Acts 20:20-24
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 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.
Paul’s time at Ephesus had come to a close. He would never again see the faces of the people he had poured his life into. Though he might write to them and some might visit him in prison, the days of standing before them, preaching to them, eating with them, and praying with them were over. We all reach this moment in life—sometimes it is death that takes us away from our ministry here on earth, and sometimes, as in Paul’s case, it is the sovereignty of God. But all of us will reach the end of what we know to be our current state of life. Our hope should be to truthfully say, as Paul did, “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you.”
A few years ago, God smote my heart with this thought from these verses: "Don’t hold back." This morning, as I read this passage again, I was reminded that we shouldn’t hold back when it comes to serving God and His people. These verses give us a philosophy of both ministry and life as it pertains to ministering to others: we should keep back nothing that is profitable to those around us. If we hold anything back, let it be only that which would be harmful rather than helpful.
Paul Didn’t Hold Back in His Testimony
Paul said, “Have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house.” He lived what he preached, both in the public arena and behind closed doors. The Paul you found in the pulpit on Sunday was the same Paul preaching on a street corner, the same Paul at home tending to his house, and the same Paul in the tent-making shop. His business wasn’t just preaching the Gospel but living it. Perhaps this is why thousands came to Christ in Ephesus and why Asia Minor was changed—because Paul had not held back in his testimony.
Whoever you are—pastor, missionary, or workman—don’t hold back! Let people see the Gospel you preach! Let it be seen at work, at church, at home, on the street, and everywhere you go. Don’t hold back!
Paul Didn’t Hold Back in His Preaching
Paul preached to every person he came in contact with: “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” It didn’t matter what color or creed they were, nor did it matter their status in society—young and old, rich and poor, honorable and outcast—Paul didn’t hold back.
Repentance was central to his preaching. All men everywhere must know that they are sinners and that repentance is necessary. You will be tempted to hold back in this area because this part of the Gospel is often offensive, but don’t hold back! Paul said he kept back nothing that was profitable, and though the preaching of repentance may not be pleasant at first, the fruit it yields is eternal. Once a man has truly repented, he will thank you for being bold enough to share the truth with him.
We must preach repentance. People must know their need for a Savior before they will ever come to Him. Imagine your friend’s house is on fire, and he is unaware. You come to him with good news—you know a man who can put out fires and restore what is lost. Your friend might think that is great news, but until he realizes his house is burning, he won’t see his need for help. Likewise, sinners must know that their soul is in danger, that sin is what is leading them to hell and wrecking their life. Then, and only then, will they turn (repent) to Christ and be saved (faith). Don’t hold back! Preach faith in Christ, the Savior of lost souls and the restorer of lost years, but first, make sure they understand their need.
Paul Didn’t Hold Back in Sacrifice
Paul had laid down his life as a living sacrifice, and he was ready to lay it down as a dying sacrifice: “Saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself…”
Here is the mindset that fuels the life of one who doesn’t hold back: Don’t count your life unto yourself. Let it be dear to others, let it be dear to God, but don’t reserve little pieces of it for your own self-indulgence. Lay your whole life on the altar of sacrifice.
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” You may be tempted to think that this will rob you of joy and happiness, but the opposite is true! Paul said, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.”
Do you see it? He laid down his life and counted it as nothing so that he could finish with joy! Some of the most miserable people I’ve known are those who always put themselves first. On the other hand, the most joyful people I’ve met have been those who gave every ounce of their being to serving God and others.
Not Holding Back is How We Finish Well
Paul said, “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.”
Do you want to finish your course with joy? Do you want to stand before the Lord on Judgment Day and hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? Then don’t hold back. This is the only way we can finish our course—by giving it all that we have, holding nothing back in our testimony, in our preaching, in our giving, in our going.
Oh, to say at the end of our course, “I have kept back nothing profitable to you!”
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