Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Acts 20:24
Sacrificial Life
The Apostle Paul spoke to the Ephesian elders before leaving for Jerusalem and said that he didn’t count his own life of anything of value compared to presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even if Paul was killed, he knew he would live again, so his own life was of no value in comparison to proclaiming the gospel so that others might be saved. What is a physical life compared to someone inheriting eternal life?
Finishing Strong
The Apostle Paul looked at this life as temporary, like a race to run, so he wrote, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14). Paul asks, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1st Cor 9:24). Just before Paul was about to be executed, he wrote his famous last words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2nd Tim 4:7-8).
Received from Christ
What Paul received from Christ could not be kept to himself. It’s like having the cure for cancer and keeping it secret because “We don’t want to offend anyone by saying this is the only way to be cured. We don’t want to be narrow minded.” The truth is, the way is hard and the path is narrow, and few there be that find it, but Jesus is the one and only way to the Father (John 6:44, 14:6). Paul was not teaching his own doctrine. It was from the Lord that He received and so it was from the Lord that he must share.
Compelled to Witness
It sounds odd, but Paul could not help but preach the gospel. For one thing, it’s the greatest news of all time, and deep inside, Paul knew he had no choice, for he wrote “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1st Cor 9:16)! Should not all of us feel the same? How much do we care about the lost? Do we care enough to step out of our comfort zone and suffer for His name’s sake?
Conclusion
I hope you notice that I say “we” instead of “you” or “you all” because the Word cuts me deep, like it does you (Heb 4:12). His Word compels us to die to ourselves and live for Him; to keep running and finish strong; and to pass on what we’ve received from the Lord to others, so that they might be saved.
