Text: Acts 20:24 (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.”
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, in these few moments, fill us with Your Spirit. Give wisdom and understanding as we consider how to live a life that truly counts in Your sight—one that matters for eternity. Grant joy, zeal, and holy resolve as we look into Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Introduction: What Makes a Life “Count”?
Everything truly valuable costs something. No pain, no gain. No cross, no crown. There’s no birth without labor, no resurrection without a crucifixion. David would not offer to God that which cost him nothing (2 Sam. 24:24).
Paul gives us heaven’s arithmetic in Acts 20:24. When we count our lives as nothing for Christ, God counts our lives as something in eternity. From one verse, Paul shows three choices that make a life count:
- Not counted dear
- Not counted dead
- Not counted done
Big Idea
A life that counts for eternity is a life that refuses comfort as king, refuses inactivity as normal, and refuses to retire from God’s work until God says the race is over.
I. A Life That Counts Is Not Counted Dear (Acts 20:24a)
“Neither count I my life dear unto myself…”
Meaning: To “count dear” is to esteem as too precious to risk or sacrifice. If my own comfort and safety rule me, my life will not count much for Christ.
Paul’s Example (Acts 20:22–23):
Bound in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, warned that “bonds and afflictions” awaited, Paul still went. Why? Because salvation first, not safety first. He valued souls over comfort.
Illustration: When places were closing and fear was high, ministry didn’t go into hibernation. God often uses seasons of affliction to multiply gospel fruit when we refuse to idolize comfort.
Application: “What comfort will you lay down?”
- A schedule block to witness and disciple
- A warm seat to knock a hard street
- A preference to serve someone difficult
- A convenience to give sacrificially
Gospel Logic: The Father “delivered up” His Son for us all (Rom. 8:32). If Jesus had avoided the cross because it was “too dangerous,” none of us would be saved. No risk, no reward. No cross, no crown.
II. A Life That Counts Is Not Counted Dead (Acts 20:24c)
“…to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Meaning: Some Christians live as if they’re spiritually retired already—“as good as dead.” Paul refused that. He testified—publicly, house to house, Jew and Greek alike.
Paul’s Pattern (Acts 20:20–21):
“I…kept back nothing that was profitable… taught you publicly, and from house to house… repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Why You’re Still Breathing:
We are “married to another… that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Rom. 7:4). If our mouths are closed about Jesus, we shouldn’t expect Jesus to speak of us before the Father (cf. Matt. 10:32).
Gravestone Test:
What would truthfully fit on your stone?
- “Here lies one who never did for God an hour’s work.” or
- “Here lies one who spent and was spent for Christ” (cf. 2 Cor. 12:15)
Application Steps:
- Daily: Carry a tract; aim for one gospel conversation.
- Weekly: Serve in a ministry slot that costs you.
- Ongoing: Disciple a newer believer; schedule it.
III. A Life That Counts Is Not Counted Done (Acts 20:24b)
“…so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus…”
Meaning: We don’t retire from the Great Commission. We finish with joy—not coasting, but pressing.
Paul’s Finish (2 Tim. 4:7–8):
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith… henceforth there is laid up for me a crown…”
God’s Timing: “There is no discharge in that war” (Eccl. 8:8). Revelation 14:13 says the saints “rest from their labors” after death. Until then, we work; then we rest.
Historical Pattern:
Moses, Joshua, Caleb, John the Baptist, and above all Jesus—“It is finished.” Finishing is the hallmark of those who count Christ supremely worthy.
Application: Refuse “arrived-itis.”
- Don’t live on yesterday’s victories.
- Set tomorrow’s assignments: a person to call, a visit to make, a passage to study, a prayer list to pray.
- Recalibrate your joy: it’s in finishing, not quitting.
The Count That Never Changes (Philippians 3:7–8)
“What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss… and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
Early Paul counted the world as loss; older Paul still counts it loss. You will never regret sacrificing for Jesus. You can come to God too late, but you can never come too early; you can give too little, but you can never give too much.
Questions for Heart-Work
- Dear: What comfort or safety has quietly become my functional lord?
- Dead: Who is one person I will testify to this week? What time is on my calendar?
- Done: What “course markers” has God set before me that I must finish with joy?
Call to Commitment
Lord, by Your grace:
- I will not count my life dear—I lay down comforts and fears.
- I will not count my life dead—I will testify the gospel.
- I will not count my life done—I will finish my course with joy.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of the Apostle Paul. Make us a people who spend and are spent for Christ. Teach us to value souls over safety, obedience over comfort, and finishing over coasting. Grant us a life that counts—for Your glory and others’ salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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