Acts 20:17-21

DISCOURSE: 1798
ST. PAUL’S APPEAL TO THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS

Acts 20:17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came info Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and hare taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

IT is to peculiar, and, if we may so speak, to accidental circumstances, that we are indebted for that full developement of St. Paul’s character which we have in the Holy Scriptures. He never willingly set about to commend himself; but he was sometimes compelled to vindicate himself against the accusations of his enemies, and to make known his own principles and conduct, in order to prevail on others to tread in his steps. It was with this latter view that he made his appeal to the elders of Ephesus, when he was about to take a last farewell of them at Miletus.
Let us consider,

I. The appeal he made to them—

His stay among them had been of three years’ continuance; so that during that time they had had abundant opportunities of knowing every thing respecting him. To them therefore he appealed respecting,

1. The exercises of his mind—

[He had “served the Lord with all humility of mind” conscious of his own utter insufficiency for so great a work as had been committed to him [Note: 2 Corinthians 2:16.], and willing to make himself the servant of all, if by any means he might promote their eternal welfare [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:5 and 1 Corinthians 9:19.] — — — With this humility of mind he had blended compassion for their souls; so that whether he thought of those who rejected the Gospel, or those who walked unworthy of it, he had wept much on their account, both in his addresses to them, and in his supplications in their behalf [Note: Romans 9:2.Philippians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 2:4.] — — — Moreover, he had persevered in his efforts for their good, notwithstanding such difficulties, as had often proved a severe trial to his faith and patience [Note: Acts 20:3 and Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5.] — — — [Note: This subject should be differently enlarged upon, according to the occasion on which it should be delivered. If it were a Visitation or Ordination Sermon, the duties of the Ministry should be inculcated agreeably to this model: if it were a Funeral Sermon, the character of the deceased, as far as it accorded with this pattern, might be set forth: or, if it were a Farewell Sermon, a similar appeal might be made by the preacher, as far as it might be done with truth.]]

2. The labours of his life—

[He had exerted himself for them with fidelity and diligence: in all his communications, consulting, not what might please, but what would “profit them:” and delivering to them his sentiments, not merely in public addresses, but privately and personally in their own houses, whenever an occasion offered — — —]

3. The subject of his ministrations—

[He had never entertained them with unprofitable speculations, but had uniformly endeavoured to instruct them in the two great fundamental doctrines of Christianity, “repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” These he inculcated on all, whether they were self-righteous Jews, or philosophizing and contemptuous Gentiles: he inculcated these things, I say, on all, as being equally necessary, and equally sufficient, for all the human race — — —]
As the making of such an appeal to them may, to a superficial observer, appear to savour of pride, let us consider,

II.

The end for which he made it—

We may be well assured that he sought not to advance his own glory: no; he had higher ends in view: he endeavoured to shew them,
1.

How much they were indebted to God for the privileges they had enjoyed—

[To have such a ministry of the word so long continued to them, was a greater blessing than to be loaded with all the temporal benefits that could have been bestowed upon them. By means of his ministry, vast multitudes had been “turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God:” now therefore that they were about to be deprived of those blessings, it became them, not so much to grieve at the loss they were to sustain, as to adore God for the benefits they had enjoyed. In reviewing his labours amongst them for the space of three years, they would see how greatly they were indebted to God above other cities, which had enjoyed only a transient visit of a few days or weeks; and would feel themselves bound to render to the Lord, according to the benefits he had conferred upon them — — —]

2. How carefully they should guard against departing from the faith—

[Notwithstanding all the instructions they had received, they might, and would, if left to themselves, depart from God. St. Paul knew, that, “after his departure, grievous wolves would enter in among them;” and that “even from among themselves men would arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” This, alas! is what frequently takes place at the removal of a faithful minister, unless there be substituted in his place an Elisha, on whom the mantle of Elijah has fallen. When Moses was on the mount only forty days, the people, even with Aaron at their head, departed from the Lord, and made a golden calf. What then must not be expected, where the bereavement is of long continuance, and the people are left without any such distinguished saint to superintend and controul them? — — — O let all of you take care, “lest any root of bitterness spring up and trouble you, and thereby many be defiled!” — — —]

3. How earnestly they should strive to promote the interests of the Church—

[These elders were the same as in a subsequent verse are called “overseers,” or bishops; and, as their peculiar duty called them “to feed the Church of God,” he charged them to “take heed both to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had placed them,” even that Church, which our incarnate “God had purchased with his own blood.” What weighty considerations does he here urge, to stimulate them to a diligent discharge of their high office! O that every minister felt their full influence, and were actuated by them in the whole of his conduct!
But we must not suppose that ministers alone are interested in this charge: for every member of a Church may do much towards the establishment of his brethren in faith, and love, and holiness. All should watch over one another for good; and this duty is still more imperative, when a faithful pastor is removed, and scope is thereby afforded for the entrance of contentious persons to distract and divide the Church — — — [Note: The course of discussion in this Sermon depending so entirely on the occasion on which it should be used, little more is afforded to the reader, than an outline, to be filled up as the occasion may require.]]