Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, not by chance, but by divine appointment. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has called us together to share in His Word, to grow in His grace, and to learn from His teachings.

Today, we are going to look at a remarkable passage from the book of Acts, chapter 21, verses 16 through 38. It's a powerful narrative that shows us the extraordinary character of the Apostle Paul, a man who displayed an incredible perseverance, unwavering obedience, and a fearless proclamation of the Gospel.

In the words of the revered preacher Elisabeth Elliot, "When obedience to God contradicts what I think will give me pleasure, let me ask myself if I love Him." Indeed, Paul's character was so firmly established in Christ that it could not be overthrown, not by the most severe trials or the harshest persecution.

Let's read together from Acts 21:16-38: "Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Perseverance in Paul's Journey

In the narrative of Acts 21, we see Paul, a man who had been through numerous trials and tribulations, yet he remained steadfast in his faith and his mission. He was a man who faced adversity head-on, never wavering in his commitment to spread the Gospel. His perseverance is a testament to his faith and a model for us all.

Paul's journey faced opposition, persecution, and even threats to his life. Yet, he never let these obstacles deter him from his mission. He continued to preach the Gospel, to teach, and to lead, despite the challenges he faced. His perseverance was not born out of stubbornness or pride, but out of a deep and abiding love for God and for the people he was called to serve.

In the face of adversity, Paul did not falter. He did not allow the threats and accusations of others to deter him from his mission. Instead, he stood firm, confident in his calling and in the truth of the Gospel. He was not swayed by the opinions of others, but remained steadfast in his commitment to God and His Word. This is a powerful example for us, as we too face opposition and challenges in our lives. Like Paul, we must stand firm in our faith, not allowing the opinions or actions of others to sway us from our commitment to God.

Paul's perseverance was also evident in his willingness to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. He was willing to endure physical pain, imprisonment, and even the threat of death for the sake of his mission. This was not a decision he made lightly, but one he made with full knowledge of the potential consequences. Yet, he chose to endure, to persevere, because he knew that the message he carried was of utmost importance. He knew that the Gospel had the power to change lives, to bring hope and healing, and he was willing to endure anything to ensure that this message was heard.

Finally, Paul's perseverance was not a solitary endeavor. He was not alone in his journey. He was accompanied by fellow believers, who supported him, encouraged him, and shared in his mission. They too faced challenges and opposition, yet they too persevered. They stood by Paul, supporting him in his mission, and in doing so, they demonstrated their own commitment to the Gospel. We are part of a community of believers, who support and encourage one another, who share in the mission of spreading the Gospel, and who, like Paul, persevere in the face of adversity.

Paul's Unwavering Obedience

Paul's obedience is a vivid portrayal of a man who, despite facing intense opposition and hostility, remained steadfast in his commitment to God's commands ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO