Relying On The Holy Spirit To Fulfill Your Call

Relying On the Holy Spirit to Fulfill Your Call Text: Acts 20:22-24

22And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there- 23Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. 24But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).

Paul remembers that the greatest calling he’d ever receive is the calling to serve Jesus Christ! Just as Paul’s ultimate calling kept him in tack, so should your ultimate calling into salvation keep you! The truth is unless we are doing something that is larger than we are we won’t last! Your vision can and will get blurry at times, but Jesus Christ and His love, power and grace won’t change! Paul’s mission was to please Jesus Christ and be led by the Holy Spirit at any cost.

So what’s your mission in life?

Once a man asked a wealthy man how much money was enough? His answer is standard in today’s culture. He said, “just a little bit more!”

Paul writes in vs.23-24 I don’t know what will befall me in Jerusalem 23Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me. 24But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).

Paul has an inside connection that every one of us can have also, and that is the Holy Spirit! Vs.24b if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry

Paul didn’t know every detail of his journey, but he did have some insight! Paul followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, knowing his obedience to the Spirit’s leading would enable him to finish his course with joy!

Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour and moment what [you] ought to say.

It’s important to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading! John 14:26 But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

The Holy Spirit shall teach you, comfort, counsel, help, pray through you, be your advocate or support, strengthen you, standby, He will be your teacher and bring all things to your remembrance!

John 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

You can forget about 1-800-futune-teller! You have the great Holy Ghost, and He’s all 100% truth!

As you are lead by the Holy Spirit you will echo what the Apostle Paul said in II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Listen, the Holy Spirit wants to help you fight the good fight of faith and finish the race, but you must invite Him! Isaiah 10:27 27 It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.