Stay Alert: Paul’s Final Words Still Matter

(Acts 20:17–38)

Paul was about to leave for Jerusalem, and he knew hard times were coming. So he called the elders of the church and gave them one last message. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He reminded them how he lived among them, serving the Lord with humility, facing trials, and never holding back the truth. He said, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,” and that he taught “publicly and from house to house.” That kind of boldness is rare today, but it’s what we need.

He preached one simple message: repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. That lines up with what Jesus said from the very beginning, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Repentance isn’t optional, and it’s not a work, it’s a turning to God. Paul gave the same message to everyone, Jew and Gentile. No favoritism, no twisting.

He warned them that he wouldn’t see them again. But he wasn’t worried about his safety. He said, “I do not account my life of any value… if only I may finish my course.” That sounds just like Revelation 12:11, where it says believers “loved not their lives unto the death.” Paul’s only goal was to finish the mission God gave him, to preach the gospel of the grace of God.

Then came the warning. He said wolves would come in, not from outside only, but even from among their own group. That matches exactly what Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Paul also said, “from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things.” That’s the same thing Peter warned about, “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). This isn’t a small issue. It’s a guaranteed threat.

That’s why Paul said, “Be alert.” He had spent three years warning them night and day with tears. This wasn’t cold doctrine. This was a shepherd fighting for the flock. He told them he was innocent of their blood because he didn’t hold back, he declared the whole counsel of God. That connects to Ezekiel 33:6, where the watchman is held responsible if he sees danger but says nothing. Paul wasn’t going to be guilty of that. He blew the trumpet loud and clear.

He reminded them that the church didn’t belong to them. It was bought “with His own blood.” That’s how serious this is. Peter said the same thing, that we are not redeemed “with corruptible things, as silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19). The church is not a social club. It’s God’s possession, paid for at the highest price.

Paul also said he wasn’t in it for money or fame. He worked with his hands and helped the weak. Then he quoted Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Real ministry doesn’t take from people, it gives, even when it’s hard. That’s the opposite of what you see with many self-serving leaders today.

When he finished speaking, they cried and hugged him. They knew they’d never see him again, but they also knew he had given them everything they needed, the Word of God and a clear warning. That’s real love. That’s real leadership.

So here’s the lesson: Be alert. Teach the whole truth, not just the parts that feel good. Warn others. Watch out for false teachers. Stay faithful, even when it costs. And remember what Paul said elsewhere, “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Because when you stand before God, it won’t matter how popular you were. It will matter whether you stood for the truth.

Read / Listen

2 Kings 17:1-18:12
Acts 20:1-38
Psalm 148:1-14
Proverbs 18:6-7

New Testament: Acts 20:1-38

Summary: Paul in Macedonia and Greece, Eutychus Raised from the Dead, Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ~ Acts 20:27

Paul would not pervert the Word of God in order to receive the approval of men. He taught the whole counsel of God’s Word amidst much fleshly opposition. False teachers who love selfish ambition will not teach the whole counsel of God’s Word because their motives are self centered and they seek the approval of men rather than God. Paul said, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Paul said to the Philippians: “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: the one preach Christ of contention (or selfish ambition).., but the other of love” (Phil. 1:15-17). Paul was having problems finding a teacher to send to the Philippians because the teachers all had impure motives and loved selfish ambition. Paul said: “For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Phil. 2:20, 21). In Acts, Paul warned the overseers: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock… I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (through selfish ambition)” (Acts 20:28-30). Paul continued, … . I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Those who love selfish ambition cannot lead a congregation to be sanctified. This is why false teachers will lead many in the last days who will say, “Lord, Lord,” but they will not enter into the kingdom of heaven because they did not do the will of God. They were not sanctified and perfected in love. False teachers can never lead a congregation to be holy and righteous. They cannot teach righteousness, because they are blind to righteousness. They will not consistently or seriously preach about God’s judgment upon sin, nor will they seriously and consistently preach against sin. Such messages offend the flesh and will keep them from receiving glory from men. Such preaching would also cause them to lose church members and the appearance of success which they need to build their reputation. The powers of darkness are always reminding them of this. They compromise the Word of God. Their hearts are stubborn and hardened. They are at ease in Zion, building ungodly numbers for God. These numbers become like their false teachers: “Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master” (Luke 6:39, 40). The powers of darkness deceive the heart of the false teacher by making him believe he needs to look good in order to bring the congregation to God. This is the boastful pride of life. He begins to believe that everything that is good for him his name and reputation is good for God. He believes that his apparent success has come as a result of God’s favor and blessing on him. He is totally bereft of the spiritual understanding and discernment that would show him that the powers of darkness always cooperate with the ones who practice pride and greed. He does not know that both he and his congregation are …. wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

 

~ From The Great Falling Away by Milton Green

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. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ~ Acts 20:28-30

 

I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ~ Acts 20:33

Overview: Acts 13-28  Click Here to Watch Video

   

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Dr. J. Vernon McGee – Thru the Bible

 

Acts – J Vernon Mcgee – Thru the Bible

Acts 19-21

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Good Read

The Great Falling Away

Read the Book – Click Here

Listen to the Book – Click The Below Link

The Great Falling Away Today by Milt Green

 

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The Acts of the Apostles

 

 

 

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