Untitled Sermon (19)

Acts 21:26 NKJV

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

This is referring to there Nazarite vow.

Paul joined the purification rites of four men.

This vow had some costly sacrifices and the four men couldn’t afford it. So Paul was asked to cover the expense,

They also had to shave their heads.

This was a attempt

Paul was ready to be a Jew to the Jews.

Paul wanted to express the unity between Gentile and Jewish Christianity.

But in order for that to happen Paul had to meet the people where they where at.

God has no need for servants.

We need His service but He doesn’t need ours.

God requires not servants; He is the servant of mankind, is everywhere, and assists all.

So Jeremiah 23:23:—

“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off.”

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

God doesn’t need servants but he requires that we do serve in like manner as He.

But we need servants.

We need a Pastor, a friend, a doctor, a husband or wife, a teacher, a trainer,

We would have a very low quality of life without serving and being served.

Servitude is a sincere expression of humility.

We are most like Christ when we serve our enemies.

This is how we love them is by serving.

This was Pauls mindset as he’s ministering.

1 Corinthians 9:19 NKJV

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;

Christ was a “servant to all”.

The feed of the 5,000 was a clear example of that

Also John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples feet.

Not to mention that fact that Jesus performed the ultimate expression of love which is dying for sinners.

1 Corinthians 9:20 NKJV

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;

1 Corinthians 9:21 NKJV

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;

1 Corinthians 9:22 NKJV

22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1 Corinthians 9:23 NKJV

23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Paul was willing to undergo a purification jewish custom in order to win some of the Jewish Christians and to reveal that Jews and Gentiles have equal standing with God.

Acts 21:27 NKJV

27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,