We come this morning to the last words of Paul to the Ephesian elders found in

Acts chapter 20 beginning at verse 32 I invite you to take your own scriptures or reach for one from the

pewarack nearby and follow along as I read this portion of God's word and then keep the scriptures open.

This is a moving passage in a significant moment in the life of the apostle and these brothers in the faith who had come to know Jesus

through the ministry that Paul had had among them. Beginning at verse 32, Paul says, and now I commend you to God and to the word of his

grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance

among all those who are sanctified.

I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.

In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words

of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

And when he had spoken thus he knelt down and prayed with them all,

and they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, sorrowing most of all because of the word

he had spoken, that they should see his face no more, and they brought him to the ship.

If the elders care for the flock, who cares for the elders?

I think that's what this text is answering.

Let me go back to last week and bring us up to speed. In verse 28 it said, take heed,

you elders 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 or with the blood of his own son. So the elders are to feed and protect

the flock. In other words, when Paul leaves the church, for the last time he won't ever see these elders

or these people, this flock, again, till he's in heaven with them, he says to the whole flock in essence, I'm committing you flock into

the care of the overseers. And this is no human arrangement. The Holy Spirit put these overseers there to feed you and protect you.

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