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?
