25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching . Love is unselfishness, and the love that is not unselfish is not divine. So that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus. This is rendered not only by missionaries and ministers, but by Christians in all spheres of life. 1. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! For less than $5/mo. (5) Unless we finish our course, all we have done in the meantime will be lost and in vain. Dost thou say, "But faith itself seems beyond my reach"? Paul ran the race and finished with joy. To that house come in and be at rest. The Apostle whose words I have taken for my text Alexander MaclarenExpositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts, The Blessedness of Giving'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' III. APPOINTED. Heb. But, you are! gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. You can have a bad start and still finish well. The expression imports not only a fixed resolution, but a wise and rational determination of mind, upon a due weighing and comparing things together, and considering the reasons on either hand. Not by education or any lower means. . To testify the gospel of the grace of God. Hebrews 2:3,4 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; . GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point 5. The Whole Bible He has a great work to perform, and he is most anxious that nothing should mar it, or reflect discreditably upon the great purpose of the gospel. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service. Are you like Paul? But God spared him and he lived to age 83, spending his final years traveling around the world publicizing and raising support for the mission. Think of the anxiety as you faced the final countdown! Use the free guided prayer journal that you will find in the Resource Library or grab a notebook and use the following questions to enable you to unpack what God is saying to you through Acts 20:24 today. Paul is saying that to finish the race, he put his ministry above even life itself. B. Paul's ministry was to preach to the Gentiles the gospel or good news of grace. 2. He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches. 1. 3:12. Paul was now on his way to Jerusalem with the offerings of the Gentile Churches to the poor in that city. III. The only way to live in light of eternity is to be totally abandoned to Jesus Christ here and now, trusting in Him in every trial. Its only for gung-ho types, who probably signed up for the Green Berets during Vietnam. ); Tyre (Acts 21:4, 5). American Standard Version Among the many who would desire joy there is a large proportion who are mistaken in their ideas as to the method of obtaining it. I have known many who have gotten excited about serving the Lord in some way. III. d. In Caesarea the prophet Agabus again warned Paul that he was going to be bound and turned over to the Gentiles when he went to Jerusalem. No matter how hard he tried to be good, evil was still present. Refutation of it. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. In what ways is the Christian life like the Olympics? None of us want to fail to testify of the gospel of God's grace. PIN ME TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD. God, the highest of all intelligences, acts upon the highest reasons. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? He was under orders. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 1st Person Singular. There is scarce any expression in Holy Writ which has given more offence than this. But you serve anyway because you are under orders. If you have time, you may decide to volunteer at church, but only if its convenient. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the good news of Gods grace. What is the center of our being? Resources which seem feeble have a vital part in the accomplishment of our mission. (8) I would further suggest, especially to elder Christians, You are near finishing, and have not much of your course to run. But it is news of the best kind, that the Judge of all is prepared to pardon transgression, and to justify the ungodly. And we may well include in this "all" the whole body of theologians who came after him; for where shall we find an equal wealth of the profoundest thoughts on the highest themes as in Paul? Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Start your free trial today! III. IV. In what sense the origin of Repentance ascribed to Faith. Acts 20:24 ABP_Strongs (i) 24 G235 But G3762 [ 3 of nothing G3056 2 account G4160 1 I make], G3761 nor G2192 do I hold G3588 G5590 my life G1473 G5093 esteemed G1683 to myself, G5613 as G5048 to finish G3588 G1408 my race G1473 G3326 with G5479 joy, G2532 and G3588 the G1248 service G3739 which G2983 I received G3844 from G3588 the G2962 Lord G . Youre called to deny yourself because youre on the missionary track of commitment. b. Paul believed that what he had gained was of such far greater value that there could be no comparison. 1. In our context, it means the journey of faith every child of God embarks on, with the aim of meeting the master. JOY: happiness, gladness and delight (luck 1:44, Romans 14:17, and Hebrews 12:1-2a).But life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus the work of telling others the good news about Gods mighty kindness and love. Some take it that Paul had an inner compulsion to go to Jerusalem, but it was not from the Holy Spirit. Endurance in toil. What joy in being able to say at life's close, "My heart has not gone back, neither have my feet declined from Thy ways.". a. 2. Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. II. The problem with that view is, if you can choose to serve, then you can also choose not to serve or to quit serving if the service isnt to your liking. I should like to ask them whether there is any positive doctrine in the Bible at all; and whether the martyrs were not fools to die for what the advance of thought has cast into disuse. Quoniam, cause xvi, qu. 2. That means we can talk with God at any time and in any place. General Character. Please see Blue Letter Bible's Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Monach. We are concerned in gratitude to God, and from a sense of kindness, to perform the Christian duty and finish our course, which is not only a wise and reasonable service, but made easy under all its difficulties by Divine aids. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know (1 Thess. my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of the grace of God. SELF-SACRIFICE. It is probable that God lets every human being, that crosses our path, meet us, in order that we may have the opportunity of leaving some blessing in his path, and dropping into his heart and life some influence that will draw him nearer to God. He is greatly concerned as to the conduct of his own life. (1) is from Tischendorf s Novum Testamentum Graece ex Sinaitico Codice; Nos. In his afflictions, in all his trials and conflicts and sufferings, what ineffable consolations does not such a man taste; with what holy firmness is he not armed? How much do we pray for others, and how much for ourselves? In 1839, the first missionaries to these islands had been clubbed to death, cooked, and eaten within a few minutes of landing. Monach. But the end, if attained, is all-important and momentous. But conscripts dont have a choice. 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 . It is the true enthusiasm of humanity (see Isaac Taylor's 'Lectures on Spiritual Christianity'). When I am tired, please give me strength to finish the race with joy. In his first visit after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, the church was very wary of him some of them even questioned his conversion. He rests in the consciousness of God's approval. John Paton finished his course because he put the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus above even life itself. (7) It is necessary to the final reward. What are you grateful for today? So keep your eye on that goal, to bear witness of the gospel of Gods grace and of the lordship of Jesus Christ. But then they got hit with criticism. He is Eternal with the Father, as glorious and as intelligent. He must make it known. The dominance of the same ruling thought finds utterance once again in his last Epistle (2Timothy 4:7). Man's course is charted (Made ready): Yet, Christians run on the uncharted ground; Never knowing what is up ahead or around the bend. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. This is his support through all the trials and difficulties of life. 14. 2. he had been "instant in season and out of season" in the pursuit of that one grand work of "testifying the gospel of the grace of God." NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. The kingdom is the realm where Jesus is Lord and King. Paul did not consider his own life of any account as dear to himself, in order that he might finish his course, the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus. I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. Paton lost his wife and infant son within a few months of their arrival. The very sound of it is an abomination to them. We are so concerned what man is going to think about us, or say about us that we keep silent about our faith. He could truly say, "I have repented, and I do repent"; and he could Charles Haddon SpurgeonSpurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889, The Minister's FarewellWHEN Paul was parting from his Ephesian friends, who had come to bid him farewell at Miletus, he did not request of them a commendation of his ability; he did not request of them a recommendation for his fervid eloquence, his profound learning, his comprehensive thought, or his penetrating judgment. (2 Cor.. - Faith Baptist Church DSC, Orhuwhorun via Warri Delta State | Facebook MOVING FORWARD: FINISHING THE RACE WITH JOY (ACTS 20 :24) You have held out a great while, perhaps through many trials of life; how sad would it be to miscarry at last! But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself. . We have from him thirteen Epistles; how many more were lost, we cannot even Philip SchaffHistory of the Christian Church, Volume I. He who exhorted others to be steadfast was a consistent exponent of his own teaching. Paul told the elders of the Ephesian church that he wanted to finish his race with joy (see Acts 20:24). General Epistles Devotional Bible Study: Finishing The Race | Acts 20:24. Philippians 1:20-23 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. In E. But, except, however. not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but, Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?--SONG 6:10. If you want to be innocent of the blood of all men, keep your eye on the finish line. What, then, is the import of the language before us? PLATE I. SINAI CODEX, Century IV. Cf. But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God's [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. He who trusts himself will fall, for he has no power to help himself. e. We read at that point when they saw the determined stubbornness of Paul they ceased saying the will of the Lord be done. Let me actions show the meaning of the gospel. Refutation of it. You will find a free printable PDF of 30 scriptures about God's grace in the Resource Library. The appointment is . We often are afraid of a little ridicule, and thus are cowed into silence. And whosoever preaches perfection (as the phrase is,) that is, asserts that it is attainable in this life, runs great hazard of being accounted by them worse than a heathen man or a publican. Poetical Books 11. (1). My life is