MPC, 19th January 2003.Acts 20:17-38 - "Ministry Minded"
Phil Campbell MPC, 19th January 2003.
[On the occasion of the departure of Stuart and Cathy Atkinson, and the arrival of Matt and Jill Rowson.]
The results of a community survey released in Australia last month ranked Australian Professions. In order of consumer trust. Along with Australian companies. And products.
So, for instance, did you know Telstra is Australia's most trusted company? John Laws is Australia's most trusted radio talk show personality. Panadol gets the thumbs up as most trusted pain killer. In spite of the fact it's not even made in Australia.
And the top three most trusted professions? Firefighters. Pilots. Nurses. In that order. With Politicians, car salesmen, and salesmen, at the other end of the scale.
I wonder where ministers rated in the survey? Well, I can tell you.
Clergy came in at number 15 on the list. Behind plumbers, teachers, and pharmacists. Slightly ahead of taxi drivers.
In the USA it's a similar story. And just this week, an American survey was released that said community respect for ministers has plummeted to the point where only 52% of the population say they respect Christian ministry as an occupation.
Maybe because now 1205 Catholic Priests have been charged with sexually abusing kids.
So if you're looking for a job with community respect, if you're looking for a job that the world will look up to, if you're looking for a job that brings the best seats in the restaurants and preferential treatment and an aura of importance... be a plumber.
Because Christian ministry is a passport in the opposite direction. At least in the eyes of the Apostle Paul.
And as we mark two milestones this morning, as we mark in a sense the starting point of two new ministries with Stuart and Cathy heading for college in Sydney and Matt and Jill balancing the statistics and coming north to us, it's a good time to look at what Christian ministry is meant to look like.
And so we're dipping back into Acts this morning to look at a fascinating passage that we brushed over before Christmas. Paul's on his way back to Jerusalem on that fateful trip that ends in his arrest. But he stops off at Miletus, which is a coastal town down to the South of Ephesus. And he sends for the elders of the Ephesian church. He's sailed past Ephesus... because he doesn't want to be held up there. But he wants to meet the church leaders. And remind them what their ministry is meant to look like.
So in verse 18, they've been summoned, they've arrived, they've finished their Turkish coffees. And Paul speaks. Pick up from verse 18, see what he says....
"You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews."
Here's a job that comes with humility and tears. Here's a task that comes with opposition. Here is a task that Stuart and Cathy will train for, that Matt and Jill are starting, that doesn't come with accolades and status. It comes with testing and tears. It's the Lord Jesus you'll be serving. But it's humble service. Surrounded by opposition and plots from the places you'll least expect it.
Verse 23 says the same. Paul's own experience... not four star hotels in every city on his speaking tour. But prison. And hardships. With very little reward. He says, "I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me."
And yet Paul keeps on committing himself to a life of giving. Rather than taking. Pick up and follow from verse 33. Because this is what it's like. And he knows there are certain things that he's missing out on in terms of lifestyle and wealth. But he says,
I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
If you're looking for status, if you're looking for earthly rewards... be a plumber. Because in what you're doing, if you're listening in on what Paul's urging these Ephesian elders to be doing, you're going to be demonstrating service. As you encourage others to give rather than receive.
Now every job these days tends to come with a job description. Or more likely a job and person specification.
So let's ask the question, what's ministry actually about?
Funny, during the week we met the new girlfriend of an old friend of ours. And she was clearly fascinated to meet a minister. Sort of a rarity. And she clearly just didn't have a clue what the job is all about. She figured it might get a bit busy around Christmas time. But other than that, no idea.
Mind you, I'm still figuring it out myself. But here's a passage that helps. And for Stu and Matt especially, take note.
And again, Paul's urging these Ephesian elders to look back at what they saw of him. So they can keep on doing it in his absence. And the biggest clue is in verse 20. Because ultimately, what you're training for, Stuart, what you're aiming for, Matt, is to teach and preach the word of God. Paul says, "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house."
In the world of youth work especially, there's a pressure. I'm not sure if it's essential to have an ear-ring, but apparently the main thing is to be a fun guy who knows lots of games.
Matt, your job description is more than that. Because first and foremost, using whatever means possible, we're looking to you to be a teacher of God's word.
Paul says more. Verse 24. "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Testifying to a very simple message. That Paul's summarised in verse 21. He says, no matter who, no matter where, publicly, from house to house, Jew or Gentile... he says "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."
And for you, Stu in the future, and for you Matt as you start in ministry with us now, and for Maurie and I as we counsel one on one or teach from the front, that message is at the heart of what we're doing. That every kind of person needs to turn back to the Lord their God and Maker in repentance... and grab hold of the safety line that is our Lord Jesus Christ. And if you're an elder or a youthworks leader or a Kidzbiz teacher, that same message of God's grace has got to permeate everything we do.
And so Paul urges these Ephesian Elders to hang on to it. And not let go.
He says there's been opposition. And we know as he travels on to Jerusalem, for Paul himself there's plenty more. So look at the final charge he leaves with the ministry team from Ephesus.
He says, make sure you keep watch. Like a shepherd in the hills watches over his flock. Keep watch over yourselves... and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
Stu and Cathy, we're praying over these next years of training you'll be learning the skills to do that. To teach the truth clearly. And to stand against deception.
Matt and Jill, we're entrusting to you a real treasure. The young people of our church. To shepherd and watch over.
Paul says "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." There's nothing in the world bought at a higher price.
And watch out for wolves, says Paul, because as sure as anything, they'll be there. Keep watching. Because even from among your own number, verse 30, men will arise and distort the truth just to build up a personal following. Simply out of envy. Or rivalry. Selling out on the truth.
Guys, we're not on about a popularity contest. And the opinion polls prove it. But whatever you do, don't be sucked in to the idea that you're going to be in ministry to build up a personal following. You're in ministry to build up followers of Jesus. The one who bought and paid for the church in blood at the cross.
You're in ministry to give rather than take.
You're in ministry to serve... and you'll serve well by teaching God's word well. Highlighting that great news of the gospel of repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.
And so Paul's final prayer for the Ephesians is our prayer for you this morning. The words in verse 32. He says, "Now I commit you to God and the word of his grace... which can build you up, and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
And it's to God and the gospel of his grace we commit you this morning. Excited by God's goodness to us in providing Matt and Jill. Excited by the ministry that lies ahead for Stu and Cathy. And pledging as a church family to stand with you and encourage you and support you in the ministry that lies ahead.
At that point, there's lots of weeping and embracing and kissing. And Stu, I'm going to draw the line at the kissing. What grieved them most, says verse 38, was Paul's statement that they'd never see his face again. As he gets back on the ship and sails for Jerusalem.
As we say goodbye to Stu and Cathy today, we're confident that's not the case. And we don't need to grieve so deeply, because we will see your faces again. Which we look forward to, as we as a church family encourage you and support you through your time at college.