The Blood-Bought Church
When I buy something, I expect it to function as it’s supposed to. In today’s text we’re going to see how the church should function, as it has been purchased at an infinite cost. This is a farewell address to the Ephesian elders, and Paul is wanting the church to continue and to flourish. You know he chose his words carefully. In this farewell address to the Ephesian elders, Paul lays out a roadmap for what it means to live as part of this blood-bought community.
By the way, this is the only extended speech in Acts that we see that is addressed to other Christians. All other recorded speeches and sermons are made to unbelievers. This is a word for us this morning.
The gospel should make us humble. (19)
There are no pedestals for people to stand on in the Christian faith. The Christian life requires you to get low.
In verse 19, Paul mentions serving “the Lord with all humility.” Humility[1] here denotes a deep sense of modesty and recognizing one’s need for God. Paul demonstrated his humility by depending on God’s guidance and strength, especially in the face of trials and opposition.
John Wesley observed that “neither the Romans nor the Greeks had a word for humility.” The very concept was so foreign and abhorrent to their way of thinking that they had no term to describe it. When, during the first several centuries of Christianity, pagan writers borrowed the term used here for humility, they always used it derogatorily—frequently of Christians—because to them humility was a pitiable weakness![2]
But the word humility is used 200 times in the Bible, and it’s almost always a virtue. It is a blatant expression of Christian faith. Humility isn’t weakness, but a strength derived from understanding your place in God’s plan and relying on His power rather than your own. Humility is acknowledging your own limitations and your dependence on God. Paul faced innumerable challenges and opposition, yet he remained steadfast, serving not out of personal gain, but out of genuine dedication to the gospel.
Listen how his humility progressed over the years:
1 Cor 15:9 [55AD] = For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Eph 3:8 [61AD] = To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
1 Tim 1:15 [63-66AD] = The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
The gospel calls us to put aside our egos and pride. It challenges us to serve others selflessly, understanding that true strength comes from recognizing our weaknesses and relying on God’s grace. Just as Paul served with humility despite his trials, we too are called to approach our ministries and daily interactions with a humble heart, valuing others above ourselves and seeking to honor God in all that we do.
Paul wrote to the Philippians,
Philippians 2:5-11 – 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
There is no place for the high and mighty in Christian ministry. There is only the example of Jesus, who though He was God, was humble and lowly, in the way He came, in the way He served, and in the way He died.
My son randomly said the other day, “Humility hurts.” We asked him where he heard that and he said he just said it. And he’s right. It does hurt. We are to lay down our lives, and with that comes pain and tears.
The gospel should make us tender. (19)
I love classic movies, especially sports ones. We introduced to my son the other day, not the movie but one scene from…once I tell you the movie you will know the scene and the quote I introduced to him…“A League of Their Own.” You know the line…“There’s no crying in baseball!” There is no crying in baseball, but there should be in the church.
There should be no hard hearts for people transformed by the gospel. Paul served the Lord with “tears.” Paul’s tears aren’t signs of weakness but evidence of his care and emotional investment in the lives of those he served. His example teaches us that effective ministry is not just about imparting knowledge but also about sharing in the joys and sorrows of others. Real ministry consists of sharing life. In ministry we should invest all of ourselves, holding nothing back.
The gospel should make us courageous. (20-24)
In verses 20-24, Paul exemplifies courage in his ministry, declaring that he didn’t shrink from proclaiming anything profitable. The word used here implies drawing back or hesitating, like retreating in war, which Paul emphatically states he did not do.[3] It’s a nautical term that’s like putting your sails down so you don’t proceed forward.
His courage is evident as he faced so many dangers, yet remained unwavering in his mission to preach the gospel. Though he kept getting knocked down, he kept going forward. His journeys, which he is now on his third missionary journey, were filled with perils, from physical harm to imprisonment, but his commitment to the gospel was unyielding.[4]
He mentions being bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, despite knowing that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him. This demonstrates his profound trust in God’s plan and his willingness to face anything for the sake of Christ. Paul’s courage is rooted in his faith and the assurance of God’s presence and purpose.
We can draw from Paul’s example a call to be bold in our own witness. The gospel should embolden us to speak the truth in love, regardless of the potential backlash or difficulties. Courage, in this sense, is not the absence of fear but the resolve to move forward in obedience to God. He boldly proclaimed the gospel of salvation in Jesus, yet he also boldly defended a proper understanding of God’s Word.
Protecting sound doctrine is essential for the church. (25-27)
If the church is to impact the world on the outside, it must protect sound doctrine on the inside.
In verses 25-27, Paul states that he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole counsel of God. The phrase “whole counsel of God” refers to the comprehensive teaching of God’s truth, encompassing all aspects of the gospel and Christian doctrine. Paul’s commitment to this full proclamation is critical for the health and integrity of the church.
In ancient Greek culture, heralds were entrusted with delivering the proclamations of the king.[5] Their role was important and it was essential that they were accurate, as they conveyed vital information and commands that could affect the well-being of the entire kingdom. The herald’s duty was to accurately and faithfully deliver these messages without alteration. In the same way, Paul’s commitment to declaring the “whole counsel of God” is like a herald’s duty. And so is ours every time we gather to study and teach others God’s Word.
