Living Your Life Mission (Acts - Part 32) Series

Living your life-mission

Acts Series: “Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian” Part 32

Pastor Jeff Christopherson

August 24, 2003

Acts 20:1-38

“Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them…” Acts 20:1

“He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people…” Acts 20:2

HOW TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO BE THEIR BEST:

1. Don’t do a Job… Live your Passion.

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.” Acts 20:7

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

2. Don’t be Politically Correct… Love People.

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:20-21

“For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8

3. Don’t lose your Focus… Live on Purpose.

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

HOW TO FINISH WELL (AND NOT BURN OUT):

A. Relax with Friends.

“Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.” Acts 20:11

B. Regroup Alone.

“We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.” Acts 20:13

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God…” Luke 6:12

C. Work as a Team.

“From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church…” Acts 20:17

“…And when it was day, He called His disciples to Him; and from them He chose twelve whom He named apostles…” Luke 6:13

4. Don’t play it Safe… Live Boldly.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me…” Acts 20:22-24

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life that I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son Of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

(Jesus) “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:35