Paul’s Farewell
Text: Acts 20:17-38
Core Idea: Paul’s only aim was to finish the race well. So, he pressed on – boldly advancing the gospel and lovingly shepherding God’s people as he humbly relied on the transforming power of God’s Word. Then, that’s what we must do as well so that we, too, can faithfully live out the mission God has entrusted to us as a church.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, Lighthouse. It is great to see you. I want to welcome all of you, but especially our Tugboat and Anchor friends, as they will be joining us for the whole service today. Now, to help our children engage a little more, we’ve been following the curriculum that the Tugboat ministry is currently going through in these joint services – so please open your Bibles to Acts 20:17-38. But before we read this, let me quickly give you the context so that you’ll better appreciate this story. Some of you might remember that about a month ago, we looked at Saul’s conversion – how he went from being an enemy of God to a brother in Christ. Now, one thing that really struck me was that Saul wasn’t just saved for his own sake – he was saved for a purpose. Listen to what God said in Acts 9:15, “This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” In other words, Saul was set apart to be an apostle to the Gentiles. And it’s clear that he took this calling to heart because from that moment on, Saul (whom we now know as Paul) faithfully and passionately carried out his mission of spreading the gospel – embarking on three missionary journeys over the next 12 years. Wherever he went, he preached with courage, planted new churches, and raised up leaders so that the gospel work could carry on even after he left. His goal was simple – to reach as many people and places as possible. Now, Paul usually didn’t stay long in one place – just weeks or months, depending on how people responded to the gospel. That’s why his decision to stay in Ephesus for more than three years says a lot – it reveals his deep love and commitment to that church community. But when opposition rose, Paul left the city – not because he was afraid to die, but because he sensed that this might be the Spirit’s prompting to move on, for his greater ambition was to bring the gospel all the way to Rome, where he hoped to proclaim Christ even to Caesar himself. Now, before making that journey, Paul visited nearby cities to encourage believers. And along the way, he stopped in Miletus, which was located about 50 km south of Ephesus (See map). Knowing that he didn’t have time to stop by Ephesus, he asked the elders of the church to meet him there so he could offer a final farewell to the people he loved so much. That is the context of the passage we’re about to read. Then, with that in mind, let me invite Manu up – and he will read the passage for us.
17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 32 Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Thank you, Manu, for reading the passage for us. And children, I hope you enjoyed the video – a wonderful summary of the story so far. Now, to the Ephesian believers, Paul was more than a teacher – he was like a father to them. They loved and admired him because it was through him that they had come to know Christ and grow in the faith – his presence had shaped their church in every way. So, when they realized they would never see him again, it broke their hearts. No wonder they wept and embraced him with great sorrow. This moment is significant because it meant that Paul was delivering his final words to the people he deeply loved. Then, can you imagine how intentional he must have been with every word – speaking with wisdom, sincerity, and urgency? He wasn’t saying, “Look at all that I’ve done for you – you owe me.” No, he was basically saying, “Here’s what I’ve learned through years of ministry. Take it and learn from it so that you’ll be fully equipped to fulfill the calling God has given you.” Now, it’s true that Paul here was addressing the elders of the church – but I firmly believe that the principles he shares have a wider application for all of us. Then, let’s lean in and listen closely so that we, too, might learn from him and become the kind of church God is calling us to be. Three things:
· WE MUST AIM TO FINISH THE RACE WELL
· WE MUST KEEP WATCH OVER THE FLOCK
· WE MUST TRUST THE WORD OF HIS GRACE
1) WE MUST AIM TO FINISH THE RACE WELL
Look at what Paul says in verse 24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Everything Paul did was driven by this one desire: to finish the race and complete the task God had given him. This past week, Jane and I were just reflecting on all the ways that God has blessed our church. At one point, I said, “I wonder where our church will be in 10-20 years from now.” And Jane responded in a way that really stuck with me – she said, “The way you think about the future may be different from the way I think about it, considering that I only have about 10 years left in ministry while you have closer to 25 years. So, you may be thinking about how you need to run the race well, but I’m thinking about how to finish the race well.” Brothers and sisters, how are you running your race today? What are you doing to finish well? What is that one driving aim of your life? What are you truly living for? For Paul, it was the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace – his heart was set on advancing the gospel no matter the cost. This reminded me of what Paul said in Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He was basically saying, “My life is no longer my own, for I’ve been purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ – so I now live under His lordship. Everything I do now is driven by my desire to know Christ – to glorify Him and make Him known to the world.” Paul made his life all about Jesus. Every decision he made was for Christ – and every relationship in his life was shaped by Christ. Jesus was the reason why he got up in the morning. Jesus was the reason why he endured hardship, pain, and suffering. And Jesus was the reason why he rejoiced, why he served, and why he pressed on. Nothing else mattered. He didn’t care what others had to say about him – and he couldn’t care less if the world thought his way of life was foolish, for to him, Jesus was the greatest treasure of his heart. No wonder he lived to advance the gospel. Paul willingly gave up his life for the One who joyfully gave up His life for him.
