Posts
Notes: Valor - Never Give Up
Pastor a John Collins
March 31, 2015
Harvest OC
Sometimes we take compromise for charity, and sometimes we decide to
put up with what we should put out.
Acts 21:1-14 NKJV
[1] Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set
sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes,
and from there to Patara. [2] And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we
went aboard and set sail. [3] When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the
left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her
cargo. [4] And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul
through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. [5] When we had come to the end
of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us,
with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the
shore and prayed. [6] When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded
the ship, and they returned home. [7] And when we had finished our voyage from
Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
[8] On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to
Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the
seven, and stayed with him. [9] Now this man had four virgin daughters who
prophesied. [10] And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus
came down from Judea. [11] When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound
his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall
the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the
hands of the Gentiles.'" [12] Now when we heard these things, both we and
those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. [13] Then
Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I
am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the
Lord Jesus." [14] So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying,
"The will of the Lord be done."
This would be the end of Paul's third missionary tour.
The end of chapter 20 marks the beginning of the final chapters of
Paul's life. This was a crossroads moment for Paul. He had been on missionary
tours for over 20 years now. He has about 12 years left in ministry and
his life at this point. This is when many of the books of the Bible were
written.
The elders of Tyre during Paul's stay there said he should not be
going to Jerusalem also. Paul didn't know what was going to happen but God was
preparing him.
Some say the prophecies were a warning to Paul of what was coming.
Jesus Christ and Paul at different times were being driven to
Jerusalem even though many warned them both.
God had a plan for Paul's suffering. His feet may have been bound
but his hands were free to write. So in Paul’s suffering he produced many
writings that are in the Bible.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV
[17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
These people loved Paul and were trying to protect him, but Paul
continued on. They saw it, as the will of the Lord will be done.
Paul was coming back to Jerusalem with monetary gifts for the poor
there. He was also bringing back a great message.
When Paul was in Jerusalem he was staying with Phillip, this is 20
years later after Paul, as Saul, chased Phillip out of town as he persecuted
Christians.
Acts 21:17-25 NKJV
[17] And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us
gladly. [18] On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the
elders were present. [19] When he had greeted them, he told in detail those
things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. [20] And
when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You
see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they
are all zealous for the law; [21] but they have been informed about you that
you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that
they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the
customs. [22] What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear
that you have come. [23] Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who
have taken a vow. [24] Take them and be purified with them, and pay their
expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those
things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you
yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. [25] But concerning the Gentiles
who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such
thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols,
from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Paul was getting the wind from his sails when he heard the Jews in
Jerusalem were unhappy that he was preaching to Gentiles and not observing
mosaic laws.
They wanted him to compromise and he chose to appease.
Observing the old law, no one will be justified.
We cannot achieve principles by observing compromise!
Paul's motive was correct, but it was a bad plan.
A spoonful of sugar does not help the "Gospel" go down.
Mary Poppins Evangelism doesn't work!
We are sinners and the Gospel will sting and that is what makes us
change our way.
You cannot go along just to get along and compromise the Gospel.
Love requires the truth.
If we fail to tell people that Jesus Christ came, was born of a
virgin, lived a perfect life and suffered a horrible death then we have let
them down and haven't loved them.
To walk the line in this world and to act as a Christian is a
miserable existence. You are not being true to yourself.
Acts 21:26-30 NKJV
[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified
with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of
purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
[27] Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him
in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, [28] crying
out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere
against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought
Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." [29] (For they
had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) [30] And all the city was
disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the
temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
This entire plan to hide Paul was completely exposed by these Jews
from Asia.
The church in Jerusalem was week only 20 years later. Paul seemed to
be alone defending the true Word.
God took this viscous crowd and turned them into the audience Paul
was looking for.
Acts 21:31-40 NKJV
[31] Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the
commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. [32] He
immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they
saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. [33] Then the
commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two
chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. [34] And some among the
multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the
truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
[35] When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because
of the violence of the mob. [36] For the multitude of the people followed
after, crying out, "Away with him!" [37] Then as Paul was about to be
led into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I speak to
you?" He replied, "Can you speak Greek? [38] Are you not the Egyptian
who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins
out into the wilderness?" [39] But Paul said, "I am a Jew from
Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to
speak to the people." [40] So when he had given him permission, Paul stood
on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a
great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
This crowd heard him speak in their native tongues.
God will redeem us in our failures.
If you fail don't give up.
