God’s Protection Of Paul In Jerusalem Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 33

God’s protection of Paul in Jerusalem

Acts 21:15-40

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Last week, we saw Paul’s commitment to Jesus; even willing to die if needed

- Today, I’d like us to see the impact (and follow through) of that commitment

-- What is key to remember: God has a plan, and a purpose, for each of us!

-- It is His work that we get to do, and it b/c of Him that we are able to serve

-- His plan for you (if we obey) will never fail - despite our circumstances

-- This morning, let’s take a look at Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem …

- Read Acts 21:15-40 / Pray

- Paul was in Jerusalem and was welcomed by the believers he met

-- He met with James (1/2 brother of Jesus; pastor) to discuss the ministry

-- Consider: The whole church is not at this meeting, just the leaders

-- Reason: there is considerable commentary about what Paul has been teaching

- To avoid drama, the meeting simply involves the elders to hear/decide the truth

-- The objective is always unity, but allowing for discussion and exploration

-- It’s a great picture of the church trusting its leaders to determine next steps

- The argument is (v21): “Paul is teaching Jews to turn from the Law of Moses”

-- In short: he is telling Jews to do this by abandoning their customs/rituals/etc.

- TR: Let’s trace Paul’s events in this chapter …

Point 1 – Paul meets with the Jerusalem elders

- The rumors of his ministry have reached a point that it must be addressed

-- In essence, Paul is accused of apostasy (to forsake) of the Jewish Laws

-- However, what is revealed (and we have studied) is Paul never said this at all

- Paul’s teachings have been very clear:

• A man may be circumcised and keep the customs if they wished

• However, a man did not have to be circumcised in order to be saved!

• The Law is not what saves a person, it is Christ that brings salvation

• Thus, their (and our) lives are to be turned to Him for forgiveness

- So, Paul suggests a compromise for the leaders to consider (v23-24):

-- The example used here is to the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6) of obedience

--- The Nazirite vow symbolizes the need to be separate from the world and to be consecrated to God; to submit yourself fully to the Law and to its obedience

- The suggestion is that four men go to the temple and complete this ritual

-- Also, the Church would pay for their ceremony to show their support

-- By still being obedient, they would be proving that they are:

• Willing to obey the Jewish Laws, and,

• Have received Christ for salvation (this is their testimony)

- Additionally, for the Gentiles, he references his letter to Antioch (Acts 15) (v25)

-- RE: He called on them to abstain from things that are harmful to their bodies

- IMP: What Paul is suggesting is a compromise to keep the peace

-- To offer proof that he is not teaching against the Law, but rather upholding it

-- BUT – still holds that the fulfillment of the Law is found in Christ (not rituals)

- TR: How could this be related to struggles the modern church faces?

Point 2 – Legalism and obedience are not the same

- When the faithful become legalistic they live by rituals and preferences:

• They often become led by a type of “witch hunt” mission

• They even begin to seek out those who fail to meet their standards

• And this creates the perfect environment for the rumor mill

-- However, note how Paul handles this rather than fighting the noise

- RE: Paul was willing to compromise, but was not willing to be unfaithful

-- Instead of being governed by preferences, ideas, customs, and rituals…

-- His focus is on Christ, living for Him, serving Him, worshiping Him

-- Remember he wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.”

- FACT: There will always be those who want you to follow their preferences

-- This is why there is often such a contrast of feelings in churches today

-- For example: We want people to do things a certain way b/c of tradition

-- This leads to division and strife because (see Gen 3) we want to be in control

- Don’t miss: This particular crowd in Jerusalem is doing the very thing