"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT DOING THE WILL OF GOD"
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.
2nd Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2nd Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2nd Tim 4:8 Finally, there is laid up
for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing.
Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:
1. These verses, the one from Acts, and
then the ones from 2nd Timothy 4, are like 2 book ends. They tell us
what Paul intended to do, how he did it, and the fact that he completed
what he intended to do. What he wanted to do, was "the will of God" for
his life and ministry and he did. There is much encouragement for us,
and for those who like Paul want to do the will of God. Let's look at
these verses closely and be encouraged.
2. First of all you will notice that
Paul was "unmovable" 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.
There were many things that Paul was
facing, perhaps like you may be. But, he did not let them move him off
of his course. He was "unmovable" And, the reason he was unmovable, was
because of two things.
(1) He did not count his life dear unto
himself. In other words, he had laid it all on the line, including his
very life. He was willing to die for the Lord if need be. So, even death
did not deter him from doing God's will, he was unmovable.
(2) He had a goal in mind. He wanted to
finish his race with joy, and the ministry that God had called him to.
He knew what he was to do. He was focused. When you combine a
willingness to die, along with a focus on what you are supposed to do,
that is a lethal combination for success.
(3) He had a clear Biblical goal and
ministry. Notice please, Acts 20:24c "and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God". Paul
had been given the calling to "testify to the gospel of the grace of
God" That's the most Biblical ministry there is. To tell others the good
news. Come back to God through faith in Christ. Paul was on target with
God's heart and work in the world, to tell people the good news about
Christ.
3. Finally, please look at what Paul
said at the end of his life. 2nd Tim 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for
me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing.
Paul was a man of hope. He knew that God
would reward him for his faithful service with a "crown of
righteousness" Jesus would give this to him. But, he adds, "and not to
me only but also to all who have loved His appearing". It's for all of
us who want to do and finish God's will.
4. A quick summary of Paul's example.
He was unmovable.
He did not count his life dear unto himself.
He had God's focus and he was faithful to the end.
He did not count his life dear unto himself.
He had God's focus and he was faithful to the end.
A prayer:
Lord, thank You for being the great
example to us. Lord Jesus, You were also unmoved, and You had a goal, to
go to the cross, and You kept and completed your goal to pay for our
sins. You even said "it is finished" And, today You are in Glory,
waiting till You bring all of Your children home to heaven. Lord, we are
here, and, we want to do Your will, Please help us to live out our
lives and be encouraged by these examples of Paul, and of You Lord. In
Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Calvary Chapel Visalia.