A Pastor's Final Plea (Acts 20:1-38)

Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)Preacher: Ps. James TangDate: 1st March 2026Passage: Acts 20:1-38Sermon Summary:At this point in Acts, Paul is nearing the end of his life. Thegospel has made its way through Jerusalem, Judea, andSamaria—even swaths of Asia, just as Christ promised.(Acts 1:8)—and yet Paul shows no sign of slowing down.If anything, this week’s passage of Acts 20:17-38 speaks to Paul’s immense love for Christ and his impeccablecharacter: he admits that he knows nothing about whatawaits him in Jerusalem (v.22), yet recounts the constanttrials he has faced in his attempts to preach the gospel.(v.19) It is almost certain that Jerusalem will be nodifferent, as the Spirit testifies to him in each city of theimprisonment and affliction that await him (v.23), but hecares not for his own life. He wants only to complete themission God has given him. (v.24)Even so, there is immense love in his heart for the peopleGod has called him to. Knowing that it would be the lasttime for those from the church of Ephesus to see him, Paulgathered the elders of the church to him and shared withthem his final testimony. (v.17) As he recalls how he servedthe Lord amongst them with all tears and humility (v.19),how he did not hesitate to speak to them the truth (v.20-21), and how his heart and mind were focused fully on thethings of God and His commandments (v.33-35); he urgesthem to be “imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)And what of you, church? As you set out to follow Christ,can you say that you have sought to imitate Paul—or evenbetter yet, Christ—in all things? What is the call or missionthat God has given you to shepherd or steward? Have youlistened? Have you obeyed? How are you being calledhigher to know, love, obey, and enjoy Him in all things? Will you listen? Will you obey?