Paul is on a trip to Jerusalem. And yet he feels impressed to see his beloved Ephesian Christians one more time. (He knew they would never see him again! Acts 20:38)

During his final sermon (in person) to the Church leaders (who, because Paul was in such a hurry, had traveled 49 miles from south to Miletus), Paul simply mentioned in passing: “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” Acts 20:33, today’s Text, our verse to consider this morning.

And what a nugget of wisdom that is! Not only for Church leaders (including Preachers) … but for every Christian!

“I have coveted no man’s possessions!” In fact the Apostle Paul during his ministry often worked a “job” (as a tentmaker) in order to avoid any appearance of “money-grabbing!”

This verb “covet” is interesting. In fact, it’s not Paul’s normal word for “coveting” in the New Testament! “Epithumeo” is a compound verb meaning “to intensely pant with passion!” Boiling up and inflaming a person with a strong desire for something! (It was also the word for “hot anger” in ancient Greece.) Inordinate cravings!

Yes, Paul had learned to be satisfied! (“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11)

He advised Preachers also … “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8, a Pastoral Epistle!

Our little Hero could live with “plenty,” or with nearly “nothing!” (Philippians 4:12, in his fullest and most famous “Thank You” Letter … “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”)

What a testimony!

I once heard a wise, elderly man of God (who had lived faithfully for Jesus many years, decades) say: “Young Preachers, there are three dangers to avoid, to deny access to your life and ministry.” Then he elaborated: (1) sexual perversion of any kind, (3) thinking too much of oneself (pride), and thirdly (3), greed or covetousness, crass materialism!

Again, words of wisdom.

“Silver or gold,”that’s money today.

“Apparel,” too great an emphasis on clothes or appearance, to the detriment of the things of God.

And today’s verse was not even the main point in Paul’s farewell Sermon that day. Just an added incidental, almost trivial to what he was really saying! But I am so glad he included that sentiment, that fact!

I often find that a sometimes slight remark I make during a sermon (sometimes I can barely recall saying it, in fact) can make the greatest impact on a listener!

God’s Word, a total of 31,102 verses … none of which are optional, all being critically important!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Today’s Lessons could be subtitled …”From my heart!”

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We’ve invested several lessons in Acts chapter 20, the fullest view of Paul’s Pastoral Theology that we possess. In other words, “how” Paul approached his ministry, practically speaking.

And we still may have one more day (lesson) taken from this marvelous Text. But this morning … “And now, brethren, I (Paul) commend you to God, and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

Wow!

That verb translated “to build you up” is lovely! (Yes, a Bible verb can be that, “exquisite.” Latin meaning “sought out!”) In Greek it is spelled “epoikodomeo.”

Let me show you the different “parts” of this word: “Demo” means “to build,” particularly a dwelling, but specifically that “finishing touch” the carpenter applies to it … literally the very “dome” or “roof!”

Then “oikos” means “house,” the structure where you live. Comparing our spiritual growth to the various stages of development in a building! We are, after all, the “temples” of the Holy Spirit, according to 1 Corinthians 6:19.

Then the prefix, “epi,” (a preposition) simply means “upon.” Something (or Someone) Who is working “on” us … shaping us into this (spiritual) house that will bring glory to the Lord Who saved us! Also … “epi” at the front of a verb can intensify its action, its thrust, its power! REALLY build you up!

What an action word, what effectiveness!

Yet there’s remains a question …

What can do such? Exactly what “is able” to so build us up, to so mature us as Christians? Now we’re looking at the verb “dunamai,” one derivative of which is our English noun “dynamite!” What “power” that is!

Spiritual dynamite!

A spiritual work (construction) crew!

Again I ask … what is being described?

Whatever it is, Paul is commending (“placing” literally, but our verb “recommending” in essence) the Ephesians into its hands!

“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Our Lesson Text once again, Acts 20:32, King James Version.

The answer … “The Word of His (God’s) Grace!”

That’s the BIBLE, dear friends. The Word (“logos”) of God … period! But here specifically called “the Word of His Grace,” so lovely! (I wanted to say “exquisite” again.)

Note as well that Holy Scripture can “save” us … James 1:21 references such: “The engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” Amen! I use this terminology regarding Acts 20:32 because we are specifically told God’s Word can give us an “inheritance” among the “sanctified!” Neither of which can be realized apart from “salvation!”

