Study No. 25 – Beware! Savage Wolves! Acts 20:17-38
20:29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Lu 18:8… However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
1Pe 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Paul makes a strong argument to church leaders which is designed to encourage them to serve and not give up in the face of imminent attack.
1Co 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
1Co 11:1 ¶ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
As one who did not quit … look at me - your example …. 17-19
“I presented myself with:”
1. consistentency – the same, from Day One.
2. humility
3. sincerity
4. bravery
“I delivered the message of God” 20-21
1. wisely
2. by example and by word
3. in a group setting and one to one.
4. without discrimination or favouritism
5. Simply, but accurately
With reference to the Corinthians he had said, Who is Paul and who is Apollos? … only men who sowed and watered. God is the one to be praised, not the men who lead you to faith. But now to the Ephesians he calls to their minds who he was among them … as some kind of a motivator to their own faithfulness. He uses this as a call to loyalty. He says,
“I am leaving … and likely will never see you again … this side of heaven.”
22-24
The Holy Spirit has warned Paul of upcoming danger. Although he has not been told the extent of the danger he says he is ready even to die for the Lord.
In this section of scripture we learn several things:
a. While every ‘impression’ in not necessarily a word from the Holy Spirit … it is entirely within the Spirit’s method of operation to bring a particular conviction to mind. Here we read of Paul’s being totally convinced that the Spirit is warning him of coming danger. Why do you suppose the Spirit does this?
i. So Paul can ‘get ready’ for it?
ii. So Paul can avoid it?
iii. To give Paul the option of going into the trial … or avoiding it if he should so choose, and the Lord would not hold it against him?
b. Paul compares life to a ‘race’. – a course that must be completed.
c. Paul’s ‘ministry’ was given to him by the Lord Jesus … much like spiritual gifts are given to each one of. How are we using the ‘ministry’ gift that God has given to us?
d. It is important to stand before God at the judgment day … free from the blood of all men.
e. The whole counsel of God needs to be shared. We must not avoid sharing those things that we think might offend, or make us unpopular.
Clearly Paul is saying … “It is now up to you. You will have no excuse that you ‘did not know enough’. I have given it all to you.”
Paul reminds these elders of who and what they are: Shepherds. Don’t forget that. Take this responsibility seriously.
God’s shepherds care for God’s flock. It is precious. It is priceless.
Care for the flock by
1. Feeding it – as I have done during my time there.
2. Protecting it – as I also have done. Be ready to give your lives for flock.
3. By warning it.
4. By knowing the enemy.
- don’t underestimate. – they are wolves
- don’t let your guard down – they will appear from within.
- they will not appear ‘looking like wolves’. They will come as teachers and leaders.
- they will come out of your own membership.
Jude 1:4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 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.
Your success will come through your being ‘built up’ by the Word.
Don’t do it for the money.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Lu 18:8… However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
1Pe 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Paul makes a strong argument to church leaders which is designed to encourage them to serve and not give up in the face of imminent attack.
1Co 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
1Co 11:1 ¶ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
As one who did not quit … look at me - your example …. 17-19
“I presented myself with:”
1. consistentency – the same, from Day One.
2. humility
3. sincerity
4. bravery
“I delivered the message of God” 20-21
1. wisely
2. by example and by word
3. in a group setting and one to one.
4. without discrimination or favouritism
5. Simply, but accurately
With reference to the Corinthians he had said, Who is Paul and who is Apollos? … only men who sowed and watered. God is the one to be praised, not the men who lead you to faith. But now to the Ephesians he calls to their minds who he was among them … as some kind of a motivator to their own faithfulness. He uses this as a call to loyalty. He says,
“I am leaving … and likely will never see you again … this side of heaven.”
22-24
The Holy Spirit has warned Paul of upcoming danger. Although he has not been told the extent of the danger he says he is ready even to die for the Lord.
In this section of scripture we learn several things:
a. While every ‘impression’ in not necessarily a word from the Holy Spirit … it is entirely within the Spirit’s method of operation to bring a particular conviction to mind. Here we read of Paul’s being totally convinced that the Spirit is warning him of coming danger. Why do you suppose the Spirit does this?
i. So Paul can ‘get ready’ for it?
ii. So Paul can avoid it?
iii. To give Paul the option of going into the trial … or avoiding it if he should so choose, and the Lord would not hold it against him?
b. Paul compares life to a ‘race’. – a course that must be completed.
c. Paul’s ‘ministry’ was given to him by the Lord Jesus … much like spiritual gifts are given to each one of. How are we using the ‘ministry’ gift that God has given to us?
d. It is important to stand before God at the judgment day … free from the blood of all men.
e. The whole counsel of God needs to be shared. We must not avoid sharing those things that we think might offend, or make us unpopular.
Clearly Paul is saying … “It is now up to you. You will have no excuse that you ‘did not know enough’. I have given it all to you.”
Paul reminds these elders of who and what they are: Shepherds. Don’t forget that. Take this responsibility seriously.
God’s shepherds care for God’s flock. It is precious. It is priceless.
Care for the flock by
1. Feeding it – as I have done during my time there.
2. Protecting it – as I also have done. Be ready to give your lives for flock.
3. By warning it.
4. By knowing the enemy.
- don’t underestimate. – they are wolves
- don’t let your guard down – they will appear from within.
- they will not appear ‘looking like wolves’. They will come as teachers and leaders.
- they will come out of your own membership.
Jude 1:4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 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.
Your success will come through your being ‘built up’ by the Word.
Don’t do it for the money.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 ¶ And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.