My Only Aim

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

My Only Aim

Date: Oct. 2, 2014

Passage

Acts 20:13-24 (ESV)

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 20:24

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

First, I served the Lord with great humility and tears (13-21). Paul was in hurry to get to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. From Miletus, he sent for the elders of the church in Ephesus to give them a farewell address. His tone is like a father speaking to his children. He served the Lord with great humility and with tears telling them anything they needed to hear to repent and accept the gospel. Do I teach the Bible with great humility and tears?

Second, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me (22-24). Paul had a deep sense of mission. He said that he was compelled by the Spirit. His life had clear aim like an arrow hitting the bull’s eye. He wanted to finish the good race of faith well and complete the task entrusted to him by the Lord Jesus—the task of testifying to God’s grace. Does my life have a clear aim? Am I running the good race of faith with my eyes fixed on Jesus? (Heb. 12:1,2a)

Prayer: Lord, help me to have clear aim and run the good race of faith to the end.

One Word: Run with clear aim to preach the gospel

Invite Jesus into Your Life

Revelation 3:14-22

Key Verse: 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Today's Question

Is there more than one God?

See answer and references