If you use any or all of this message--would you be willing to fire off a quick email to:pastorjerryvargo@juno.com? I would like to have an idea of how often my sermons are actually being preached to strengthen the Body of Christ. Thanks!
Compelled by Love
Pastor Jerry C. Vargo
I. Introduction.
Opening Comments
What compels you?
What is the driving force behind all that you do?
Can you identify your motives?
Why do you do what you do?
Is it love or duty?
Answer: If any thing other than love and gratitude motivates you, all that you are doing is in vain!
To walk in the perfect will of God, we must be motivated by love and gratitude for what God has done for us!
Pray...
Ask God to reveal false motives.
Ask God to show us why we do what we do.
Ask Him to purify our hearts so that all we do is motivated by love.
Ask for forgiveness for doing anything with the wrong motives.
Text: Acts 20:22-24
Background Information
Paul had spent 3 years in Ephesus teaching and building up the church. He left and spent the winter in Corinth and is now on his way to Jerusalem. He sends for the elders of the church and he proceeds to give them his last words and he tells them that he will never see them again.
The Apostle Paul since he was forgiven much...loved much!
This is true for all of us who have been made clean by the Blood of Jesus.
And though God is still purifying me and my motives, I am confident when I say that MOST of the time I am motivated to do what I do because of love!
II. Body.
A. I see at least 5 things that compelled Paul to do in love.
B. I want to challenge you that these 5 things should compel you and I also.
1. Compelled by love to obey the Holy Spirit passionately!
"Behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem."
A. After all that Paul had been through in His walk with Jesus, he came to this understanding...
„« I have no choice but to obey!
„« I am under obligation!
„« I can’t do anything else!
„« Bound = A strong sense of responsibility!
B. This is the understanding that all of us need.
C. The Holy Spirit will speak to us more and more as we obey passionately.
D. I was "compelled by love" to marry my wife.
E. Listen to Colossians 3:23:
¡§Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.¡¨
Application
What has God called you to do?
Are you passionate about your obedience?
Is your obedience done out of religious duty?
F. Paul knew that he had to obey. What other choice is there?
G. If God is God...what else can we do?
H. The bottom line: Obey the Holy Spirit passionately. Let your love and gratitude compel you to obey!
2. Compelled by love to walk by faith trusting in God!
¡§Not knowing what will happen to me there."
A. Paul had no idea what would happen to him as he traveled to Jerusalem.
B. How true is this for every one of us? We have no idea what will happen to us as we step out in faith in this life.
C. But if we truly love God and we trust Him...we will be compelled to trust Him in every decision.
D. Our faith and trust must be in God. I heard the story of a...
Illustration
When I think of having faith that trusts God I think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. What incredible trust and faith in God. Tell the story. They even said: "God can deliver us, but if He doesn’t, we will not bow down."
E. We need to look for things to do that are so awesome, that they are doomed to failure unless God intervenes.
3. Compelled by love to NOT let circumstance rule my life!
"But none of these things move me."
A. I love the old hymn:
"Do you have any rivers you think are uncrossable? Do you have any mountains you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible. He does the things others cannot do!
B. What is the answer to NOT let circumstances rule my life? How do I do that? Look at Philippians 4:11-13...
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Illustration
A man was walking through a cemetery at night when he fell into an open grave. He jumped and clawed at the walls and tried everything he could to get out of the hole. He didn’t see the old drunk crouched in the darkness at the other end of the grave. The drunk finally spoke up, "There’s no way to get out of here. I’ve tried all night." Upon hearing the voice from the other end of the grave, the man got out.
C. A grave is just a rut with both ends closed up.
D. You and I can get out of our ruts if we just will trust the Lord.
E. People will say to me: "I’m doing ok under the circumstances." I say, get out from under the circumstances.
G. God has provided a way of escape and can provide a better way whatever your circumstances...
- You don’t have to stay defeated.
- You don’t have to stay frustrated.
- You don’t have to stay in a job you hate.
- You don’t have to watch the enemy defeat your family.
H. God has a better plan. "None of these things move me."
4. Compelled by love to serve just as Jesus served!
"Neither count I my life as dear unto myself."
Illustration
James Calvert was a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands. As he was going to the island, the captain of the ship said: ¡§You will lose your life if you go among such savages.¡¨ Calvert replied: ¡§I died before I came here.¡¨
A. How do we count our lives not dear unto ourselves?
- We serve.
- We pour out our lives for others.
- We dedicate our time for others.
- We find our gifting and engage it.
- We make time for evangelism and the lost.
Matthew 10:39
"He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it."
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."
Illustration
"Never more like God than when you give." - Chuck Swindoll - Improving Your Serve.
5. Compelled by love to finish the will of God with joy!
¡§So that I might finish my course with Joy, and the ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God.¡¨
A. Paul, though his life was difficult, surrendered daily to accomplish the will of God and to finish his course in the joy of the Holy Spirit.
B. Listen to me: The will of God is the only thing that can bring true and lasting joy.
C. Turn with me to Matthew 21: 28-32. Two conclusions...
1. It is what you do that counts, not necessarily what you say!
Illustration: Matthew 23:1-3!
2. The way you finish is most important, not the way you start.
Illustration
I heard the story of a little boy who went to a concert to hear a great piano player. As the concert hall filled up, the boy got a little impatient. He climbed up on the stage and without anyone noticing¡Khe started to play chopsticks on the grand piano. People starting yelling and screaming trying to get the little boy off the stage. In this whole process the piano master heard what was going on from behind stage and quickly joined the boy and starting playing with him. As he played, he whispered in his ear¡K "keep going¡Kyou¡¦re doing a great job¡Kyou can do it¡Kyou¡¦re doing great."
This of course silenced the crowd. God is just like that¡KHe whispers in your ear the same things.
"Let Love Compel You"
