Paul was pretty sure this would be the last time he would see them . . . and, they too knew in their hearts, that this would be the last opportunity to be fed by the one who had led them to Christ . . . had helped them establish the church in Ephesus . . . had been their rock as they dealt with matters pertaining to shepherding the flock of God. Paul met with the elders of the church at Ephesus this one last time that he might once again encourage them . . . that he might warn them . . . that he might instruct them . . . that he might commend them into the care of another (Acts 20:17-38).

And what grabs me this morning is “the hand off.” Paul had been a foundational part of the establishment of the church at Ephesus. He had spent the better part of two years based in Ephesus speaking “boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God” (19:8-10). As the number of believers grew, and a local leadership was established, he no doubt also taught them concerning the implications of walking in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph. 4:1). Even after he left, you sense that Paul stayed in touch . . . keeping up with the growth of the church . . . sending words of encouragement to the body of believers through different messengers. But now, as they met at Miletus, there was a finality . . . a realization that they would not see his face again . . . a void created which needed to be filled . . . and thus, “the hand off.”

“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.” (Acts 20:32)

Paul didn’t have a hand-picked successor . . . he didn’t send in another preacher or teacher . . . he didn’t leave them a bunch of DVD’s or some online curriculum . . . instead he handed them off to God and to the word of His grace.

I think Paul was realistic in terms of the part he had played in the establishment and development of the church at Ephesus. For many, if not most, he was their “spiritual father” . . . he was the source of their light . . . and the voice of their truth. But I also think that Paul never lost sight of the fact that this was the risen Lord’s work and not his . . . it was Christ’s church (Matt. 16:18) and not his . . . it was the living God who was taking these living stones and building for Himself a holy temple, a place where He could dwell by the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22). And so when it came to saying a final good-bye . . . when it came to entrusting them into the care of one who could “take the work to the next level” . . . Paul “handed them over” to God and to His word.

Oh, the confidence Paul had that this was a work of God . . . and that what God was able to start, God was able to complete (Php. 1:6). And the trust Paul had in “the word of His grace” . . . that living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword, word of God (Heb. 4:12) . . . able to accomplish God’s purposes in the lives of believers . . . “packaged” with a “Tutor”, the living, indwelling Holy Spirit who would lead them into all truth (John 16:13). Paul believed that between the living God and His living word, the family of God at Ephesus had all they needed to be built up and to fully realize the inheritance they had been set apart for.

And, in a sense, I too have been commended to God and to His word. Sure, I have the support of a solid church family . . . a committed leadership who seeks to direct the flock . . . a gifted pastor-teacher who faithfully proclaims and teaches the word . . . some close friends who act as “iron sharpening iron” in my life . . . but when all is said and done, the degree to which this Christianity thing becomes real is the degree to which I entrust myself to the One who called me and saved me and the degree to which I pursue His fruit-producing seed, the Word of God. It is foundational . . . it is the essence of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2Peter 3:18) . . . it is the means by which I’ll know the inheritance. Oh that I might leverage “the hand off” on a daily basis . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory . . . amen.