Keeping The Mission In Front Of You

A young missionary was practicing baptism techniques in preparation for an upcoming service. With no one around, he decided to use a plastic bottle for practice in a nearby river. A local villager walked by, saw him dunking the bottle repeatedly, and shouted, “Pastor! If you're baptizing today, could you dunk my rooster too? He’s been misbehaving!”

Historical/Cultural Context -

Luke was a physician and a travel companion of the apostle Paul. He wrote the book of Acts. The earliest possible date of Acts is immediately after the events that Luke recorded in, which would have been c. A.D. 62. Acts is addressed to “Theophilus,” about whom nothing more is known. Luke’s broader audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” about Jesus.

Biblical Text -

Acts 20:17–24 NKJV

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - We Need To Serve God In All Humility & Endurance, Not Shrinking Back & Keeping The Gospel The Main Thing.

Life Point- Serve God In All Humility & Endurance

Exegetical -

Acts 20:17–19 NLT

But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him. When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.

Homiletical -

Paul is in Miletus and he sends for the church elders. That would be like someone sending for the pastor and deacons to come up and speak with them.

What is his message to them? How does he start out?

He says he has done his work humbly. Question, by him saying he has done his work humbly does that mean he is now being egotistical when he says that? The answer is no, he is giving a true account of how he has done his work. I am sure that he probably had some prayer when it comes to talking about being a humble servant.

Humility is very important for the believer it has its’ rewards and not being humble has its’ condemnations.

The Bible talks a lot about humility and being humble. Here are a few key verses to keep in mind.

Proverbs 22:4 NKJV

By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 11:2 NKJV

When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Micah 6:8 NKJV

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Philippians 2:3–4 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Colossians 3:12 NKJV

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Humility, that is Biblical humility, has some benefits.

It aligns us with the will of God: You cannot have repentance and obedience to God and not be humble. This is because the believers heart says, not my will but yours be done oh God. Whereas someone who is not humble cares only for themselves.

Humility reflects the character of Christ: Jesus modeled perfect humility in submitting to the father’s will while on earth.

It brings unity and peace to the church: Humility in our lives causes us to serve one another in Christ, and avoid conflict.

It prepares us for what God is going to do with us: Remember He exalts the Humble and resists the prideful.

So Paul says he has served God with humility, which he lists first in this passage, and with tears because of the plotting Jews.

Paul has been stoned, shipwrecked, brought back from the dead and here he is still going to the Jew first, though he knows he is going to be persecuted by them, and then to the Gentile.

Like Paul we are to serve Christ in all endurance and without compromise to the Word of God.

Just because the majority of his people would not accept Christ it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t still go to them. He is compelled by God to go the Jew first, because Jesus was promised to them to be their Messiah, their savior and then he goes to non-jews.

John 15:5 NKJV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Galatians 3:28–29 NKJV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Illustration -

Remember the verse from James? God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble? A boy was trying to impress their peers by performing a dance and he failed spectacularly. But then, a friend stepped in and began a simple, silly dance. Everyone joined in and laughed. Sometimes, it's the humble, simple moments that bring joy and unity rather than the overly proud displays. Like that friend, God values our humility far more than our grand gestures. In our humility we will be obedient to God.

1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV

So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

Life Point - Don’t Shrink Back

Exegetical -

Acts 20:20–21 NLT

I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Homiletical -

Paul said that he has never shrank back from telling people what they need to hear, either publicly or privately.

How many times have we not said something due to embarrassment or fear? How many times?

2 Thessalonians 3:13 NKJV

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

James 1:12 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

He tells us in his not shrinking back, he has had one message for the entire world. Repent from sin and put your faith in Jesus.

Today we have a problem in Christendom. People are no longer being told that repentance from sin is important. You can’t just add Jesus onto your sinful life style and expect him to bless that mess.

You have to stop living in sin and making it your lifestyle, you have to sincerely from the heart repent and turn to Jesus in faith. Apart of that is humbling yourself before the hand of the Almighty God.

Never let it be said of you and I that we did not share the whole Gospel.

So what is the main reason people no longer share about repentance? There are many answers but I believe it is because we don’t want to offend anyone, to turn them away from God.

But the truth is, without repentance the person will never know God anyway. You end up offending God.

Illustration -

When a group of children plays in the park, they often spar against imaginary dragons, shouting courageously, 'We won’t back down!' They become fearless knights defending their realm. That’s kind of like proclaiming the gospel. It is about standing firm against the noise of this world. Like those kids, let’s take on the mission with bravery and excitement.

Life Point - Make The Mission The Main Thing

Exegetical -

Acts 20:22–24 NLT

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Homiletical -

It would seem that wherever Paul goes he has a problem. He is being told through people by the Holy Spirit what faces him.

Yet he doesn’t let that bother him because the Holy Spirit is the one telling him to go to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit, however, wants him to be prepared for what is coming.

There are times when God won’t tell us what is coming and wants us to be obedient and there are times when he will let us know what we are about to face, to prepare us.

A lot of people who would be in Paul’s shows would not want to know what awaits them or if they did they would run. I am not sure if I would like to know or not. I lean more toward the not knowing because I don’t want to be tempted to run.

What does Paul say when confronted with this eventuality?

His life is worth nothing when compared to the mission that God has given him. His mission is to make much of Jesus. To tell the Gospel at all times.

What is your mission? To tell others about Jesus. Yes that is all of our missions.

However, there is something that God has called each one of us to do in the body of Christ. We need to find out what that is and do it.

Also, throughout your life what God has called you to do may change depending on your ability level.

Some people think they are too old to do what they once could do, well if that is the case, what can you do now?

Romans 12:3–8 NKJV

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Illustration -

A man once set out to build a playhouse for his children but ended up creating an elaborate structure with a slide, swings, and a mini-garden. While it looked impressive, his kids just wanted a simple space to play. Similarly, when church initiatives get too convoluted, it’s easy to forget the basic task—spreading the gospel. Keeping it simple ensures we focus on what really matters: the mission.

Life Principle– We Need To Serve God In All Humility & Endurance, Not Shrinking Back & Keeping The Gospel The Main Thing.

Call to Action – altar call….