Life of Paul: Words of Warning and Wisdom of Faithfulness.

Acts 21:10–15 ESV

While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:10–15a ESV

While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

Gary Haugen quote:

"After we have poured into our children all the good food and shelter and clothing, after we have provided them with great education, discipline, structure and love, after we have worked so hard to provide every good thing, they turn to us and ask, 'Why have you given all of this to me.'"

"And the honest answer from me is, 'So you'll be safe.'

"And my kid looks up at me and says, 'Really? That's it? You want me to be safe? Your grand ambition for my life is that nothing bad happens?'

"And I think something inside them dies. They either go away to perish in safety, or they go away looking for adventure in the wrong places. Jesus, on the other hand, affirms their sense of adventure and their yearning for larger glory." Gary Haugen, Just Courage (InterVarsity Press, 2008), pp. 124-125

But all of that training won’t mean much in the long run unless we train them in the most important thing of all: follow Jesus. There’s value in raising moral kids into moral, well-behaved adults. But there’s eternal value in raising kids into fully devoted followers of Jesus. It’s easy to settle for moral training and religious instruction—do this, don’t do that, make a list, check off the list. This kind of training is safer. We can be fairly confident our kids will act right most of the time, stay out of serious trouble, straighten up when they foul up, and be in church most Sundays. Pretty safe training. But it’s risky to train them to follow Jesus—because who knows where Jesus might lead them? Who knows what following Jesus might cost them? Who knows what their following Jesus might cost you?

This is the life that drives our children deeper into Jesus. This is walking in the way that stirs deeper dependence on daily doses of Jesus’ grace and strength and peace and presence. Tell them how to do this. Show them how to do this. Model it in your own life. This is training our kids to walk in ways that impact eternity and make a difference that matters, a difference that ripples into forever.

Train up a child in the way they should go; when they are older they will not depart from it.

What if Paul had headed the words of warning? To Play it safe?

listening to the accounts and reading the adventures of Paul’s life should leave us shocked, afraid, and concerned for our own welfare?

If we are honest with ourselves, listening to the accounts and reading the adventures of Paul’s life should leave us shocked, afraid, and concerned for our own welfare?

To be sure words of warning exist for a reason:

Some famous ones:

Stop, Danger, Wet Floor, Do Not remove tag from Mattress (: )

others..

Abuse me more I like it

Darwin Awards (a bit morbid): given every year for people that didn’t heed warning signs or did something really dumb and it resulted in significant bodily harm, or even death.

Yellowstone Park: college graduate hot potting.

What have been the consequences of ignoring warning signs in your life?

what if warning signs or desire to play it safe has an unintended outcome:

we create a copacetic culture of contentment and we lose sight of aspects of the power of the gospel?

There are times in my life where I didn’t play it safe and/or ignored obvious warning signs, yet the outcome was unexpected. As a matter of fact many of these examples have taken place out of my comfort zone or cultural familiarity.

There have been a few times I have ignored warning signs and didn’t suffer:

Many of them have taken place out of my comfort zone or cultural familiarity.

Jumping in the middle of a fight. Staring down a group of men packing and looking for a fight. Getting in between a gun and a loudmouth.

Riding a motorcycle through the streets of Mumbai.

Helping a friend through the crazy streets of Mumbai

Navigating the streets of Hong Kong.

desmond doss: Interestingly, Corporal Desmond Doss defied orders by refusing to carry any weapon into combat, not even a knife. This was the result of his personal beliefs as a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Though he was able to join the military and serve during World War II, Corporal Doss maintained his status as a conscientious objector.

His refusal to carry a weapon and his actions as a medic earned him the Medal of Honor. In April 1945, Doss was accompanying the First Battalion as they attempted a summit where they took heavy artillery and small-arms fire. Seventy-five men were wounded in the attack, but Corporal Doss refused to take cover and instead personally moved all 75 men, one at a time and under heavy fire, to a safe area. The following month, he again exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in the rescue of another man who was severely injured.

On at least five separate occasions over the course of approximately 22 days, Corporal Doss personally rescued dozens of his comrades while under enemy fire. He was finally wounded by a grenade, which severely damaged his legs, and was struck by a sniper’s bullet, which injured his arm. Even then, he insisted that he be taken off his litter in lieu of another man whom he considered to be more seriously wounded. For his bravery in the face of severe enemy opposition and for his refusal to carry even the smallest means to defend himself, Corporal Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Avoid the obvious one’s the will lead to untimely death or significant physical impairities

darwin awards—yellowstone. College celebration.

Some times words of warning are intended to keep us safe, but in the end, create an undesired outcome.

Huagen quote:

His refusal to carry a weapon and his actions as a medic earned him the Medal of Honor. In April 1945, Doss was accompanying the First Battalion as they attempted a summit where they took heavy artillery and small-arms fire. Seventy-five men were wounded in the attack, but Corporal Doss refused to take cover and instead personally moved all 75 men, one at a time and under heavy fire, to a safe area. The following month, he again exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in the rescue of another man who was severely injured.

On at least five separate occasions over the course of approximately 22 days, Corporal Doss personally rescued dozens of his comrades while under enemy fire. He was finally wounded by a grenade, which severely damaged his legs, and was struck by a sniper’s bullet, which injured his arm. Even then, he insisted that he be taken off his litter in lieu of another man whom he considered to be more seriously wounded. For his bravery in the face of severe enemy opposition and for his refusal to carry even the smallest means to defend himself, Corporal Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Huagen quote:

"And the honest answer from me is, 'So you'll be safe.'

"And my kid looks up at me and says, 'Really? That's it? You want me to be safe? Your grand ambition for my life is that nothing bad happens?'

