Acts 21:1-16
Matthew McMillan
ACTS: Unstoppable God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 85 viewsWe have an unstoppable God with an unstoppable plan using an unstoppable Church.
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Main Point: The Lord’s Will Be Done!
Main Point: The Lord’s Will Be Done!
If you know what you have compelled to do, are you doing it?
If you know what you have compelled to do, are you doing it?
Have you ever known what you should do but been scared to do it?
Noah knew what he had to do.
Abraham knew what he had to do.
David knew what he had to do.
Jesus knew what He had to do.
Today, we are going to see that Paul knew what he had to do, and did it.
Some would call this Paul’s Gethsemane. At the beginning of Acts, Paul is persecuting, arresting, and overseeing the murder of Christians. At the end of Acts, Paul is being persecuted, arrested, and will be murdered for being a Christian. Maybe we all have sort Gethsemane moments in our lives. Moments in-between life and death where direction is given. Because...
In a long line of faithful people, we consistently see God calling people to do things outside of their ability and things that would risk their lives or livelihood.
In a long line of faithful people, we consistently see God calling people to do things outside of their ability and things that would risk their lives or livelihood.
Exegesis:
Exegesis:
1 After we tore ourselves away from them, we set sail straight for Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail. 3 After we sighted Cyprus, passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, since the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We sought out the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time had come to an end, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray, 6 we said farewell to one another and boarded the ship, and they returned home. 7 When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. 8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 After we had been there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him over to the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, both we and the local people pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Was Paul disobedient by going to Jerusalem?
21 After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.”
22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in every town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.
13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15 After this we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.
What it meant to them:
What it meant to them:
Paul traveled with “iron” sharpens “iron” kind of people.
Paul traveled with “iron” sharpens “iron” kind of people.
Their love goes beyond a business transaction and reveals the bond of the Spirit they had.
4 We sought out the disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.
7 When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day.
8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him.
Paul stayed faithful in difficult times.
Paul stayed faithful in difficult times.
They tried to persuade him.
13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Paul was able to challenge his “iron” strong companions.
Paul was able to challenge his “iron” strong companions.
He challenged them.
14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”
What it means to us:
What it means to us:
Truth reveals tension.
Truth reveals tension.
(Prophesy reveals truth, truth can be hard to hear)
Tension reveals character.
Tension reveals character.
Difficult situations give us the opportunity to display a consistent morality and wisdom.
Character reveals faith.
Character reveals faith.
Consistent morality and wisdom come from faith. Difficult situations reveal authentic faith.
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Lies postpone tension and bring a false relief of tension. The truth brings tension to light. Character reveals morality and wisdom in the midst of the truth. And ultimately it affirms an authentic faith. Paul’s life was put on full display in front of Agabus the prophesier, Philip the Evangelist, and the disciples. In front of them all, he knew what he had to do, and he remained faithful. Will we?
Jesus was sent into this world knowing what He had to do. The Bible says that God sent forth His Son. That’s intent. It says God loved the world in this way, He gave His only Son… It says that Jesus came for the sick… Jesus life was a part of the plan. The plan of God to seek and save me and you. Without the plan, we wouldn’t be here, and without the plan we would never be in Heaven. Jesus knew what He had to do for you and me, and He did it. Now we know what we have to do for Him, will we do it?
We have an unstoppable God with an unstoppable plan. Our question is: will we be a part of it?
We have an unstoppable God with an unstoppable plan. Our question is: will we be a part of it?
Main Point: The Lord’s Will Be Done!
Main Point: The Lord’s Will Be Done!
Paul said: Acts 21:14
14 Since he would not be persuaded, we said no more except, “The Lord’s will be done.”
Jesus said: Luke 22:42
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
If you know what you have been convicted andcompelled to do, are you doing it?
If you know what you have been convicted andcompelled to do, are you doing it?
If you know what you are convicted and compelled to do, are you doing it? Have you been afraid to step out? We see throughout scripture that it’s better to follow God’s will than do our will. Even when God’s will is more dangerous, faithfulness leads to life, sometimes on earth and sometimes in eternity, but always life. Unfaithfulness typically ends up in death on earth and for eternity.
Gospel Response:
Gospel Response:
Are you running from a God given opportunity?
Replace “I can’t” with “God can.”
Replace “I can’t” with “God can.”
Replace “I don’t want to” with “whatever God’s will is.”
Replace “I don’t want to” with “whatever God’s will is.”
Share God’s conviction and compelling for your life with someone.
Share God’s conviction and compelling for your life with someone.
Give Space for a Gethsemane Moment.
Give Space for a Gethsemane Moment.