Sermon Central
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Make It Count Series
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Sep 12, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 69th sermon in the series "Action". This series is from the Book of Acts and the Epistles. This series began when the COVID19 pandemic began.
Series: Action [#69]
MAKE IT COUNT
Acts 21:1-26
Introduction:
20 years ago yesterday, the unthinkable attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon happened. I remember how our Nation pulled together and how Churches pulled together. We promised that we would never forget and that the lives lost would not be in vain. I believe that most Christians want their lives to count for Christ. I do not want my life to be in vain; and I pray that you do not want your life to be in vain either.
Acts 21:1-9
To make your life count for Jesus…
1. Show love and unity in the Body of Christ.
We saw last week and again today that every place Paul went, the people were very concerned about his well-being. They loved Paul and he loved them. He taught them that Christians should be known by their love and for their unity. Christians should be unified not just in congregations; but all over the World. We may not agree on every little thing; but we should be unified in Christ.
Acts 21:10-14
To make your life count for Jesus…
2. Stand for Him.
The Holy Spirit let Paul know that at any time, he could be arrested and suffer abuse for the sake of Christ. The Holy Spirit led the people in Tyre to tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Then Agabus prophesied that Paul was going to be arrested in Jerusalem.
Paul’s response to their begging him not to go to Jerusalem was that he was willing to die for the sake of Christ. Paul was willing to stand for Christ no matter the costs.
Acts 21:15-26
To make your life count for Jesus…
3. Be wise in how you deal with people.
This is true in how we deal with believers and unbelievers. The Jews were concerned about what Paul had taught the Gentiles about following Jewish customs. Paul could have lectured them or got angry; but instead, he worked with them.
When with Jews, Paul lived like a Jew. When with Gentiles, Paul lived like a Gentile. Some would say that this is a double standard; but Paul never changed the message of the Gospel. Paul was being all things to all people so that he could lead them to Jesus.
Conclusion:
The overall plan was and is to bring people to Jesus. I pray that you make your life count for Jesus.
