MANS ADVICE VERSUS GODS VOICE
Reading: Acts chapter 21 verses 1-17:
A quick reminder:
• The apostle Paul was convinced that he should go to Jerusalem,
• Two reasons why:
(1st). He wanted to personally deliver the money donated by the churches.
• If you cast your minds back a couple of weeks,
• Paul has been collecting money from the different churches in Greece & Macedonia.
• He is planning to take it to Jerusalem, to give to the church there.
• Because they have experienced a famine and persecution and they were in a bad way.
(2nd). Chapter 20 verses 16b:
• He was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
• Pentecost was a time of feasting and celebration and Paul wanted to be there.
Ill:
Plan to be somewhere for Easter or Christmas day.
• Paul knew that maximum number of people would be there then,
• So he wanted to be there.
• That’s why, as we read Luke’s diary of the trip,
• There is a sense of urgency, he is a man in a hurry.
(1). urgent traveling (vs 1-3):
1After we had torn ourselves away from them”.
The “them” refers to the elders at the church of Ephesus:
• They had such a close relationship with Paul,
• He had to literally “tear himself away”,
• It’s easy to leave ‘a sinking ship’ when things are going bad, and your to blame.
• But it is not so easy leave when things are good and you are wanted.
Verse 1b:
“we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos.
The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara.
2We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail.
• Each of these ports represents a day’s voyage,
• The ship sailed during the day and anchored in each port at night.
• Fed up with a local coastal ship that stops at every port,
• They manage to find an express boat going straight to Phoenicia.
Verse 3:
3After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.
• Paul makes a journey of about 450 miles,
• It probably took them about 5 days (For Paul that was 5 days to many – urgency).
• The ship then spent a week (vs 4) at Tyre unloading its Cargo and taking on supplies.
• So Paul uses this opportunity to meet with local Christians in Tyre.
(2). Paul under pressure.
(a). Disciples at Tyre (vs 4-6)
4Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
• This is Paul’s first meeting with the church at Tyre,
• It was probably founded, started after persecution scattered the Christians.
• When Stephen was martyred,
• Many of the Christians were forced to flee as far as Phoenicia (11:19)
Verse 4: tells us Paul had to search out, find the Christians there:
• When he manages to find them,
• He is surprised to hear them objecting to his journey to Jerusalem,
• One translation puts verse 4 this way:
• “They kept telling Paul your life is in danger; don’t go to Jerusalem!”
It would seem that Paul the Apostle endured a continuous barrage of “Don’t go!”
• And these weren’t just frivolous opinions,
• For Luke says that they kept telling him, urging him “through the Spirit.”
For this reason:
• Many commentators are divided regarding this passage:
• Some interpret it as Paul’s courage, others call it Paul’s mistake.
• People are split as to the way Paul acts & responds,
• Was it stubborn pride or courageous insight that Paul is demonstrating in these verses?
Personally I think it was courage:
• Paul’s motivation for pressing on to Jerusalem was not stubborn pride, but courage:
• Paul was not ignorant of what was awaiting him in Jerusalem.
• He knew he would be facing hardships and prison, and even death itself.
• He was reminded constantly in all the cities he went to.
• And although the prophecies in this chapter may have been more detailed,
• He was already aware of their general content & flavour.
Four reasons why it was courage not pride:
(1). He was under Godly orders.
• Acts chapter 20 verse 22-24 Paul describes his mission to Jerusalem this way:
• “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem”,
• He goes on to say it is “the task the Lord Jesus had given him”.
• Paul was operating under a divine compulsion, twice he was told to “Go”,
• So nothing will distract him from this goal.
(2). Paul was always obedient to the Spirits guiding.
Ill:
• Acts chapter 16 verses 6-7,
• Paul was forbidden to speak in certain regions - He instantly obeyed.
• In Acts chapter 16 verses 9-10:
• Paul immediately obeys the call to preach & teach in Macedonia.