devoted to Christ, and 'tis the same thing to me to lay it out or lay it down for Him, to spend it in painful service or lose it by violent suffering. His ministry. And there is the old serpent the devil, the watchful adversary, who is always ready to deceive and ensnare us, to throw a false light upon things, to strike upon the weak side of our nature, to take the advantage of an unguarded moment, and make the best of every opportunity. And it should be our daily endeavour that the longer we live the better we may be, more refined from all sinful and earthly allay, more improved and confirmed in the Divine life, and fitted for the heavenly state, that our last days may be our best days, and our last works more than the first. . February 4, 2021 NIV Read Acts 20 online However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given methe task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. It's my love for myself that would cause me to ask God to send them back. A true man will not be swayed by opinion. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." For the Apostle (1 Tim. These tireless good works that Paul was now doing, did not save him, they only proved the genuineness of his confession that Jesus Christ was Lord of his life. 9. 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. Even now he is carrying money to them that he had collected from the Gentile churches. 8. It is for this the Christian works, for this the Christian waits. 2. a. (2) In the gospel there is also revealed a motive for mercy which is in agreement with the grace of God. 4. But the fact that what was aspiration whilst he was in the very thick of his difficulties came to be calm retrospect at the close is to me very beautiful and significant. Repentance follows faith, and is produced by it. And, if only you can realise that work, you will be able to say of "this life," "it is not dear to you"! 4. RACE: A contest between people, animals, vehicles, etc. (5) from Horne's Introduction, Vol. The best evidence of God's presence is the devil's growl. Acts 20:24 NIV: However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Philip, Timothy, Luke, Silas, etc. (9) It will make our passage out of the world at last more easy, and our entrance into heaven joyful. Teaching the whole purpose of God means that we dont dodge the hard truths of Gods Word. Hebrews 12:1). Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. 3. After the pattern of Christ's own mission. It would be blessed, indeed, if we could meet every immortal soul, at last, that we have ever touched in the path of life, and truly say, "I am pure from the blood of all men." 28-32). "How can I be forgiven?" My friend, if the gospel has done nothing for you, hold your tongue or speak against it; but if the gospel has done for you what it has done for some of us, tell it wherever you go; and make men know that even if they reject it, it is to you the power of God unto salvation, and will be the same to every man that believeth. You must sign over your life to Jesus Christ, expecting hardship as you follow Him. B. Remember, if you try to save your life by living for yourself, youll lose it. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave meto tell people the Good News about Gods grace. But I dread nothing of these, neither I make my life preciouser than myself, so that I end my course [the while I end. The second option is not so popular. Welcome to Day 26. for one of our short powerful devotions from the, The book of Acts was written by Luke around AD 62. Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular. The, the definite article. Amen. 12. --Acts xx. 1. --ACTS xx. He dies daily to the world. He is of the same mind in everything in all worlds, loveth the same objects in as infinite a measure. Connect: Join me on Facebook and Instagram for daily encouragement. Ourselves, or our Rev. And the reason is, they have laid waste their conscience, and are enslaved by sin, and have forfeited all friendly and gracious regards from God. 29-36 and 71. 2. I have chosen these words with design, if possible, to disturb some part in this audience of half an hour's sleep, for the convenience and exercise whereof this place, at this season of the day, is very much celebrated. 3. The other reaches out to God and others, and finds its joy in glorifying Him and blessing them. My work is to preach the Good News of Gods loving-favor. You will be eaten by Cannibals! Finally, Paton replied, Mr. --1 Thess. Luke even began to speak in the first person plural in the latter portion of Acts, as he traveled the Roman Empire alongside Paul (, Join me below as we discuss what Paul meant when he said that he wants to finish his course with joy and make sure to pray. "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." But I dont reckon my life at any value, so long as I can finish my course, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the gospel of Gods grace. It was Pauls own idea. No. Comp. I place such a man, for example, amidst the temptations and allurements of the world; BUT FOR HIM HOW IMPOTENT THEIR ASSAULTS AND SOLICITATIONS! 'I have finished my course.'--2 TIM. Give me Your strength and wisdom to testify Your gospel. 27). 3. Amen Brother Lingham. If it be done faithfully, cheerfully, lovingly, we shall finish our course with joy and have the abundant entrance, etc. HE GOES ON, "SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH JOY." A third, How Can a Servant of God Finish His Course with Joy, Self-Sacrifice Must Enter into All True Work, Paul At Miletus: the Review Which Gratifies, Mingled Fidelity and Tenderness: an Example for Christian Ministers, Paul At Miletus: the Forecast Which Exalts, Self-sacrifice must enter into all true work, How can a servant of God finish his course with joy.
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