Finish the Race with Joy

Study: # 640-Church in the Houses From: June 15 – 21, 2010

TOPIC: “Finish the Race with Joy” Acts 20:24 What are our ambitions? We walk after them. Paul’s ambition was to obey and please God. You see, if that was on our minds it would be the best. But, in the mind there are passions and disorders of the flesh such as lust and impure desires. Some have thoughts such as this, what am I, a man or a woman? Galatians 5:19-21 says, “And manifested are the works of the flesh, which are: adultery, fornication, filth, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, enmities, suits, jealousy, wraths, contend, dissensions, heresies, envies, homicides, drunkenness, orgies, and similar things to these; about which I admonish you, as already I have said it before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." If that is in the mind, well, your steps will go in that direction. On the other hand, if you have these thoughts, "To Please the Lord", your course in life will be fruitful before God and before men. If this thought is in our hearts we will struggle more and be obedient and we will obtain great rewards. It is a too bad that many prefer to follow what the flesh and the devil offers them. In Acts 11:22, 23 we read that Barnabas went to Antioch and encouraged the church to remain faithful to the Lord with all their hearts. He meant that they propose in their hearts to remain in the Lord, but with a real desire of heart. How wonderful it is to find lives like these! Barnabas saw that the Lord was doing powerful things among the gentiles. In what refers to the Lord we can see that He is always working in our lives. In some believers nowadays there could be the problem that they do not want to obey, but not likely for Paul whose desire was indeed to obey and please the Lord. Oh my beloved brother! Isn’t it painful to see Jesus doing powerful things and in the meantime men are behind their own ambitions? Those who do not have their own ambitions love God and follow Him; that is why they refuse to take what this world offers them. 1 Kings 13:8, 9 This makes reference to a man of God who King Jeroboam offered him to stay in his house to give him food, gifts, etc. But, God had already prohibited this to the man of God. The presents or gifts silence the voice of God. King Jeroboam could not silence the prophet with his threats or traps. Many threaten to silence, but I say as Paul said in Acts 20: 24: "… of no thing I pay attention neither I consider my life worth nothing to me." Since the king could not persuade the prophet with threats, he tried to have companionship with him inviting him to his house and offering him gifts. It is a privilege to be invited to have dinner and give you gifts, but this is how those who are evil try to buy you. But then, what happens with the ministry that we have received from the Lord? You sold it for some food, for gifts, your own advantage? How sad! God had spoken strictly to the prophet, and gave him specific instructions to not do anything that would indicate the smallest tolerance of Jeroboam’s evil reign. So in obedience to the instructions of the Lord, the prophet refused to eat or drink with King Jeroboam. We read in Job 23:11 "My feet have closely followed his stepped; I have kept his ways without turning aside." Job was separated for God. We should finish this race that has been given to us with joy. Even with the great trial of losing all his children, his cattle’s, etc., none of this drove Job to be rebellious at all. Job became ill, his economy fell, but nevertheless, he remained faithful to the Lord. But we, for any reason we become rebellious, disturbed, angry, and we forget that must finish this race with joy as Paul says. Both, Paul and Job felt the same way, they ignored the bad circumstances and threats, they did not consider their lives as precious. Acts 20:24 "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace." Job knew and that is why he said: "…he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10 Job knew he was innocent and therefore could express his confidence that he would come out innocent from all those great trials. Of course Job was terrified, but he understood that if his cause was taken before God’s throne, he would appear as pure as gold. All this resulted for always being obedient to God’s word. He said, "I kept his ways without turning side." Many nowadays do not like to keep the Lord’s word and this is why they walk away. In Daniel 3:16-18 we can also see the same determination we have been dealing with. We can see three men who were determined to serve the Lord. These three young men were not going to worship a statue. Nowadays the first ones to do this are some that call themselves Christians. It is that they do not belong to Christ, they belong to this world. They lie to people seeking to fill the place where they gather. Paul thought that he should have his life in great consideration. His only ambition was to obey God and please Him. If it was necessary to offer his life, he was willing to do so. No sacrifice that he could do for He who died for him would be too great. What mattered to Paul was to finish his race and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus which was to testify about Him. Paul’s work was to preach this gospel of grace. Can you imagine Paul being bribed, or silenced or to find himself too important? If he had, this gospel of grace wouldn’t have arrived to us. If you stop you will walk away from the ministry that God has given you in Jesus. If you estimate your life as precious and search to gain it, then you will lose it for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:23 Deny yourself and as Paul, Job, Daniel’s three friends and others who have been and are brave and determined, you will earn eternal life and finish this race and your ministry with joy. Amen.