Then, how did he advance the gospel? First, he faithfully declared the gospel wherever he went. Verse 20, “I have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Paul did this because he knew that people needed to hear the truth to be saved. Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message.” So, he preached the whole will of God as it says in verse 27 – about who God is, the reality of our sin, what Christ accomplished on the cross, and how He conquered the grave so that we can have hope in Him. He taught people in public – but also in their homes. In other words, whenever an opportunity arose, knowing that it was given by God, he seized it by sharing the gospel with clarity, conviction, and compassion – longing to lead people back to God. Then, that’s what we should do as well, for we’ve been called to be messengers of the gospel – witnesses to Christ who will come again to judge the living and the dead. So, wherever we are, at home to our children, at work to our co-workers, at school to our friends, we must speak the truth of the gospel, for that is our God-given duty. This is so important because we live in a world that values personal opinion over truth. No wonder people try to shape God into whatever image suits them best. But think about how foolish that is. Let’s say that you said to me, “Woohyun, I decided to think of you as a great plumber because I really need a friend with those skills.” First of all, if you know me, you probably won’t want me as your plumber – although I did successfully change the bathroom faucet by watching a YouTube video recently. Yes, it took hours – and yes, I was tempted to call a real plumber, but I got it done. Still, that doesn’t make me a real plumber. No matter how much you want me to be one, it’s simply not true. If you really want to know me, you need to let me tell you who I actually am. Sadly, that’s not how many people approach God. They try to define Him according to their own preferences and desires. Brothers and sisters, this is why we must share the gospel clearly and faithfully. We must declare the gospel so that people can truly know God and the salvation He offers through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
Second, he humbly declared the gospel with his life. Verse 18, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.” That phrase “with you” is significant because it tells us that Paul didn’t just preach to the people from a distance – he shared life with them. He allowed them to see how he lived – up close. The truth is that it’s very easy to hide parts of ourselves from others. For example, the people you work with may not know about your love life, your family life, your church life, your hobbies, and so on, because that’s the extent you want them to know about you. We like to control what others see. But when you’re living with them, it’s almost impossible to hide everything – eventually, they’ll see the real you. When Paul was with them in Ephesus, he didn’t just talk the talk, but he also walked the walk. His life was so consistent that even those who opposed his message couldn’t deny the way he carried himself – they may have resisted his words, but they couldn’t question his character. Friends, are you the same person in public and private? Are you the same person to your spouse as you are to your friends? Is your life truly a reflection of the gospel? Is your life proclaiming the beauty of Christ? Is your life drawing people closer to God? Peter Scazzero writes, “Who you are as a person will always have a larger and longer impact on those around you than what you do. Your being with God (or lack of being with God) will trump, eventually, your doing for God every time. We cannot give what we do not possess. We cannot help but give what we do possess. We can teach what we know, but we will reproduce who we are.” Then, husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. Wives, honor your husbands, just as you would do for the Lord. Parents, model for your children what it means to love the Lord. Children, obey your parents so that you’ll bring great joy to your heavenly Father. Singles, pursue godliness in all that you do so that through your life, Christ will be exalted. Students, use your studies as an act of worship to God. Members of this church, serve one another with joy and love each other with grace. May we walk the walk so that our lives won’t become a stumbling block to the gospel advancing.
