How To Keep Going

HOW TO KEEP GOING

Theme Verse: Acts 20:24 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.

Introduction: Paul's life after conversion was one of many difficulties. He faced many situations, any one of which would be sufficient to turn many a persons around and leave them destitute.

Ex: II Cor. 11:23- Perils II Tim. 4:10 Demas hath forsaken me . . .

Through it all, Paul kept going on. Here's how he did it.

I. MY LIFE

Defined: Life--psuche (psoo-khay) - the breath of life, the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing.

A. Life is a gift of God.

"move"-- to do a thing unto me; to make one do something

God had given Paul life and no one could simply take it away.

B. Paul gave it back to God.

1. "count" - echo (ekh'-o) - to have (hold) in the hand; own, possess

2. Bought with a price. I Cor. 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

C. Selfish people are always unhappy people.

"Dear" -as of great price, precious; held in honour, esteemed, especially dear

II. MY COURSE

Defined: Course- dromos (drom'-os) - a course- in the NT figuratively, the course

of life or of office.

A. Assigned by God: Even before you were born, God knew you and had a purpose

for your life.

1. Appointed a Preacher II Tim 1:11-12

Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2. I must Preach I Cor. 9:16

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

. Starting "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Acts 9:6

C. Continuing

1. Pressing - Phil. 3:13-14

2. Running, Looking, and Considering - Hebrews 12:1-3

3. Run to Obtain I Cor. 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

D. Finishing

Defined: Finish- to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring

to an end

1. Paul finished II TIm. 4:7

2. In YOU Phil. 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

3. His work Eph. 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

III. MY MINISTRY

Defined: Ministry

248 diaknia Ministry, Ministration

Service, of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men.

A. Desire a ministry I Tim. 3:1

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

B. Qualify as a minister

1. Requirements I Tim 3:1-13 Read Scriptures

2. Paul qualified I Time 1:12

C. Fulfil your ministry

1. Wait on it Romans 12:7

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

2. Faint not II Cor. 4:1

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

3. There are afflictions II Cor. 6:4

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

I Thes. 3:3

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

D. Minister within God given limits. I Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

IV. CONCLUSION

My life-my course-my ministry. It would do us good to repeat those three phrases

at the beginning of each day, for they help us take inventory of our spiritual experience.

Am I holding my life dear to myself, or do I yield my life to Christ? Am I running on the course God has assigned to me? Am I fulfilling the ministry that HE has given me?