Wow!

Paul is leaving his beloved Christian friends in Ephesus directly “in the hands” of the upbuilding “Word of God!”

The Grace-emphasizing “Word of God!”

Yes, Paul is leaving them.

But the Word of God will never leave them!

Paul has helped them … to a point.

The Word of God will finish the job!

Let’s stop writing/reading the Lesson today … and spend some time in the Word itself! My “project” this Saturday is investing some time in Mark chapter 12 … what’s yours?

The all sufficient Word of God!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, that’s the Spirit-inspired Word of God! The Holy Ghost and Scripture … always found Hand-in-Hand!

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Paul the Apostle spoke these words to a group of preachers and other leaders of the Ephesian Church: “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to WARN every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:31

The initial verb “watch” carries the idea of “waking up” from sleep. Do not be sluggish, always keenly alert. And of course it is here framed as a command!

The verb “remember” (not now an imperative, just a present participle … but still suggesting on-going action, habituality) means “to be mindful,” not forgetting something.

Then Paul inserted a temporal marker, clause. “By the space of three years I ceased not.” The other Church Paul served (voluntarily) an extended period of time … was Corinth. (Acts 18:11, “a year and six months”) So he was twice as long in Ephesus! (Looks like he got twice as much work done as well, to the Glory of God. This Ephesian Church was perhaps the most mature of all Paul’s Assemblies.)

There’s a hint in today’s verse also about the intensity of Paul’s labors. “Night and day, with tears” he preached and taught! Chronological and emotional aspects of Paul’s “pastoral theology!” The man was “on fire” for his Lord!

The secret of pastoral success may lie in the shepherd just “being with” his people when they have needs! Standing or sitting “by their sides.” Loving them and praying for them and comforting them. Far more successful is this mindset than simply sharing the “knowledge” one has accrued or the “rhetorical success” he has achieved! Paul is here reminding the Church that he was regularly “with” them, “hand-in-hand” or “arm-in-arm” so to speak, incessantly!

But now (finally) to the point of today’s lesson … Paul WARNED his congregations! (I am presuming that the way he pastored at Ephesus is largely typical of his whole ministry.)

Back to the verse of the hour … “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I CEASED NOT TO WARN EVERY ONE night and day with tears.” Acts 20:31

The verb “warn” here is not as stringent (harsh) as it first sounds. In Greek it is “noutheteo,” a blend of two other words. “Nous” means one’s “mind.” And “tithemi” means “to set in place.” The resultant definition: “constantly emphasizing and regularly bringing to mind” certain vital truths concerning life in Christ! Keeping God’s Word “before” a congregation!Preaching being paramount now!

Really this is not an “or else” ultimatum (not here) … as much as it is a “don’t forget,” pronouncement. Sort of a “let me tell you again” situation!

A whole field of Christian service has developed around this word, called “nouthetic” counseling or “nouthetic” ministry!

Tell me again … then again … and again!

Keep me aware!

Don’t let me drift!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Perhaps some Christians are “above” the need for such daily exhortation. Far more mature? But Paul took it for granted that all Christians need to be warned time and time again! And God sure blessed the Apostle’s approach, didn’t He? By the way, Hebrews 3:13 is still in the Bible … “Exhort (essentially a synonym of “warn”) one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

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The Church always has enemies. Jesus himself told us this would be the case … yet the Church is (and will be) triumphant! “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

Paul is of the same mindset. And he so informs the leaders of the Ephesian Church of this stark reality.

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous WOLVES enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:29, vicious enemies from without!

The adjective “grievous” simply means “heavy!” These are not “pups!” (And wolves generally hunt in “packs,” thus the plural number!)

“Not sparing” insists on the idea of not “forbearing,” not exhibiting any level of “tolerance, kindness, or patience.” They have come to “destroy” the works of God!

Purveyors of false doctrine!

They are said to “enter in” because likely they lived far away from Ephesus. We know many Judaizers, men who denied that God’s Grace alone saves sinners from Hell, dogged Paul wherever he went! These dangerous characters probably lived in Jerusalem, and tracked Paul for the direct purpose of reversing his “Bible Preaching” ministry. Here’s the essence of Paul’s theology: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9, to which I echo a hearty “Amen!”