"And I think something inside them dies. They either go away to perish in safety, or they go away looking for adventure in the wrong places. Jesus, on the other hand, affirms their sense of adventure and their yearning for larger glory." Gary Haugen, Just Courage (InterVarsity Press, 2008), pp. 124-125

But all of that training won’t mean much in the long run unless we train them in the most important thing of all: follow Jesus. There’s value in raising moral kids into moral, well-behaved adults. But there’s eternal value in raising kids into fully devoted followers of Jesus. It’s easy to settle for moral training and religious instruction—do this, don’t do that, make a list, check off the list. This kind of training is safer. We can be fairly confident our kids will act right most of the time, stay out of serious trouble, straighten up when they foul up, and be in church most Sundays. Pretty safe training. But it’s risky to train them to follow Jesus—because who knows where Jesus might lead them? Who knows what following Jesus might cost them? Who knows what their following Jesus might cost you?

This is the life that drives our children deeper into Jesus. This is walking in the way that stirs deeper dependence on daily doses of Jesus’ grace and strength and peace and presence. Tell them how to do this. Show them how to do this. Model it in your own life. This is training our kids to walk in ways that impact eternity and make a difference that matters, a difference that ripples into forever.

Train up a child in the way they should go; when they are older they will not depart from it.

What if we were to read the stories of Paul’s life as words of warning, what not to do, or ways to play it safe?

Examples of what happened.

Following a vision, the go to Macedonia and Phillipi-beaten & thrown in prison by a mob

Thessolonica—beaten and ran out of town

Berea: Jews agitated and stirred the crowd against him

Following a vision, the go to Macedonia and Phillipi-beaten & thrown in prison by a mob

Corinth: Jews continued to oppose and revile

Compelled to go back to Jerusalem, yet hearing these words of warning in every town and then the most specific prophecy we read in

While in Jerusalem he was imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and other forms of suffering.

OR what if the stories fraught with danger and unknown outcomes are intended to inspire us in our journey of faithful followership?

Notice how God works, in the midst of danger and suffering.

Just like some outcomes are a reminder of what not to do. (I learned to obey and or not get in trouble through observing my brothers failures).

But think about the stories that inspire us into action. The people that defied orders, overcame fear, and/or stood up for what was right and in turn they ripple effects of their choice was tantamount?

15:32—Off to a sputtering start. Splitting up with ministry partner and best friend.

Derbe & Lystra: good start

Phyrgia & Galatia: Good response

Macadonian man in vision: Help Need

Phillippi—Lydia converted, wealthy & influencial leader. BUT

beware of exorcizing spirits of annoying fortune-tellers; torn clothes, beaten with rods and thrown into prison—YET miraculously rescued and jailers family saved

Thessolinica: Danger lead him to Berea. which lead him to Corinth. Yet when brought up against a Tribunal, he was protected and we read these words in

Berea: more noble than thessalonians. received word with eagerness. Yet, the Jews from Thess. came and agitated & stirred the crowd.

Corinth: Jews continued to oppose and revile Paul. Yet when brought up against a Tribunal, he was protected and we read these words in

Acts 18:9–11 ESV

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

What would have happened if after traveling throughout Macadonia, heading a vision to help, yet the warnings signs in every city said, Christians not welcome. Enter at your own risk. Danger! Stop. You are not welcome here.

Think of all the people who would not have been impacted had Paul ignored the warnings signs and perservered?

Ephesus: Jews continued to be stubborn, disbelieve, and speak evil of the way. Paul chooses to move more in the direction of the Gentiles. He ends up staying in Ephesus for over 2 years.

Sons of Sceva: itinerant Jewish exorcists attacked and overpowered when they attempt to invoke the name of Jesus. Name of Jesus, through the life of Paul, was known, even to the powers of darkness

Riot in Ephesus when the economy is impacted by the message of the gospel.

As they travel back to the churches, seeking to encourage and uplift, he learns of a plot against him, so he changes course. Still moving forward, but learning to navigate through the trevails of life.

In spite of it all, here is what Paul has to say in letters to the cities that he has evangelized, discipled, performed miracles, and shared the gospel

Words of Paul:

2 Timothy 4:5–7 ESV

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:17–18 ESV

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I have suffered

;

2 Corinthians 11:23–33 ESV

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.

I have suffered

To the Galatians who are listening to the persecutors of Paul:

I bear on my body the marks

Galatians 6:17 ESV

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

His desire in the midst of it all—the place where he was imprisoned and the jailer was saved

Philippians 3:10–14 ESV

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

:

I have learned to be:

I consider it all rubbish, if at all possible I may attain the cross and know the suffering of Christ.

Philippians 4:11–13 ESV

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I have learned to be:

Opportunity to share the gospel: earn the respect of captors.

Being a follower of JEsus is dangerous. It should be. Don’t be surprised when...

Recap:

Who are you and whose are you?

Where is God calling you to and what is He inviting you into?

Aware of the cost of followership: holy indifference. As image-bearers, children of God, living out of a love relationship, suffering, sacrifice, surrender, and service are all aspects of pushing through the warnings signs of life.

Seasons of Life

Times of training & teaching.

Colossians 1:28–29 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:11–12 ESV

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,

:

Time of Refining:

Galatians 5:19–26 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Times of Reprieve

Times of Reprieve: time in Corinth and Ephesus

Times of suffering: Preparing to go to Jerusalem

Purpose, is to be in relationship with Jesus; know whose we are and who we are in Christ Jesus; be wise and adventurous; know the season; It’s all about Jesus

Let’s pray—let’s not be a people that play it safe, let be a people that are inspired to follow Jesus whenever, wherever, to whom ever,

Life of Paul: Words of Warning and Wisdom of Faithfulness.

Words of Warning

Famous Words of Warning.

rning.

Something to consider

Not heading warnings

What are we training for? To what end are we following?