Acts 20
20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house.
21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Philippians 3
12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
The man of God wanted every mature Christian to have the sacrificial focus. He believes that's necessary for the believer that even if any hasn't gotten it yet, God will reveal that to such.
In Acts 20, he addressed the Ephesians pastors. He told them how he wasn't sure of what was going to happen to him at Jerusalem except that the Holy Spirit or say God, kept telling him that imprisonment and suffering were waiting for him there.
Ordinarily, that should dissuade him from going on with the journey. But there was a higher purpose than his safety and comfort. But that journey was crucial to his finishing his course and ministry with joy and to testify to the gospel of Christ.
What a focus, what a sacrifice!
No wonder he told the Philippians how everyone of us should forget what's behind and press towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
He wasn't pressing for a better life, not for popularity, not for riches, not for any personal reasons but to finish up the job given him by Christ.
We have a job bigger than our personal safety, wellbeing or comfort. We don't measure ministry by how much comfort we have acquired but by how far we have gone on the cause and on our courses no matter how dangerous or sacrificial the journey might be.
How much self sacrifice does your being in ministry demand from you? What have you given up to be able to deliver on the mandate God has given you? Where do you derive your comfort from? Is it from God or from the opportunities around you as you take advantage?
Can you imagine apostle Paul, who saw joy in finishing his course even if it required bondage and afflictions? Do we share same thoughts today?
Will you still be in ministry if it takes your freedom and comfort away? Will you be able to derive joy in preaching and teaching the gospel? Can you leave where you are accepted to where you aren't, if that's what finishing your course with joy demands?
Or we trip at every sign of discomfort and pain? What do we know about self sacrifice for the kingdom of God? What do we know about self denial? How dear is your life to you in the face of great afflictions in the ministry of preaching the word of God?
We must know that we aren't commended for building world class institutions and organizations in the name of ministry but for testifying to the gospel of our Lord Jesus and finishing the work of service committed to our hands at whatever costs. We aren't sent to build personal comfort, we aren't sent to get men's praise and popularity, we aren't sent to build personal empires, we are sent to preach the word and to complete our mission here.
Think about this...more grace to you! Good morning
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