LEADING BY EXAMPLE IN THE ULTIMATE RACE

1. LEADING BY EXAMPLE IN THE ULTIMATE RACE Acts 20 : 17 - 38 Paul’s Farewell Message to The Ephesian Elders

2. Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey Ch 19 Paul in Ephesus for 3 years Ch 20 Paul in Miletus 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

3. “Follow Me as I follow Christ”Looking Back At Paul’s Example of Christian Life 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

4. “Follow Me as I follow Christ”Looking Back At The Last 3 Years of Your Life • Paul calls us to lead by example • Who is following you? • Is your life an example to follow as you follow Christ? (1 Cor 11:1) • In Paul’s message he highlights aspects of his character and actions that he encourages us to follow. • Serving with humility in the face of opposition (v19) • Declaring the good news of salvation to all people (v21) • Being satisfied with what you have, and not coveting others possessions and clothing (v33) • Working hard, and helping those who are weaker (v35) • Giving without expecting anything in return (v35)

5. Follow in Step with The Holy Spirit 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

6. Running in step with the Holy Spirit • Where is the Holy Spirit taking you? •  Are you listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and taking action? • “keeping in step with the Spirit” means listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and stepping out in faith with the Holy Spirit at your side • If we listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and obey, amazing things will happen. God will take you to places you never dreamed of, and the Spirit will empower you to do things you never thought you were capable of.

7. Follow Over Hurdles and Hardships 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 

8. Watch for the Wolves 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

9. Hurdles, Hardships and Wolves • Hurdles might include: • Pressure to compromise your Christian morals in business • Physical or verbal abuse because of your stand as a Christian • Suffering because you are not prepared to pay a bribe • Wolves might include: • The cult of tolerance • As Christians we need to stand up for what is truth, and be the voice of the oppressed. • Prosperity Doctrine • Paul reminds us not to covet what others have (v33), • Jesus taught “it is better to give than receive” (v35) • Paul’s life was full of hardship and suffering for the gospel (v23) • Whatever the hurdle, hardship or wolf is that you might be facing you can move forward in the confidence that the Holy Spirit is close beside you.

10. Follow Me to The Finish Line 24 “my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

11. Follow Me to The Finish Line • Paul’s message is to “press on to the finish”. And with the help of the Holy Spirit to complete the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace to all people. How can you persevere until the end? • Build your relationship with God through prayer, meditation, reading the word, and taking time to listen to what God is saying to you. • Build your relationship with other Christians through being an active member in your church, joining a Home Group, and fellowshipping and praying with other Christians • Invest in the lives of others; mentor and disciple younger Christians; minister and support those in need; • “preach the gospel always; and if necessary use words”. Francis of Assisi

12. The Final Farewell 36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

13. The Final Farewell Follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor 11:1) Follow in step with the Holy Spirit Follow over hurdles and hardships Follow me to the finish line

14. Heb 12:1-3 “Let us throw off everything that hinders and so easily entangles, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”