Lastly, he courageously declared the gospel in the midst of hardship. Verse 19, “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you.” When Paul says he didn’t hesitate, it suggests that preaching the gospel wasn’t always easy. In fact, we know this to be true because he suffered greatly for his obedience. And yet he didn’t shrink back – he didn’t compromise. He remained faithful to his calling. Brothers and sisters, let’s be honest – living a life worthy of the gospel is not easy because we live in a world that is incredibly hostile to the gospel, which means that, at times, you’ll be tempted to give up. You’ll shed tears. For example, if you have a biblical view of marriage or gender roles, if you believe in the exclusivity of Christ and the inerrancy of Scripture, if you proclaim the doctrine of hell and eternal judgment, you will face rejection and opposition. Some of you know exactly what this feels like because you’ve already experienced it at school, at work, or in conversations with others. If this is you, I want you to know that I’ve been praying for you – that you would step into these conversations with courage, humility, and love, that you won’t abandon the call you have received, no matter how difficult it gets. Let’s aim to finish our race well by faithfully living out the gospel in every place God has called us to be.
2) WE MUST KEEP WATCH OVER THE FLOCK
Look at verse 28. Here, Paul called the Ephesian elders to watch over the flock that has been entrusted to them – to shepherd the church of God. And here’s the reason: for it has been bought with the precious blood of Christ. Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus shed His own blood not just to save individual souls, but to redeem a people, a community, a church. Then, Paul was basically saying, “If Jesus poured out His blood for the church, I’m going to pour my life into it as well – and you, the leaders of this church, should also follow in my steps.” Now, I understand that most of you are not elders – which means that your calling may look different from mine. But I firmly believe that the heart of this truth applies to all of us in that all of us are called to care for one another – knowing that it cost the very life of Jesus to bring this church together. Now, it’s easy to lose sight of this, especially when life in the community feels mundane or when things get messy. But this verse reminds us that the church is far more precious and beautiful than we could ever imagine. Brothers and sisters, the church is not just a human institution – it’s not just a gathering of like-minded people, a religious service, or a weekly event. No, it’s the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, the flock that Christ Himself watches over. Yes, it’s not perfect – but Jesus still calls it His own. And if it matters that much to Him, it should matter deeply to us as well. We should graciously, generously, sacrificially love everyone who is part of it. Then, here are just three ways of loving the church and keeping watch over one another:
First, build a “one-another” community. This, by the way, is actually one of our value statements here at Lighthouse. Now, did you know that the phrase “one another” occurs around 100 times in the NT to address relationships within a community of believers? For example, it says that we ought to love one another, serve one another, accept one another, live in harmony with one another, encourage one another, admonish one another, bear with one another, forgive one another, submit to one another, offer hospitality to one another, do not grumble against one another, do not slander one another, and so on. I think we can all agree – isn’t this the kind of church that we want to be part of? Isn’t this the kind of church that we want to invest in? A place where we’re not just friendly for an hour on Sundays but deeply committed to one another throughout the week; a place where burdens are shared, sacrifices are made, and lives are deeply connected; a place where people are known, accepted, forgiven, and loved; a place where the gospel is lived out daily – this is the kind of church that I want to belong. And it starts with you and me. Brothers and sisters, we must remember that it’s our God-given responsibility to care for one another. When someone is struggling physically, emotionally, relationally, or spiritually, when someone is drifting because of their sin, when someone hasn’t been at church for some time, when someone is growing cold in their faith, we shouldn’t just say, “None of my business.” No, we should make it our business and step in with love, prayer, and support – not to judge or intrude, but to walk alongside them, to help them press on to live a life that honors the Lord.
Second, take Sunday worship seriously. If you’re a Christian, Sunday isn’t just another day off – a chance to sleep in, run errands, or unwind before the week begins. No, for us, Sunday is the Lord’s Day – a day set apart for the people of God to gather in the presence of God to hear the Word of God and to worship together as the body of Christ. So, when we come to church on Sundays, we’re not just attending an event – we’re responding to an invitation from our heavenly Father. It’s a privilege. This is why skipping Sunday worship regularly isn’t just missing out on fellowship – it puts our own hearts at risk. Every time we show up to worship, we’re making a statement – that God is worthy of my worship, His Word is worth hearing, His people are worth gathering with, and my soul is worth feeding. The rhythm of weekly worship is God’s gift to shape our hearts, renew our minds, and strengthen our faith for the days ahead. So, let’s not take Sundays lightly. Let’s come with ready hearts and open hands – expecting to meet with our risen Lord.
