What would you die for? What is more important to you than your life? A cause greater than your life? What would you give up your life for…?

ACTS 20:24…COMMITTED. To the Gospel of God. Look how this commitment played itself out in the life of the apostle Paul.

SLAVE OF CHRIST JESUS

We are all slaves to something. Mostly to ourselves. Paul could have been anything he wanted. Intellectual ability astounding; Great manager; organizer; leader; teacher; missionary. A formidable person. Yet commitment to Christ as his master; controller. One to whom he is answerable. Doesn’t demand his rights. Christ came with same idea Phil 2. 1ff

SENT BY THE CALL OF GOD

Responded to the initiative of God. If called then all that matters is our calling. Every Christian has a calling. Ministries in the church depend on people who are called.

Eph 4: 1…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Hebrews 3:1…Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

2 Thessalonians 1:11…With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

Apostle means sent one. This is what consumed him; his main motivating factor.

Phil 1:2...For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

SEPARATED FOR THE GOSPEL OF GOD

Separated for, not from. Separated from the world…never know where to draw the line. Separated for the gospel, no ambiguity…that was his purpose. Sold out for this purpose.  Tony Campolo says…commitment creates identity

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• How do you think belief in something will affect one’s commitment?
• What qualities of character does Paul exhibit in the titles he adopts i.e. slave; sent one; separated one. Think of how we like to introduce ourselves; Professor; Reverend; Doctor etc.
• Where do you think Paul got his motivation from?
• Discuss Paul’s comment in Acts 20…I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the task the Lord Jesus has given me –the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.