The 10th Sunday after Trinity

SERMON - Let Us Strive to Maintain a God-Pleasing Ministry!

INI

Text: Acts 20:17-38

In Christ Jesus, who has called us into ministry, dear fellow redeemed:

If you were to ask ten of your friends what they look for in a good church, you might hear ten different answers! Some of your friends may mention the physical aspects of the building—stained glass windows or ample parking and easy access. Others might say church programs—a strong youth program or an active seniors’ center. Still others might mention things like strong preaching or the overall friendliness of the congregational members.

What makes up a “good” church? In order to answer that question, I believe it is important to remember the biblical meaning of the word “church.” The biblical meaning of the word "church" is a gathering of believers, so it really refers to the people who worship rather than the building in which they worship. Further, when we speak of church we ought not separate the people from their calling or ministry as Christians. Consequently, when we ask the question, what makes up a “good” church, we should pay especially close attention to its congregational ministry.

Our text today does that, as we consider Paul’s words to the elders of Ephesus. He reviews for them both the characteristics of his former ministry among them and the ministry to which they should then aspire. It is to that same type of ministry that we here at Immanuel should aspire. LET US, therefore, STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A GOD-PLEASING MINISTRY!

I.

A God-pleasing ministry is, first of all, a ministry which serves the Lord with humility! Luke, the author of the Book of Acts writes: “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: ‘You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews.’”

Paul here reminds the elders of the attitude he possessed as he strove to serve the Lord among them—an attitude of humility. Genuine and godly humility begins with our own understanding of our personal unworthiness in view of our sin combined with gratitude towards God in view of His forgiveness of sins. Understanding, therefore, and gratitude are the keys to godly humility. Paul had both! Listen to Paul as he addresses his son in Christ—young Timothy: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:12-15). Paul had a profound understanding of the depth of his sin before God, but he had an even greater appreciation for the grace of God, which not only forgave him but then enabled him to serve!

It is for such a spirit of genuine and godly humility that we all want to strive. Such an humility arises as we properly apply both God’s law and His gospel in our lives, for God’s law provides for us a proper understanding of our sins, while His gospel informs us of and then assures us of His forgiving grace! It is our sincere gratitude, then, for that grace that should move us, as it did the apostle, to strive to serve the Lord in every possible way!

It will seldom be easy. Paul was opposed by his fellow Jews upon many occasions—often suffering physical persecution, and yet he humbly and with tears continued to seek the spiritual welfare of those who persecuted him. Even so, as we present Christ to the world around us and share with the people of this world the truths of God, we will not always be well received, but LET US STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A GOD-PLEASING MINISTRY—a ministry which serves the Lord with humility!

II.

A ministry which, secondly, declares the whole counsel of God! Paul continues to address the Ephesian elders with these words: “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”

To declare the whole counsel of God—that is the goal of a truly God-pleasing ministry! Our goal should never be to seek always to please everyone all the time—to have a message that is “sugar and spice and everything nice!” In a world filled with sin and selfishness, we need to follow Paul’s example and preach “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Repentance is a change of mind and heart—a deep regret over having offended our just and holy God, and a deep desire to forsake our sins and to follow Christ. To ignore addressing sin is to ignore our greatest problems. To address only the sins of others will ultimately leave us spiritually malnourished, for “the gospel of the grace of God” to which Paul refers is only enjoyed when it is understood that it is fully needed.

We need to preach about sin and grace. We need to talk about the Word and the sacraments, for they are the means by which we receive the assurance of God’s grace. We need to talk about the proper application of love towards God and towards our fellow men, for as with Paul we are to be “preaching the kingdom of God”—not our own little kingdoms of men. God would have our eyes opened wide to His plans and His purposes, for therein will we alone find both fulfillment and salvation. Yes, LET US STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A GOD-PLEASING MINISTRY—a ministry which declares the whole counsel of God!

III.

A ministry which, thirdly, shepherds the church of God! Paul continues with his plea to the elders in Ephesus: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

We are to “shepherd the church of God.” Why? We are to do so, because God in the person of Jesus Christ “purchased” the church “with His own blood.” The cross which dominates our sanctuary is intended to be a constant reminder of the purchase-price of our souls. As Peter reminds us, “you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). You cannot buy forgiveness at Wal-Mart or Target or even anywhere on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The blood of Christ alone provides the precious ransom price needed to save our souls!

But a God-pleasing ministry recognizes that this precious message will be adamantly opposed by Satan and his allies in this world. “Savage wolves”—false teachers of many kinds will arise from outside the church to mislead the members of the church. False teachers, however, will arise from within the church and “draw away the disciples,” Paul says from Christ to “themselves.” It is important for the church today to follow the example of the apostle Paul and “warn” people of the dangers of false doctrine. Paul said that he did so “night and day with tears,” and yet unfortunately so many people in our day approach the whole subject of truth versus error with a “whatever” attitude. My dear friends, the Bible describes false teaching as “cancer” (2 Timothy 2:17)—something about which we should be very concerned, for it is something that can destroy our lives. Therefore, we will want to be watchful and careful as a congregation—just like our Good Shepherd is so that everyone among us will be built up in our faith and receive “an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Yes, LET US STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A GOD-PLEASING MINISTRY—a ministry which shepherds the church of God!

IV.

A ministry which, finally, supports the weak! Luke concludes his account by recording Paul’s final words and departure: “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.”

A God-pleasing minister is a minister who does not seek his own benefit, but the benefit of others. A God-pleasing minister seeks to serve, rather than to be served. Such was the apostle Paul, and such should be each and every one of us. If our collective ministry is to be God-pleasing, then it too ought to seek ways to serve and, especially, to support the weak.

Paul was heading for Jerusalem. With him he was taking a collection obtained from all of the congregations in Greece and Asia Minor. It was intended to help the members of the various congregations in Jerusalem, who were suffering greatly in view of famine. The hearts of the Christians in Greece and Asia Minor were properly moved to help. Even so, we ought to seek opportunities to support the weak among us. Yes, our primary mission is to preach the gospel—to seek the spiritual welfare of as many people as God enables us to reach with His Word. This week I was able to order and ship a case of Bibles and a case of Small Catechisms to Lima, Peru to assist in our new mission effort there. But, God has also called upon us to help, as we are able, those who need help. Consequently, our efforts to support the local food shelf, our efforts to help those in need through the Benevolent Fund, and our own individual giving and volunteering for charitable causes all reveal a spirit that is desired by God and pleasing to God.

My dear friends—what makes for a good church? Stained glass windows, adequate parking, solid youth programs, friendly people are all wonderful things, but it is the ministry that ultimately must be considered. LET US STRIVE TO MAINTAIN A TRULY GOD-PLEASING MINISTRY! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting
Soli Gloria Deo!