Lastly, pray for the church regularly. One of the most powerful ways to watch over the flock is through intercessory prayer. Charles Spurgeon said, “No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.” Brothers and sisters, do you love this church? Do you want to know how you can be part of guarding and protecting this church? Then, I invite you to pray. Pray for your leaders. Pray for me as I preach the Word. Pray for different ministries at our church, like worship, media, sound, welcoming, men’s ministry, women’s ministry, CG, and more. Pray for our children in Tugboat, our youth in Anchor, and our young people in Beacon. Pray for the singles. Pray for the married. Pray for those who are heavy-hearted, those who are weak in their faith, those who are wrestling with sin, and those who feel lonely. Pray for our unbelieving friends. Pray for unity. Pray for maturity. Pray for a revival. Pray, pray, and pray, for this is what it means to treasure this church.
3) WE MUST TRUST THE WORD OF HIS GRACE
After calling the elders to finish their race well and to shepherd the people of God, Paul concludes by drawing their attention to the reason why he’s confident about the future – verse 32, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” It’s true that Paul was leaving – the one who had guided them and poured into them would no longer be by their side. But that didn’t mean that they were going to be on their own. He wanted to remind them that they were in the hands of the One who will never leave nor forsake them. He was basically saying, “If you ever feel that the task before you is too heavy, that you don’t have what it takes to complete the call that God has given you, that you’re going to fail, remember that you’re in the hands of our mighty God. He will equip you. He will provide. He will use you. And even if you stumble, He will carry you and keep you. So, don’t lose hope and keep close to the Word of His grace, for God said in Isaiah 55:10-11, ‘As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’” Paul’s confidence for the Ephesian Church was not in the abilities and wisdom of the elders but in the power of God’s Word, for he was certain that all that God promises in the Word will be fulfilled. If it is God’s will that the gospel will advance, it will happen no matter what. If it is God’s will that the gates of Hades will not overcome the church, it will happen no matter what. If it is God’s will that the saints of God will be preserved until Christ comes back, it will happen no matter what. And in the same way, if it is God’s will that Lighthouse will be used to accomplish great things for His glory, it will happen no matter what. This is not to say, “Oh, I guess we don’t have to try that hard since everything God desires will happen with or without us.” Absolutely not. No, knowing that God’s will is about to be fulfilled, don’t you want to be part of that plan? Don’t you want to be used by Him? I do – and I hope you will as well.
Paul makes it very clear – the Word of God will build us up and assure us of our salvation. Then, let me ask you, “Do you need to be built up today? Where do you need to be built up?” Do you need forgiveness of sin and an assurance that God still loves you? Reflect on the work of Christ on the cross, for in love, Christ paid the price of our sins. Do you need strength to overcome temptation? Reflect on the glory of God, for when our hearts are captivated by His beauty, lesser things lose their grip. Do you need power to persevere through suffering? Reflect on the life to come, for it will fill us with hope. Do you need to grow in your love for your spouse, your children, a friend, a co-worker, or a member of this church? Reflect on the fact that God loved us even when we were His enemy, for when we taste His love for us, we’ll overflow with love for others. I could go on and on with these examples, but the point is that whatever the circumstance, we must anchor ourselves in the Word, for it will build us up. H.B. Charles said, “It is the will of God that the Spirit of God use the word of God to make the people of God look like the Son of God.” Then, let’s immerse ourselves in the Word, trusting that God will faithfully accomplish His purposes in our lives – both personally and as a church.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, Paul’s only aim was to finish the race well. So, he pressed on – boldly advancing the gospel and lovingly shepherding God’s people as he humbly relied on the transforming power of God’s Word. Then, that’s what we must do as well so that we, too, can faithfully live out the mission God has entrusted to us as a church.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Paul says his only aim was to finish the race and complete the task Jesus gave him. What is your “only aim” in life right now? How aligned is it with the gospel? What are you doing to finish your race well?
2) Paul says the church was “bought with the blood of Christ.” How does that change the way you view and value the church? Think of someone in our church who may be struggling, drifting, or feeling isolated. What would it look like to lovingly “watch over” them this week?
3) Paul entrusted the church to “the word of His grace.” What does this teach us about where our confidence should lie – in ministry and in life? How does Isaiah 55:10–11 encourage you to keep trusting God, even when you don’t see immediate fruit?