Acts 20

ScriptureActs 20:24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.Observation - What does it say?On his way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped to meet with the elders of the church in Ephesus. Not expecting to ever see them again, Paul gives the elders his final words. And in this discourse he tells the elders that his single purpose in life had been, and still was, to accomplish the task God gave him. He wasn’t living or working for any personal gain whatsoever. Rather, he had devoted every moment of every day to completing the task God had given him. One of his smaller sacrifices earlier in the chapter was giving up an entire night's sleep to teach people until sunrise, pausing only to raise someone from the dead!Understanding - What does it mean?Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:11, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

It is wise for us to follow Paul’s example in laying aside all pursuits and goals that are selfish and don’t have to do with the task God has given us. Last Sunday we talked about giving God our best and highlighted the scripture in Paul’s letter to Timothy likening us to soldiers. As soldiers of Jesus Christ, we have to:

• Define what we’re willing to die for.
• Sacrifice our comforts.
• Remove distractions.

All these things speak to what Paul had done. He attached himself to the task God had given him and he put aside all comforts and distractions to fulfill it.Life ApplicationWhat am I aiming at? What are the goals I’m pursuing? Do they have to do with completing the task God has given me or are they unrelated?Let go of the things that aren’t going to matter in eternity!

God, please give each of us clarity as to what you’ve called us to. Show us the specific tasks you’ve given each of us that will help us accomplish our mission of multiplying Christ-followers everywhere. We long to be used by you and to be great in your eyes! We long to fulfill the plans and purposes you have for us! Please help us to lay down our comforts and put aside our distractions and make our it our only aim to complete the task you’ve given us. Amen.

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