Sermon Summary
Big Idea: Good elders reveal glimpses of God's grace.
Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesians elders does a lot more than just teach us what the leaders of the local church should look like. His words and witness reveals the grace and glory of God shining through good elders. Therefore, this message is more than a mere explanation of ecclesiology, it is more of a meditation on the goodness and grace of God.
Sermon Outline
What is an “elder”?
Good Elders Reveal God’s Grace in the Past
Good Elders Reveal God’s Grace in the Present
Bad Elders Reveal We Must Rely On God’s Grace for the Future
Sermon Text: Acts 20:17-38
Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Applications Questions
What are ways you have seen evidence of God’s grace in His elders?
How do the descriptions of elders in Acts 20:18-35 agree with the roles and qualifications of elders in 1 Timothy 2:8-3:7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-5?
How have you seen God use His word to care for Embassy Church?
What are ways you have seen God’s people humbly serve others and follow Jesus’ example?
How does Jesus’ humble sacrifice impact your soul and how you live?
Do you know the many ways that God has loved, served, and sacrificed Himself for YOU?
What are ways God has worked in and through your life and those around you for your good and His glory?
What are some bible passages that communicate God’s love for you?
In what ways have you observed that it is better to give than to receive?
How does Ephesians 4:8–12 help us further understand job of a shepherd and the leaders of the church?
What are some ways that God’s Word has built you up?
How have you the seen elders in our church lead well by using and relying upon God’s Word?
How does a church discern when an elder is a good or bad elder?
