WEBVTT

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 that are far beyond what I have myself attained in my life.

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 But Lord, I stand here

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 because I have received this ministry

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 by your grace.

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 Not because of my worthiness,

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 but because you are gracious and merciful.

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 So I ask now that you would empower the preaching of your word,

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 that your powerful word would have its intended effect

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 as your spirit works in us.

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 Exalt the name of your son, Jesus Christ.

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 Fill our hearts with overflowing love of Christ,

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 of for Christ.

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 In his precious name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 In Acts chapter 20, verses 17 to 28.

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 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus

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 and called the elders of the church to come to him.

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 And when they came to him, he said to them,

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 you yourselves know how I lived among you

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 the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,

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 serving the Lord with all humility

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 and with tears and with trials

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 that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.

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 How I did not shrink from declaring to you

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 anything that was profitable

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 and teaching you in public and from house to house,

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 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks

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 of repentance toward God

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 and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And now behold, I am going to Jerusalem,

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 constrained by the Spirit,

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 not knowing what will happen to me there,

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 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me

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 in every city that imprisonment

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 and afflictions await me.

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 But I do not account my life of any value,

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 nor as precious to myself,

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 if only I may fit my course

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 in the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus,

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 to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

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 And now behold,

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 I know that none of you among whom I have gone

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 about proclaiming the kingdom

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 will see my face again.

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 Therefore, I testify to you this day

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 that I am innocent of the blood of all,

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 for I did not shrink from declaring to you

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 the whole counsel of God.

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 Pay careful attention to yourselves

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 and to all the flock

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 in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers,

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 to care for the church of God,

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 which he obtained with his own blood.

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 I know that after my departure,

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 fierce wolves will come in among you,

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 not sparing the flock.

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 And from among your own selves

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 will arise men speaking twisted things

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 to draw away the disciples after them.

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 Therefore, be alert,

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 remembering that for three years

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 I did not seize night or day

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 to admonish everyone with tears.

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 And now I commend you to God

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 and to the word of his grace,

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 which is able to build you up

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 and to give you the inheritance

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 among all those who are sanctified.

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 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

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 You yourselves know that these ones

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 minister to my necessities

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 and to those who are with me.

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 In all things, I have shown you

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 that by working hard in this way,

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 we must help the weak

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 and remember the words of the Lord Jesus,

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 how he himself said,

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 it is more blessed to give than to receive.

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 And when he had said these things,

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 he knelt down and prayed with them all.

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 And there was much weeping on the part of all.

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 They embraced Paul and kissed him,

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 being sorrowful most of all

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 because of the word he had spoken

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 that they would not see his face again.

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 And they accompanied him to the ship.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Almost every single guest preacher we have

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 in our church have commented to me

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 that we have a very attentive congregation,

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 that you guys listen to sermons very well.

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 But if I were to tell you

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 that this is the last sermon

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 I will ever preach to you,

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 I think you'd be even more attentive

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 because last words, parting words are weighty.

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 And people share what is dearest to their hearts.

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 This passage contains Paul's last words

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 to the church in Ephesus.

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 And it's the only one of Paul's speeches

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 recorded in the book of Acts

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 that's directed entirely to Christians.

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 As verse 16 says,

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 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus

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 so that he might not have to spend time in Asia

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 for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem

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 if possible on the day of Pentecost.

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 But during his layover at Miletus,

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 he just couldn't pass up the opportunity

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 to address the elders of the Ephesian church

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 one more time.

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 And so he asks them to make the 20-mile journey south

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 to come to him in verse 17.

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 And this is how he exhorted him.

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 This is his main exhortation.

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 Remember that elders are called to serve the Lord

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 by shepherding his church.

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 That's the main point of this, his Paul's address.

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 Even though God will only call some of you

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 to be elders of a local church,

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 since elders are commanded in 1 Peter 5, 2-3

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 to shepherd the flock of God

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 and be examples to the flock.

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 And because Ephesians 4, 10-11 tells us

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 that God raises up shepherds and teachers

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 in the church not to do all the work of ministry themselves,

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 but to equip the saints for the work of ministry,

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 for building up the body of Christ.

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 Much of what Paul says here

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 to the elders of the Ephesian church

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 apply to every single Christian.

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 So elders are called to serve the Lord

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 by shepherding his church.

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 So we're going to look at those two in part.

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 First, the servant of the Lord and his word.

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 That's what elders are.

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 They're also shepherds of the church of God.

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 Verses 18-19 say that

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 when the elders of the Ephesian church came to Paul,

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 he said to them,

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 You yourselves know how I lived among you

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 the whole time from the first day

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 that I set foot in Asia,

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 serving the Lord with all humility

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 and with tears and with trials

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 that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.

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 Paul's farewell speech here

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 is very heavily autobiographical

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 because he's exhorting the Ephesian elders

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 to follow the example that he set for them

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 while he was ministering among them.

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 He's saying, in effect,

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 Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.

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 And Paul reminds them,

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 You yourselves know this,

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 how I lived among you the whole time

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 from the first day that I set foot in Asia.

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 Paul was not a recluse.

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 He did not live in splendid isolation

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 in monastery or a parsonage somewhere

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 appearing once a week to preach

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 and then disappearing again,

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 sheltered from the needs and sins

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 in the lives of the Ephesian church.

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 He lived among them.

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 And Paul's lifestyle was consistent.

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 He was a part of their lives.

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 And the whole time,

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 from the first day he set foot in Asia,

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 he lived in this consistent way.

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 And how did Paul live?

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 He says,

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 Serving the Lord with all humility

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 and with tears and with trials

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 that happened to me

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 through the plots of the Jews.

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 The Greek word that is translated

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 serve here is not the usual word

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 that is used in the New Testament

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 for serving or ministering to someone.

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 It's a word that actually means

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 to serve as someone's slave.

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 It means literally to be owned by another,

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 to be a slave, to be subjected.

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 In many of his letters,

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 Paul describes himself proudly

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 as a slave of Christ.

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 He lived as a servant

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 who was completely disposed

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 to the will of his Lord.

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 That's what it means to serve with humility,

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 to renounce one's right to rule,

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 to be subject, subject oneself

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 to the lordship of another.

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 And this is why,

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 precisely why,

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 the ancient Greeks despised humility.

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 If you search ancient Greek literature,

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 you will not come across a single instance

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 where the word humility

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 has positive associations.

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 The ancient Greeks saw humility

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 as a bad thing,

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 a lowly and contemptible thing,

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 something that is only fitting for a slave.

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 The only strange group of ancient people

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 that extolled humility as a virtue

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 were the Christians.

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 And that's because they followed Jesus,

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 who said,

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 whoever would be great among you

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 must be your servant.

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 And whoever would be first among you

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 must be your slave.

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 Even as the Son of Man

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 came not to be served,

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 but to serve

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 and to give his life

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 as a ransom for many.

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 An elder,

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 and every Christian for that matter,

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 is a servant of the Lord,

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 a slave of Christ.

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 Have you renounced your right to rule?

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 Have you forfeited your power

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 to set your own agenda?

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 Paul knows that ministry

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 is not about himself.

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 He doesn't invite the Ephesian elders

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 to admire his accomplishments.

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 He has no accolades to point to.

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 Instead,

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 he points to his core identity

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 as a slave of the Lord Jesus.

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 He says,

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 remember how I lived among you

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 as a slave,

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 serving with all humility.

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 That's the call of the Christian.

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 Paul also says

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 that he served the Lord

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 with tears and with trials

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 that happened to him

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 through the plots of the Jews.

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 Tears and trials

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 suggests that Paul endured

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 much suffering and sadness

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 in service to his Lord,

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 much of it due to the persecutions

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 and the plots of the Jews.

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 In 2 Timothy chapter 4,

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 verses 1 to 4,

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 Paul charges Timothy

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 with a series of

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 pastoral responsibilities.

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 These are the things

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 you must do as a pastor,

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 including preach the word,

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 be ready in season

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 and out of season,

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 reprove,

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 rebuke,

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 and exhort

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 with complete patience

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 and teaching.

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 Do the work of an evangelist.

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 Fulfill your ministry.

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 But sandwiched

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 in the middle of that list,

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 you find something surprising.

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 The command,

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 endure suffering.

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 That's one of

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 the job requirements

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 of a pastor.

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 This is why at the time

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 of Paul's conversion,

00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:33.800
 chapter 9,

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 God said of him,

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 I will show him

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 how much he must suffer

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 for the sake of my name.

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 If we are serving the Lord,

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 we will suffer

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 because there will be opposition

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 from the world,

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 from the flesh,

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 and from the devil.

