Pursuing The Call Part 10 Gaining An Eternal Focus For Life Series

ACTS

Pursuing The Call – Series Conclusion

Dr. Tom Bartlett

September 8, 2019

Acts 20:17-38

OUTLINE

Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: (Acts 20:17-18a)

Gaining an Eternal Focus for Life

Acts 20:18-38 (ESV)

Serve with humility

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Vs. 18-21)

Run your own race

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Vs. 22-27)

Be alert to deceivers

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Vs. 28-32)

Help those in need

I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Vs. 33-35

Love people deeply

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. (VS. 36-38)

MANUSCRIPT

Good morning and welcome to Steele Creek Church. I’m Tom Bartlett and I’m one of the pastors here. We began last December and God has continued to build the team here at Eastfield and I’m so excited to be a part of it.

I’m a history buff of sorts, at least, I like to study history and read about history. I’m often amazed at what people did without modern science and modern conveniences. We live very different than our grandparents did and those who were living just 50 to 100 years ago. Think of this way, my grandfather was born in 1900. He lived to be 72, so he died in 1972. My grandfather went from horse-drawn wagons to driving cars and even owning his gas station. He was alive when man made flight a reality (1903), then all the advancements in travel because of that. He was in the navy and saw our military grow from land and sea, to land, sea and air and many advancements in technology there. Eventually in 1969 just 2 years before his death, he witnessed man walk on the moon.

Now, my grandfather is gone, but when I meet people like him, I like to ask them questions. I like to learn from those who have gone before me. I’ve sat with many folks older than me to glean all I can.

Here’s what I’ve noticed. No matter when you lived or what technology brings our way, people throughout time have struggled with the same issues and still do. Technology may affect the way we live, but it doesn’t fix the innermost issues we face.