Will you be missed when you are gone? Paul had led the believers in Ephesus to the Lord and spent 3 years with them, and now they were saddened for now Paul is leaving them.

As Paul ascended the ramp to the ship these believers have watched with tears streaming down their faces as He would be sorely missed.

Paul left a big hole in the hearts of these dear friends; as a result, he was missed.

Will you be missed when you are gone? Are you missed now when you are absent from the services?

I- THE MANNER OF PAUL’S LIFE—v. 17- 20

Paul was missed because of the manner of his life.

Paul leaves them an example to remember and follow.

Our life also was an example to emulate.

A. Paul’s example of lowly service.

Paul had served with all humility. Paul was a servant of others. Paul serves faithfully.

Truly many will miss you if you are a faithful servant. But if you never serve but just sit and satisfied, you won’t be missed!

v. 19 “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind,”

v. 24 “neither count I my life dear unto myself”

B. Paul’s example of godly sorrow.

Paul tears frequently because of these Ephesians. Paul had wept over their sins and wept with them over their sorrows. Paul wept bearing the precious seed of the Word.

A tender hearted person caring for others will be missed when they are gone. The unselfish, caring person is attractive to others.

v. 19 “and with many tears,”

v. 31 “I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”

v. 37 “And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him.”

v. 38 “Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.”

C. Paul's example of patient suffering.—v. 23- 24

The Jews continue persecuting Paul and become the plague of his entire life.

v. 19 “which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:”

v. 23 “that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

v. 24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God”

 II- THE MESSAGE OF PAUL’S LIFE —v. 20- 21, 24; Romans 1:16

Listen, we’ll all be remembered for things we have done or said.

Paul’s message was made known whether by lip or by life.

Paul was known for proclaiming the gospel.

In verse 24, getting the message of the gospel out is what matter most to Paul. In Romans 1: 16, Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel.

A. Paul was not ashamed of the content of the gospel

In Galatians 1:11, 12 we can see the gospel in its presentation of God and its concern.

You cannot preach the gospel without preaching Jesus Christ.

v. 21 “testifying…repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 B. Paul was not ashamed of the intent of the gospel

 v. 20 “profitable unto you”

v. 21 “Testifying”

v. 24 “to testify the gospel”

 C. Paul was not ashamed of the extent of the gospel

Sometimes it costs your life.

v. 23 “bonds and afflictions abide me”

Don’t limit your witnessing but continue preaching the gospel in every people in every city.

v. 23 “witnessed in every city”

 III- THE MOTTO OF PAUL’S LIFE—v. 33- 35

Motto is what motivates, compels, constrains or drives a person. Paul’s motto in verse 35 is motto of Christ.

Some are givers and some are receivers in life. It was said that receivers eat better but the givers sleep better. If you want to sleep better, surely you want to live blessed.

It is the givers that are remembered and missed and not the receivers!

A. Insinuation of a General Blessedness

As Jesus said that it is more blessed to give, therefore all receivers enjoy receiving.

Givers are happier than receiver.

v. 35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

B. Enunciation of a Greater Blessedness

This Luke’s written motto from the Lord was not recorded elsewhere. This was known as one of the Lord’s proverbs and a part of Christian knowledge in Paul’s day.

Jesus’s life was the greatest example of giving, and Paul’s was a close second.

v. 35 “and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 Conclusion:

It is now time for Paul to leave these Ephesians believers and they begin to weep because they will miss Paul because of His manner, message and motto in his life.

Will you be missed when you are gone?