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 But we are commanded

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 to endure.

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 And that's what Paul did.

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 And no,

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 it was not easy.

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 Paul was not a stoic.

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 He didn't meet suffering

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 with detached indifference

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 or unfeeling callousness.

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 He says he endured it

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 with tears.

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 All the setbacks,

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 all the disappointments,

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 all the suffering.

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 And then in verses 20 to 27,

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 Paul tells us the ways

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 in which he served the Lord.

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 So this section

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 is structured chiastically,

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 meaning the first half of it

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 is mirrored by the second half.

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 And then there's one element

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 in the middle,

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 which is the core,

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 the most important part

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 that he's trying to emphasize

00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:34.519
 that stands by itself

00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.939
 that doesn't have

00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:36.639
 a matching element.

00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.860
 So if you look at verse 20,

00:12:37.939 --> 00:12:38.179
 he says,

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.399
 I did not shrink

00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.240
 from declaring the word of God.

00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.419
 And that's matched

00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.340
 by verse 27.

00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.460
 I did not shrink

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.340
 from declaring

00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:46.860
 the whole counsel of God.

00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.379
 Verse 21,

00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:48.819
 he says,

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:50.340
 I testify to both Jews

00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:51.080
 and Greeks.

00:12:51.400 --> 00:12:52.660
 And in verse 26,

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:52.900
 he says,

00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.960
 I testify that I am innocent

00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.860
 of the blood of all

00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.680
 because he's spoken

00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.320
 to all of them.

00:12:58.060 --> 00:13:00.140
 And then verses 22 to 23,

00:13:00.140 --> 00:13:00.520
 he says,

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.420
 and now behold,

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.580
 I am going to Jerusalem.

00:13:03.180 --> 00:13:04.500
 And then in verse 25,

00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:04.840
 he says,

00:13:04.900 --> 00:13:05.720
 and now behold,

00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.140
 none of you will see me again.

00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.000
 And that leaves verse 24

00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.300
 by itself.

00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.180
 And that's what he's really

00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:14.120
 trying to hammer home.

00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.799
 And it is that I do not

00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:17.240
 account my life

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.279
 of any value.

00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.240
 If only I may finish

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.200
 the course.

00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.740
 So first,

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.899
 Paul says in verse 20,

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.159
 I did not shrink

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.179
 from declaring to you

00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.460
 anything that was profitable

00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.000
 and teaching you in public

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.299
 and from house to house.

00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:35.620
 That's matched by verse 27.

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:36.620
 I did not shrink

00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.440
 from declaring to you

00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.940
 the whole counsel of God.

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.759
 Why might someone shrink

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.460
 from declaring

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.580
 the whole counsel of God?

00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:45.980
 Isn't it profitable for them?

00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.740
 Why might some people

00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.920
 shrink from telling people

00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:50.840
 what is good for them?

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.480
 It's because as Paul warns

00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:53.940
 in Timothy,

00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:56.580
 in 2 Timothy 4.3,

00:13:56.900 --> 00:13:58.000
 some people will not

00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:59.300
 endure sound teaching,

00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:01.020
 but having itching ears,

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.759
 they will accumulate

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.820
 for themselves teachers

00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:04.120
 to soothe their own passions.

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.980
 People who want to pursue

00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.800
 their own selfish desires

00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:09.879
 and sinful passions

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:11.580
 don't want to hear

00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:12.520
 profitable teaching

00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.259
 from God's word.

00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:16.780
 They don't want to be

00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.800
 convicted or challenged.

00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.520
 They don't want to hear

00:14:19.520 --> 00:14:20.860
 the whole counsel of God.

00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:21.660
 Instead,

00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:22.800
 they want to cherry pick

00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:24.280
 passages they like.

00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:26.500
 They accumulate for themselves

00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.680
 teachers who will

00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:28.720
 scratch their itches

00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:30.100
 and say things

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.920
 that suit their desires.

00:14:33.280 --> 00:14:34.860
 This is why some elders

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.340
 might shrink from declaring

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.580
 the whole counsel of God.

00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:39.660
 because if they preach

00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:40.720
 from certain passages

00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:42.639
 that go against

00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.740
 the spirit of the times,

00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.500
 some of their church members

00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:46.220
 might leave.

00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.320
 Some of the visitors

00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:49.540
 might never come back.

00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:51.340
 Some of their church,

00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.580
 well, outsiders

00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.500
 who are observing

00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.540
 might ridicule them,

00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.620
 criticize them,

00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.580
 maybe even persecute them.

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.620
 But Paul says

00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:02.000
 he did not shrink

00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:02.980
 from declaring

00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.840
 everything that was profitable.

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.080
 because rather than

00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.120
 fearing people,

00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:10.500
 Paul loved people.

00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:12.820
 So whether they

00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:14.399
 wanted to hear it or not,

00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.700
 he declared to them

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.860
 anything that was

00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.720
 profitable to them.

00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.500
 And Paul didn't have

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.680
 the option of not

00:15:21.680 --> 00:15:22.500
 declaring the whole

00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.340
 counsel of God

00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.180
 because,

00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:24.820
 as we said,

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:26.220
 he was a servant

00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.420
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.120
 A servant

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.139
 who is sent out

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.100
 to deliver a message

00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:31.940
 for his master

00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:32.780
 does not have

00:15:32.780 --> 00:15:33.460
 the power

00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:34.640
 to add to the message

00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:35.280
 or subtract

00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.320
 from the message.

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.420
 He's merely

00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:38.260
 a messenger.

00:15:39.760 --> 00:15:40.340
 He doesn't get

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:40.940
 to choose

00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:41.800
 the message

00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:44.340
 because he is

00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.400
 already a slave

00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:46.120
 of Christ.

00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.040
 He cannot

00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.940
 be enslaved

00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.080
 to the opinions

00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.540
 of man.

00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.640
 And Paul declared

00:15:53.640 --> 00:15:54.460
 the whole counsel

00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:54.860
 of God

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.960
 to all without

00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:56.760
 distinction.

00:15:56.760 --> 00:15:57.900
 He says in verse 21

00:15:57.900 --> 00:15:58.780
 that he testified

00:15:58.780 --> 00:15:59.780
 both to Jews

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.860
 and to Greeks

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.100
 of repentance

00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.819
 toward God

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.379
 and of faith

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.459
 in our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:05.860
 Paul preached

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.539
 the gospel,

00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.480
 the good news

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.199
 of Jesus Christ

00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:09.079
 that all who

00:16:09.079 --> 00:16:09.819
 turn,

00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.199
 repent of their sins

00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.039
 and turn to Jesus

00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.600
 in faith

00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.399
 by believing

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:13.939
 in the life

00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.579
 and death

00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:15.079
 and resurrection

00:16:15.079 --> 00:16:16.000
 of the Christ

00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.959
 that they might

00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:17.579
 be saved.

00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.120
 And he preached

00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.600
 this message

00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.480
 to both Jews

00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.799
 in the synagogues

00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.519
 and to the Greeks

00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:23.419
 in the forum.

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.139
 An ambassador

00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.959
 does not get

00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:27.720
 to choose

00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:28.860
 which country

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.759
 he travels to

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:31.019
 or whom

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.060
 he speaks to.

00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:34.159
 He goes

00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:35.100
 wherever

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:37.300
 the president

00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:37.820
 or the king

00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.519
 sends him to go.

00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.940
 He speaks to

00:16:39.940 --> 00:16:40.460
 whomever

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:41.259
 the king

00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.919
 sends him

00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.460
 to speak to.

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.399
 Likewise,

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:44.899
 Paul,

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.800
 because he's a servant

00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:46.539
 of the Lord Jesus,

00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.500
 he does not have

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:47.980
 the option

00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.379
 of choosing

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:48.960
 his audience,

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.279
 of discriminating

00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:50.919
 between Jews

00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:51.740
 and Gentiles.

00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.039
 And verse 21

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.560
 is matched

00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.440
 by verse 26.

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:55.720
 Therefore,

00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.800
 I testify to you

00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.279
 this day

00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.399
 that I am innocent

00:16:58.399 --> 00:16:59.220
 of the blood

00:16:59.220 --> 00:16:59.740
 of all.

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.220
 Paul believed

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.559
 that it is

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.379
 his responsibility

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.799
 to proclaim

00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.379
 the gospel

00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:06.519
 because if people

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.579
 perish without

00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.379
 hearing it,

00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.460
 that he'd have

00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.420
 blood on his hands.

00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.519
 So he faithfully

00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.379
 warned people

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.240
 and he's now

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.740
 washing his hands,

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.220
 figuratively,

00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.220
 washing his hands

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.619
 clean.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.559
 I have warned them.

00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.319
 I have preached

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.859
 the gospel

00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:23.720
 to both Jews

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.299
 and Greeks.

00:17:24.639 --> 00:17:25.359
 So if you don't

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.099
 repent and believe

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.500
 in Jesus,

00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:27.039
 then the blood

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.619
 is on your hands,

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.559
 not mine.

00:17:30.179 --> 00:17:30.859
 I am innocent

00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.419
 of the blood

00:17:31.419 --> 00:17:31.819
 of all,

00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:32.339
 is what Paul

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.719
 is saying.

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.439
 The elders

00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.019
 of the church

00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:35.799
 and all Christians

00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.359
 for the matter

00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.000
 are called

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.839
 to testify

00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:39.399
 or bear witness

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.319
 to the Lord Jesus.

00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:42.339
 We may not go

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.579
 only to the groups

00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:44.059
 of people

00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.799
 that we share

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.919
 a natural affinity

00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.379
 with,

00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.500
 people who look

00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.319
 like us,

00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.559
 people who

00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.799
 share our interests,

00:17:52.939 --> 00:17:53.639
 people who have

00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.259
 our social

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.280
 or economic

00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:56.060
 standing,

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.240
 people who share

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.560
 our political views.

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:00.040
 You know,

00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.020
 we must testify

00:18:01.020 --> 00:18:02.820
 to all peoples

00:18:02.820 --> 00:18:04.020
 without distinction

00:18:04.020 --> 00:18:04.700
 because we are

00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.020
 servants of the Lord Jesus.

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.620
 And Paul continues

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.360
 to speak of his

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.120
 servitude to God

00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:11.600
 in verses 22 to 23.

00:18:11.780 --> 00:18:11.880
 He says,

00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.660
 And now behold,

00:18:13.020 --> 00:18:14.300
 I am going to Jerusalem

00:18:14.300 --> 00:18:16.480
 constrained by the Spirit,

00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:17.660
 not knowing

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.420
 what will happen

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:18.960
 to me there,

00:18:19.020 --> 00:18:20.120
 except that the Holy Spirit

00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:21.220
 testifies to me

00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.460
 in every city

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.380
 that imprisonment

00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:24.200
 and afflictions

00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:25.019
 await me.

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.539
 This is matched

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.440
 by verse 25,

00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.059
 which begins

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.240
 with the exact same phrase,

00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.200
 And now behold,

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.140
 I know that none

00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:31.660
 of you among

00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.380
 whom I have gone

00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.259
 about proclaiming

00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.559
 the kingdom

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:35.019
 will see my face again.

00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:36.519
 Paul is headed

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.079
 to Jerusalem

00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.779
 and therefore

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.539
 he knows that he

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.220
 will not see

00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.180
 the Ephesian elders,

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.799
 Ephesian believers again.

00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:43.339
 And so he even

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:44.019
 acknowledges

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.100
 that the Holy Spirit

00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:46.400
 has testified to him

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.900
 that imprisonment

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.259
 and afflictions

00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.039
 await him

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.700
 in Jerusalem.

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:53.120
 But then why

00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.799
 is he going

00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.400
 to Jerusalem?

00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.720
 He says he is

00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.500
 constrained

00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:59.079
 by the Spirit

00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:01.319
 to go and bear witness

00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:02.940
 to the people there.

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.500
 The word constrained

00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.519
 literally means

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.700
 to be bound

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.559
 or imprisoned.

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.519
 The same word

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.200
 is used later

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.120
 in Acts 21,

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.759
 verse 11,

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:14.400
 when Agabus prophesies

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.279
 of Paul's impending

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.960
 imprisonment

00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:17.079
 in Jerusalem.

00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.400
 It's the same word

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:18.960
 that was used

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.860
 three times

00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.900
 in Acts 9,

00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:21.880
 to describe

00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:22.480
 how Paul,

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.780
 prior to his conversion,

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:25.220
 was rounding up

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.540
 Christians

00:19:25.540 --> 00:19:26.560
 and binding them

00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:27.480
 and committing

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.280
 them to prison.

00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.140
 And so there's

00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.019
 a contrast here

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.900
 between verse 22

00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.820
 and verse 23.

00:19:33.080 --> 00:19:33.940
 Why would Paul

00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.940
 travel to Jerusalem

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.940
 where he knows

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.019
 he will be imprisoned?

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.680
 The answer

00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.440
 is that he is

00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:41.080
 already bound

00:19:41.080 --> 00:19:42.580
 by the Spirit,

00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.220
 constrained

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:45.080
 by the Spirit

00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:45.540
 of God

00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:46.080
 to go.

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:48.359
 He has no choice

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.000
 because he is

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.659
 a servant

00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:51.339
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.599
 He is a prisoner

00:19:54.599 --> 00:19:55.639
 of the Spirit.

00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.699
 But he does it

00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.079
 willingly,

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.859
 joyfully.

00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.740
 There's no human being

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.639
 because all human beings

00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.099
 are sinful

00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.819
 who are fit

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.779
 to be masters,

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.659
 to own slaves,

00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:14.320
 but the Lord Jesus

00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:15.279
 who is perfect

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.320
 and righteous

00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:17.519
 and just

00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:18.680
 and gracious

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.580
 is a worthy master

00:20:20.580 --> 00:20:21.680
 that Christians

00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:22.680
 serve joyfully,

00:20:23.560 --> 00:20:23.920
 willingly.

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:28.100
 Paul was a happy

00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.880
 servant of the Lord.

00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:30.680
 And so we've seen

00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.940
 three things so far.

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:33.519
 One, Paul does not

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.360
 get to pick

00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:34.800
 and choose

00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.620
 what he preaches.

00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.100
 He must preach

00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.779
 the whole counsel

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.160
 of God.

00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.920
 Two, Paul does not

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.980
 get to choose

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.400
 whom he preaches to.

00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:43.680
 He must preach

00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.180
 to all,

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:44.800
 to both Jews

00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:45.600
 and Gentiles.

00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:46.840
 And three,

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.640
 Paul does not

00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.380
 get to choose

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.480
 where he preaches

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.019
 the gospel.

00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.120
 He must go

00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.700
 where the Spirit

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.940
 of God constrains

00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.740
 him to go.

00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.800
 This is Paul's

00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:57.220
 autobiographical sketch.

00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:58.779
 It's a picture

00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.500
 of a man

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.820
 who is in total

00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:01.779
 submission

00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:02.940
 to God.

00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.279
 Paul's reminding

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.180
 the Ephesian elders,

00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:09.480
 it's not about

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.620
 doing what you want.

00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:12.460
 Remember how I lived

00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.960
 among you,

00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.560
 not saying

00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:15.060
 whatever I want

00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.800
 or associating

00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:16.880
 with whomever I want

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.400
 or going

00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.440
 wherever I want.

00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.420
 No, but saying

00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.320
 and doing

00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:21.259
 and going

00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.600
 only where God

00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.240
 would have

00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.000
 me go.

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.719
 That's what it means

00:21:25.719 --> 00:21:26.399
 to be an elder.

00:21:29.459 --> 00:21:30.500
 And all of this

00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.299
 comes to a climax

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.159
 in verse 24,

00:21:32.939 --> 00:21:33.759
 which is the center

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.259
 of this

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.099
 chiasis structure

00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.619
 that Luke

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.500
 is intentionally

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.139
 emphasizing.

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.740
 but I do not

00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.920
 account my life

00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:41.440
 of any value

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.960
 nor as precious

00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.780
 to myself

00:21:43.780 --> 00:21:45.520
 if only I may

00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:46.700
 finish my course

00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:47.420
 in the ministry

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.440
 that I have received

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.980
 from the Lord Jesus

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.340
 to testify

00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.100
 through the gospel

00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.740
 of the grace

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.259
 of God.

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.559
 the world

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.160
 tells us

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.579
 that we should

00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.119
 prioritize

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.079
 and protect

00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.400
 our own lives

00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:01.059
 over everything else

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:03.160
 and that makes

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:04.279
 perfect sense

00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.559
 from their perspective

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:07.900
 because they believe

00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.559
 that this life

00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.500
 is all there is.

00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:12.099
 But for Christians

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.680
 who believe

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.619
 in eternal

00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:15.099
 resurrection life

00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:16.079
 after death,

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.980
 for Christians

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.480
 who believe

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.200
 that our ultimate

00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:20.480
 rewards are in heaven,

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:22.120
 there is something

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.420
 more valuable,

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.099
 something more

00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.940
 precious

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:27.360
 than life itself

00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.319
 and that is

00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.460
 to finish the course,

00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.380
 the race,

00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:31.339
 to fulfill

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.160
 our mission

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.559
 and to testify

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.599
 to the gospel

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.539
 of the grace

00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.160
 of God.

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.539
 That's why Paul

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.460
 uses this metaphor

00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:41.259
 of the race

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:43.200
 to finish my course.

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.360
 Years later

00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.279
 at the end

00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.960
 of his life,

00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:46.980
 Paul writes

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:48.120
 in 2 Timothy 4,

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.819
 7 to 8,

00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.940
 I have fought

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.000
 the good fight,

00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.320
 I have finished

00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:52.940
 the race,

00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.240
 I have kept

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.920
 the faith,

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.000
 henceforth

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.840
 there is laid up

00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.180
 for me

00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.980
 the crown

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.380
 of righteousness

00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:00.920
 which the Lord,

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:01.980
 the righteous judge,

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.080
 will award me

00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:04.160
 on that day

00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.200
 and not only

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.720
 to me

00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.420
 but also to all

00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.180
 who have loved

00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.840
 his appearing.

00:23:10.320 --> 00:23:11.320
 The crown

00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.559
 of righteousness

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.519
 is reserved

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.059
 only for those

00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.759
 who finish

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.340
 the race.

00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:19.539
 Salvation

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.680
 is reserved

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.779
 for only

00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.399
 those who

00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:23.200
 persevere

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:24.319
 to the end.

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.519
 Matthew 24,

00:23:25.659 --> 00:23:26.019
 13.

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.319
 Eternal glory

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.200
 is reserved

00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.019
 for those

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.779
 who endure

00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.819
 the momentary

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.460
 afflictions

00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.379
 of this life.

00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.619
 2 Corinthians 4,

00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.039
 17.

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.039
 Professional

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:39.680
 athletes

00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.099
 would not endure

00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.399
 the afflictions

00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:44.200
 of strict diets

00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:45.019
 and grueling

00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.519
 workouts

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.759
 day after day,

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.000
 week after week,

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.440
 year after year

00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.900
 if they didn't

00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.180
 know that there

00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.900
 is a trophy

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.160
 or a medal

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.140
 waiting for them

00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:55.660
 at the end.

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.059
 But they do it

00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.680
 for a crown

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.460
 that perishes.

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.099
 But we do it

00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.079
 for an eternal crown.

00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.079
 Likewise,

00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.160
 Christians cannot

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.880
 endure.

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.039
 We cannot

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.220
 endure to the end

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.259
 and believe

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:12.200
 that faithfulness

00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.759
 to Christ

00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.960
 is better than life

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:15.700
 unless we keep

00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.400
 the end

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.360
 in sight,

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.940
 keep eternity

00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.640
 in view.

00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.400
 It's only

00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:22.799
 in light

00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.340
 of the eternal

00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:23.860
 rewards

00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.519
 that Christ

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.340
 has for us

00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:25.900
 that we can say

00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.660
 along with Paul,

00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.039
 I do not account

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.799
 my life

00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:30.019
 of any value

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.400
 nor as precious

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.180
 to myself.

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.539
 That phrase

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.500
 is quite emphatic.

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.180
 It's literally

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.079
 my life

00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.039
 is not worth

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.539
 a single word.

00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:41.899
 an average person

00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.940
 speaks,

00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.980
 they say 7,000 words

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.440
 per day.

00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.259
 A lot of people

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.019
 considerably more

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.460
 than that.

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:53.180
 That's 2,555,000

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.339
 words per year.

00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:57.440
 Expand that

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.000
 to a lifetime.

00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.819
 That's a lot

00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.639
 of words.

00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:00.960
 And Paul says,

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.920
 my life

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.460
 is not worth

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.799
 even one word.

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.319
 Not a one,

00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.519
 it's not a single word.

00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.920
 if only I get

00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.559
 to finish

00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.379
 the course

00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.159
 that my Lord

00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:13.159
 has entrusted

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.819
 to me.

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.299
 Compared

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.159
 to fulfilling

00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:21.279
 our God-given

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:21.740
 calling

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.579
 to bear witness

00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.259
 to Jesus,

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:26.119
 my life

00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.159
 has no value.

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.859
 It's not

00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.899
 precious to me.

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.599
 When there are

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.460
 many tears

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.159
 and trials

00:25:37.159 --> 00:25:37.819
 in your life

00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.339
 as surely

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.099
 many of you

00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.419
 have,

00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.839
 when you are

00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:42.039
 paying the price

00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.200
 of following

00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.859
 Jesus,

00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.200
 when serving

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.679
 the Lord

00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:46.500
 is full of

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.399
 pain and suffering,

00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.319
 remind yourself

00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.000
 of this,

00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:50.079
 my life

00:25:50.079 --> 00:25:51.159
 is not my own.

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.200
 Jesus

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.240
 already

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.500
 purchased me

00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.200
 with his

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.619
 own blood.

00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.519
 I am a

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.500
 slave of Christ,

00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.919
 completely disposed

00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.419
 to the will

00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.220
 of my master.

00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:02.539
 And Jesus

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.339
 is more

00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:03.960
 precious

00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:05.399
 than my life.

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:07.680
 Jesus,

00:26:08.080 --> 00:26:08.360
 I would

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.220
 rather die

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:10.980
 than give up

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.259
 serving him.

00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:16.980
 The long

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.480
 life

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.759
 is not

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.860
 a Christian

00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:20.880
 aspiration.

00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:23.500
 The faithful

00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.019
 life

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.960
 is the Christian

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.900
 aspiration.

00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:25.940
 church.

00:26:31.560 --> 00:26:32.040
 Having

00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:32.540
 pointed the

00:26:32.540 --> 00:26:32.980
 elders of

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.300
 the Ephesian

00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:33.720
 church to

00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.180
 the example

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.720
 of how he

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.660
 conducted himself

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.300
 among them

00:26:36.300 --> 00:26:37.140
 as a servant

00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.700
 of the Lord

00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.300
 and his word,

00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.019
 Paul now

00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.620
 exhorts them

00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.340
 directly as

00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:40.860
 shepherds of

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.200
 the church

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:41.660
 of God.

00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.540
 So Paul's

00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.320
 addressing here

00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:45.600
 the elders

00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.060
 of the church

00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.420
 in Ephesus

00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:47.080
 as we saw,

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.580
 and he says

00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.400
 in verse 28

00:26:49.400 --> 00:26:49.980
 that they were

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.500
 appointed

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.640
 overseers

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:53.100
 of the church

00:26:53.100 --> 00:26:53.600
 by the Holy

00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:53.920
 Spirit.

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:54.960
 And the

00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.500
 overseer

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:55.820
 is the

00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:56.340
 Greek word

00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:56.660
 from which

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:56.980
 we get

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.420
 the English

00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:57.720
 word

00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.660
 episcopate

00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.460
 which refers

00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.140
 to bishops.

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.920
 And then

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.440
 Paul also

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.160
 uses a

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.660
 shepherding

00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:03.960
 imagery

00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.300
 throughout

00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.000
 verses 28

00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.580
 to 30

00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.360
 exhorting

00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:06.720
 the elders

00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.120
 to pay

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.580
 careful

00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.040
 attention

00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.580
 to all

00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.259
 the flock

00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.100
 mourning

00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.460
 them of

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.120
 fierce wolves

00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.380
 that will

00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.740
 devour

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.280
 the flock.

00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.340
 So this

00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:13.860
 shows

00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.759
 that the

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.160
 three

00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:16.040
 terms

00:27:16.040 --> 00:27:16.380
 that the

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:16.580
 Bible

00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.020
 uses

00:27:17.020 --> 00:27:17.900
 elders

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.280
 overseers

00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:20.060
 or bishops

00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:21.140
 shepherds

00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.600
 pastors

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.419
 they're

00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:22.759
 actually

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.799
 all terms

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.099
 that are

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.359
 used

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.379
 interchangeably

00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:25.919
 to refer

00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:26.459
 to a

00:27:26.459 --> 00:27:26.939
 single

00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:27.399
 office

00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:27.699
 in the

00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:27.980
 church

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.639
 that

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.019
 of the

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.359
 office

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.879
 of elder.

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.079
 They're

00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.279
 not

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.719
 separate

00:27:31.719 --> 00:27:32.079
 offices

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.399
 in the

00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:32.659
 church.

00:27:34.359 --> 00:27:35.000
 An

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.339
 elder

00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:35.980
 is an

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.579
 overseer

00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.359
 is a

00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:37.699
 pastor

00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.599
 and this

00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:38.939
 section

00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:39.359
 wonderfully

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:39.759
 captures

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:39.980
 what

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.419
 pastoral

00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:40.719
 ministry

00:27:40.719 --> 00:27:41.039
 is all

00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.339
 about.

