PAUL A MAN ON A MISSION
Notes
Transcript
Paul A Man on A MISSION
Scripture: Acts 20 through ch 28
Topic: Endurance
GOAL: encourage saints that are ready to quit
1. To Know: Where their strength comes from
2. To Feel: Empowered
3. To Do: Get up
INTRO:
Main Idea --> Pauls Heartbeat
We are going to look at a few chapters that comprises the end of the beginning of Paul’s Ministry career
Without these events we probably would not have the letter to the Ephesians, Philippians Colossians Philemon
We would not hear his heart beat
We would only of known him mainly for what he did rather than who he was
Question- Do you want to be known for what you did or who you are?
These last few chapters I think shows me a piece of Paul that I believe everyone in this room wants.
Before Ch 20
We come to Saul
Biographical Data
Paul’s biographical data includes:
• Born as Saul in Tarsus (on the southern coast of modern-day Turkey). The exact date of his birth is unknown.
• Schooled as a Pharisee under the Jerusalem religious leader Gamaliel.
• Became a traveling missionary and preacher for the early church; renamed Paul.
• Worked as an artisan who made tents.
• Was imprisoned multiple times by the Roman authorities for his religious agitation.
• Wrote several theological letters (some of which are included in the New Testament).
• Died sometime between AD 62–64; Paul may have been martyred in Rome.
He was a no nonsense this is the way it is or die kind of a guy. He persecuted Christians in his religious zeal. He was there and a participant in the stoning of Stephen
Converted on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him. He was renamed Paul - He was given a new life.
He was blinded - then healed.
In his blindness - he realized how lost he was - In his healing he realized how amazing Jesus is.
As the Song goes - I was lost but now I see
He was called
15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
He becomes the Apostle to the Gentiles ( the very people he didn’t want to have anything to do with.
TRANSITION
He is in his 30’s - young and vibrant, educated.
He is a man on a mission.
After years of service, many church plants and three missionary journeys. We now get to see, read his heart.
We see a course correction. We see the summing up of Pauls life.
Is he going to end well or fade into history
If life is a marathon and your spiritual journey is from “glory to glory”.
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
SO lets start - getting Paul’s heart will help us as we go through the letter to the Romans.
22 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
24 “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul leaves Ephesus in Ch 19 of Acts and he starts to talk a little different saying things like “you will no longer see my face and persecutions await me,
– we see a course correction ( glory moment) – Paul is determined to go to Jerusalem- this is Pauls 4th missionary journey unlike any of the previous three, He will be in chains.
Why the journey : because the Spirit told him so
Acts 20:32-35
32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.
34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
What nugget of truth do we get from this statement.
He understood that his life was of giving not receiving.
This is transformation for Paul
7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”
How do you not covet? By becoming a giver in everything away
Not only was Paul transformed in giving but he now had to go the distance and it would cost him his life.
10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”
- He has a prophet come and give him news about his future and Paul is challenged again – It was as if God was saying – are you really willing to go the distance – It wasn’t a cake walk for Jesus and neither will it be for you.
Paul responds – I am more than ready------- Now what happens. ( you think it would get easier)
He gets arrested there is a mob scene, he gets beat by the crowd, the soldiers come and think he is somebody else he is going to get beat again and he ceases an opportunity to preach the Gospel.
Then we see something even more amazing in 21:39 – He is more interested in sharing the Gospel ( in this case his testimony) than getting out of his situation.
In 22:21 – When he said this they became so infuriated that he had to be rushed off the scene. He enrages his audience. No cute feel good prosperity Gospel. Paul was on mission.
Question : What enraged the Jews? – Could it have been there arrogance and pride that was attacked- was it because of there hardness of heart that God directed the savior the messiah to the Gentiles. The Gentiles of all people.
The next morning Paul’s day starts as bad as it left off the night before he has to be rushed into the barracks because they were going to tear him to pieces.
He has all day to think about it. Satan uses this as an opportunity to put the pressure on.
Can we stay on mission when the heat is turned up, when the pressure is on, when we are wondering if we actually heard God
Then something amazing happens in Vs 11 of Ch 23 – The Lord stands beside Paul and says “take courage” – a gives him the plan – the plan is going to Rome. Satan tries to thwart Gods plan by having 40 men take an oath of death – not to eat or drink until they killed Paul. I don’t know about you but these men were motivated. ( OK that sounds Bad)
The funny thing is all this did was to provide personal protection and a horse for Paul ( he didn’t even have to walk to Ceasarea)
– isn’t it amazing, what the enemy plans for evil God turns it into a Cadillac and a week at the palace.
The commander of the guard makes himself look like the savior of Paul to Felix
Felix has him under house arrest for 2 years
The interesting thing about this is, didn’t Jesus say he would go to Rome. Paul had to wait – sometimes it is hard to wait – how many of us got tired of waiting for God to do what he said- Abraham and Sarah couldn’t wait- so Ismael was born
Festus takes over from Felix – the Jews are still there patiently waiting –
Listen your enemy's have patience – always be on guard – AMEN
Paul goes before Agrippa – he could of gotten released but because he appealed to Caesar – that was where he was to go. Paul is still on Mission - he could of bailed right there and he did not
Paul then gets to go to Rome – Satan cant kill him on land so how about in the ocean. 14 days of pounding waves and fear. I don’t know about you guys but I would probably be sea sick in the first 10 minutes of a storm. After watching Titanic and Jaws 1-3 I my faith would be challenged at this point.
It gets so bad that they all feel they are going to die and Paul has another encounter with Jesus
23 “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’
25 “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.
Another Confirmation- He must have needed it.
It is valuable to write down journal, when God says something and confirms it, you can be assured it will be done.
Now Paul becomes the great encourage r – everyone eats and is encouraged
The boat runs aground they make it to shore and Paul being the amazing servant as he goes and gets wood for the fire because it was raining and cold.
Satan couldn’t kill him on Land, or in the sea – so how about a snake bite Acts ch 28.
God turns the snake bite into a 3 day Bahama vacation with entertainment followed by a three month sabbatical after a healing service with a 100% success rate.
God even blesses him with a welcoming committee when he arrives in Rome
Paul cant wait and starts preaching just after three days.
Instead of building his case – He defends the Gospel.
Really is it even possible to have a few days off between tramatic situations
OK Write down this Acrostic
C - confident - Hearing the voice of God and a confirmation is good enough
O – opportunity – he looked for every opportunity to share the message
U – unselfish – it wasn’t about him any more
R – responsibility – With the task God gave him
A – anointed- Do you think for a second he could do it on his own
G – grace - unmerited favor
E - equipped – Eph 6:10-18
What does it Spell?
COURAGE
Being on Mission is a fight to the finish
I am going to read Eph 6: 10-18 and Philippians 3:12-14 from the message Bible - Let it sink in.
10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Philippians 3:12-14
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
CONCLUSION:
I know everyone in this room wants to stay the course.
Lets have COURAGE.
Lets Pray