• Paul’s track record is good and I think Paul was once again being consistent,
• And obeying the call of Christ.
(3). Never forbidden to go.
• Notice regarding Jerusalem, the Spirit never told him not to go,
• But constantly warned him what would happen when he went.
Paul was not ignorant of what was awaiting him in Jerusalem:
• He knew he would be facing hardships and prison, and even death itself.
• He was reminded constantly in all the cities he went to.
• But he was not forbidden by God to go,
• But he was warned by people what awaited him when he went.
(4). New Testament record.
• No where does the New Testament in any of the letters,
• Ever suggest Paul sinned by going to Jerusalem.
• In fact the opposite, Dr Luke records Paul’s own testimony.
• Acts chapter 23 verse 1:
“I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day”.
• Paul had a clear conscience before God,
• Because he had not done anything wrong regarding his plans to go to Jerusalem.
The key to Pauls courage was his motivation:
ill: Acts chapter 20 verse 24:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
• Paul’s motive in life was not his personal happiness,
• But rather that God’s will be done, he wants most of all to glorify God.
Application:
• What is my motivation in life?
• To please Christ or to please myself?
• Am I prepared to do things that are difficult, so that Christ is glorified in me?
• Or do I just take the easy option, the one that is most convenient for me?
Quote: “Funny” Isn’t it?
• Funny how £10 looks so big when we take it to church
• And so small when we take it to the store.
• Funny how big an hour serving God looks,
• And how small 60 minutes are when watching the football or tennis or golf.
• Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter of the Bible,
• And how easy it is to read 300 pages of a best selling novel.
• Funny how we believe what a person on the news or newspapers say,
• But question what the Bible says.
• Funny how we can’t think of anything to say when we pray,
• And don’t have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.
• Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks to fit a church event into our schedule,
• But can adjust it for a social event at the last minute.
• Funny, isn’t it?
• Paul’s motivation in life was Christ first,
• His glory not Paul’s comfort!
Verse 4: Is a problem verse for some:
• After all these weren’t just frivolous opinions, the Christians of Tyre were giving,
• For Luke says that they kept telling him “through the Spirit.”
Now as I have explained:
• The Spirit was not telling Paul through these disciples, “Not to go”,
• But warning him and reminding him of what would happen “When he goes”.
• The Spirit was merely predicting what would happen to Paul in Jerusalem,
• But these disciples were misinterpreting those predictions as prohibitions.
Quote “Perhaps,” John Stott asserts, “Luke’s statement is a condensed way of saying that the warning was divine while the urging was human.”3
• These folks were like a dripping tap, for seven days all they did was go on & on & on.
• Unable to persuade Paul to change their mind;
Verses 5-6:
5But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
• I wonder what the people prayed for Paul when he left town,
• Was it a kind of “Lord-help-him-see-the light” type of prayer.
• Sadly many a Christian has bounced a message off the ceiling,
• By disguising it as prayer.
Ill:
• Man trying to sell his car,
• He prayed,
“Lord, thank you that you provided our red, Ford escort,
thank you that it is still in excellent condition, with a full 6 months M.O.T certificate.
But Lord you know that we need to sell it for £600, or £500 to anyone in this meeting,
Lord open the hearts of those who are interested in having this good value car, and guide them to the back of the church at the end of this service, where I am available to talk with them”.
• Maybe these Christians:
• Gave further messages from God, to Paul,
“Lord show Paul that it’s not your will…..”
“Don’t give him any peace until he listens to us…”
“help him to forget his luggage etc”
• I don’t know if they were like that, but they were human,
• Sometimes we are like that.
• Maybe they genuinely supported and encouraged Paul, as he sought to do God’s will.
• May that be our attitude and experience.
Quote: Charles Swindoll (tongue in cheek says:
“It is easier for me to know God’s will for my wife, than for my life”.
• How many of us can see God’s will so easily defined for others,
• But we struggle for ourselves?
