A. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS:

• the first message of this final series before my sabbatical period asked you to consider what it is to include people into your lives. This final formal message focuses on Acts 20:17-24, as these verses describe the last days of Paul’s Ephesian ministry.

B. MAIN THOUGHT:

• This passage clearly reminds us that the Christian life is driven by personal conviction and commitment.

C. KEY QUESTION:

> What were the qualities of Paul’s life that he was absolutely committed to on behalf of the Christ’s church?

I. The Commitment of Humility (vs. 17-19)

“From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.”

A. Paul’s life at Ephesus was characterized by a humility that led him to tears – on behalf of people – before God.

B. Paul’s commitment to a lifestyle of humility was so strong, he did not demandanything, although he had been a person of privilege in Jewish society.

II. The Commitment of Declaration (vs. 20, 21)

“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

A. Paul declared to his world the message of Jesus Christ, his salvation and his hope for living without any hesitation whatsoever.

B. Paul declared the message to both Jews & Greeks: an unpopular message to both groups.

III. The Commitment of Boldness (vs. 22-24)

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, 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.”

A. Boldness should be understood as a desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with tact, sensitivity and love for people who are seeking God.

B. Paul understood that by going to Jerusalem he was risking persecution, unjust trials, torture, imprisonment and even death. (See Acts 21-23:22)

IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE

1. There does need to be a greater number & a deeper conviction within this bodyto simple, unashamed commitment to the Body of Christ, a commitment not defined by tradition nor convenience, but through an inner compulsion that we can do no other.

2. We need to begin to “take it personally”, not operating faith at a distance from life.