Finish The Race: A Life That Counts For Christ - Acts 20:24 Series

Finish the Race: A Life That Counts for Christ - Acts 20:24 (NLT)

Introduction — What Makes a Life Truly Count?

Church, we live in an age obsessed with achievement, visibility, and personal fulfilment. The world asks, “How successful are you?” But Scripture asks a different question: “How faithful are you?”

The 21st century offers more distractions than any previous generation — endless media, competing ideologies, pressure to perform, and the subtle temptation to live for comfort rather than calling. Yet in the midst of that noise, we hear the voice of the apostle Paul — a man who discovered that life only makes sense when it is fully surrendered to Jesus Christ.

Acts 20 records Paul’s farewell address to the elders from Ephesus. He knows suffering awaits him. He senses danger. But listen to the burning conviction of a man wholly given to Christ.

Acts 20:24 (NLT): “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

This single verse is a blueprint for discipleship. It reveals the heart of someone who follows Jesus without reservation.

Tonight we will unfold three major truths:

A Disciple Surrenders Their Life to Christ

A Disciple Runs with Purpose and Perseverance

A Disciple Proclaims the Gospel of Grace

I. A Disciple Surrenders Their Life to Christ

Paul is travelling toward Jerusalem. Prophetic warnings tell him imprisonment awaits. Yet he says, “My life is worth nothing to me…”

The Greek phrase behind this idea carries the sense of not counting something as precious for oneself. Paul is not expressing self-hatred; he is expressing Christ-centred priorities. His identity is no longer anchored in personal safety but in divine purpose.

Historically, Paul once pursued prestige as a Pharisee. Now he sees life through the lens of the cross.

Galatians 2:20 (NLT): “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”

Written to churches tempted to return to legalism.

The Greek word for “crucified” (systauroo) indicates a completed union with Christ’s death.

Discipleship begins with surrender. Following Jesus is not adding religion to life — it is yielding life entirely.

In a culture that says “find yourself,” Jesus says “deny yourself.”

Imagine a blank cheque signed at the bottom. You hand it to God and say, “Lord, fill in the amount, the location, the cost — I belong to You.” That is discipleship.

“God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.” — Max Lucado

That is surrender — Christ accepts us in grace, yet transforms us in holiness. The surrendered life is not diminished; it is redeemed.

II. A Disciple Runs with Purpose and Perseverance

Paul says he must “finish the work assigned me.”

Christianity is not a sprint; it is a race.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT): “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

Paul writes from prison near the end of his life. He reflects not on comfort but on completion.

Greek Insight - The word for race (dromos) refers to a marked course — a path already laid out.

God has assigned each believer a course:

Parents discipling children.

Workers representing Christ in integrity.

Ministers shepherding faithfully.

Young believers standing for truth in hostile environments.

The goal is not comparison but completion.

A marathon runner does not measure success by speed alone but by endurance. Many begin the Christian life with passion; fewer finish with faithfulness.

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT): “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…”

Written to weary believers tempted to quit.

“Endurance” (hypomone) means steadfast perseverance under pressure.

Application for Today

In a world of instant gratification:

Discipleship requires patience.

Faithfulness matters more than popularity.

Obedience matters more than applause.

“The Christian life is a lifelong battle, not a momentary skirmish.” — John Piper

Paul knew suffering was inevitable, yet joy was unstoppable because Christ was the finish line.

III. A Disciple Proclaims the Gospel of Grace

Paul defines his mission: “telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

The centre of discipleship is not self-improvement but Gospel proclamation.

Romans 1:16 (NLT): “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…”

Paul writes to believers in Rome — the cultural and political centre of the world.

Greek “Power” — dynamis, divine power that transforms lives.

The Gospel is not outdated. It is God’s power for modern anxiety, identity confusion, broken families, and spiritual emptiness.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day…”