Sermon Cloud

Intro: I cry every time I see it.  Mickey dies right before Rocky faces Clubber Lang.

Big Idea:  God offers all the grace you need to finish strong.

Context: Paul had planted the church in Ephesus over the course of 3 years.  Years later, while on his way to Jerusalem, Paul wants to see the elders.  He knows he will never see them again.  He wants to prepare them for life without him.

I. Fruitful ministry is the result of great sacrifice.

-         Paul proved his love to the church over 3 years.  They all knew how he lived.

-         Paul endured great trials while in Ephesus, from a riot to death plots.

-         Paul served with humility and with many tears.  Ministry humbles & breaks you.

-         Paul continued to preach all they needed to hear, despite opposition.

-         He did not withhold the message of faith & repentance from them.

-         Life here has not been easy for me.  I, too, faced opposition at times.

-         As a congregation, we have suffered great trials.  Ill. Lee, hurricanes & more.

-         But, we continued to proclaim the gospel of grace to all who would hear.

Transition: Ministry is inconvenient, but God uses those difficulties to further the gospel.

II. Ending well is as important as starting well.

-         Paul’s future was uncertain, but he knew it would not be pleasant or easy.

-         The Spirit warned him prison was coming.  He was tempted to give up.  Ill. Rosie Ruiz

-         Paul wanted to finish the race, and complete the mission he’d been given.  Ill. Rocky

-         Paul wanted to continue testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

-         Paul continued to live by God’s grace, not just teach it.

-         I don’t know my future, but I know my desire and intention.

-         I want to finish strong, continuing to believe and proclaim the gospel of God’s grace.

Transition: Finishing strong should be the desire of every follower of Jesus.  How can we finish strong?

III. Ending well depends on grace.  Didn’t just want to finish well, wanted them to finish well.

-         Keep watch over yourselves.  Watch your life and doctrine.

-         Life ó Doctrine; Bad living ó bad doctrine; godly living ó biblical doctrine

-         What your next church believes & how they live matters!  Ill. Old friends.

-         Remember, you’ve been purchased with His blood.  Jesus is the true Shepherd.

-         As God’s flock, you are valuable to Him.  Don’t treat yourselves as trash. 

-         Life in a way fitting for His sheep.  Know whom you belong to & why.

-         Beware of false teachers.  Wolves eat sheep.  False teachers eat congregants.

-         These false teachers twist the truth to suit their own purposes.

-         False teachers are concerned you follow them, not Jesus.

-         Commit yourselves to God and the word of His grace.

-         You still need to be built up.  You need the word of grace to keep your heart tender.

-         You still haven’t received the fullness of your inheritance.