Pressured by these well-intentioned believers to change his mind about Jerusalem:
• Paul was probably relieved to be on his way again, but that relief would not last long,
• For soon other people would be giving him their opinions as well.
(b), Philip and his daughters (vs 7-8):
7We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.
• Ptolemais was about 25 miles down the coast,
• Paul again meets with the local Christians, then its time to move on.
8Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea (another 30 miles down the coast)
and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.
• Paul and his companions now leave the boat, and finish traveling by sea.
• Caesarea was Jerusalem’s port, located about 60 miles away.
Philip the evangelist seems to have made his base and home in Caesarea:
• He was “One of the seven”. That identifies for us which Philip this was,
• 20 years earlier he was one of the original deacons mentioned in Acts chapter 6.
• He also served the church as an evangelist (Acts chapter 8 verse 5).
• In fact, the only one given the title “Evangelist” in the book of Acts.
This would have been an interesting meeting:
• 20 years earlier Philip and Stephen were close companions.
• Paul, then Saul was responsible for Stephen’s death.
• The number 1 persecutor of Christians, who was once so feared,
• Is now welcome into the house of Philip, a fellow Christian and preacher of the gospel.
Verse 9:
9He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
The fact his daughters were unmarried is mentioned, three possible explanations:
(1).
• They may have remained single woman so that they were free from family ties,
• And would have more time and flexibility of the Lord’s work (2 Corinthians 12:10).
(2).
• The word translated “unmarried” literally is “virgins”,
• And may reefer to their age, that they were young, maybe under 16 years old.
(3).
• Probably reflects the lack of available men in the church.
• As with today men are often outnumbered by the ladies,
• And men let’s face facts,
• WE MEN are responsible for reaching out to other men.
Ill:
It is to our shame that we have kids, youth & ladies events & nothing for men!
Ill:
Burden led to ‘The Net’:
• Workmates, friends or neighbors, who will not visit a church,
• This is a cringe free opportunity for them to encounter Jesus Christ.
• If you don’t like that fact some are held in a pub,
• Come to the ones that are not!
Ill:
History of most churches (including this one) shows us:
• That if you don’t plan to reach men, they will not be reached.
• Quote “Reach a wife and you gain a ………… child….. man……….family”.
Although:
• Although there were four women with the gift of prophesy;
• It was left to someone else to prophesy to Paul.
(c). Prophet Named Agabus (vs 10-12):
10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
Paul was able to unwind for a couple of days and rest at Philip’s house:
• With a busy demanding programme ahead in Jerusalem,
• This was a needed chance to recharge his physical & spiritual batteries.
But his rest is interrupted by a prophet named Agabus who arrives at the home of Philip:
• We have encountered Agabus before in Acts chapter 11 verse 28;
• He was well known and had a prophetic gift.
• He illustrates his own words with a dramatic visual aid, a piece of drama.
• He borrows Paul’s belt, that was not a leather belt with a buckle.
• It was a long cloth sash wrapped several times around the waist,
• It was to hold the outer garment in place.
So he takes this belt and dramatically ties up his own hands and feet:
• And he says the owner of the belt will be bound like this in Jerusalem.
• And then handed over to the Gentile authorities.
• Please notice that he did not forbid Paul from going to Jerusalem,
• But he did warn Paul what to expect when he arrived.
(d). Dr. Luke and Others (vs 12):
12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
• Note the word “We”.
• Dr Luke is now trying to persuade Paul not to go.
• Agabus’ illustration is so gripping that everyone present,
• Including Luke began giving Paul advice.
Paul is a man under incredible pressure to conform, to give in to peoples requests:
• The disciples at Tyre had heaped plenty of advice on Paul,
• And now piling it on even thicker were the 4 prophetess daughters of Philip,
• Agabus the prophet, Dr Luke - Paul’s closest friend and his other companions.
• Everything except 3 verses of “Just as I am”.
With tears in their eyes you can literally hear them all:
• Begging him, “Please don’t go to Jerusalem we need you, Paul!
