Finish with joy

The Empower Conference in February was fantastic. The biblical teaching, worship, and fellowship were outstanding. We had people from our church attend, but next year I want to get the word out and invite more to come and be blessed by this annual evangelism conference. What a blessing to be one of the 2,812 churches in the SBTC!

One of my favorite scenes in the book of Acts is when the apostle Paul meets with the Ephesian elders in Miletus while wrapping up his third missionary journey. Luke records Paul’s message to these elders in Acts 20:18-35. The verse I want to highlight for your contemplation is v.24: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Notice that Paul was:

Focused (“None of these things move me”) 

He would not be distracted by trials. They would not cause him to lose his focus to preach Christ. Let me encourage you to have this same laser focus that Paul had. Do not let things move you to quit when God is not finished with you.

Humble (“nor do I count my life dear to myself”)  

Paul was humble and he had real JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself). This is convicting to me on many levels. I often count my life way more dearly than I should. It is a valid temptation for all of us to evaluate everything through the lens of how it will affect us instead of saying, “It does not matter what happens to me.” What is most important is fulfilling God’s call on my life to make much of Jesus. 

Determined (“finish my race … and ministry”)  

Our races or ministries will look different because God calls us to serve in various ways and places. But the goal is the same for each pastor and minister of the gospel—to finish well. I encourage you to develop disciplines and rhythms in your life that will help you finish well, including personal prayer time, reading God’s Word for your soul, rest, balance, and not neglecting your family.

Joyful (“with joy”) 

Paul did not want to finish like many do, with a spirit of grouchiness, anger, or bitterness. God wants us to enjoy ministry and not be burdened with sadness, which is not good for you or the people you serve.

Clear (“to testify to the gospel of the grace of God”)  

Luke uses the word diamarturomai. It means to testify with earnestness. This is one of Luke’s favorite words. There is no other gospel. I charge you, my brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow laborers in the ministry, to always be faithful in preaching this gospel.  

I love this verse. It has so much passion in it, and it is such a motivation for us today to complete our race for Christ no matter what and finish with joy.