What do you want people to remember about you after you’ve gone? God had greatly blessed Paul’s ministry in Ephesus – in fact, God had worked mighty miracles of healing through him (see Acts 19:11 and following). But in his farewell speech to the leaders of that church, Paul chose to highlight other aspects of his ministry, which thus seem to have been more important to him.

The first thing Paul mentions is his character. In verse 19, he points to his humility and to his compassion for his people. He points to his steadfastness in the face of persecution. And it is still the case that unless we are living the Christian life, we should not expect anyone to listen to anything we have to say about Jesus.

But that’s not to say that our words are unimportant. Paul reminds the Ephesians that he was careful to preach the whole counsel of God, teaching them everything they needed to know about the gospel both in public and in private. He even went from house to house to make sure that everyone understood the importance of repentance from sin and of faith in Jesus Christ. And in verse 24, he says that the core of his message was the grace of God, even to sinners like himself.

But if Paul’s example and teaching were important, his obedience to God was also central to his ministry. He had intended to go into the province of Asia years earlier, but instead obeyed the Lord and went to Greece first (see Acts 16:6-9). Now, he was going to Jerusalem even though he was sure that he would be arrested there. Yes, Paul consistently tried to order his steps according to the will of God, only doing what God directed him to do.

We could all do a lot worse than to set an example of Christian character, Christian testimony and Christian obedience to God. So, is that the sort of legacy we will leave?

Acts 20:17-35 (NASB)

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 “And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more.
26 “Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for 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.
29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
32 “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.
33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”