Acts 21:17-26
We discussed this scripture a couple of Wed’s Ago
Weren’t for sure if I was right— Called it from memory
Come to find out I was about 80% right---
There are many lessons to be learned from this Scripture
1. Sometimes Good news is received with Concern- vs 19-21
The church was obviously growing
James & Elders were there
While they were pleased with God was doing with PAUL
Extremely concerned.... WITH PAUL... Not the guest speaker they wanted
Paul Didn’t lose heart... Feel Sorry... Pout...Cry
As the pastor... I love good news... Good things... Good Ideas.... I’m Usually Concern
How does this affect people, Offend people...
The job of a great leader.... IS TO SEE THE FUTURE... AND EFFECTS
Husbands, Wives, Dads, Moms... SEE THE FUTURE... AND EFFECTS
Kids future, Job future, Marriage future, My future
People will come tell me something.... I try to find something positive to say
SO... Don’t be offended when good news is accompanied by concern
Don’t be afraid to be concerned with GOOD NEWS
2. Sometimes People are misinformed- vs 21
They were right about ... Turning away from Moses
Not about the other 2....
Paul just taught... IT DOESN”T PROFIT YOU ANYTHING.. Circum...
He sure didn’t teach against customs...He was about to partake in a custom
He didn’t throw a fit.. THAT’S NOT TRUE
I’ve seen people believe all kinds of stuff about me... You know me...doesn’t matter
3. Sometimes you gotta do what people tell you to- vs 22-24
If you read the rest of the story....
Get caught, Locked up, Try to kill him, they say flog him, Tells em he’s ROMAN
SO I DON’T KNOW HOW PROFITABLE THE COUNSEL WAS
Doesn’t mean it’s not good counsel... Good Men
Paul just did it...
I’m not saying “Don’t trust you own feelings”
I’m saying, “if someone knows, they’ve been there, Have your best interests in mind”
DO IT
“Then they’ll know you’re living in obedience to the law”... HE WASN”T
Trick em, Protect Paul and THEMSELVES
4. Sometimes you gotta compromise- vs 26
1 Corinthians 9: 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
This is the goal of FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP
How can we relate to all people
Peter was letting believe and not setting them free from the law
Paul didn’t gripe him out... THAT’S HOW PETER DOES IT
Peter’s church, I”LL SHUT UP
There are essentials & non essentials
you can argue over the little stuff
I’ll focus on the stuff we agree on... And minister anyway I get a chance to