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.759
 In

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:42.939
 their

00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:43.279
 book

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.480
 The

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.039
 Deliberate

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.579
 Church

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.199
 Mark

00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:45.480
 Dever

00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:45.659
 and

00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:45.879
 Paul

00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.319
 Alexander

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.919
 summarize

00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.099
 the

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.579
 responsibilities

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.199
 of a

00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:48.539
 pastor

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:48.899
 with

00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.480
 helpful

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.279
 alliteration.

00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:50.480
 He

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:50.759
 says

00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.559
 they

00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.299
 guide

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.559
 they

00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.279
 guard

00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.079
 and

00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.400
 they

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.240
 graze.

00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.460
 And we

00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:58.839
 see those

00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.579
 three tasks

00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.259
 here in this

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.599
 passage.

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.099
 First he

00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.700
 talks about

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.839
 guiding or

00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.779
 governing the

00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.200
 flock in

00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.779
 verse 28.

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.019
 Pay careful

00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.839
 attention to

00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.660
 yourselves and

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.200
 to all the

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:09.079
 flock in

00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.460
 which the

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.119
 Holy Spirit

00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.619
 has made

00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.700
 you overseers

00:28:11.700 --> 00:28:13.359
 to care for

00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:13.779
 the church

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.279
 of God

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.900
 which he

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.539
 obtained with

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.420
 his own

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.940
 blood.

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.620
 pastors

00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:18.940
 must

00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:19.559
 not be

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.320
 negligent

00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:20.559
 or

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.200
 complacent

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.480
 in their

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.920
 care for

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.039
 the

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.340
 flock.

00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.380
 They

00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:23.880
 must pay

00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.480
 careful

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:24.880
 attention

00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.660
 to all

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:25.840
 the

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.160
 flock.

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.620
 They

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:27.940
 must know

00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.080
 the

00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:28.640
 conditions

00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.140
 of the

00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.440
 flock

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:30.420
 who is

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.900
 starving,

00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.380
 who is

00:28:32.380 --> 00:28:32.759
 weak,

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.200
 who is

00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.660
 injured,

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.440
 who is

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.820
 hurting,

00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:35.360
 who is

00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:35.600
 going

00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:36.160
 astray,

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.960
 and they

00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.380
 must care

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:37.700
 for the

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.039
 whole

00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.460
 flock,

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.279
 not just

00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.680
 a part

00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.019
 of it.

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.019
 Jews

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.440
 and

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.220
 Gentiles,

00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:42.620
 men

00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.279
 and

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.720
 women,

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.340
 rich

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.759
 and

00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.299
 poor,

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.179
 old

00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:46.619
 and

00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.439
 young.

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.980
 But notice

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.279
 that the

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.799
 pastors are

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.399
 not only

00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.799
 to pay

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.179
 careful

00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:54.519
 attention

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.879
 to the

00:28:54.879 --> 00:28:55.240
 flock,

00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:56.159
 they are

00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.480
 also

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.879
 commanded

00:28:56.879 --> 00:28:57.220
 to pay

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.639
 careful

00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.039
 attention

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.539
 to

00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.259
 themselves.

00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:01.439
 This is

00:29:01.439 --> 00:29:01.879
 similar to

00:29:01.879 --> 00:29:02.179
 Paul's

00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:02.740
 exhortation

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.279
 in 1 Timothy

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.099
 4, 16,

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.579
 keep a

00:29:04.579 --> 00:29:05.419
 close watch

00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:07.099
 on yourself

00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.639
 and on

00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.220
 the teaching.

00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.379
 Persist

00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:10.819
 in this,

00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.319
 for by so

00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.699
 doing you

00:29:11.699 --> 00:29:12.220
 will save

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.039
 both yourself

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.379
 and your

00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:13.859
 hearers.

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.359
 If

00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.799
 pastors

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.359
 don't pay

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.779
 careful

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.159
 attention

00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:17.679
 to their

00:29:17.679 --> 00:29:17.919
 own

00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.379
 lives

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.399
 and their

00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:19.579
 own

00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.039
 doctrine,

00:29:20.319 --> 00:29:20.919
 then they

00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.179
 might

00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:21.819
 mislead

00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.399
 their flock

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.799
 by their

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.279
 example

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.059
 and by

00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:24.259
 their

00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.659
 teaching,

00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.639
 and that's

00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.139
 dangerous.

00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.259
 So they

00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.779
 must pay

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.119
 careful

00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:29.500
 attention

00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:29.819
 to

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.439
 themselves

00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:31.619
 and to

00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:31.959
 all the

00:29:31.959 --> 00:29:32.279
 flock.

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.240
 Ancient

00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.879
 Near Eastern

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.439
 shepherds

00:29:35.439 --> 00:29:36.139
 typically led

00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.599
 the sheep

00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.220
 from the

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.619
 front,

00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.519
 not from

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.959
 the back.

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:40.819
 So the

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.179
 pastors

00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.139
 of the

00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.399
 church

00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:42.899
 must lead

00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.599
 by example.

00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:44.819
 Lest

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.319
 after

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.819
 preaching

00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.299
 to

00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:46.699
 others

00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:46.879
 they

00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.539
 themselves

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.259
 should

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.399
 be

00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:48.959
 disqualified.

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.639
 Christian

00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:51.939
 author

00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:52.359
 Paul

00:29:52.359 --> 00:29:52.879
 Tripp

00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:53.199
 writes

00:29:53.199 --> 00:29:53.439
 in his

00:29:53.439 --> 00:29:53.659
 book

00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:54.279
 Dangerous

00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.619
 Calling,

00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.019
 which is

00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.220
 about

00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:55.819
 pastoral

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.199
 ministry,

00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.459
 that what

00:29:57.459 --> 00:29:58.179
 gives a

00:29:58.179 --> 00:29:58.579
 ministry

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.000
 its

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.699
 motivations,

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.720
 perseverance,

00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:01.599
 humility,

00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.639
 joy,

00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:03.759
 tenderness,

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.579
 passion,

00:30:04.939 --> 00:30:05.839
 and grace

00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.859
 is the

00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.559
 devotional

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.379
 life of

00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:08.859
 the one

00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.419
 doing

00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:10.019
 ministry.

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:12.900
 pastors

00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.559
 must

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:14.440
 pay

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.099
 careful

00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.559
 attention

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:15.940
 to

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.700
 themselves

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:18.400
 and to

00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.680
 all the

00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:18.960
 flock.

00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.059
 And two

00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.619
 things

00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.359
 convey the

00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.160
 gravity of

00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.480
 pastoral

00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:23.859
 ministry.

00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.160
 First is

00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:26.619
 this,

00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.019
 that the

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.299
 fact that

00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:27.740
 the pastors

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.400
 are appointed

00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:29.500
 by God

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.019
 himself,

00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:33.460
 it says

00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:33.920
 the Holy

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.799
 Spirit has

00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.160
 made you

00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.799
 overseers.

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:37.000
 of course

00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.359
 there is a

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.940
 process by

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.799
 which the

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.500
 local church

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.740
 recognizes and

00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.240
 appoints

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.519
 elders,

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.379
 but it is

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.419
 ultimately God

00:30:43.419 --> 00:30:44.220
 who calls up

00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:44.859
 and raises

00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.279
 elders.

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.000
 That means

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.720
 elders are not

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.359
 their own

00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:48.799
 boss.

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.079
 God is

00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.539
 their boss.

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.019
 So they

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.740
 better pay

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.440
 careful attention

00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.859
 to the work

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.339
 that they do.

00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.899
 The second

00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:00.299
 thing that

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.740
 conveys the

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.180
 gravity of

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.440
 pastoral

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:01.899
 ministry is

00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.359
 the precious

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.299
 value of

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:03.759
 the people

00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.240
 of God.

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.720
 Pastors are

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.120
 the care

00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.460
 for the

00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:06.880
 church

00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:08.039
 of God

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.000
 which he

00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.839
 obtained

00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.700
 with his

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.380
 own

00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.259
 blood.

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.759
 This is a

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.680
 reference to

00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:19.000
 the atoning

00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.720
 work of

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.299
 Jesus Christ,

00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.059
 his death,

00:31:21.480 --> 00:31:22.100
 his resurrection.

