“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” — Acts 20:28
The Apostle Paul is giving his farewell message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Paul knew his time was very short and that he would not see them again. The Holy Spirit had already revealed that troubles and afflictions were waiting for him in Jerusalem, where he could be imprisoned or even killed, as we know eventually happened. Because of this, Paul wanted to remind and warn the elders one last time before he went home to be with the Lord Jesus.
Knowing that his earthly ministry was coming to an end, Paul wanted to leave the elders in Ephesus with a final charge, to protect themselves and the people entrusted to them, those who were purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus. He would no longer be there to remind or warn them. Once he went home to the Lord, they would carry the responsibility to lead, protect, and nurture God’s people.
When Paul said, “Take heed to yourselves before to all the flock,” he emphasized the importance that self-checking must come first. For this is the only way you can guard your own salvation and the salvation of the people entrusted to you. He also warned this to Timothy:
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
I Timothy 4:16
If you hold a position in the church, entrusted by God with His people, I hope you see every person as a precious soul purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus, just as the Apostle Peter reminds us:
“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18-19
We often say that salvation is free, but is it truly free? It is indeed offered to us as a free gift, but for the Lord Jesus, the price of that salvation was His own blood shed on the Cross. Anyone who serves as a leader in the congregation must have a deep understanding of this truth. It is very crucial, because not all believers fully grasp its weight.
Jesus said that a single precious soul is worth more than all the riches of the world combined:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” — Matthew 16:26
That’s how serious Paul’s message was. The people we lead are souls purchased with the very life of Christ. The elders were called and entrusted by God to care for His people, and they would be held accountable for how they fulfilled this calling.
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
To better understand the battles these leaders faced, we need to look at the background of Ephesus. Paul once said that he “fought with beasts in Ephesus” (1 Corinthians 15:32). The city of Ephesus was the capital of a Roman province in Asia. It was a center of trade and also of religion, known for the worship of the goddess Diana. There were many cults in this city that practiced various forms of idolatry and sexual immorality, often led by women.
Much of the Ephesian industry was connected to this temple. Craftsmen made shrines and household idols of the goddess, which worshipers purchased to take with them on long journeys. Because of this, when Paul preached the gospel, many people turned away from these false idols and abandoned their idolatrous practices. This led to a great uproar among the craftsmen, whose livelihood was being threatened by the spread of Christianity (see Acts 19:23–41). The Ephesians were proud of their religious heritage and the legends surrounding their goddess, which made them fiercely resistant to the truth of the Gospel.
When the gospel spread in Ephesus, many new believers who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them publicly as a sign of repentance and total surrender to Christ. This powerful act showed how deeply the gospel transformed their hearts and values. It also reveals that witchcraft and sorcery were common in this city.
Now we understand that Ephesus was a center of paganism, and sexual immorality was widespread. Ritual prostitution and sexual practices were part of pagan worship and were tolerated in society. These were the forces the elders had to guard themselves against. If they became entangled in these sins, how could they help others find freedom?
These are still the same struggles most Christians face today. The Apostle John reminds us,
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” 1 John 2:15
Many believers battle with letting go of idols, whether it’s money, success, comfort, or pleasure. The challenges may look different on the outside, but the spiritual warfare remains the same.
Before we lead others, we must first learn to watch over and guard our own souls. Jesus said,
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39.
A distracted, weary, or unfaithful heart cannot guide others toward faithfulness. Before you were given a position, you were first called to follow Jesus and your main calling is to keep following Him while you lead others to do the same. Do not let ministry steal your intimate fellowship with Jesus, who loves you and gave His life for you.
Then Paul said, “among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” This means, as I mentioned, that you were chosen and appointed by God. Sometimes, as leaders, we put ourselves down because the enemy whispers lies that we are not worthy. But listen to what the Lord Jesus says:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16 NKJV
The position you were given, the Lord Himself chose and appointed you for it. Every time you question your worthiness or calling, you are, in a way, doubting God’s decision over your life. It’s like asking Him, “Are You sure?” But how can we question the One who is all-knowing? “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Of course, He is sure. Of course, He knows you are able and perfectly fit for the calling He has given you. That’s why false humility can be dangerous, it belittles God’s confidence in His own choice.
The Scriptures say, “Stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1), meaning stand firm and confident in what God has called you to do. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you (Romans 8:37).This means your strength does not come from yourself—it comes from God. He is the One who appointed you, and He is also the One who will supply all your needs—not only your material needs, but your spiritual strength as well. As the Apostle Paul said,
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.
You will feel the heavy weight of responsibility, but do not forget the beauty in Paul’s words: “among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” This means you are not alone.
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18
The Holy Spirit is with you, working together with you to care for God’s people. He is your Helper, your Teacher, and your Guide. Yield and submit to His leading with humility.
Now I pray that the Lord gives you understanding of what you have read and reveals to you through the life of the elders in Ephesus. They eventually turned away from God—not because they lacked faith or works, but because they left their first love, as the Lord Jesus warned them:
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” — Revelation 2:4
This warning speaks to all of us. If we desire to serve the body of Christ, we must first be bondservants of the Lord Jesus, serving with fervent love for Him. Let our desire for ministry never exceed our desire for Jesus Himself. Let our goal be to abide in Him every moment, not only when it is convenient.
Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Through our union with the Lord Jesus, we will bear much fruit, not through our own strength, but through Him.
I hope that you receive an understanding that you were appointed by the Lord Himself, not by man. That means you are able, because God never makes mistakes in His calling. Speaking negatively about yourself or the position God has entrusted to you is the same as doubting His
sovereignty.
Remember that the believers around you are purchased by the blood of Jesus and must be cared for with great love, and those who have not yet believed are still precious souls worth more than all the riches of the world.
Do not be discouraged but be encouraged! The Holy Spirit is within you and always ready to work with you.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58
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