A Life Poured Out: Living Faithfully for Christ

Today is a day of celebration and reflection, marking significant milestones in our church’s journey—twenty years in Paskki, fifteen in Boone, and one in Charavoy. These anniversaries are not just about buildings or numbers, but about God’s faithfulness and the lives transformed by His grace. We’ve seen God provide in unexpected ways, opening doors, sending the right people, and giving us spaces where children and adults alike can grow, connect, and serve. Our new facilities are already bearing fruit: children have dedicated classrooms, adults linger in worship and fellowship, and people are stepping into leadership, discovering how God wants to use them. All of this is a testament to God’s goodness and a reminder that everything we do is about knowing Him and making Him known.

As we look at Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, we see a portrait of a life poured out for Christ—a life well-lived. Paul’s ministry was marked by humility, tears, and perseverance through hardship. He lived among the people, sharing meals, praying, and weeping with them. His love was not distant or theoretical, but present and sacrificial. He warned the church to be vigilant, to guard against false teaching and pride, and to shepherd one another with truth and love. Paul’s example challenges us to be present where God has placed us, to live our faith openly and humbly, and to remember that we are often the only “sermon” our friends and neighbors will ever read.

A life poured out is not about what we can gain, but about what we can give. Generosity is not just about money, but about the posture of our hearts—giving time, attention, forgiveness, and love. Jesus Himself gave everything for us, pouring out His life so that we might have eternal life. We are called to do the same: to ask, “Who can I bless this week?” and to let our lives be a conduit of God’s grace to others.

Finally, we are reminded to keep an eternal focus. Paul saw his life as a race, not a vacation, with his eyes fixed on the finish line—falling into the arms of Christ. Faithfulness to the end is the mark of a true disciple. We are not called to spill our lives in self-centered pursuits, but to pour them out for Christ and His mission. The world needs us to live with purpose, to run the race faithfully, and to help others open the gift of salvation. Let us love deeply, guard faithfully, give freely, and finish joyfully, knowing that Christ is both our starting line and our finish line.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Presence Over Performance: True ministry is not about standing above others or performing from a distance, but about living among people with humility and authenticity. Our faith is most powerful when it is shared in the context of real relationships—eating, praying, and weeping together. We are called to be present where God has placed us, letting our lives be the first “sermon” others encounter. [46:21]
• 2. Guarding the Flock: The church is always under threat, both from external pressures and internal distortions of truth. We must be vigilant, holding fast to the Word and shepherding one another with love and accountability. Leadership is not about authority, but about serving and protecting the flock, ensuring that truth—not trends—guides our community. [49:28]
• 3. Generosity as a Posture: Giving is not limited to finances; it is a posture of the heart that encompasses our time, attention, forgiveness, and love. Jesus poured out His life for us, and we are called to do likewise, blessing others in tangible ways. Ask yourself each week, “Who can I bless?” and let your life be a channel of God’s grace. [54:14]
• 4. Eternal Focus in a Temporary World: Paul’s life was marked by a relentless focus on the finish line—faithfulness to Christ above comfort or recognition. Our lives are not meant to be spilled in self-centered pursuits, but poured out with purpose for God’s glory. Fix your eyes on Christ, let grace be your strength, and run the race with endurance, knowing that the true prize is falling into the arms of Jesus. [57:38]
• 5. The Why of Our Lives: The most important days are the day we are born and the day we discover why. For those in Christ, our “why” is to spread the gospel, encourage others, and help them open the gift of salvation. Success and recognition are not the end goal; rather, we are called to use all we have for God’s purposes, loving deeply and finishing well. [60:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:23] - Opening Worship: “Open the Eyes of My Heart”
• [11:05] - Worship: “Be Thou My Vision”
• [13:26] - Announcements and Celebration Overview
• [16:45] - Testimonies of God’s Faithfulness
• [18:42] - New Building Blessings and Community Growth
• [20:04] - Upcoming Events: Gospel Fluency
• [21:16] - Prayer and Worship Transition
• [22:03] - Worship: “Way Maker”
• [26:12] - Worship: “Build My Life”
• [32:18] - Prayer for a Poured Out Life
• [33:43] - Introduction: A Life Poured Out
• [38:16] - Reading Acts 20:17-38
• [41:35] - Paul’s Farewell: A Life Well-Lived
• [43:00] - Three Commitments of a Poured Out Life
• [45:07] - Living Among the People
• [49:28] - Guarding the Flock and Leadership
• [54:14] - Generosity and Giving Freely
• [55:35] - Keeping an Eternal Focus
• [57:38] - Faithfulness to the End
• [60:55] - Discovering Your “Why”
• [62:11] - Invitation to a New Race
• [64:47] - Closing Blessing and Song
• [69:25] - Final Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Acts 20:17-38 (ESV) —
> 17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “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, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 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. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 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.’” 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 20:18-21, what are some specific ways Paul describes how he lived among the Ephesian believers?
2. In Acts 20:28-31, what warnings does Paul give to the elders about the future of the church?
3. What does Paul say is his main goal or “finish line” in Acts 20:24?
4. The sermon described how the new church buildings are already being used for ministry and growth. What are some examples given of how God has provided and how people are stepping into new roles? ([17:21])

Interpretation Questions

1. Paul says he served “with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing” (Acts 20:19). What does this reveal about the kind of presence and leadership Paul modeled, and why might this be important for us today?
2. The sermon emphasized that “presence over performance” is key in ministry. How does living among people, rather than above them, change the way we share our faith? ([46:21])
3. Paul warns about “savage wolves” and false teaching (Acts 20:29-30). What are some modern examples of threats to the church, and how can we be vigilant without becoming suspicious or fearful?
4. The sermon said, “A life poured out is not about what we can gain, but about what we can give.” How does this challenge the way we think about success and purpose in our lives? ([54:14])

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Be present where God has placed you.” Where has God placed you right now (work, neighborhood, family), and what would it look like to be more present and intentional in those places this week? ([46:21])
2. Paul’s ministry was marked by humility, tears, and perseverance. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you need to show more humility or compassion, even if it’s hard? What’s one step you could take? ([45:43])
3. The church is called to “guard the flock.” Are there ways you can help protect or encourage someone in your church family who might be struggling or at risk? What would that look like in practice? ([49:28])
4. The sermon challenged us to ask, “Who can I bless this week?” Who is one person you could bless with your time, attention, or a simple act of kindness? How will you do it? ([54:14])
5. Paul kept his eyes on the finish line—falling into the arms of Christ. Are there distractions or comforts in your life that are keeping you from running your race with purpose? What is one thing you could change to keep an eternal focus? ([57:38])
6. The sermon said, “The most important days are the day we are born and the day we discover why.” If you are in Christ, how would you describe your “why”? How does that shape your daily decisions and priorities? ([01:00:55])
7. The pastor shared about times he “spilled” his life on self-centered pursuits. Is there an area of your life where you feel you are “spilling” rather than “pouring out” for Christ? What would it look like to redirect that area for God’s purposes? ([59:41])