Someone long ago quipped …“To be forewarned is to be forearmed!” Paul was wise to have instructed these Elders in such a fashion.

Diligent “shepherds” (this Greek word being equivalent to the noun “elder” … that is, an “overseer,” precisely an observant shepherd’s duty) then would be on the lookout for those approaching, encroaching devils, those wolves!

Then Paul immediately writes more, more danger! The Church is a hated entity, organism!

“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:30, now even more enemies, this time springing from “within” the Church!

Speaking (not the preaching verb here, rather the conversation verb, “laleo”) perverse things … meaning “twisted things!” Prevaricated doctrines! Misrepresentations of God’s Word!

Listen to Peter, years later, writing of Paul’s sometimes hard-to-understand Epistles … “They that are unlearned and unstable WREST (twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16, using the same verbal root as did Luke/Paul in Acts 20:30 above, “strepho.”

Now here’s the critical question. WHY such false doctrine, probably in both cases … from “without”: and from “within?”

The answer is given us … “to draw away disciples after them.” This is an “ego” thing!

Willing to tear to pieces a local Church assembly … for vanity’s sake! To cultivate a personal following! (Jesus on that subject: “The hireling careth not for the sheep.” John 10:13b)

Oh, the responsibility of being a PASTOR these days. Pray for that man of God who faithfully fills the pulpit of the Church you attend. He is a “defender” of the faith, in many ways.

Having to watch for “wolves from without” and “self-bloated insurrectionists from within” … both seeking harm to the Church.

No wonder Moses prayed daily: “Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies BE SCATTERED; and let them that hate thee FLEE before thee.” Numbers 10:35

Not a bad prayer to resurrect and use daily!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Paul the Apostle, in Acts 20:28, speaks of the Church, what my Dad often loved to call the “New Testament” Church.

Hint: technically there is no “Church” in the Old Testament. Where God is primarily dealing with a Nation, with Israel. In the 39 Books of the “Jewish Bible” (Old Testament) we only get “shadows and types and symbols” of the coming Church age, the dispensation in which we now live.

In today’s Text (again, Acts 20:28) Paul admonishes those Ephesian “elders” (Greek meaning “overseers”) to … “feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.”

The verb “feed,” incidentally, is “poimaino,” literally meaning “to shepherd” a flock! This certainly involves feeding them, the sheep … but there’s more to it. It suggests protecting them, guarding them, loving them, leading them, and a lot more! Virtually meeting their every need! And these men were to so “care” for the Ephesian Christians as a habit, perennially! (The verb being a present tense, active voice infinitive.)

And of course “church” (the noun “ekklesia”) means an “assembly” of “called out” people! That’s the grammatical emphasis, at least. Some ex-heathen (sinners) who had been convicted by the Holy Spirit and brought to Jesus, where they trusted Him and believed on Him and were born-again!

The phase “of God” means the Church is owned by God, the Proper Noun being in the genitive (possessive) case! It’s not your Church or my Church … it’s His Church!

But the point I want to emphasize today is how God came to “own” the Church! It was procured by the Blood of Jesus, Which He shed on Calvary’s Cross!

Now watch carefully! Here the Text says the “Blood of God!” He (the Father) purchased the Church “with His Own Blood!” Thus proving, theologically and Biblically, that Jesus’s Blood is God’s Blood! That Jesus is God! That Jesus had flowing in His veins, not Joseph’s blood, but the Blood of God Almighty! (It’s either that view, or you have to spiritualize and explain away one of the Fundamental Facets of our Faith!)

And the verb “purchased” is also interesting. It’s a long one, “peripoieomai.” It means “around” (the Greek prefix and preposition “peri,” suggesting intensity of action) and is blended with the verb “poieo,” defined as follows; “to make, to do, to bring forth, to cause, to bear,” what a range of meaning!

God birthed His Church, purchased His Church, made His Church … via (Greek “dia” meaning “through the agency of”) the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! His very Own Blood!

What a Verse this morning!

Here it is again, the Clause we have studied. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves … to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

When you next go to Church … remember how precious that institution is to the Lord God Almighty!

What a Price He paid …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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