Things That Cannot Move Me

Things That Cannot Move Me Acts 20:24 By: Frederick L. Langit

Introduction: There are no shortcuts in the ministry. One must be able to learn and live the way Paul lived. Paul as in this text gave us some idea about some things we ought to live by. The purposed is that we will finish our course with joy and the ministry to testify the gospel of grace of God. So what are these certain things that cannot move Apostle Paul in the ministry? 1. Tears. “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears…” Acts 20:19. In Revelation 21:4 wherein God himself shall wipe away all our tears may refers to the tears of joy because of the victory we have on God on heaven. But the tears here are different. Tears in the ministry that brought about by sinning, carnal or worldly Christians. 2. Trials. “temptations” Acts 20:19. Trials of life were tantamount on the life of Apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 4:8-12 enumerates his own suffering in the ministry. “Troubled, distressed, perplexed, persecuted” these are the key words that Apostle Paul had encountered in his ministry. 3. Temptations. “temptations” Acts 20:19. While it may be said that word “temptation” in this text could mean trials this could also mean “temptation” as experienced by all and even the Lord Jesus Christ when the devil tempted him. Temptation in this way is not a sin. It only becomes a sin when one is driven away. This truth is in James 1:13-15. One “is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed.” However, this thing, I believe does not move Paul in the ministry. Temptations maybe in the form of: A. World B. Wealth C. Women 4. Tomorrows. “And now,behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there” Acts 20:22. While on the ministry, some are not thoughtless of what will happened the next. We get weary and indeed been discourage. The thought about tomorrow is one of the tools the devil is using so that one cannot be able to finish in the ministry. But the admonition is to live one day at a time. May we be reminded by our Lord to “take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” Matthew 6:34. 5. Treasures. “I have coveted no man’s silver, gold, or apparel” Acts 20:33. While we need money, it is not ought to be our main concern while in the ministry. In all things God will provide. Another tool used by the devil to deceive many in the ministry is money. A money preacher is always dependent on it. He cannot do the ministry by his own but merely depends on the mission support. Instead, one must be able to learn and live the idea of self-support. Conclusion:

Herein are the things that can move us in the ministry. However, for Apostle Paul these things cannot move him. No one will fall short but continue with joy if we will be able to learn and live it.