Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry… I. The first infinitely important truth taught by our text is that TO EACH OF US A COURSE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, WHICH EACH MAY CALL HIS COURSE, AND WHICH EACH IS TO FINISH. "My course," says the apostle; but how forgetful are we all here. How constantly do we find Christians pleading something in their present condition as an excuse for their unfaithfulness, and persuading themselves that in other circumstances they would be more holy and devoted. "Had I but other talents," says the slothful servant, "I would be useful." "For my part," argues a second, "were I only free from these embarrassments, nothing would interrupt my zeal and charity." Let us settle in our minds this proposition, that to each individual God assigns his own course, and that his piety, and happiness, and acceptance, depend not on the course itself, but on his fulfilling it — not on the sphere in which the Christian moves, but on his glorifying God in it. An angel, sent to live on this earth, would not be at all concerned whether he were seated on a throne of diamond, or toiled as a scavenger sweeping the streets. His only solicitude would be about occupying the place designated for him, and glorifying God there. And we, if we would be useful or happy, must cultivate the temper of that angel. It is recorded of John the Baptist, that he "fulfilled his course." Paul says, "I have finished my course." How different the courses of these remarkable men I need not tell you; each, however, completed his course, and this constituted his piety. And just so now; how diversified are our circumstances, our trials, and duties, and difficulties. II. TO EVERY MAN A CERTAIN AND DEFINITE TIME IN GIVEN IN WHICH TO FINISH HIS COURSE: "His days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass." III. WHAT EFFECT THE TRUTHS I HAVE BEEN URGING MAY HAVE ON YOUR MINDS, I, OF COURSE, CANNOT TELL. Upon Paul their influence was constant and powerful, as you see in the text. They filled him with ardour; they armed him for every event of life. They caused him to forget the past, to rise above the present, to fix his eye with an eagle gaze on the future, and to feel that the only object worthy of his cares, and toils, and sacrifices, was the glorious consummation, the joyful termination of his course. What, then, is the import of the language before us? I answer, it denotes plainly, that in the Christian's estate the finishing his course with joy is the great concern of life. Other and indispensable duties engage his hands; but they are only by-work, they are not the grand object. This is another import of the language of the text. It expresses the earnestness and intentness of the Christian's application to the course before him; and, once more, the words denote the constancy of that application. IV. I place such a man, for example, amidst the temptations and allurements of the world; BUT FOR HIM HOW IMPOTENT THEIR ASSAULTS AND SOLICITATIONS! Maxims of this world, how false are ye all in his eyes! Examples of this world, how pernicious do your unsearchable seductions appear! No, the world is unmasked. The pleasures he seeks are pure and celestial. Eternal riches inflame his avarice. True glory is the object of his competition. I place this man, again, amidst the fears and discouragements of the believer. Fears, discouragements, how many, and from how many sources! Ah! see, he is now exposed to shame. He is persecuted and seized and forsaken. If the world despise him, he knows how to despise the world in return. And he sternly pursues his career with a courage only strengthened by opposition. And what more shall I add? In his afflictions, in all his trials and conflicts and sufferings, what ineffable consolations does not such a man taste; with what holy firmness is he not armed? "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." I was right, then, when I affirmed that in view of the joyful termination of his course, the Christian can be prepared for every event of life. And I was equally right in saying that such a prospect can do more; that it can make the Christian intrepid, nay triumphant, in the last hour, the trying conflict with death itself. Death is not to him what it is to all others. 1. In the first place, such a man has formed a correct estimate of life. 2. In the next place, the very life which the Christian I am describing leads, must prepare him for death by weaning him from all earthly things. He dies daily to the world. (R. Fuller.) Parallel Verses KJV: But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. |
    |