This sermon is based on Acts 21 to 22.
Bro. Ho has also subtitled his sermon as
“Paul’s conviction”.
Conviction is a belief in something, not
changing his mind, he is firm in his belief.
1.
Paul returned from 3rd missionary journey 21:1-16
a.
The fellowship & ministry at Tyre 21:1-6
b.
The fellowship & ministry at Caesarea 21:7-14
c. To Jerusalem 21:15-16
2.
The Lord protected Paul in Jerusalem 21:17-22:30
a.
Paul gave a report of the work of the Lord 21:17-19
b.
Paul took a Jewish vow 21:20-26
c.
Paul was arrested 21:27-40
d.
Paul spoke to the Jewish crowd 22:1-30
1. Paul
returned from 3rd missionary journey 21:1-16
Was Paul right to insist to go to Jerusalem
and be arrested?
a. The fellowship & ministry at Tyre
21:1-6
21:4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed
there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to
Jerusalem.
b. The fellowship & ministry at Caesarea 21:7-14
21:10: While we were
staying for some days, a prophet named Ag'abus came down from Judea.
11: And coming to us he
took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says
the Holy Spirit, `So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this
girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'“
12: When we heard this, we
and the people there begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Paul’s conviction
(1) Jesus’s words
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is
a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and
the children of Israel.
Act 9:16 For I will show him how much he must suffer
for the sake of my name."
(2) Paul obeyed the HS
Act 16:6 And they went through the region of Phrygia
and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in
Asia.
Act 16:7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they
attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Paul did not go to Asia
and Bithynia
(3) Paul always listened
to the HS
Act 19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the
Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying,
"After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
Act 20:16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so
that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at
Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Act 20:22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem,
constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
Act 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me
in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Act 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor
as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I
received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
(4) Confirmed by the Lord
later:
(a) Act 23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and
said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in
Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
(b) Act 27:23 For this very night there stood before me an
angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
24 and he said, 'Do not be
afraid, Paul; you must stand before
Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'
(5) Paul always kept clear conscience before God
(a) Act 23:1 And looking
intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before
God in all good conscience up to this day."
(b) Act 24:16 So I always
take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
b. The fellowship & ministry at Caesarea 21:7-14
21:13: Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and
breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
14: And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said,
"The will of the Lord be done."
How could Paul fulfil
Jesus’s will for him ?
Paul did not return to Antioch after the 3rd missionary journey but
went to Jerusalem for the Pentecost festival
2. The Lord protected Paul in Jerusalem
21:17 - 22:30
a.
Paul gave a report of the work
of the Lord 21:17-19
b. Paul took a
Jewish vow 21:20-26
1Co 9:22
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all
things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
1Co 9:23
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in
its blessings.
c. Paul was arrested
21:27-40
d. Paul spoke to the
Jewish crowd who wanted to kill him 22:1-30
Paul risked his life to bear witness for
Jesus He loved Jesus & the Jews (Rom.9:1-3)!
3
Lessons we can learn:
Christ-centered Conviction –
Stay convicted on the Lord Jesus and His words and not moved by people
or circumstances or anything else
Fellowship & ministry- .
Always seek to fellowship & minster with other believers.
Witness for Jesus –
(a) always be willing to be all things to all men for the sake of the
Lord & the gospel
(b) always seeking opportunity to witness for Jesus.
Is your conviction on your life &
calling Christ-centred ?
(built on the Lord Jesus and His words?)
Are you able to stand on the conviction
irrespective of what is coming your way?
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