LET YOUR LIFE SO SHINE
Acts 20:18-24

Your are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket,
but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

As those who share in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, we ought not to hold our lives of any account to ourselves in comparison with accomplishing our course and declaring the whole counsel of God. Being ourselves made pure by the blood of the Son of Man, it behooves us to make ourselves pure from the blood of the sons of men.

I. EVERY LIFE HAS A PAST–ACTS 20:18-21
A. Let us live today for a good conscience tomorrow.
B. Our life will be known–Acts 20:18
C. Be known as a servant of God–Acts 20:19-21
1. Serving
a. humility
b. tears
c. trials
2. Evangelizing
a. public preaching
b. private teaching
D. Paul certainly knew about having a past.
1. Paul did not allow his past to hinder him.
2. Paul used his past as motivation to do more and serve better.
3. Our past helps us to live in God’s grace being motivated by God’s gracious love.

II. EVERY LIFE HAS A PRESENT–ACTS 20:22-24
A. God presents us with each day. We should present each day to God.
B. Submit to the service of God–Acts 20:22-23
1. Pray that God will use us as He used His servants and His Servant.
2. Trust that God will do what is best for His purposes.
a. His purposes center around the salvation of the world.
b. Let us make our purposes His purposes.
C. Sacrifice for the ministry of grace–Acts 20:24
1. Consider your life to be an vehicle for God’s glory.
2. Devote your life to completing the task at hand.
3. Focus on the gospel of the grace of God.
D. One year from now you will not regret starting today.
1. One of the Devil’s favorite tools must be tomorrow.
2. Today is the day of salvation.
3. Tomorrow will never come. It is always tomorrow.
4. Almost persuaded is to almost act and to almost be saved. “Almost…but lost”.
5. Today is the only time in which we can live.

III. EVERY LIFE HAS A FUTURE–ACTS 20:25-38
A. Prepare for tomorrow. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
B. Our time of influence will only last for so long–Acts 20:25.
1. We are not going to live forever.
2. Let us prepare others for godly service by preaching the kingdom.
3. Let us focus on preparing the next generation to preach the kingdom.
C. We are accountable for the way in which we influence others–Acts 20:26-27.
1. Use your influence so that you can be innocent in judgment.
2. Use your influence to stand for God.
D. Be a godly leader with a focus on the future and eternity–Acts 20:28-31
1. Be on guard.
2. Be a shepherd.
3. Be alert.
E. Entrust your future to the hand of God–Acts 20:32-38.
1. Trust in God.
2. Trust the Word.
3. Trust prayer.

“What is your life? It is but a vapor.” The final judgment of things will be the question of our stewardship. “When did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and gave Your something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite you in, or naked and clothe You?” (Matthew 25:37-38). At this question some will go into eternal punishment and others into eternal life. How is your life being spent? Will you find blessing? Have you been a blessing to others? Have you a part in God’s blessing?