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.160
 God the

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.759
 Father didn't

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.140
 die on the

00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.519
 cross,

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.680
 but since

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.180
 the Son

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.740
 of God,

00:31:27.079 --> 00:31:27.500
 the second

00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:27.940
 person of

00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.360
 the Trinity

00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:29.240
 did die

00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:29.480
 on the

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.799
 cross,

00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.500
 it is not

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.200
 inaccurate to

00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.579
 say that

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.500
 God obtained

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.519
 his church

00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:34.019
 with his

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.799
 own blood.

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:34.839
 God,

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.680
 this is

00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.359
 why the

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.019
 church is

00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.519
 the church

00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.539
 of God.

00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.759
 It is not

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:41.399
 my church.

00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.139
 It is not

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.779
 the pastor's

00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.019
 church,

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.559
 it is the

00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:44.960
 church of

00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.299
 God,

00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:48.399
 because he

00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:48.899
 paid for

00:31:48.899 --> 00:31:49.099
 it.

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.019
 And the

00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.720
 price you

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.159
 pay for

00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:53.480
 something

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.079
 communicates

00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.740
 the value

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:56.059
 of that

00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.419
 item.

00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:57.519
 Think of

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.180
 the most

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:58.700
 valuable

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.259
 possession

00:31:59.259 --> 00:31:59.599
 that you

00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.000
 have.

00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:02.660
 maybe a

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.039
 car,

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.720
 computer,

00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:08.220
 a house.

00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.460
 You

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:12.779
 probably

00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.599
 protect it,

00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:15.440
 maintain it,

00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:16.799
 and perhaps

00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.599
 even insure

00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:17.900
 it.

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.920
 The

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.519
 church of

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.200
 God was

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.819
 purchased

00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.380
 with the

00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.440
 blood of

00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.079
 God's

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:26.779
 own

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.799
 Son.

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:32.200
 Jesus,

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.139
 whose life

00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.099
 has infinite,

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.680
 inestimable

00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.480
 value.

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:39.180
 That means the

00:32:39.180 --> 00:32:39.759
 Christian brothers

00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.639
 and sisters

00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.720
 sitting to your

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.419
 left and to your

00:32:42.419 --> 00:32:42.720
 right,

00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.319
 the sheep of

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.619
 God's pasture,

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.579
 sure,

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.319
 they might be

00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.599
 bruised and

00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:50.139
 battered,

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.519
 maybe even

00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.240
 malnourished.

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.960
 maybe they

00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:55.720
 don't appear

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.559
 very valuable

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.240
 to you.

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.539
 You might

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.000
 think they're

00:32:59.000 --> 00:32:59.480
 not worth

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.160
 your time

00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.259
 and investment,

00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.380
 but don't

00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:03.039
 let your

00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:04.339
 eyes deceive

00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.839
 you.

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:05.980
 Remember the

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:07.059
 price God

00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:08.059
 paid for

00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.400
 them.

00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.819
 God gave

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.480
 his only

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:13.980
 Son.

00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:15.480
 The Lord

00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:16.279
 Jesus obtained

00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.980
 them with

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.059
 his own

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.680
 blood,

00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:19.839
 and so the

00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.460
 elders must

00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.019
 govern and

00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.420
 guide the

00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:21.799
 flock of

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.140
 God with

00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:22.460
 care.

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:25.200
 The second

00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.640
 thing elders

00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.099
 must do is

00:33:26.099 --> 00:33:26.599
 to guard

00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.200
 the flock.

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.160
 Paul warns

00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.400
 them in

00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:28.920
 verses 29

00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.420
 to 31,

00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.980
 I know

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.779
 that after

00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.400
 my departure

00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.319
 fierce wolves

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:32.740
 will come

00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.380
 in among you

00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:33.799
 and not

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.299
 sparing the

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.640
 flock,

00:33:35.180 --> 00:33:35.519
 and from

00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.099
 among your

00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.759
 own selves

00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.319
 will arise

00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.279
 men speaking

00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.140
 twisted things

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.900
 to draw away

00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.440
 the disciples

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.099
 after them.

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.319
 Therefore

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.440
 be alert,

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.740
 remembering

00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.220
 that for

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:46.059
 three years

00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:46.960
 I did not

00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.799
 seize night

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.460
 or day to

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:48.920
 admonish

00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.920
 everyone with

00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.319
 tears.

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.200
 Some of

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.720
 these fierce

00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.220
 wolves will

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.220
 come in

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.860
 from the

00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.339
 outside,

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.600
 but others,

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.100
 Paul says,

00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.759
 will rise up

00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.400
 from among

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.019
 your own

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.559
 selves,

00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:00.940
 from within

00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:01.400
 the Ephesian

00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.160
 church itself.

00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.380
 A telltale sign

00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.220
 of a wolf is

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.160
 that he speaks

00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:08.480
 twisted things.

00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.360
 He doesn't

00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.280
 speak the

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.820
 straightforward

00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.639
 truth of

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.280
 God's word.

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.159
 Instead,

00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.720
 he speaks

00:34:14.720 --> 00:34:15.679
 twisted things

00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.139
 in order to

00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.019
 draw away

00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.840
 the disciples

00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.679
 after them.

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.840
 Their ultimate

00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:20.440
 goal is

00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.740
 division and

00:34:21.739 --> 00:34:22.279
 schism.

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.659
 They're

00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.719
 interested in

00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.559
 making disciples

00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.319
 who follow

00:34:26.319 --> 00:34:27.059
 after them.

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.519
 This is a

00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.359
 sobering reality

00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:30.919
 and I think

00:34:30.919 --> 00:34:31.899
 Paul speaks

00:34:31.899 --> 00:34:32.919
 so confidently

00:34:32.919 --> 00:34:34.299
 and definitively

00:34:34.299 --> 00:34:35.159
 in verse 29.

00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:36.299
 I know,

00:34:36.419 --> 00:34:36.819
 he says,

00:34:36.899 --> 00:34:37.839
 I know that

00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:38.299
 after my

00:34:38.299 --> 00:34:38.659
 departure,

00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.399
 fierce wolves

00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:39.819
 have come.

00:34:40.479 --> 00:34:40.979
 I think he

00:34:40.979 --> 00:34:41.559
 could say that

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:41.979
 because he

00:34:41.979 --> 00:34:42.500
 knows that

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.659
 wherever there

00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.279
 are sheep,

00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:45.219
 there will

00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.899
 be wolves.

00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:49.300
 and it's

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:49.720
 for this

00:34:49.720 --> 00:34:50.240
 reason that

00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:50.820
 pastors must

00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:51.460
 be alert.

00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.660
 But it's

00:34:53.660 --> 00:34:54.139
 important to

00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:54.519
 note that

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.079
 there is a

00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.639
 difference

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:57.700
 between sheep

00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:58.400
 that disagree

00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:58.840
 with the

00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:00.099
 shepherd and

00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.700
 an actual

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.880
 divisive wolf.

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.639
 Being watchful

00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.180
 of wolves

00:35:07.180 --> 00:35:08.420
 and being

00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.320
 cynical and

00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:10.320
 suspicious of

00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.420
 sheep are

00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.039
 not the same

00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:12.360
 thing.

00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:15.079
 And it

00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.559
 requires

00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.440
 humility and

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.260
 discernment to

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.579
 tell them

00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:17.900
 apart.

00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.420
 So the

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.000
 pastors are

00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.900
 to guide and

00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.660
 guard and

00:35:22.660 --> 00:35:23.079
 thirdly,

00:35:23.200 --> 00:35:23.539
 they are to

00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:24.039
 graze the

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.680
 flock in the

00:35:24.680 --> 00:35:25.380
 green pastures

00:35:25.380 --> 00:35:25.760
 of God's

00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:25.920
 word.

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.340
 It says in

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:26.980
 verse 32,

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:27.840
 and now I

00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:28.599
 commend you to

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.240
 God and to

00:35:29.240 --> 00:35:29.700
 the word of

00:35:29.700 --> 00:35:30.200
 his grace,

00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.320
 which is able

00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:32.120
 to build you

00:35:32.120 --> 00:35:32.740
 up and to

00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:33.360
 give you the

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.340
 inheritance among

00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.099
 all those who

00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:35.820
 are sanctified.

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.720
 The word of

00:35:37.720 --> 00:35:38.620
 his grace is

00:35:38.620 --> 00:35:39.280
 the same thing

00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:40.019
 as the gospel

00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.700
 of the grace

00:35:40.700 --> 00:35:41.240
 of God that

00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:41.740
 Paul mentioned

00:35:41.740 --> 00:35:42.240
 earlier in

00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:42.879
 verse 24.

