What Matters Most
Acts 20:17-35
Acts 20:23-24,
the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.
1. Humility
Acts 20:17-19, (NIV)
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...
Romans 12:3, (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
"Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself - its thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis
“Humility is dependence on God.” - Andrew Murray
2 Corinthians 3:5, (NLT)
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
Acts 20:19, (NIV)
I served the Lord with great humility...
2. Tears
Acts 20:19, (NIV)
I served the Lord with great humility and with tears...
1st He cried because people were lost
Romans 9:2-3, (NIV)
I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,
2nd He cried over carnal Christians
2 Corinthians 2:4, (NIV)
For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
3rd He cried over people who tear the church apart
Philippians 3:18, (NIV)
For as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
4th He cried because he spent so much time in God’s presence that there was a brokenness
Acts 20:31, (NASB)
...remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.
The church in which he (Robert Murray McCheyne) preached was visited by a young pastor. The custodian brought him into a little room and showed him a little stool. The old custodian said, “Sir do you see that stool?” The young pastor thought it strange to be shown a stool.
The custodian said, “That is the stool where Pastor McCheyne would kneel and weep before he preached.” Then he took him to the pulpit and the young man saw a great Bible covered with water stains. He said, “What is all this on the Bible?”
The custodian said, “Those are the tears that Brother McCheyne would shed while he preached.”
Psalm 126:6, (NIV)
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
3. Persecution
Acts 20:19, (NLT)
I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.
Acts 20:22-23 (NIV)
"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.”
2 Timothy 3:12, (NIV)
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, {note}
Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
4. Witness
Acts 20:26, (NLT)
I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it's not my fault,
Acts 20:26, (NIV)
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
Ezekiel 33:7-9, (NLT)
"Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.
5. Biblical
Acts 20:27, (NIV)
For I have not hesitated to proclaim(to shout out, cry aloud) to you the whole will of God.
6. Generosity
Acts 20:35, (NLT)
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
