The Gravity of Ministry
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood" (Acts 20:28)
The responsibility of ministry is a terribly grave thing. Many may not realize its seriousness. As Paul bids farewell to his companions, he warns them of savage wolves and reminds them of how he has warned them for years with tears.
Paul knew something. He even says it. He says I know savage wolves will come, even from among them, and draw disciples away for their own personal gains. The Apostle John speaks of the same phenomenon in 1 John 2, referring to the authentic anointing and those who came out from among them but never were of them.
Now Paul knew the gravity of this responsibility because he knew that each one will give an account not only for themselves but also for the entire flock, over whom they were appointed overseers. Paul wasn't simply warning, but had done so for years and with tears!
What moved him so deeply and what kept him on alert in such a way? Can it be that he had seen the judgment or the end of those who wouldn't take up this responsibility? It almost sounds like he was crying over these overseers of the church while they were in tears for his fatal fate or martyrdom, which was revealed to them so prophetically by the Holy Spirit.
"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)
It has always been his calling and heart burden to work towards the perfecting of the believers. He writes about this extensively to the Ephesians and Corinthians among other passages.
His farewell speech reminds me of the one Samuel gave in the Old Testament. Samuel asked the people whether they had found any fault in him and Paul here reminds the church how he never was a burden to anyone and how he served them.
All of this also reminds me of the Lord's parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25). And honestly, I think it is a scary thing to be found among the foolish ones. Storing up extra oil is the result of a devotional personal life with the Lord. It is the result of daily self-examination. It is the result of taking up one's calling and devoting oneself completely to it. The scary part of that parable is that all ten virgins, wise and foolish, fell asleep while waiting for the Lord's return. It shows us how important it is to store up treasure in heaven while we still can. And storing up treasure in heaven my friends does not work selfishly in the Kingdom, but by sacrificially giving ourselves to the Lord and to others.
Finally, Paul trusted in the Word of grace to do the rest and prepare the Lord's flock to be found among the wise ones, among the sanctified.
As we approach days where the difference between wise and foolish is made so evident, the difference between authentic and fake spirituality is made known to those who can discern, and the difference between religion and spirituality is made visible by the fire of the Holy Spirit, we re-examine ourselves, surrender our paths to the light of the Word of grace, trusting in the One who began the good work, who is also able to carry it on unto completion, the Alpha and the Omega, the author, and perfector of our faith, the servant king, the Lord Jesus Himself.
It is my prayer and heartfelt burden to encourage you to love first and serve second, to repent first and to inherit second. As the days of the church shining brighter come closer, the reaction from the enemy's camp to bring upon us darkness will also approach. May the Lord give us the grace to keep and equip ourselves and the flock which He purchased with His precious blood for the day of His second coming.
