Copyright © S P Townsend
DCF - Sunday Morning Service
11 February 1990
Acts 21 v 1 - 14
Living Dangerously For Jesus
Paul near the end of third missionary journey.
• Galatia, Phrygia, Asia, Macedonia and Greece.
• Strengthening and encouraging young churches.
• Three years in Ephesus.
• Letters to Corinth, and three months with that church.
• Great spiritual blessing and intense Satanic opposition.
| Blessing | Opposition | |
|---|---|---|
| External | Internal | |
| Churches planted | False Theology | False Theology | Christians edified | Occultism | Divisions | God's power released | Commercialism | Abuse of gifts | Satan's power bound | Sectarianism | Complacency |
Paul's final words to the elders of the church at Ephesus:
(1) to recognise and watch out for the dangers continually facing the church and its leaders,
(2) to know and use the resources God provides to overcome these dangers.
Paul and Ephesian church leaders grieved on parting company. Paul's group proceeded with voyage to Caesarea, and thence Jerusalem. Wherever they stopped they shared fellowship with disciples. At each place the Lord revealed that Paul was facing danger. Everyone tried to persuade him not to proceed, but Paul was unyielding.
In Jerusalem Paul's group was welcomed by the church. They praised God for all that was happening amongst the Gentiles. But then they raised a serious problem; orthodox Jews in the church were protesting about things they had heard about Paul's teaching. It was necessary to appease them; Paul must demonstrate his obedience to the law of Moses. But hostile Jews outwith the church stirred up a riot in an attempt to kill Paul. He was rescued just in time by Roman troops.
1. To deliver the collection for God's people in Judea. Wherever he went, Paul alerted the new churches to the needs of other Christians (ref 1 Cor 16: 1-4; 2 Cor 8 & 9). The churches collected money, and arranged for men to take it to Jerusalem. Paul's group included many of these (ref Acts 20: 4-6).
Let giving feature high on your list of priorities. Recognise that relationships are just as important.
2. It was the next step in his strategy for evangelism and church growth. Paul desired to witness for Jesus in Rome (Acts 19:21). But before this he needed to visit God's people, to encourage them and report on all that God was doing (Acts 21: 18,19).
Develop strategies, as God gives wisdom, to fulfill the Lord's commission (Matt 28: 18-20).
3. He was compelled by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20: 22). Not his own ideas. The Lord constrained him. Elsewhere he says, "Christ's love compels us" (2 Cor 5:14).
Pray that the love of Jesus will fill you, so that all less worthy motivations will fade away.
See how often the Holy Spirit warned him: Acts 20:23; 21:4; 21:10-11.
1. It wasn't to stop him proceeding. Others thought so (Acts 21:4,12). But look carefully at what Agabus says (v11) to see that this was not the case. The gift of prophecy flourished in these young churches but wisdom and understanding of the Lord's purposes was essential in order to interpret and act correctly (1 Cor 14:29).
We must be sufficiently aware of God's purposes, grounded upon His Word, close to His heart, and filled with His Spirit, that we rightly understand and act upon what He says to us (Rev 3:22).
2. It was to prepare him, so that he would be full of faith and courage, so that he would not feel abandoned by the Lord when the time came. Perhaps he was reminded of a similar prophecy when he was converted (Acts 9:16).
Am I, and are we, open to, listening for, and ready to share whatever the Lord gives us to instruct, prepare, comfort, encourage and build up His people?
3. It was to alert God's people, so that each community of disciples would sense the urgent need for prayer on Paul's behalf (Acts 20:36, Acts 21:5). The Lord knew how much Paul would need prayer and encouragement - He had been this way before (Mark 14:32-40).
Each of us has a vital part to play in the ministry of encouragement, through personal contact and through prayer. Look for those at risk, those under attack from the enemy, and surround them with a wall of prayer.
Let us be ready, willing and quick to share as God leads us, to be channels of His grace for the blessing of others. But let us take care not to form quick opinions, make snap judgements and hasty decisions based on our own interpretations. Submit everything carefully to God's word, expect Him to confirm what He says, seek wisdom from Him, allow His peace to guard you, and then be obedient.
Because of his uncompromising message. Luke records the essential components in Acts 13:38-41,46-47.
1. The Law of Moses cannot justify you before God.
2. Everyone (Jew or Gentile) who believes in Jesus is justified.
3. Those who reject Jesus will be rejected.
4. The Lord's command is to declare this to all people (Jews and Gentiles).
This laid bare religious pride, sectarianism and nationalism, and aroused many hearts to murder.
Jesus told us not to be surprised when others treat us shamefully for His sake, rather to rejoice.
1. He continued with the task, in spite of his fears, and the very real dangers. The important thing for Paul was not that he was a Jew, a Roman, a pharisee, a professional, or whatever. The important thing was that Jesus had died for him, Jesus loved him, and Jesus had called him to follow.
Have you heard the Lord call you, and have you responded with obedience?
2. He took every opportunity to speak for Jesus, without hesitation and without compromising the message.
Are you fearful of what following Jesus will mean? Paul teaches us to oppose fear with love and boldness. And at those times when we are most in need the Lord gives us courage and strength (Acts 23:11).
Will you dare to live dangerously for Jesus? Paul could have turned back. His friends begged him to. But for Paul, to turn back would have meant to stop following.
1. Pray for those who are suffering for Jesus' name's sake. Those who are oppressed and persecuted. Those who have lost good jobs, or the opportunity for education, because they are Christians. Those who have lost loved-ones through service for the Lord.
2. Pray for those strategies God has laid on our hearts for the advancement of the gospel. Pray for work amongst young people. Pray for Scripture Union. Pray for Aberdeen and District Youth For Christ. Pray for God to lay new visions and dreams upon out hearts.
3. Pray for boldness, that God may send His Spirit mightily upon us, so that we may speak out His word at every opportunity for His glory. Pray that He would equip us for the task before us. Pray for His gifts, to His people, for His work, in His time and for His glory.
4. Pray that we might all cast aside discouragement, whether giving or receiving, so that, like Barnabas, we might be known as "children of encouragement" - whatever trials and tests may come our way.
Copyright © S P Townsend