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The
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.
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The
Collect.
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L
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ORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and
make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
The
Acts of the Apostles
Chapter
20 Verses 17-38
17And from Miletus he
sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come
to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia,
after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord
with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell
me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept
back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught
you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both
to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold,
I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there: 23 Save that the
Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move
me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course
with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify
the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold,
I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall
see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not
shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed
therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood. 29 For I know this,
that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing
the flock. 30 Also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them. 31 Therefore watch,
and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears. 32 And now,
brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified. 33 I have coveted no
man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know,
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were
with me. 35 I have shewed you
all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had
thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore,
and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most of
all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And
they accompanied him unto the ship.
The Apostle Paul has been preaching the Gospel to the strangers of Asia
Minor (or once-strangers). He now will return to Jerusalem to preach among his
own people (the Jews). As was true of Jesus, a prophet is not without honor
save among his own people.
And from Miletus he
sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were
come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into
Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the
Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews. The Greek word used here for elder (ἐπίσκοπος, or episkopos) is equivalent to bishop (an overseer or presbyter) in
Acts. 20:28 below. The numerous mentions in the New Testament of bishops, or
presbyters, provide certain credibility to the Anglican Ordinal.
And how I kept back
nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you
publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also
to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Please note, especially the clergy among
us, how Paul ministered without reservation or fear as to how the truth might
affect the ears of his listeners OR his enemies, and neither did he refrain
from PRIVATE as well as public ministry. He was not as proud of his office as
an Apostle that he deigned the private home of too little profit in ministry.
Perhaps the greater churches of the time were in private homes. I believe we
shall see the same repeat in history in our latter days for it already exists
in China and other parts of the world. Please note also that the center-point
of Paul’s ministry was the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance before God. Are we
afraid to tell our charges that they need to repent (along with us)? Do we
repeat the General Confession in mere formality or in full impact of meaning?
And now, behold, I
go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall
me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that
bonds and afflictions abide me. Paul sets the standard for purposeful action in
ministry. Regardless the danger and personal cost, he will go where the Holy
Spirit leads. Paul is extraordinarily aware of the process God has often used
in his own life to carry the Gospel to those who have sat in darkness seemingly
by random (but actually providential) travels.
But none of these
things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might
finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord
Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Well did Shakespeare write when he says in his
work ‘Julius Caesar’ – “Cowards
die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” Shakespeare means, of course, that the
valiant is so certain of the righteousness of his motive and actions that he
will never draw back as a result of inordinate fear. The coward, au contraire,
lives in constant fear and remorse of that fear which overcomes his better
angels in life. The coward’s life is a constant death. When we, as Paul, are
valiant for truth, we may hang our swords of honor on the cedars by the Jordan
Waters when we depart from here. He has received his warrant from Christ to
preach the Gospel of Grace and certainly not of the good works of man which are
as filthy rags.
And now, behold, I
know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall
see my face no more. This may have been an inspired premonition on the
part of Paul, or simply a reasonable expectation in view of the dangers he
might face in Jerusalem. Of cause Paul was incomplete in his prediction for many
of these dear souls were of the faith and would again see Paul’s face when they
met beyond Jordan’s Waters.
Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I
have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Paul, in his departure from among them,
is preaching a main point in ministry. He has never been reluctant to share the
Gospel even with the most obstinate of listeners. Whether men of like culture,
or diverse, he tried to draw them back from the abyss of hell. His character as
an Apostle is much like that of the Good Samaritan in not caring that the
wounded man by the road was a natural enemy as a Jew.
Take heed therefore
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own
blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock. His words are a counsel to those who
would serve as bishop, priest, or deacon. We may get a fuller understanding by
comparing those counsels Paul gives in 1 Timothy.
The first is for
the bishop, presbyter, or priest to take inventory of his own soul and
reputation long before seeking to serve in Holy Orders. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient,
not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having
his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how
to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not
a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without;
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Tim 3:2-7)
The second counsel
is handle the Word of God rightly by knowing , not only the Words of God, but
also the correct Doctrine provided therein and by making your life and example
thereof: “Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Tim 4:16)
And, finally, the third counsel
given by Paul is to avoid temptation as much as in you lieth: But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession
before many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:11-12) These words of Paul are not only a caution, but also an encouragement
and a reminder to all who presume to minister of Christ.
Also of your own
selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after
them.
Based on Paul’s past experiences and awareness of prophecy, he realizes that it
is very probable that, even among these here gathered (bishops and presbyters),
wicked and evil motives shall arise which will pervert the Gospel itself and
drawing men away from the Words of Christ and toward the mere words of men.
Please do not be surprised at this for it is abundantly clear that such
perversion of the Word has occurred to a very high degree today through the
perverse teachings of many so-called ministers.
Therefore watch,
and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one
night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to
the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Now that Paul has apprised them of his
faith and continuity in preaching the Word, he instructs these leaders to
remember that the warning against error and heresy was accompanied both day and
night by the tears of sincerity of Paul. There will, for each of us, always
come a time of permanent earthly parting. After having done all that is within
our power to teach, preach, counsel, warn, and correct, we must take our leave
and commend the dear souls of our fond memories to God and the protection,
alone, of His Word. We must bid them a final adieu even when we may know that
it is final. We pray that their faith will sustain them in power of truth and,
therefore, result in an inheritance that will allow of a joyful reunion at the
Last Trump.
I have coveted no
man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands
have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. These two sentences are pregnant with
meaningful application to our own time. How many clergymen today are following
a calling instead of an occupation? How many seek ways to continually increase
their salaries and incomes? How many will lift their hands to do physical
labors to relieve the sacrifices of the people whom they serve?
I have shewed you
all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Paul has preached from the abundance of his
heart. He has preached ALL things. He invokes their support (not Rome’s) of the
weak and to remember, not simply at the point of the Prayer Book Offertory, but
in general living as given to us in the Book of James: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep
himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
And
when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And
they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing
most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no
more. And they accompanied him unto the ship” I wish to place my own knee with the
others on the shores of Anatolia with the company of Paul. What a poignant
moment but a glorious parting as well. They could well have sung the old gospel
song, “If We Never Meet Again This Side of
Heaven; we shall meet on that Glorious Shore!” As Juliet said to
Romeo, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
But how much sweeter is the parting for those who are One in the love of
Christ! We may board the ship with our
dearly departed, but we may not always be privileged to make the voyage. The
only vessel we must be certain of sharing with them is that of the Ark of
Christ!
