THE UNCHANGING FACTORS IN FACING LIFE

                               ACTS 20:17-24                                    Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Though technology changes we basically face the same kind of life that the Apostle Paul faced over 1900 years ago. Which would be the same kind of life that Solomon faced over 1400 years before that when he rightly observed in Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Therefore, we can glean from the life of Paul the way we should live our own lives under the sun.                                                                                                 Note, first of all:

 

I. PAUL’S TESTIMONY [v. 17-21]

 

1. Live a Life of Christian Consistency [v. 17-18, 31]

 

2. Live a Life of Hard-working Humility [v. 19, 32-35]

 

3. Live a Life that is Biblically Based [v. 20-21, 26-28]

 

II. PAUL’S TESTS [v. 22-23a]

 

1. Ignorance of the Immediate Future [v.22]

 

2. Certainty of Coming Trials [v. 23, 25, 29-30, 2 Timothy 3:12]

 

3. Dying to Self [v. 24a, 1 Corinthians 15:31, Gal. 2:20]

 

III. PAUL’S TASKS [v. 24]

 

1. Finish My Course [v. 24, 13:25]

 

2. Fix My Joy [v.24, Philippians 1:25]

 

3. Fulfill My Ministry [v. 24, 2 Cor. 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:5]

 

2 Timothy 4:7