The Need To Feed

Acts 20:28-37

“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.” (Acts 20:28)

Paul reminded the leaders of the Church at Ephesus of their responsibility to maintain their own spiritual health as well as that of the people they taught. He then went on to explain why sound and spiritual development is so critical.

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20;29-30)

Predators prey on the those who are weak and sickly. Hunger both weakens the animal, and distracts it from obvious danger, making him more vulnerable. I Peter 5:8 tells us, “…your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Spiritually starved Christians may to weak to escape, or be so hungry they ignore the danger in the effort to get a single bite of food. As Paul pointed out, those spiritual predators are going to be there. Unfortunately, some of them get inside the fence where only the healthiest can fend them off. The conflict at Antioch was a result of false brethren who’d gotten into the church as we saw in Acts 14 and 15, and they are constantly trying today.

Peter sounded the same warning in II Peter 2:1. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Revelation 2 and 3 describes the effects of these teachers if allowed to continue unchecked. They need to be alert to the danger.

“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31)

Paul himself had spent three years in Ephesus warning them, but now they would have to take responsibility themselves. As he realized, God was able to take care of them and fulfill his plan, but they would have to decide whether to allow him to. Many today are afraid to trust God to take care of what they have done, and insist on keeping control.

“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. 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. I have showed 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.” (Acts 20:32-35)

II Peter 2:3 describes the actions of the false teachers, saying, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…” because, like Balaam, they “loved the wages of unrighteousness.” Paul had set the opposite example, supporting himself and even refusing to allow them to support him to set a proper example before them. While Paul clearly believed God expected the church to support the pastor, according to I Corinthians 9, the Holy spirit would not allow him to take unfair advantage of his position. False teachers, on the other hand, would have no such qualms.

“And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.” (Acts 20:36)

One of the hardest thing for many parents is turning loose and letting their children take control of their lives. Many missionaries and pastors have the same problem letting go of churches they have started. The problem for both parents and pastors is a failure to trust God. Paul simply knelt and prayed, turning them over to God and trusted him to keep his word. By doing so in their presence, he demonstrated his confidence in them and placed both himself and them in a position of having to stand by the commitment.

“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.” (Acts 20:37-38)

Love is the major characteristic of a spirit filled church, and separation from loved ones is a painful part of life. Knowing that Paul would not be coming back was an emotionally painful realization for the leaders of the church at Ephesus, and would have been so for the other members, had they been present. Like my brother does, they delayed the separation until the last possible minute, even accompanying him to the ship because of their love.