Paul’s determination was to go to Jerusalem even when the Holy Spirit warned him about what would happen. We know why he wanted to go. It was his desire to witness to Israel one more time. He was also determined to go by Ephesus. He knew it would be the last time he’d see them. It was a vulnerable church, but he knew it could continue if it focused on the Lord. He wanted to remind them to focus on finishing the work and stay on course to finish with joy.
Acts 20: 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But 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.
Paul didn’t count his own life dear. His goal was to finish his course with joy. Too often we find ourselves aimless. We have no clear goal. There is no purpose. We lose sense of our value as a child of God. God saved us, and we are all called with the same calling to serve in some way or another. That service should be our common aim. Continue in the faith and finish the work the Lord has given us to do. That is God’s personal will for us. Paul told the Philippians he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. When he started salvation in our lives, he started a purpose for us. He started something for us to do, a task for us to perform. Ask yourself if you’re fulfilling the task you’ve been given. We are a work in progress and it takes continual submission to his will so he can work in us.
This is what drove Paul. He was determined to finish. How determined are we? We can’t stop right in the middle of this. We won’t be finished until our last day on earth. We might finish a short-range goal, but those go toward the long-range goal. We can’t build a deck with a few boards and nails. That’s what you start with and then add more and more as you go along. Things are accomplished in steps. That’s how we work for God. We start a work. We finish it. We start a new one. We finish it and on it goes. Down through the decades, the work has all been toward the same goal. No matter what happens don’t lose sight of the finish line and the finished product. We never retire from serving the Lord. We never finish the will of God. As long as we’re here, we must continue to work and see things through.
It would be a sad thing to finish with regrets and loose ends. Paul wanted to finish with joy. He wanted to hear well done thou good and faithful servant. Is this possible? It is! That’s what Paul is telling us. He put the Lord first. That’s what we must do. He was Christ-centered, not Paul-centered. He never forgot about the Lord while he made his living sewing tents. We can witness no matter how our life goes. People came to Paul when he was in prison and couldn’t go to them. God will make a way for us to do his work. Jail cells and bars didn’t stop Paul. Shipwrecks didn’t stop him.
At the end he said I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Those are noble words. I want to be able to say them at the end of my work, at the finishing of my task.
How about it? If that’s what you want to be able to say, you can’t wait until the end to get serious about it. You must do it now. Paul put all things aside. 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.
Do you have that kind of determination? Have things gotten fuzzy or aimless in your service? Use Paul’s words to reboot. It’s time to re-set the goals so that you can finish the course with joy.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 