Think on these questions as you dwell in Acts 20:17-38:

1. Paul warns the Ephesian elders about the coming of "fierce wolves" who will distort the gospel for personal gain. How can modern-day believers discern and guard against false teachings that might arise within the Christian community? What role does sound doctrine and scriptural knowledge play in this discernment?

2. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of holding fast to the faith amidst the challenges and opposition. How does the concept of holding fast apply to believers today in the face of various cultural and ideological pressures? What practical steps can Christians take to stand firm in their faith?

3. Paul's admonition to the Ephesian elders includes the idea that some will arise from among them, twisting the truth and drawing disciples away. In what ways can local church leadership actively foster an environment of sound teaching, accountability, and spiritual growth to prevent the infiltration of false doctrines? How can individual believers contribute to maintaining doctrinal integrity within their faith communities?

Transcript:

 This is both a beautiful story and a sad story at the same time. And also has Paul giving some hard words to the church in Ephesus notice that he brings the people together and He talks about the ministry that he has and he talks about where he is going and he says I’m not sure what's going to happen But I know this everywhere I go.

I am opposed for the sake of the gospel everywhere that he goes We've seen that in acts right everywhere Paul goes there is trouble. The truth of the gospel is being opposed But God continues to have the gospel going forth, right? There is always this progressive movement in the book of Acts. No matter what happens, the gospel is going forward, and people are coming to faith because the Holy Spirit is at work.

And so, Paul says, I don't know what's going to happen, but I know I'm going to be persecuted. And he tells the people in Ephesus that he's not going to see them again. He's not coming back. And so, he gives them some hard words. He tells them to hold fast, right? He says in verse 28, pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.

He's talking to the elders here. He's telling me, you need to make sure that you are going to hold fast to the faith. And here in Acts, verse 29 through 31, I've highlighted, uh, if you're watching on video, I've highlighted because I think these are some of the strongest words, some of the most beautiful words at the same time that I like to read in the book of Acts.

I come to this, and I’m taken by these words when he says, I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you not spurring the flock and from among your own selves or otherwise. Men, speaking, twisted things to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

Paul is saying, Hey, I have prayed over you. I have admonished you, uh, to the point of tears. You need to hold fast in faith. I know what is coming. I know what's coming. There are going to be those who are going to try, going to try to pull you away from the faith, but you need to hold fast and hold fast to the gospel that I have taught you here.

And Paul is realistic, right? He knows that the, the difficulties have been significant while he's been there and he knows after he leaves, there's even going to be people from among them who are going to twist what has been taught. They're going to twist scripture. They're going to twist the gospel He knows this will happen because our human hearts are sinful.

We know that we want to be the ones who save ourselves We know that that we want to be the ones who are at the top and the gospel says That we are sinners and that we are at the bottom and that we do not save ourselves. And so, that is going to cause people to come in and distort things. And they're going to do this for their own gain and for their own profit.

But Paul is saying, hold fast, stand strong. And notice, notice how he describes this here. The words he uses. After my departure, fierce wolves Will come in not sparing the flock. They won't care. They're like wolves. They're going to tear people apart  And so, we need to understand the importance of holding fast to the faith, holding to the sound doctrine that we have been taught from scripture Because there will always be those instances where there are going to be those who want to lead us astray And on top of it all our own hearts  may even lead us astray because we're going to want something selfishly.

We're going to want to be the ones in charge. We're going to want to be the ones who make the rules. We're going to be, want to be the ones who save ourselves. And so we are to hold fast because the wolves Will always come but we trust that we have a good shepherd Who has fed us with his word and has blessed us with his holy spirit And so we hold fast to the sound teaching that we have we hold fast to scripture and we trust in what we have been taught Knowing that is the truth and that god blesses that truth Even though there are difficulties such as Paul has we know that the truth of God's word is that?

If we, when we hold fast and we hold to the truth, we have that sure assurance of eternal life. And so, we know that that is what truly matters, even in the midst of hardship, even in the midst of suffering. So may we be alert. May our application for today be that we are on guard looking out for those. Who would teach for shameful gain that which ought not to be taught, that those who would lead us astray might be exposed by the clear teaching and preaching and proclamation of God's word and of the gospel.

May we have our senses out being ready for the wolves that might lead us astray, that we might be faithful to what God has called us to do.