Text- Act.20:17-27

Memory.

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

(Acts 20:22-23 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

One of the most significant features of Apostle Paul’s life was his readiness to take risks for God. From the beginning of his ministry to the end of his life, Paul was ready to take any risk for the advancement of the gospel. Even when his life was at stake, Paul was ever ready to go ahead and take any step that will make people to know Christ.

B. PEOPLE WHO TOOK RISKS FOR GOD.

A close look at the scriptures will reveal to us that making a mark for God often requires taking definite risks. Let us look at the following examples in the life of some notable Bible characters.

i. Abraham.

Study Gen.22:1-14. Will you be able to take the risk that Abraham took just because God asked him to do so? Why?

ii. Ruth.

Study Ruth.1:1-17. Look again at verses 11-14, did it make any sense for the daughters in law of Naomi to follow her back to Israel? Comment on verses 16&17, would you have been able to take the risk which Ruth took?

iii. Elisha.

Study 1Kings 19:19-21. Elisha was a very successful farmer. The suddenness of his call through Elijah and subsequent winding up up of his entire agricultural enterprise was a great risk. Why do you think he was able to take the risk?

iv. Esther.

Study Esther 4:10-16. Esther knew that anyone who goes in to see the king uninvited risks certain death, but she took the risk.

v. Nehemiah.

Nehemiah took the risk of asking for the permission of king Artaxerxes to go and rebuild walls of Jerusalem (Neh.1:1-5; 2:1-3). How dangerous do you think that request was, knowing that Persia was a foreign country which conquered Israel and took them as slaves?

C. SOME REASONS WHY APOSTLE PAUL TOOK RISKS FOR GOD.

Discuss the following scriptures as the reason why Apostle Paul took the risks which he took for the cause of the gospel. If you believe like Paul in those scriptures, what kind of risk will you be able to take for God?

i. 1Cor.1:26-29. If you really believe this scripture, you will be able to risk taking any assignment for God.

ii. 1Cor.4:7. What is the risk that this scripture make you to take?.

iii. Rom.1:14-17. If you believe this scripture, what is it that may prevent you from preaching anywhere?

iv. 1Cor.9:16-18. What will a belief in this scripture make you to risk.

v. Rom.3:23-24. You will be able to risk preaching to the high and mighty knowing that there is no exception to the human need for the saviour.

vi. Rom.5:6-8. Paul was propelled by something in this scripture. What was it?

vii.Rom.8:14-17. A belief that you possess the spirit of adoption may make you to risk even death for the cause of the gospel because you are confident of your inheritance among the saints along with Jesus Christ.

viii.2Cor.5:1-4. What may this scripture lead you into?

ix. 2Cor.9:6-7. Comments?

x. Eph.1:18-22 – The scripture will make you able to risk anything for God knowing that the power backing you up is supreme.

D. CONCLUSION.

Paul even in the face of death was ready to move on propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts.21:11-14). How far can you even inconvenience yourself to do God’s will? The extent to which you can go depends so much on your foundation in the faith. How grounded are you in the gospel?

Lesson Five

HE IDENTIFIED HIS PURPOSE AND WAS FOCUSED ON IT.

Study verse.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV)

A. INTRODUCTION.

A focused person is someone who has identified his purpose and is doing everything not to allow distractions to shift his attention from it. Paul was evidently a focused person, who resolutely pursued his purpose to the end of his life.

B. IDENTIFICATION OF YOUR GOAL OR OBJECT OF FOCUS.

For anyone to become focused, he must first identify the goal and then be ready to sacrifice anything that may be competing with the goal.

i. Read Phil.3:7-14. What was the life goal of Paul? It may be summarized as “To know Jesus Christ and be found in Him”

What were the things that Paul did because of his goal?

ii. He counted everything that were gain to him to be loss for Jesus.(v7)

ii. He counted all other things as rubbish so that he might gain Christ.(v8)

iii. He did not rely on his own righteousness as found in the law but the righteousness which is in Christ.(v9)

iv. He kept committing himself to knowing Christ, the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.(v10)

v. He kept pressing on.(v12)

vi. He forgot the dirty past and reaching forward to those things ahead.(v13)

vii. He kept his eyes on the goal.(v14)

viii. Have you identified your own goal in ministry or your walk with God?

C. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS TO SACRIFICE TODAY TO KNOW CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN HIM?

If we want to get the results that Paul got, we also have to take those steps he took, and more. The following are some of the scriptures that might be helpful.

i. Rom. 12:1&2. What are you asked to do in the above scriptures?

How may you offer yourself a living sacrifice to God? What does it mean not to be conformed to the world by renewing your mind?

ii. Heb.12:1&2. How will you explain these two verses?

iii.Phil.4:8&9. Explain those things you are asked to think on. How can they help you to remain focused?

From your experience, identify other things which one may need to sacrifice in other to remain focused on his/ her goal in this Christian race.

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CONCLUSION.

One of the greatest virtues that we may learn from the life of Paul is the ability to remain focused in spite of all distractions. This is a virtue which each and everyone of us must learn if we really want to finish well in our Christian race. Distractions must come but it takes someone who is as resolute as Paul to remain on course. Are you such a Christian?