Care Like Paul Cared (Acts 20:31)
	Put yourself in the place of the elders of the church at Ephesus. The apostle Paul, a man whom you know closely, and whom you deeply love and admire, perhaps the man who taught you the gospel, has called you to meet with him at a place about 30 miles south, a town on the Mediterranean coast. In this meeting, Paul explains that some really difficult times lie ahead, and that this is the last time you will ever see him. That means the next time you meet will be after both of you have gone to be with the Lord. With all of that in mind, listen to Paul’s words:
	Acts 20:31 – “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” We’ve spoken numerous times about the word “therefore.” It always points back to something that has been said previously. In this case, it refers to Paul’s words in the prior three verses. Interestingly enough, those three verses also begin with “therefore.” “Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over wh/ the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God wh/ He purchased w/ His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among your own selves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Now, it is in view of these troubling issues that Paul continues in the 31st verse with his exhortation: “Therefore watch . . .” The word watch means first to wake up – in fact in one place in the NT is it actually translated “wake” in direct contrast to sleeping. But here it is used metaphorically meaning to be mentally alert, to be vigilant, to be cautious. So, then, what is it about which Paul wants them to be on watchful alert? Obviously it would be those wolves – false teachers who threatened the well-being of the Lord’s flock in Ephesus. In view of that, Paul refers to his own example:
	“. . . and remember that for 3 years I did not cease to warn everyone night & day w/ tears.” We know what it means to remember something – to call it to mind. But Paul didn’t just want them to intellectually remember – he wanted them to remember in the sense of identifying with and sharing his own feelings. Paul cared deeply for the Christians in Ephesus and everywhere, and he wanted these elders to share in that caring, imitate it, and take action accordingly. Look quickly at four things about Paul’s care for them:
	First, it was a long-term care. He had spent three years in Ephesus, which was a long stay for Paul. Of course he still would have cared for them had he been with them a shorter time. But in those 3 years, he had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his care for them.
	Next, this was a persistent care. He did not cease to warn them. He was so concerned for their souls that he warned them night and day. Sometimes brothers & sisters become irritated w/ preachers because we warn against sin and error. I’ve been criticized more than once for being too negative! Certainly we should imitate Paul in proclaiming “the whole counsel of God” (v. 27). But that includes warnings, wh/ some might see as “negative.”
	Third, Paul’s care was universal. He warned “everyone” (v. 31). Not only the elders, not just his fellow-Jews, not just the young, old, or middle-aged, but everyone.
	And finally, Paul’s care was heart-felt – he warned everyone night & day “with tears.” Paul knew what would happen when the wolves devastated the flock. He knew souls would be lost, and it broke his heart. That’s why he tried so hard to head it off, and to warn people ahead of time.
	We ought to care as Paul cared. Long term – don’t become tired & stop caring. Persistent – day & night – there’s never a wrong time to care. Universal: care for everyone. Heart-felt – not indifferent, but from the depths of your heart.