A WORTHY MODEL

"You know...I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed

  it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house."       
  ACTS 20 : 18b-20

Paul's route along the coast of Asia Minor takes him past the harbor of Ephesus. He decides against stopping there, for he wants to be in Jerusalem by the Day of Pentecost, and he knows a visit to his beloved brethen i Ephesus is likely to last some time. But when the ship anchors south of Ephesus in Miletus for a few days, Paul seizes the opportunity to send message to Ephesus summoning the elders to him. His purpose is to give these men a charge, to pass on to them the full oversight of the congregation i. Ephesus. Because the Lord is leading him elsewhere, they will have to bear the full burdens of leadership now. Luke give us an eyewitness account of Paul's words.

       The apostle begin by reminding the elder of his conduct among them during the entire duration of his ministry in Ephesus. His time there, he says, was spent "'serving the Lord with all humility.'" In the greek, Paul literally is calling himself a slave of Christ. "He had learned to live in all humility as a servant of the Lord (see Phil.4:12)." Dr. Simon Kistemarker notes in zhis commentary on Acts. As such, he worked singlemindedly at the task he had been given, willingly accepting whatever difficulties came his way. And there were indeed many "'tears and truaks,'" thanks to the constant opposition of the Jews. Yes, the great, indomitable Paul had exoerienced times of fear and frustation that literally drove him to tears.

       Nevertheless, he continues, he never altered his message. '"I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house.'" Paul's love for the Ephesian believer drove him to preach and teach the things needed for their spiritual development even when the message wasn't popular. Moreover, the opposition did not drive him underground. "His preaching was never done in secret," Kistemaker writes. "He publicly preached the Word in the city of Ephesus.... He also went from house to house to instruct the people."

      The Jews' opposition did not stop him fro. Preaching to them, as well as to Gentiles. He was all things to all men, so as to win some. Fearly tirelt. Faithfully, he preached the message that all men everywhere are commanded to repent of their sins and turns to Jesus Christ in faith.  

      

      Paul here holds himself up as an example for the Ephesian elders. Elsewhere, he tells the Corithians, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor.11:1). He is inviting their emulationto the extent that he emulates Jesus. Who are your models? And who are you a model for? In all things, seek to emulates Christ and those who follow Him.