• How can you lead the church in prison, bound by chains? Don’t go!”
• NOT ONE person said to him:
• “Hang in there, Paul. If your convinced, then do it”.
• “You obey God’s plan for your life, and I’ll stand with you.”
The pressure to compromise must have been intense:
• But reverberating through his mind ,
• Was the thought he had expressed in his letter to the Galatians:
Quote Galatians chapter 1 verse 10:
“If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”.
• He could not change his mind just to please these people.
• So after quieting them, he responds,
(3). Pauls response.
(a). A Passionate Plea (Vs 13):
13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?
(Feel the emotion in that verse)
I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Paul’s friends might have been looking out for his safety and the church’s well-being?
• But Paul was placing his life in the hands of God.
• And after all it is the church of Jesus Christ not Paul (He will look after it).
While these pressure groups:
• Were looking out for Paul’s good, the church’s good, and their own good,
• They were forgetting about God’s good.
• Paul’s ministry in Jerusalem would bring the highest glory to God,
• Even if it meant death for him.
Ill:
Jim Elliot & Auca Indians.
• By life or by death,
• God can be glorified.
(b). Onto Jerusalem (vs 14b-17):
When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16Some 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.
17When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly.
• With a tone of resignation, the people in Caesarea relented, “The Lord’s will be done.”
• And then Luke completes the account by recording Paul’s quick trip to Jerusalem.
• Which was about 65 miles away, 3 days walk, 2 days if they have animals.
• King James Bible says “Carriage” but the word is “Baggage”.
• The third missionary journey is now completed,
• And Paul is back where feels God wants him to be.
With his arrival in the holy city, Paul’s third missionary journey comes to a close.
• In the events to follow,
• The prophecies of his bondage and imprisonment will be fulfilled,
• As well as his dream to someday proclaim Christ in Rome.
• In the end, as we’ll see over the next few weeks in the chapters to come,
• Christ will be glorified by Paul’s unswerving determination,
• To proclaim His name in Jerusalem.
Final Application:
From Paul’s struggle with his advisors:
• We can hammer out three shields of truth to protect us,
• In this area of giving and receiving advice regarding guidance.
First, if you seek advice, be discerning:
• You can bet Paul didn’t ask any of these folks their opinion,
• But they were all ready to give him advice.
When you seek advice, we wise:
• Pay attention to WHO you ask, what are their character and lives like!
• On what side they are on, will they give you a fair or biased answer.
Ill:
Parachute jump.
• I didn’t ask Fred down the road,
• I asked the expert, one who has already done it, and knows all that I need to know.
Second, if you give advice, be wise.
• Wise counseling always begins with attentive listening.
• Two ears and one mouth.
• Try to fit yourself into the other person’s shoes to understand your friend’s perspective;
• then step away and take a look at him or her from God’s viewpoint.
• Of course, in order to know God’s viewpoint, you must be acquainted with His Book,
• And that is your greatest source of wisdom.
Quote:
When we give Word-oriented counsel, it will be instructive. When we give experience-centered counsel, it may be nothing more than opinion.
Our personal attitudes, opinions, and biases always need to be related to the Word before we prescribe them as the right medicine for others.6
Third, to hear Gods voice:
(1). Time out – Pray.
(2). Read – his word:
• A regular reading will mean regular pointers.
• Bible is not a spiritual horoscope, reading plan.
(3). Common sense.
• Ill: Sheepdog:
• Fix their eyes on the shepherd,
• Obedient to his masters voice.
(4). Circumstances.
• Are they nudging us towards a certain direction,
• Are they challenging us about our commitment to the Lord.
(5). Involvement.
• If you want God to call you to Bible college,
• Start studying the Bible at home now.
• If you think God is calling you to working with age group,
• Go and get some experience working with that age group now.
(6). Church leaders or a experienced trusted Christian.
• Have a chat with someone you know who has experienced the Lord’s guiding.
• Big decision keep the church leaders informed for their prayers and support.
