To the Ends of the Earth, Part 33
God’s protection of Paul in Jerusalem
Acts 21:15-40
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- Last week, we saw Paul’s commitment to Jesus; even willing to die if needed
- Today, I’d like us to see the impact (and follow through) of that commitment
-- What is key to remember: God has a plan, and a purpose, for each of us!
-- It is His work that we get to do, and it b/c of Him that we are able to serve
-- His plan for you (if we obey) will never fail - despite our circumstances
-- This morning, let’s take a look at Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem …
- Read Acts 21:15-40 / Pray
- Paul was in Jerusalem and was welcomed by the believers he met
-- He met with James (1/2 brother of Jesus; pastor) to discuss the ministry
-- Consider: The whole church is not at this meeting, just the leaders
-- Reason: there is considerable commentary about what Paul has been teaching
- To avoid drama, the meeting simply involves the elders to hear/decide the truth
-- The objective is always unity, but allowing for discussion and exploration
-- It’s a great picture of the church trusting its leaders to determine next steps
- The argument is (v21): “Paul is teaching Jews to turn from the Law of Moses”
-- In short: he is telling Jews to do this by abandoning their customs/rituals/etc.
- TR: Let’s trace Paul’s events in this chapter …
Point 1 – Paul meets with the Jerusalem elders
- The rumors of his ministry have reached a point that it must be addressed
-- In essence, Paul is accused of apostasy (to forsake) of the Jewish Laws
-- However, what is revealed (and we have studied) is Paul never said this at all
- Paul’s teachings have been very clear:
• A man may be circumcised and keep the customs if they wished
• However, a man did not have to be circumcised in order to be saved!
• The Law is not what saves a person, it is Christ that brings salvation
• Thus, their (and our) lives are to be turned to Him for forgiveness
- So, Paul suggests a compromise for the leaders to consider (v23-24):
-- The example used here is to the Nazarite vow (Numbers 6) of obedience
--- The Nazirite vow symbolizes the need to be separate from the world and to be consecrated to God; to submit yourself fully to the Law and to its obedience
- The suggestion is that four men go to the temple and complete this ritual
-- Also, the Church would pay for their ceremony to show their support
-- By still being obedient, they would be proving that they are:
• Willing to obey the Jewish Laws, and,
• Have received Christ for salvation (this is their testimony)
- Additionally, for the Gentiles, he references his letter to Antioch (Acts 15) (v25)
-- RE: He called on them to abstain from things that are harmful to their bodies
- IMP: What Paul is suggesting is a compromise to keep the peace
-- To offer proof that he is not teaching against the Law, but rather upholding it
-- BUT – still holds that the fulfillment of the Law is found in Christ (not rituals)
- TR: How could this be related to struggles the modern church faces?
Point 2 – Legalism and obedience are not the same
- When the faithful become legalistic they live by rituals and preferences:
• They often become led by a type of “witch hunt” mission
• They even begin to seek out those who fail to meet their standards
• And this creates the perfect environment for the rumor mill
-- However, note how Paul handles this rather than fighting the noise
- RE: Paul was willing to compromise, but was not willing to be unfaithful
-- Instead of being governed by preferences, ideas, customs, and rituals…
-- His focus is on Christ, living for Him, serving Him, worshiping Him
-- Remember he wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.”
- FACT: There will always be those who want you to follow their preferences
-- This is why there is often such a contrast of feelings in churches today
-- For example: We want people to do things a certain way b/c of tradition
-- This leads to division and strife because (see Gen 3) we want to be in control
- Don’t miss: This particular crowd in Jerusalem is doing the very thing
-- They have fed into the rumors driven by their feelings, and it’s come to this
-- Truly, one could see this is about to boil over …
- Paul is arrested with this motive in mind because they believe:
1. He has taught contrary to their truth
2. He has polluted the minds of the faithful followers
3. He has instructed them to not follow the customs they hold dear
4. He has insulted the temple, where they worship, and he must be stopped
- The word here is: subversion, a voluntary attempt to destroy from the outside
-- But it’s not just outsiders who can do this – it also comes from within
-- We talked on Wednesday (Romans) about this a bit: term “ninja Christians”
-- It is those within the faith who seek to have others do what they want
- BIG CH: Customs & rituals must never replace Christ in the church
-- Our mission must be salvation & devotion to Jesus; so others may know Him
-- It is how we remove the walls of division in the church, by focusing on Him!
-- APP: It is why Paul is saying all he wants to know is Jesus (ref 1 Cor 2:2)
- This leads to those in the city capturing Paul and dragging him outside
-- Why? Because they are motivated and driven by a lie, by their “wants”
-- They have missed the purpose of the gathering (FYI: it is to worship God)
-- Not only do they seize him - but they take him outside to kill him! (v31)
-- APP: The faith and/or the ministry is not a place for the weak!
- TR: How does Paul react as he is headed for certain death?
Point 3 – Paul is faithful to continue preaching!
- See: Paul is protected (v32-35) from the mob by … Roman soldiers!
-- Understand this: God is going to protect His servant who’s being faithful
-- Why? God has a plan for each of us & God has a purpose for each of us
-- It is God who is bringing our lives under submission to His Son; servanthood
- God has overruled this mob to protect Paul, and gave him an audience!
-- With who? A Roman Commander who has a false truth about Paul also!
--- Paul is not Egyptian who led 4,000 people out in the desert!! (v38)
--- Neither did Paul take a Gentile to the temple which is what started this (v29)
- But sure enough, that is the info that has been given to him!
-- 2024 Tip: Stop reading social media as your source of news …
-- Just because someone has an opinion does not mean they are a valid source
- What we see is God’s hand at work, to protect and to inspire Paul
-- Why? Because Paul’s life work is NOT done … he still has more to do!
- Don’t miss: Paul is also granted permission to speak to the crowd!
-- Suddenly, they grow quiet – from a mob to silence with one motion!
-- CH: Have you ever seen an angry mob silenced like this? Dig deeper …
BIG IDEA
- Ever wonder why God allows you to walk through things & gain strength?
-- Have you ever seen God at work in your life and wonder how you survived?
- Why would we think he would do any less for His Apostle to the Gentiles?
-- Paul is “guilty” of only one thing: Being faithful to Jesus and not backing down
- Many might want him to just be quiet and do what they say/want
-- But, if he would not – how can we? How can we deny what God has done?
- Today: How about if we just have church and bring people to the Lord?
-- Not ritual, not ceremony, not our ideals, not our history – but the Gospel
- This is our calling … to let people see Jesus … will we do this?
- Pray
