Scripture Reading: Acts 20:22–27

Introduction

A. If you knew that you only had one week to live, what would you do with it? If you could choose your last words, what would they be?

B. When Paul spoke with the Ephesian elders with the knowledge that he would never see them again, many tears were shed (v 37).

C. If I knew this were my last sermon, I would probably wish to share the same things with you that Paul shared with these men.

Discussion

I. I would want to tell you how much I love you.

A. If Paul’s love for his brethren was not evident enough in his speech, surely it was evident in his speech (vv 31, 37).

B. Because this congregation holds such a special place in my heart, my last sermon would likely be much like Paul’s.

II. I would want to stress the importance of solid leadership.

A. Paul exhorted the elders to take the oversight of the church and to shepherd the flock, knowing that wolves would rise up from their very midst (vv 28–30).

B. We need solid leadership in the church (Titus 1:9).

C. We need solid leadership in our homes (Ephesians 6:4).

III. I would want to warn you about dangers that I foresee.

A. Paul was given divine insight into the troubles ahead, for which cause he commended them to the Word (v 32).

B. We need to go to the same source to protect ourselves from the wolves that may be facing us down the road.

Conclusion

There are still wolves out there who want to tear God’s flock apart, which is why we need godly men and women who will take a stand for the truth and take the responsibilities with which the Lord entrusts us.