The Gift of Sacrifice

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Looking at one of the Apostle Paul’s final addresses to a church he loved, we will see the the gift laying our life down can be. Paul tells the church that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give rather than receive.” This means that our life will be more full, more beautiful, when we are giving than when we are getting. But a life of sacrifice can definitely lead to burnout. How do we sacrifice in the right way and for the right reasons that leads to life?
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Scripture

  • Acts 20:17-38

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Teaching Notes

 

"34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

-Acts 20:34-35

 

  1. Sacrifice for the right purpose: Jesus + his kingdom (v. 18-23)

 

“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…”

-Acts 20:18-22

 

  1. Sacrifice from the right posture: humility + courage (v. 24-27)

 

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. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

-Acts 20:24-27

 

  1. Sacrifice with the right people: brothers + sisters (v. 28-38)

 

36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

-Acts 20:28-38