Pray Psalm 48.1-3.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge
Sing Psalm 48.1-3.
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Great is God, now greatly praise Him in the city of the LORD!
Holy she, His lovely mountain, great and glorious by His Word!
God her King is great within her, He, her Stronghold ever sure!
He, her Stronghold ever sure!
Read Acts 20.1, 2, 13-25; meditate on verses 18-25.
Preparation
1. For whom did Paul call?
2. Of what did he remind them?
Meditation
From Ephesus, Paul took a circuit through Macedonia and Greece before returning to Asia at Troy. As was his wont, Paul, we can suppose, was visiting the churches in Thessalonica, Berea, perhaps Athens, and Corinth before heading to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost (v. 15).
He did not want to stop in Ephesus, but, when his ship stopped at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church(es) in Ephesus to come and meet with him. It was Paul’s practice not to leave a church without elders (cf. Acts 14.23; Titus 1.5). And to make sure those elders understood what they should be doing, Paul reminded them of his own ministry among them for nearly three years.
Paul pointed to the example of his life to instruct the elders of Ephesus concerning their duty. He recalled his diligence, hard work and sacrifice, and the substance of his teaching, which was consistently focused on the Kingdom of God (Acts 20.25). Only barely, in outline only, did he recall the content of his teaching. He pointed to his life, to his personal example, as if to say, Be like me, work like you saw me work, and keep Christ and His Kingdom, and your calling as shepherds always before you. Personal example is one of three tools a shepherd has for caring for his flock, and unless that tool is rightly used, the others—prayer and the Word—will be ineffective.
What example do we put before those entrusted to our care? Do they see Jesus in us? And does our example encourage them in that same calling? This is Paul’s challenge to us as it was to these elders.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
What could be more beautiful, more comforting, or more encouraging than being part of a properly functioning Church? With shepherds and elders, like Paul and those he taught, leading, teaching, and guiding the flock to a deeper and more expansive understanding of their part in the whole picture.
Shepherds and elders that lead the flock to the green pastures and still waters of God’s Word where our souls can be restored and strengthened. Enriched and enlivened to be sent out into the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake (Ps. 23.2, 3).
Paul, who gets misnomered as a hard-nosed saint, was touchingly soft and caring.
“Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed…” (Acts 20.1). And when he left the gathered Ephesians, “he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more” (Acts 20.36-38).
But Paul never failed to tell his disciples the truth. He was not one to mince or waste words.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Prov. 27.17). And
“faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27.6).
Their eternity was secure; but the Church needed to grow. Therefore, they needed to be trained properly to be grown-up Christians, carrying their own load, and discipling new believers. And so it goes on and on into every generation of believers until the glorious Day of Christ’s return.
They were to follow Paul’s example, as are we, to:
1. Serve the Lord with all humility.
2. Expect many tears and trials. They will come. Don’t be disappointed.
3. Don’t mince your words. Don’t keep back any word, no matter how hard to say, that would be helpful.
4. Proclaim the Gospel and make disciples as you go. This is a both/and proposition.
5. Teach with your works and your words—publicly and privately—making sure they match up.
6. Testify to Jews and Greeks the necessity of repentance toward God.
7. Testify to everyone the importance of faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20.19-21).
Paul’s challenge—and questions—to his disciples and to us is this:
“What example are we displaying before those entrusted to our care?”
“Does our example encourage them in their calling to live for Jesus?”
“Do they see Jesus in us?”
Paul’s response to these questions?
“I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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” (Acts 20.27, 28).
We must imitate Paul as he imitated Christ (1 Cor. 11.1).
That is the way to build God’s glorious Church.
Reflection
1. What roles do the elders in your church fulfill?
2. How could you help the elders in shepherding the Lord’s flock?
3. How can you encourage the elders of your church this week?
It is the business of our life to provide for a joyful death. Believing that this was the last time they should see him, he appeals concerning his integrity. He had preached to them the whole counsel of God. As he had preached to them the gospel purely, so he had preached it to them entire; he faithfully did his work, whether men would bear or forbear. Matthew Henry (1662-1714),Commentary on Acts 20.17-27
Pray Psalm 48.4-14.
Pray for the elders of your church. Pray that God will make them a powerful example of Christ’s love and that He will use them and their teaching to bless and beautify your church.
Sing Psalm 48.4-14.
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Earthly kings, amazed and wond’ring, look upon the Church with fear.
See them flee in dread and anguish, knowing that the LORD is near.
For the city of the Savior, God will keep forevermore!
God will keep forevermore!
For Your grace and lovingkindness we proclaim Your matchless worth!
As Your Name is, great and boundless, let Your praise fill all the earth.
Let Your people sing rejoicing for the judgment of Your truth;
for the judgment of Your truth.
Walk about the blessèd city, see her beauty, see her power.
Count her ramparts, filled with glory, look on every mighty tower.
Tell her glory to the nations: God will guide her evermore;
God will guide her evermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” continues our look at the work we’ve been given to do. In our Read Moore column this week, we will finish up the book, Understanding the Times. Our Corsfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds him sailing westward over the Atlantic in a leather boat. Lots to learn there. Click the Articles tab on the home page to see all the selections available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
