To the Ends of the Earth, Part 32
Paul’s missionary dilemma around Turkey
Acts 21:1-14
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- Last week, we completed our exploration of Paul’s 3 years in Ephesus
-- CH: Would Seasons be a place that only desires to know and share Jesus?
-- Only you and I can determine that – but to do so we must obey what God says
- Today, let’s explore a great choice that Paul faces in his ministry …
-- Does he obey God, or does he obey what the church is wanting him to do?
-- See: How about when the church is convinced they are hearing from God, too?
- Read Acts 21:1-14 / Pray
- FACT: Paul feels called/directed to go to Jerusalem
-- Even in the face of everyone opposing him – he knew his mission
-- One might read at this chapter and wonder if Paul is not “listening to reason”
- OBSERVE: One thing we know – is after this (don’t miss this):
-- Paul is no longer involved in worldwide missionary work …
-- His witness is limited to only national leaders and those who sought him out
- Why? Because he soon becomes a physical prisoner for Christ … he is …
-- Captive to the calling, but, because of the calling he is compelled to obey!
- Need us to remember & understand this: Paul loved the Jewish people!
-- They were his own people, and he wanted them to know what he knew
-- How much? He would even risk his own salvation for them to know Jesus!
-- Romans 9:1-3, “With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.”
- Confronted time and time again by believers urging him not to go …
-- He faces (what I think many face today) when it comes to obeying God
- TR: 5 things for us to focus our thoughts on (discuss over our 2 points)
Point 1 – Paul’s journey and spiritual struggles
1. Paul’s journey is across a land that is rich in history (vv1-3)
-- It was truly a land that he could make a home, that had place for his work
Coos: A commercial and trading island on a major shipping route
-- Famous medical school here, temple of Aesculapius (Greek god of medicine)
-- Birthplace of Hippocrates (Greek physician) and Appelles (Greek painter)
Rhodes: known as the Island of Roses; located at entrance to Aegean Sea
-- Critical to shipping in the area; university dedicated to speech/oratory
-- Very populous town with a growing population to be ministered to
Patara: Located at the mouth of the Xanthus River; commercial city
-- Major shipping location to the Mediterranean Sea; lots of traffic in and out
Cyprus: Corner of the Med Sea; copper mines and shipbuilding industries
-- City plagued with sins of the flesh, center of worship of Venus (goddess of love)
-- Known for immorality and depravity and evil that had gripped its people
Tyre: One of the most famous ports of the ancient world; had two harbors
-- Major city for trade of all services and goods across the region; huge population
-- Denounced by the prophets because of its self-centeredness & worldliness
- APP: See this: Paul could serve in a target rich (sin-filled) environment!
-- BIG: Sometimes the easy road is not the right choice for God’s servant!
2. Paul’s struggle is between a Spirit-filled church & his own calling (vv4-6)
- Anytime a spirit-filled church speaks, the messenger of God has to listen
-- The fearful warnings from the church was bound to put a great pressure on Paul
-- He knew his calling, but the people sensed/heard he was in grave danger!
- Fact: this was a small church (they had to search to find them, “found” v4)
-- Yet, it was a church filled with the presence, worship, and power of God
-- Why? Because they were able to tell Paul (via prophecy) what was ahead!
-- Greek: dia tou Pneumatos; through the Spirit
- They believed the word they had for him was a prohibition (forbidding him)
• But he received it as informational, wisdom to factor into his journey
• The picture here is that Paul – the great Paul – is torn between 2 positions
• He’s torn between: listening to a spirit-filled church and listening to God
• The church felt they heard from God, and of course so did Paul … so …
• Who was right? Honestly … only God knows
- SEE: This church was unashamed, were tuned into God, and were faithful
-- They didn’t shy away from telling what they knew; even to the great Paul
-- APP: This is a wonderful picture of unity – to stand with those being obedient!
-- See how the entire church went to send him off – to show them 100% support
-- Phil 2:1-2, “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
- Need us to know this: Paul had to follow his conviction – follow what he knew
-- He had to do what God was leading him to do – to obey completely
-- BIG: Sometimes (often) you have to break away from the flow to follow God!
-- It sure would be easier to live in our sin, wouldn’t it? But … at what cost?
- TR: So, that is his journey and struggle, now let’s see his response …
Point 2 – Paul’s only choice is to follow God’s calling
3. Paul is caught between the church’s needs & the Spirit’s leading (v7)
- He was only in Ptolemais for one day – a very short visit for any church
-- And he intentionally sought out believers – to fellowship and visit with them
- Why? Fellowship & partnership with believers is critical in his life
-- He sought out believers to tell, share, teach, and experience Jesus alongside of
-- Surely, he would be reminded about his love for evangelism, love for people
-- Fact is, he could have stayed here and ministered and been faithful to God
- But the calling to continue on would be too strong to ignore
-- He is gripped with a sense of the Spirit’s leading; RE: Jesus taught in John 9:4, “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” (hint at time being short for us all to work)
4. Paul wrestles with pending persecution vs. compulsion to obey God (vv8-11)
- Paul meets one of the early church leaders in Ptolemais, man named Philip
-- (Acts 6:5) He was one of the first men chosen to be a deacon in the church
-- In that he was one of the first men chosen to care for the widows (food, etc.)
-- He has preached in region of Samaria for ~20 years before Paul arrived
-- Now he has a family, four daughters, and is deeply imbedded in this town
- Don’t miss: Paul gets another (clear) warning of danger ahead from a prophet
-- Agabus takes Paul’s belt and binds himself – a sign of the capture/arrest to come
-- Prophesizes that the owner of this belt will be the one who is captured (v11)
-- Yet, Paul is still unswayable – convinced he must go to Jerusalem … see why:
-- 1 Corinthians 9:16, “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!”
- Consider this: Why would a man avoid such a clear warning? Because …
5. Paul knows their concern shadowed by his own readiness to obey (vv12-14)
- Know this – Paul was deeply touched by their commitment to his safety
-- Their urging for him to stay out of Jerusalem had to effect his critical thinking
-- Seen in the phrase “breaking my heart” indicates a crushing, compelling logic
- Now … this is where we MUST see the response of the church (KEY)
-- Luke’s response is very clear on this: “The Lord’s will be done.” (v14)
-- Jesus professed in Luke 22:42, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
-- This should be the response of every family, every friend, every witness
-- It is the only response to those suggesting opposition to God’s call (EXP?)
- Paul’s last words to this church really ought to be our rallying cry (re-read v13)
-- CH: Are we this committed? Will we give our life to the One who gave His?
-- If not, what will it take for us to get there? What is standing in your way?
- Pray
