"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FINISHING WELL"
Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
Paul was on one of his missionary journeys, and he stopped along the way to meet with some men, elders from the church in Ephesus. While with them, they told him about all the persecution that was coming his way, all the trouble he was going to suffer, all the persecution etc. He told them he was aware of it, but, then went on to make this one simple statement in 20:24, in which I believe is a look inside the apostle Paul's heart, and there you see three things about him, that enabled him to finish well. Let's take a look at them. And, let's apply these principles to our own lives and ministry.
1. None of these things move me.
Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me;
Paul knew the difficulties that lay ahead. He had already been through many others. But what he says here is tremendous. The troubles that lay ahead of him, did not move him. They did not shake him, or even begin to make him think twice about what he was going to do. He was a man whose face was set like flint. He was not bothered by the trouble that lay ahead. We can be the same way by the way. How? Trust God, Submit to God, and simply Obey Him. He has your life in His hands.
2. Nor do I count my life dear to myself.
Acts 20:24 .....nor do I count my life dear to myself,
This phrase, "nor do I count my life dear to myself," is perhaps at the very heart of what gave Paul such unswerving stability in the face of sure trouble coming his way. Paul was not concerned about his life. That's the secret right there.
In other words, if he had to die, so be it. He was fully committed to the Lord, and what happened to him was up to God. Paul made no restrictions as to what sacrifice he would not make in serving Christ. Rather he was a living sacrifice. So, nothing mattered to Paul ( about what might happen to him ) because as we like to say these days, "he was all in"
3. So that I might finish my race with joy, and this ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
This is the third part of Paul's explanation. He was not only unmoved by coming trouble, and completely committed to the Lord's will, but, he wanted to finish what God had assigned him to do. God had given Paul a ministry. Paul viewed it as a race, and he wanted to run with joy all the way to the finish line, telling others the good news about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Some questions:
1. Have you experienced trouble and persecution for serving Christ?.
2. Were you able to stand firm during the persecution?.
3. How did the persecution change you?.
4. Can you identify with the things Paul said about himself?.
5. Do you know the Bible teaches that God will give you what you need to be like Paul, who was really like Jesus, who finished His work also?
6. Are you struggling in your situation today? Will you ask the Lord to help you?
A prayer:
Father, what a wonderful look into Paul's life, heart, and ministry. And, to see how You were with him, and how You made him into this unmovable servant of God, who had an understanding of what his role was, and was determined to finish his race with joy, and keep telling people about Jesus all the way to heaven. What an example for us to follow.
Lord, I'm certain that if we could interview Paul about all this, he would tell us that You were the one responsible for his life, his vision, his commitment, etc, etc. He was what he was by the grace of God. And, it's the same with us. In fact, it's in our weakness that your grace and strength are made perfect in our lives. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