00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:44.179
 So yes,

00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:44.839
 pastors are

00:35:44.839 --> 00:35:45.419
 supposed to

00:35:45.419 --> 00:35:45.799
 preach the

00:35:45.799 --> 00:35:46.459
 whole counsel

00:35:46.459 --> 00:35:46.899
 of God,

00:35:46.979 --> 00:35:47.799
 but because

00:35:47.799 --> 00:35:48.379
 all of

00:35:48.379 --> 00:35:49.199
 scripture points

00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:50.399
 to Jesus and

00:35:50.399 --> 00:35:51.500
 is fulfilled by

00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:53.039
 Jesus, the

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.419
 work of

00:35:53.419 --> 00:35:54.500
 preaching always

00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:55.739
 involves commending

00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.679
 people to God

00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:57.039
 and to the

00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.639
 word of his

00:35:57.639 --> 00:35:58.119
 grace.

00:35:59.239 --> 00:36:00.199
 That sinners

00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:01.259
 deserving of the

00:36:01.259 --> 00:36:02.239
 just wrath and

00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:02.879
 punishment of

00:36:02.879 --> 00:36:03.799
 God may be

00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.579
 forgiven and

00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:05.419
 reconciled to

00:36:05.419 --> 00:36:06.399
 God through

00:36:06.399 --> 00:36:07.319
 the death and

00:36:07.319 --> 00:36:07.939
 resurrection of

00:36:07.939 --> 00:36:08.259
 Jesus.

00:36:09.459 --> 00:36:10.459
 That salvation

00:36:10.459 --> 00:36:11.459
 is not something

00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:12.220
 that we earn

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:12.740
 through our

00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.480
 hard work or

00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.199
 good work,

00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:15.000
 but that it

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.860
 is a gift from

00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.380
 God to be

00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:16.900
 received through

00:36:16.900 --> 00:36:17.420
 faith.

00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.019
 That is the

00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:19.619
 gospel, the

00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.760
 good news of

00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.519
 the grace of

00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:21.800
 God.

00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.980
 And that's the

00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:24.820
 news that builds

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.699
 up the saints and

00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.240
 it is by

00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:27.300
 persevering in our

00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:28.119
 faith in that

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.820
 gospel that we

00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.880
 receive our

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.820
 heavenly inheritance.

00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:34.079
 And then Paul

00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.059
 returns again to

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.500
 his personal

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:36.820
 example in

00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:37.940
 verses 33 to

00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.340
 35.

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.240
 He says,

00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:40.240
 I coveted no

00:36:40.240 --> 00:36:41.139
 one's silver or

00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:42.099
 gold or apparel.

00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:43.519
 You yourselves

00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.559
 know that these

00:36:44.559 --> 00:36:45.519
 hands ministered to

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.880
 my necessities and

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.460
 to those who were

00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:47.920
 with me.

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.619
 In all things I

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.519
 have shown you that

00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.599
 by working hard in

00:36:51.599 --> 00:36:52.619
 this way we must

00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.639
 help the weak and

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.579
 remember the words

00:36:54.579 --> 00:36:55.340
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.840
 How he himself

00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:58.260
 said, it is more

00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:59.400
 blessed to give

00:36:59.400 --> 00:37:00.679
 than to receive.

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.840
 In the Roman

00:37:02.840 --> 00:37:04.220
 Empire there were

00:37:04.220 --> 00:37:05.179
 various kinds of

00:37:05.179 --> 00:37:05.780
 philosophers,

00:37:05.940 --> 00:37:06.760
 itinerant philosophers

00:37:06.760 --> 00:37:08.240
 that traveled and

00:37:08.240 --> 00:37:09.200
 spoke in various

00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.140
 places and they

00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:11.100
 gained fans and

00:37:11.100 --> 00:37:11.560
 followers.

00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.120
 And these itinerant

00:37:13.120 --> 00:37:14.260
 teachers had four

00:37:14.260 --> 00:37:15.620
 different means by

00:37:15.620 --> 00:37:16.700
 which they supported

00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.140
 themselves.

00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:19.220
 The first was to

00:37:19.220 --> 00:37:20.160
 rely on a wealthy

00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:21.540
 patron or patroness

00:37:21.540 --> 00:37:24.080
 who would host these

00:37:24.080 --> 00:37:25.080
 luxurious dinners

00:37:25.080 --> 00:37:25.900
 where they would be

00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.540
 the honored guests

00:37:26.540 --> 00:37:27.220
 giving lectures.

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:30.020
 The second was to

00:37:30.020 --> 00:37:31.080
 charge fees for

00:37:31.080 --> 00:37:32.540
 their speaking and

00:37:32.540 --> 00:37:32.960
 their teaching

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.540
 services.

00:37:34.520 --> 00:37:36.140
 And third was to

00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.139
 rely on public

00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:38.339
 charity by begging,

00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:39.139
 by asking for

00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.539
 donations.

00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.519
 And the fourth,

00:37:41.879 --> 00:37:42.739
 and by far the

00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:44.400
 most despised way

00:37:44.400 --> 00:37:45.519
 among the Greeks,

00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:47.119
 was to work as

00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.339
 manual laborers.

00:37:50.239 --> 00:37:51.480
 Because these itinerant

00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.339
 philosophers viewed

00:37:52.339 --> 00:37:54.079
 that as beneath their

00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:54.859
 social standing.

00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.559
 And the great

00:37:57.559 --> 00:38:00.119
 apostle Paul refused

00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:01.460
 compensation for his

00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:03.039
 ministry, worked with

00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.940
 his own hands as a

00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:09.460
 tent maker so that he

00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.179
 might provide for

00:38:10.179 --> 00:38:11.259
 those who have need.

00:38:12.920 --> 00:38:14.420
 He says, with these

00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:15.519
 hands, it seems like

00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.719
 as Paul speaking, he's

00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:18.039
 lifting up his hands,

00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:19.079
 showing his hands to

00:38:19.079 --> 00:38:19.940
 people saying, with

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:21.199
 these hands I provided

00:38:21.199 --> 00:38:21.920
 for myself.

00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.320
 Probably callous from

00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:24.179
 all that tent making.

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:29.319
 This is not because

00:38:29.319 --> 00:38:30.440
 Paul doesn't think that

00:38:30.440 --> 00:38:31.159
 elders should be

00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:32.059
 provided for by their

00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:32.399
 churches.

00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:34.000
 He does say in 1

00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:35.419
 Timothy 5, 17 and 18,

00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:36.359
 that elders who rule

00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:37.279
 well and labor in

00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:37.940
 preaching and teaching

00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:39.639
 deserve their wages.

00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:41.500
 However, Paul himself

00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:43.339
 decided to forego this

00:38:43.339 --> 00:38:44.919
 right, and he did

00:38:44.919 --> 00:38:46.659
 manual labor in order to

00:38:46.659 --> 00:38:47.980
 provide for himself as

00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.980
 well as for his fellow

00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.940
 missionary companions.

00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.699
 And Paul did this, he

00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:53.519
 says, in order to help

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:55.780
 the weak and remember

00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.659
 the words of the Lord

00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.659
 Jesus, how he himself

00:38:57.659 --> 00:38:58.759
 said it is more blessed

00:38:58.759 --> 00:39:00.179
 to give than to receive.

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.579
 The weak is likely a

00:39:02.579 --> 00:39:03.679
 reference to people who

00:39:03.679 --> 00:39:04.960
 were in one way or

00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:07.039
 another incapacitated or

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:09.000
 limited, therefore unable

00:39:09.000 --> 00:39:09.820
 to provide for

00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.259
 themselves.

00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:14.679
 As Christians, we don't

00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:16.719
 hold a job and work

00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:18.280
 merely to provide for

00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:19.880
 ourselves and for our

00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:20.219
 families.

00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:22.820
 We also work to give

00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:23.980
 generously to those in

00:39:23.980 --> 00:39:24.300
 need.

00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:27.340
 Ephesians 4, 28 says,

00:39:27.580 --> 00:39:28.480
 let the thief no longer

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.519
 steal, but rather let him

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.920
 labor, doing honest work

00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:32.940
 with his own hands, so that

00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:35.240
 he may have something to

00:39:35.240 --> 00:39:37.620
 share with anyone in need.

00:39:40.720 --> 00:39:42.120
 This is the example that

00:39:42.120 --> 00:39:43.780
 Paul set for the Ephesian

00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:45.700
 elders, and he confirms it

00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:47.240
 with Jesus' teaching, it is

00:39:47.240 --> 00:39:49.400
 more blessed to give than to

00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:49.960
 receive.

00:39:57.099 --> 00:40:00.780
 I was just talking to, I

00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:02.599
 think it was Jen mentioned,

00:40:02.720 --> 00:40:04.519
 Gary told her about this

00:40:04.519 --> 00:40:06.800
 Instagram handle called

00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:08.559
 pastors and sneakers.

