Getting Ready For Our Final Goodbye (Part 2) Series

Getting Ready for Our Final Goodbye (Part 2)

The Book of Acts - Part 73

Acts 20:17-31

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - February 8, 2015

BACKGROUND:

*Acts 20 was a pivotal time in the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. In these verses Paul reflected on the past, and tried to prepare the church leaders of Ephesus for life without him. Our main focus tonight is vs. 21-31, but to put it in context, let's start reading at vs. 17.

MESSAGE:

*Eugene J. Toni was a Vietnam veteran. In 1991, Eugene made a visit to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Standing under a full moon, he flipped through the directory of names on the wall. Mr. Toni was mostly looking for friends, but he turned to the T's in a long-shot search for an uncle he never met. Instead, Mr. Toni was shocked to see his own name. Eugene and his wife, Nancy, walked down to panel 17 and counted down to line 121. Eugene later said, "I showed her my name and then we both looked at each other like we couldn't believe it." (1)

*It was a wake-up call for them both. And this passage of Scripture should be a wake-up call for us. In vs. 25, Paul told the church leaders of Ephesus that they would never see him again in this world. But Paul was ready for that final goodbye. In tonight's Scripture, he helps us know how to get ready, and it all goes back to the Word of God.

1. First: We must receive our ministry for God's Word.

*Paul received His ministry to the fullest, and he testified about this truth in vs. 22-24. There Paul said:

22. . . "See, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

23. except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

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."

*The Lord Jesus gave that ministry to Paul, and he received it to the fullest. How did Paul do that?

[1] First: He counted the cost.

*To the best of Paul's ability, he counted the cost of serving Jesus Christ. And Paul didn't know all the details about the trouble coming his way. But the Holy Spirit let Paul know that there would be a high price to pay.

*Again in vs. 22-24, Paul said:

22. . . "See, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

23. except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

24. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself. . ."

*In a most inspiring way, Paul counted the cost of following Jesus. And the Lord wants us to do the same thing. In Luke 14:27-33, Jesus clearly said:

27. . . "Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it

29. lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him,

30. saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'

31. Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

32. Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.

33. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

[2] How did Paul receive His ministry from the Lord Jesus? He counted the cost. And he ran the race.

*In vs. 24, Paul said, "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."

*About 10 years later, Paul was about to die, and he was able to testify that he had finished the race. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."