BA2007-01-10: Moving Force

Sunday: January 28, 2007
Acts 20: 17-28
MOVING FORCE

Passage Acts 20:17-28:
17And from
Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18And when
they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I
came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20And how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have
taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21Testifying both to the Jews,
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23Save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24But
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.
25And now,
behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I
am pure from the blood of all men.
27For I have not shunned to declare unto
you all the counsel of God.
28Take 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.

LIFE
1.) Life is always Temporal
2.) Life is always Tempteous
3.) Life is a Terminal – there’s an endpoint

WHAT MOVES YOUR LIFE?
1.) Are you moved by circumstances? (calendar, schedules, sales)
2.) Is it commitment? (no matter what happens, you’re still in it)
a. How to qualify a commitment?
i. You were scolded (immaturity)
ii. Were you stirred? (moved but not changed)
iii. Did you stumble into it? (multi-generational system)
b. The law is made for the obedient
3.) Is it Christ? (your pattern)

“Follow me as I follow Christ…” Paul

STORY v.18
- we love to tell our story, no matter how ugly or resentful it is
- our story is a prime mover for other people

SERVICE v.19
- Humility of Mind – must be emptied for God
- Sin of the mind is “militant ignorance” (continous resistance)
- Many Tears – so that you can be broken
- Temptations – can be in all sorts. Air Strike (satan) Ground Strike (humanistic)

SACRIFICE v.20
- What is supposed to be yours is gained by others
- What sacrifices are you reasoning today?
"You have not resisted yet unto blood” Hebrews 12:4