. He wasn’t
gonna be able to disciple them anymore. He wasn’t gonna be able
to meet with them or pray for them or be with them or teach
them or lead them or shepherd them. This is an incredible divine
handoff, and every shepherd knows this. 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.
The Ephesian Christians, indeed all Christians, we have a tendency
to take for granted, to be forgetful God and his grace. I’ve said it before, we have
a hyperactive confidence in self. We depend on ourselves, our abilities,
our reputation, our power, our influence, our wisdom, our connections,
our GPAs, our degrees. We depend too much on us and
too little on God. There’s nothing wrong with those
things. The problem is not with those things, but on the fact
that we depend too little on God, Almighty God, and too little
on His grace, His supply, His sustaining grace. Paul says,
now I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace. Grace in the New Testament primarily,
but not exclusively, speaks of salvation. It is the undeserved
favor that comes to us and changes us from within and takes us and
places us on the path of righteousness, takes dead and sinners and brings
life to their souls. At least 35 times we’re told
in Scripture that if we are saved, it is only because of the grace
of God. Romans 3.24, justified as a gift
by His grace through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ. First
and foremost, God’s grace does point to our salvation, but it also points to God’s kindness
and goodness and favor. And it also is used to point
to a divine enablement in the saints’ lives, a God-given power. God gives the opportunity and
the capability With God’s grace, we have abilities and gifts and
opportunities that we never had outside of Christ. It enables
us to overcome life’s challenges and to maximize our usefulness
for God, to conquer weaknesses and failings, to accomplish amazing
things for God. In great seasons of difficulty,
we overcome. We have in this life a generous
supply, just like Paul. In a very real way, we stand
on the same spot that Paul did as the Ephesian church. Just as was the Ephesian church,
Paul says we’re better off with the grace of God. Number seven, a ministry that honors God is
characterized by a commitment to proclaiming the gospel the
faith in God to proceed into the unknown, a selfless dedication
to the work of God, an absolute commitment to God’s word, a compulsion
to warn people of danger, the wisdom and humility to point
others to divine resources, and number seven, a life of exemplary
contentedness. Paul says in verse 33, I’ve coveted
no one’s silver or gold or clothes. Paul had very carefully avoided
any appearance of monetary covetousness. I’ve coveted no one’s silver
or gold or clothes. I didn’t set my eyes lustfully
on your things. Not gold, not silver, not even
your clothes. Paul says this to underscore
the fact that he was not greedy. He wasn’t in it for the money.
He told the Thessalonians, we never came with a pretext for
greed. Because there was a recurring
accusation against Paul, and for which he made frequent defense. Paul testifies that he was not
fond of sordid gain like the false teachers. He was not in it for the money.
He was not in it for unjust gain, theft, embezzlement, cheating,
fraud. And of course, the secret to
all of that is contentment. Contentment. Paul says, not that
I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am. I know how to get along by humble
means. I also know how to live in prosperity. In any and every
circumstance, I have learned the secret. of being filled and
going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need,
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And then there’s an interesting
finality to this. I believe Paul held forth his
dry, cracked, chapped, aching hands that had held sewing needles,
possibly even arthritic. And he says to them, you yourselves
know that these hands have ministered to my own needs and to the men
who were with me. Paul was a tent maker. Taking
a needle with these rough, tired hands, sewing little by little
a tent. to peddle in the marketplace,
to help support his ministry and those who were with him. Paul summarizes this by saying,
in everything I showed you, by working hard in this manner,
you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that
he himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive. This was Paul’s testimony. This
was Paul’s example to the Ephesian elders. A lot of people that Sometimes seek the ministry,
ponder getting into the ministry. They do it for all the wrong
reasons. They do it for notoriety. They
do it for money. They do it for power and influence.
Paul says at the end of it, it’s none of that. Spurgeon said it
much more forcefully. Spurgeon said, what would you
choose that you alone may fare better than all of God’s saints? That God should strew carpets
for your nice feet only to walk into your heaven and make that
way smooth for you which all patriarchs, prophets, evangelists,
yea Christ himself have found rugged? Away with this self-love. Come down, you ambitious sons
of Zebedee, and before you think of sitting near the throne, be
content to be called to the cross. Now is your trial. Let your Savior see how much
of His bitter portion you can pledge. Then you shall see how
much of His glory He can afford you. As snow is of itself cold,
yet warms and refreshes the earth, so afflictions, though in themselves
grievous, yet keep the soul of the Christian warm and make it
fruitful. Would you humble yourself before
Almighty God. Our merciful King, we thank you
for the pattern that you have set forth And any degree that we have moved
in the direction of any of these examples is only because of your
sustaining grace, only because of the clarity of your word and
the compulsion of your spirit and the supply of your enabling
grace. Lord, continue, we pray, to school
us and examine us and to challenge us to live according to these
examples, the marks of a God-honoring church. We plead for your grace. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray.
Amen.