00:40:08.780 --> 00:40:09.539
 You guys know about that?

00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:11.240
 Preachers, sorry.

00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:12.320
 Pastors and preachers.

00:40:12.660 --> 00:40:13.680
 Or, no, preachers and

00:40:13.680 --> 00:40:14.019
 sneakers.

00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:15.099
 Sorry, I guess that rhymes

00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:15.340
 better.

00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:19.019
 Apparently, the guy who

00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:20.579
 has the handle just came

00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:21.260
 out with the book.

00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:23.900
 He's kind of, he's

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:25.120
 criticizing the way

00:40:25.120 --> 00:40:26.800
 consumerism has taken over

00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:30.059
 some parts of church and

00:40:30.059 --> 00:40:33.140
 clergy and how the church

00:40:33.140 --> 00:40:34.559
 culture is following the

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:36.079
 world's celebrity culture.

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.920
 $5,000 sneakers.

00:40:40.220 --> 00:40:41.000
 I didn't even know such

00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:41.660
 things existed.

00:40:41.660 --> 00:40:41.780
 I didn't know such things.

00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:51.880
 The pastoral ministry is not

00:40:51.880 --> 00:40:54.200
 a platform for self-promotion.

00:40:57.820 --> 00:41:01.240
 How many poor widows gave for

00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:01.580
 that?

00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:08.700
 The church offerings are not a

00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:10.840
 means for personal enrichment.

00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:14.040
 Church members are not a

00:41:14.040 --> 00:41:15.780
 platform for pastoral

00:41:15.780 --> 00:41:17.720
 celebrity and self-promotion.

00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:21.600
 Pastors must remember that

00:41:21.600 --> 00:41:23.480
 they are called to feed the

00:41:23.480 --> 00:41:25.580
 sheep, not feed on the sheep.

00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:29.480
 And that it is more blessed to

00:41:29.480 --> 00:41:31.100
 give than to receive.

00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:34.400
 This is really the attitude that

00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:35.660
 befits every Christian.

00:41:37.080 --> 00:41:39.240
 Think more of what you can

00:41:39.239 --> 00:41:42.500
 give to the church than get from

00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.000
 the church.

00:41:45.239 --> 00:41:47.579
 Think more of how you can serve

00:41:47.579 --> 00:41:49.699
 others than to be served.

00:41:51.459 --> 00:41:54.219
 It is human to give in return for

00:41:54.219 --> 00:41:54.979
 something else.

00:41:55.459 --> 00:41:57.439
 It is Christian to give without

00:41:57.439 --> 00:41:58.839
 expecting anything in return.

00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:01.439
 Because we know that God will

00:42:01.439 --> 00:42:02.659
 ultimately repay us.

00:42:02.659 --> 00:42:07.299
 That's the appropriate Christian

00:42:07.299 --> 00:42:09.519
 attitude because Jesus came to be,

00:42:10.099 --> 00:42:12.279
 not to be served, but to serve and

00:42:12.279 --> 00:42:14.219
 to give his life as a ransom for

00:42:14.219 --> 00:42:14.460
 many.

00:42:16.879 --> 00:42:18.279
 Pastoral ministry is ultimately

00:42:18.279 --> 00:42:21.059
 patterned after the ministry of the

00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:23.179
 good shepherd, our Lord Jesus.

00:42:24.519 --> 00:42:27.819
 Jesus said in John 10, 11 to 15, I am

00:42:27.819 --> 00:42:28.659
 the good shepherd.

00:42:29.059 --> 00:42:31.059
 The good shepherd lays down his life

00:42:31.059 --> 00:42:31.639
 for the sheep.

00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:33.779
 He who is a hired hand and not a

00:42:33.779 --> 00:42:35.179
 shepherd, who does not own the

00:42:35.179 --> 00:42:37.320
 sheep, sees the wolf coming and

00:42:37.320 --> 00:42:39.039
 leaves the sheep and flees.

00:42:39.440 --> 00:42:41.199
 And the wolf snatches them and

00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:41.980
 scatters them.

00:42:42.619 --> 00:42:44.880
 He flees because he is a hired hand

00:42:44.880 --> 00:42:46.679
 and cares nothing for the sheep.

00:42:47.980 --> 00:42:49.519
 I am the good shepherd.

00:42:50.079 --> 00:42:52.699
 I know my own and my own know me.

00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:55.000
 Just as the Father knows me and I

00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:57.380
 know the Father and I lay down my

00:42:57.380 --> 00:42:58.559
 life for the sheep.

00:42:58.559 --> 00:43:02.500
 The people of God throughout history

00:43:02.500 --> 00:43:04.380
 have been shepherded by many hired

00:43:04.380 --> 00:43:04.840
 hands.

00:43:05.799 --> 00:43:07.719
 Rulers and leaders who clothed

00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:11.079
 themselves with the wool and

00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:13.159
 slaughtered the fat ones who didn't

00:43:13.159 --> 00:43:14.940
 strengthen the weak or heal the sick

00:43:14.940 --> 00:43:17.039
 or bind up the injured and bring back

00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:19.539
 the strayed or seek the lost sheep.

00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:24.900
 None of your pastors that you ever

00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:26.539
 have, including myself, are not going

00:43:26.539 --> 00:43:27.619
 to be the perfect shepherd.

00:43:32.800 --> 00:43:34.400
 None of the things that you turn to

00:43:34.400 --> 00:43:35.559
 for your comfort, for your

00:43:35.559 --> 00:43:37.659
 provision can be that perfect

00:43:37.659 --> 00:43:38.000
 shepherd.

00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:43.400
 But our Jesus is the good and

00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:44.840
 perfect shepherd.

00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:49.559
 If you are hungry, he is the

00:43:49.559 --> 00:43:52.239
 shepherd that can feed you with

00:43:52.239 --> 00:43:54.360
 manna from heaven, bread from

00:43:54.360 --> 00:43:56.760
 heaven.

00:43:56.760 --> 00:43:57.420
 If you are walking through the valley

00:43:57.420 --> 00:43:59.680
 of the shadow of death, Jesus is the

00:43:59.680 --> 00:44:02.000
 shepherd who has his trusty and

00:44:02.000 --> 00:44:06.000
 comforting rod and staff to assure you

00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:08.380
 so that you may not fear.

00:44:08.380 --> 00:44:13.599
 When you feel weary and heavy laden, when

00:44:13.599 --> 00:44:15.599
 you feel weighed down by your own guilt

00:44:15.599 --> 00:44:17.619
 and your own failures and your own

00:44:17.619 --> 00:44:20.480
 sins, it's the Lord Jesus alone who can

00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:24.000
 be the good shepherd that lays down his

00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:27.660
 own life for your salvation, for your

00:44:27.660 --> 00:44:28.160
 forgiveness.

00:44:29.340 --> 00:44:31.579
 What kind of shepherd gives his life

00:44:31.579 --> 00:44:34.680
 for a sheep?

00:44:34.680 --> 00:44:35.740
 For a sheep.

00:44:38.380 --> 00:44:44.460
 The shepherd who truly loves the sheep, who

00:44:44.460 --> 00:44:46.559
 really owns the sheep.

00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:52.599
 It's because we are his that Jesus cares

00:44:52.599 --> 00:44:53.440
 for us in this way.

00:44:57.780 --> 00:45:00.079
 And as we follow him, surely goodness,

00:45:00.760 --> 00:45:02.900
 surely mercy will follow us all the days

00:45:02.900 --> 00:45:03.440
 of our lives.

00:45:03.440 --> 00:45:05.800
 And we will dwell in the house of the

00:45:05.800 --> 00:45:06.380
 Lord forever.

00:45:08.059 --> 00:45:08.720
 Let's pray.

00:45:12.760 --> 00:45:13.840
 God, we thank you.

00:45:13.840 --> 00:45:13.900
 Amen.

00:45:13.900 --> 00:45:13.960
 Amen.

00:45:13.960 --> 00:45:14.019
 Amen.

00:45:14.019 --> 00:45:14.059
 Amen.

00:45:14.059 --> 00:45:14.099
 Amen.

00:45:14.099 --> 00:45:14.159
 Amen.

00:45:14.159 --> 00:45:15.059
 Amen.

00:45:15.059 --> 00:45:16.099
 Amen.

00:45:16.099 --> 00:45:16.159
 Amen.

00:45:16.159 --> 00:45:17.099
 Amen.

00:45:17.099 --> 00:45:18.099
 Amen.

00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:18.159
 Amen.

00:45:18.159 --> 00:45:18.220
 Amen.