His statement that he is “innocent of the blood of all” echoes the prophetic duty described in Ezekiel 33:6, where failure to warn the people results in their blood being on the watchman’s hands. Paul’s declaration signifies his fulfillment of his responsibility to teach and warn the believers.
One of the reasons upholding truth is important is that it protects the church from false teachings and doctrinal errors. In the early church, there were numerous false teachers and deceptive doctrines that threatened to lead believers astray.
Remember, Paul is talking to elders of the church, who are the watchers of God's flock, urging them to continually be on the look out for savage wolves [Satan's "servants of righteousness" (2 Cor 11:14, 15), who craftily seek to bring in error besides truth (2 Pet 2:1, Jude 1:4) and thereby promote soul deceiving and deadening "doctrines" (1 Tim 4:1, Eph 4:14)].
By maintaining a steadfast commitment to sound doctrine, the church can guard against these dangers, ensuring that its members remain rooted in the truth. It’s no different today. And the false teachings don’t change. There’s nothing new under the sun. You can see patterns throughout church history where giving an inch on one tiny doctrine results in an avalanche of apostasy.
Remember, Paul is saying farewell to the Ephesian elders when he is saying these things. We see him say the same thing to other elders as well.
1 Timothy 3:15 – if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
Titus 1:9 – He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Keep a close watch on right living and right belief. (28-32)
Your life must match your doctrine. What you believe determines how you live, but many people don’t live what they believe. We must not only be diligent to protect right doctrine, but we must be diligent to protect our personal lives.
Paul instructs the Ephesian elders to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock.” Godly leadership flows from a life, not just knowledge.[6]
The Greek word for “pay careful attention”[7] means to be vigilant or attentive, indicating a continuous and careful watch over one’s own life and the lives of others. In ancient times, a watchman stood on the city walls, constantly scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. The safety of the city depended on the watchman’s vigilance. Similarly, Paul’s encouragement to “pay careful attention” to oneself and the flock paints the image of a diligent watchman. Just as the watchman’s alertness protects the city from harm, our vigilant watch over our lives and doctrine protects the church from spiritual dangers and ensures its well-being. And it protects our own lives and families from falling into the snare of the evil one.
Paul warns of “savage wolves” who will come in among them, not sparing the flock. It serves as a reminder that the health of the church depends on the spiritual vigilance and integrity of its leaders and members alike.
This message speaks to all believers, highlighting the importance of self-examination and communal accountability. We are called to live lives that reflect the teachings of Christ, being mindful of our actions and beliefs.
Work hard and give generously. (33-35)
Paul gave more than he took. He worked hard and gave generously.[8] This is the last thing that Paul says to them. And his last words are about generosity. We are called to use our resources not just for personal gain but to care for and reach others.
His labor and generosity not only provided for his needs but also served as a model for others to follow. Paul’s statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” attributed to Jesus, not only shows how we are to live, but it was how Christ lived. This reflects the heart of Christ, who gave of Himself selflessly. Jesus said he came not to be served, but to serve.[9] And the way He served was physically during His life, even by washing his disciples’ feet, including Judas who would betray Him and Peter who would deny Him. But most importantly He gave of Himself by “giving His life as a ransom for many.” Have you received the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life that He purchased for you?
Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Do you live this way? Do you serve your spouse above yourself or do you expect them to serve you? Whose preferences are more important? What about your child? Your coworker. Your neighbor. What about in the church? Do you attend church for what you can get out of it? Or are you a part of the church, giving sacrificially of yourself. It is more blessed to give than receive.
Love your leaders and faithfully serve God. (36-38)
As they say their farewells, Paul kneels down and prays with them all. And they embrace one another with tears. This beautifully demonstrates the relational depth that should characterize Christian leadership and community. Paul’s love for the leaders and their mutual affection reflects what we talked about earlier, that gospel ministry is the complete investment of oneself. If you’re holding yourself back in service or holding your heart back from being known, you will not experience the transformative power of the gospel in your life. Within true Christian community is where we are shaped into the likeness of Christ.
This passage calls us to appreciate and support our spiritual leaders. Also, it highlights our collective responsibility to serve God faithfully together in community.
This is the type of community God wants us to have here. Humble in posture. Diligent in doctrine. Faithful in service. Loved in community. Is this how you would describe yourself? Is this how others would describe you?
[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/5012.htm
[2] https://www.preceptaustin.org/acts-20-commentary#20:17
[3] https://biblehub.com/greek/5288.htm
[5] https://biblehub.com/greek/312.htm
[6] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/acts-20/
[7] https://biblehub.com/greek/4337.htm
[8] Although Paul had every right to receive support for his ministry (1 Cor 9:3) and sometimes did (2 Cor 11:8-9; Phil 4:10-19), it was his custom to support himself (2 Cor 11:7; 12:13; 1 Thes 2:9; 2 Thes 3:8). He did so that he might "offer the gospel without charge" (1 Cor 9:18).
