Hold Nothing Back

Acts 20:17-21 
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul passed Ephesus to get to Jerusalem in time, so he sent for the Ephesian elders to speak to them.  He began with a reminder of his sincere and devoted work in the gospel, serving and not lording over, humble, deeply caring, and all this in the midst of plots against his life he was laying down for them.  He did not hold back anything that could help them grow and serve also, teaching in groups or in houses.  What did he teach?  Repentance to God and faith in Jesus Christ, to both Jews and gentiles. The gospel.