UNSHAKEN

Part 3: Faithful to the Finish

September 6, 2026

---

Faithful to the Finish

 

Acts 20:17-21 (NIV) From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

 

What Faithfulness Looks Like

 

• Serve with , not for .

Acts 20:19 (NIV) I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing…

 

• that helps people grow.

Acts 20:20, 27 (NIV) I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…the whole will of God.

 

• Choose .

Acts 20:22–24 (NIV) “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

 

What Does a Faithful Finish Require?

 

Acts 20:28–35 (NIV) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

 

1. Clarify the .

 

Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

2. Accept the .

 

Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all:

 

Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must

 

Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

 

Luke 9:24 (NIV) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

3. what God has .

 

Acts 20:28-31 (NIV) Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock…I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!

• .
• .
• .
• .

4. Build , not .

 

2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

5. Entrust the to God.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT) I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

6. Keep your on the .

 

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.