Committing Everything to God and to the Word of His Grace
A. Paul's satisfaction and concern (25-30)
1) The satisfaction of having fulfilled his responsibility (25-27)
"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
2) Warnings about what is to come (28-30)
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. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
B. Committing everything to God (31-38)
1) Inheriting God's grace and passing it on (31,32)
So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. "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.
2) Living in Jesus' word (33-38)
I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.'" When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Summary
Serving the Lord begins as worship becomes a central part of our lives and impacts all other areas. When we use the words "ministry" or "minister" what that means is that we use the gifts we've been given in order to meet the needs of other people. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts and guides us in how to use them.
For Discussion
1) Why was Paul going to Jerusalem?
2) Why did Paul call the Ephesian leaders together?