Constrained by the Spirit (Staff Devotion)

Acts 20:22-24

Introduction

I once heard a story about a southern plantation owner who left a $50,000 inheritance (perhaps equivalent to half a million dollars today) to a former slave who’d served him faithfully all his life. The estate’s lawyer duly notified the old man and told him the money was deposited at a local bank. Weeks went by, and the former slave never called for any of his inheritance. Finally, the banker called him in and told him again he had $50,000 available to draw on at any time. “Sir,” the old man replied, “do you think I can have fifty cents to buy a sack of cornmeal?”

In many ways this is how we see ourselves when it comes to the immeasurable riches that God offers us in His presence and power. In this text in Acts the apostle Paul is speaking to the Elders in Ephesus. He is about to depart on a boat to Jerusalem and they are begging him not to go. They know that he might be killed if he goes back or if they would ever see him again.

READ VERSE 22 - “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,”

Constrained - Bound or Obligated

Paul was constrained in the spirit to continue to do what God has called him to do. In a similar way, we as pastor’s and ministry leaders are bound by the spirit to be here, to serve the people of this congregation. Paul then says that he is going fully knowing that he could die. He is willing to die because, for him, there is nothing else in the world more important than serving Christ.

This is the definition of faith. Continuing to walk in faith not knowing what is going to happen, fully trusting in Christ. trusting that God will provide everything that we need to be successful in bringing Him Glory.

That is the truth that Paul conveys in verse 23.

READ 23 - “except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me”

In almost every city in his three missionary journeys, there were riots, he was in prison, beaten, and ran out of town. In verse 23 Paul is saying that the only thing he can count on is that there is going to be opposition.

In ministry one thing that we can count on is that there is opposition, especially when our goal is to glorify God. We are in a battle for souls. I am humbled when I hear how many people are praying for all of us here at Church. We are covered in Prayer. I There is so much spiritual opposition but God is merciful and provides for us. It is like what Paul wrote to the Philippian Church.

“6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is at complete peace that his entire existence is in God’s hands. God is in control. It is also quite possible that Paul, who was “caught up to the 3rd heaven” knows what awaits him. He said, “to live is Christ and to Die is gain.” He says the same thing in verse 24.

READ 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.”

Paul knows that in faith there is no where, nothing in this world that can compare to the riches he receives in Christ. I want to encourage all of us that we have access to those same riches and the same power that Paul did. We can trust that God is in control and his will, will be done.

God is inviting us to be bound to Him, in the spirit. To continue to do the work that Christ began when He brought God’s kingdom to this earth. As we trust in Him, to provide for us, doing His will and glorifying Him. We can be encouraged that there is no more important work than the work that were do, day in and day out.