The Gospel Centered Life (4)

The Beauty in the Gospel

Acts 20:24–28 “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. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Over the past several weeks, we've walked through what it means to live a Gospel-Centered Life:

The Basics of the Gospel taught us what the gospel is—Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.

The Benefits of the Gospel reminded us of what we have because of the gospel - our justification, adoption, and eternal hope.

The Burden of the Gospel called us to responsibility of the gospel—to preach, to serve, to stand.

As we continue our series this morning, we begin to approach the climax of a Gospel Centered Life.

We find the Apostle Paul journeying toward Jerusalem.

He is fully aware of the opposition he may face and uncertain about what lies ahead.

Despite this, he displays remarkable peace and confidence.

Paul didn’t know what would happen to him—but he trusted the One who held his future.

Along the way, Paul requested a meeting with the elders of the church in Ephesus.

He had spent nearly three years ministering to them, building strong bonds of love and mutual faith.

Before continuing on his journey, Paul wanted to share his heart with these leaders one last time.

In this moment, we witness a man filled with unwavering conviction in the face of uncertainty.

Paul’s confidence wasn’t rooted in circumstances—it came from a life grounded in the Gospel.

His clarity, courage, and contentment flowed from his deep commitment to the message of Christ.

Just like Paul, we all face difficulties.

But many Christians never realize how central the Gospel is to our strength and joy.

A Gospel-centered life produces peace in trials and endurance in hardship.

Because there is no message more glorious,

no truth more transforming, and

no reality more radiant than the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Acts 20, Paul is speaking from a heart full of confidence, comfort and clarity, not about ease or success, but about faithfully proclaiming the gospel of the grace of God.

As we continue in our series on The Gospel-Centered Life, today we reflect on The Beauty of the Gospel—not in its external presentation, but in its eternal power.

I. The Gospel is Beautiful Because of The Confidence it Brings

(v. 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.”

Despite knowing the dangers ahead, Paul remained steadfast.

His confidence did not come from external security, but from Gospel-centered assurance.

For..

A. A Steadied Heart

“But none of these things move me…”

Paul had already endured much, and more hardship was ahead.

But none of it shook his resolve.

He was anchored in Christ, confident that the Lord would sustain him.

His life was not driven by fear, but by faith.

Likewise, we must remember that the Gospel isn't just for the beginning of our faith—it is our constant foundation. (Basics of the Gospel)

Through it, we find stability when storms arise.

Through it we find a heart steadied, unmovable.

Pauls heart was steadied because he was gospel centered

but, his heart could never be steadied nor his life gospel centered if he did not have a…

For..

A. A Steadied Heart

B. A Surrendered Life

“...neither count I my life dear unto myself...”

Paul had let go of his personal ambitions.

His life no longer belonged to him—it was completely devoted to Christ.

He was ready to face danger and even death, if it meant advancing the Gospel.

This kind of surrender is difficult.

It means denying self and embracing God’s will above our own.

But it is also where true freedom and purpose are found.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

For..

A. A Steadied Heart

B. A Surrendered Life

C. A Strong Finish

“…so that I might finish my course with joy…”

Paul wasn’t merely surviving

—he was striving to finish well

Because the gospel wasn’t just his message—it was his mission.

Paul said he wanted to “finish his course with joy.”

He expected difficulty, but he aimed to complete his mission and complete it with joy.

Why?

Because there is great joy in proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ.

Paul was going to finish strong because he had Joy in the Journey.

He had met the risen Lord and would not be deterred by suffering.

James 1:2–3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

He told Timothy, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.

Paul Said he would and he did

Why?

Because he found the beauty in a gospel centered life.

Let us also seek to endure and finish strong.

For..

A. A Steadied Heart

B. A Surrendered Life

C. A Strong Finish

D. A Secured Calling

“…and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul knew he had been entrusted with a divine task.

Paul didnt choose this ministry

-he recieved it of the Lord.

and because of that, Though Jerusalem held danger, his eyes were on Christ and His mission.

Paul’s security wasn’t found in the acceptance of others but in obedience to Jesus.

As believers, we too have been given a mission.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can walk with peace and purpose, knowing we serve a risen Savior.

“...the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

The gospel was not just a message Paul proclaimed—it was the very mission of his life

The beauty of the gospel is seen in its God-given purpose—to testify of His grace.

The gospel is beautiful because of the grace filled message we have been called to testify of.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Application: If your life is centered on anything other than the gospel, you will miss the joy and beauty of your God-given purpose.

Paul did not miss!

It’s easy to grow weary, lose heart, surrender to flesh and give up the fight

but those who live by the Gospel can remain confident even in trials because they find the gospel to be beautiful.

– 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Not only does the gospel give us confidence in our calling, but it also comforts us in our deepest separations…

II. The Gospel is Beautiful Because of The Comfort it Gives

(v. 25)

“And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”

Even as Paul faced the likelihood of never seeing the Ephesian elders again,

he found comfort in Christ and in the Gospel.

Paul loved these believers deeply.

He had poured his life into them, and now he was saying farewell.

Separation—whether temporary or permanent—is always hard.

But Paul found strength in the hope of the Gospel.

Even when earthly goodbyes come, there is eternal reunion for those in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Though Paul was leaving,

he took comfort in knowing he had fulfilled his ministry in Ephesus.

The church was strong, the message had been preached, and he had given all he could.

Likewise, we should strive to live without regret—loving well, serving faithfully, and doing all we can for the cause of Christ while we have time.

Paul not only treasured the gospel—he declared it without reservation.

There is beauty in a bold and faithful proclamation knowing that those that you have led to the foot of the cross, though you may never see them again here, there is coming a day that all the saints will be gathered together.

The gospel centered life is beautiful because of the confidence it brings, and the comfort it gives

It is also beautiful because of the clarity it produces.

III. The Gospel is Beautiful Because of The Clarity it Produces

(vv. 26–27)

Here Paul explains the source of his deep contentment

Even in saying goodbye, he had peace in his heart.

Paul did not shrink back or shy away from truth.

The gospel emboldened him, even though it cost him dearly.

A gospel-centered life isn’t silent or soft when truth is needed.

It speaks with clarity, conviction, courage, and compassion because it is gripped by the seriousness of the message and the worthiness of the Savior.

A. His Message was Clear

v.26-27 “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the council of God.”

Paul could stand with a clear conscience, not because he pleased everyone, but because he had obeyed God and had preached a clear message

He had done his part—he had proclaimed the truth without reservation.

He wasn't boasting—he was simply stating that he had done his part.

Like the watchman in Ezekiel 33, Paul had sounded the trumpet.

Ezekiel 33:1–6 “Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”

He had been faithful to share the Gospel and fulfill his calling.

He wasnt ashamed of what he had done

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…”

His conscience was clear because his proclamation had been true

He had preached the whole counsel of God

—the hard truths, the hope-filled promises, the calls to repentance and the offer of grace.

Spurgeon said:

“He is no minister of Christ who does not avow his Master’s doctrine in its entirety. He who does not proclaim all that God has revealed, has no right to stand as a witness for God.”

2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”

The gospel confronts sin but offers grace. It reveals man’s guilt but also God’s gift.

It confronts the depth of our depravity, but offers the heights of God’s mercy in Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is quick, and powerful...”

Where the gospel is proclaimed, lives are changed. Paul himself was a product of its power.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”

and when the gospel is recieved by faith, it changes a man completely

A. His Message was Clear

B. His Mission was Clear

v.28

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Here, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of their responsibility to protect and feed the flock of God.

Why such seriousness?

Because the gospel message is about blood-bought souls.

The church doesn’t belong to us—it was purchased by God Himself through the blood of Christ.

This verse shows the weight of gospel ministry—it demands vigilance.

It shows the worth of gospel truth—God paid the highest price for it.

It also reminds us that a gospel-centered life must hold fast to sound doctrine.

If we truly believe the gospel is beautiful, we won’t dilute it, distort it, or ignore it.

We'll guard it.

We'll feed others with it.

We'll proclaim it in its fullness.

Application: Don’t water down or shy away from the whole truth.

The gospel loses none of its beauty when it is preached in fullness—it becomes even more glorious.

Have you faithfully proclaimed the gospel to those around you?

Let your life speak the beauty of salvation in both word and deed.

Conclusion

Paul’s life was shaped, sustained, and sent by the gospel.

It was not ease or applause that defined him—but a deep devotion to Jesus Christ and a clear view of the beauty of the gospel.

He saw the gospel as worth suffering for, worth living for, and even worth dying for.

He had confidence in his calling,

comfort in his separation,

and clarity in his message—because the gospel was at the center of everything.

So let me ask you:

Are you living with gospel confidence, like Paul?

Are you finding your comfort in Christ, even when the path is hard?

Are you declaring the gospel with bold conviction and biblical clarity?

This is what it means to live a gospel-centered life—not merely to believe the message, but to be transformed by it, to proclaim it faithfully, and to press forward with joy until your race is finished.

If your life is centered on anything other than Christ and His gospel, you will miss the beauty, the joy, and the eternal purpose God has for you.

“Friend, if you’ve never experienced the life-changing beauty of the gospel, now is the time.

Turn from your sin, and trust the Savior who gave His life for you.

The same gospel that gave Paul joy in trials and peace in hardship is the gospel that can change your eternity.

Don’t delay. Come to Christ today.”

Acts 20:21 – “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The gospel is still beautiful. Live it. Proclaim it. Be changed by it.