Acts 50: Walking Through Conflict in God’s Will

We had a birthday party for Michelle’s mom yesterday. It was a great party. And she was surprised… always a plus.

What a Welcome!

Small group of disciples on their way back to Jerusalem. It’s about 65 miles up hill from Caesarea… The small group has grown thanks to some friends from the church in Caesarea joining them on the trip to Jerusalem.

Imagine the excitement is the wrong word… but theirs is certainly an emotional journey. They are going back to where all began. Where Jesus was beaten, crucified, and buried… where he rose from the dead on the 3rd day and showed himself to the disciples and hundreds more over the next 40 days… it was years ago, but it was such a powerful memory for them… it had changed their lives.

Along the way they are telling stories of the people they have met over the last 3 years as they were starting churches all over Asia. Stories of people and powerful stories of God moving. But they are going back to Jerusalem and the closer they get, the more crowded the road becomes.

They are going back because of Paul’s unquenchable heart to reach the lost, despite knowing trouble awaited him.

You know what that’s like don’t you. Your love for your spouse makes you get up and make coffee just the way they like it… love for your kids drove you to sacrifice time to earn a living to provide for them… love for your Jesus and your church family drives you to serve and serve and serve

They are on their way back to Jerusalem for Passover. One of the 4 feasts where God’s people would make their pilgrimage back.

The Majority who returned were the most religious Jews. those who wouldn’t miss a chance to gather on Pentecost… along with them were the most religious Christians… who wouldn’t miss gathering on Pentecost, the day Jesus gave his Spirit to his disciples.

There’s excitement in the air… it builds… but for this small group of friends, the closer they get to Jerusalem, the more quiet they get… excitement isn’t the emotion that’s growing in them… it’s concern for Paul.

Just the day before, they had heard a prophet warn Paul that when he got to Jerusalem he would be bound hand and foot… and turned over to the Romans. Paul had given his speech… acknowledging that this is the last time y’all will see me.

As for Paul, he keeps walking toward Jerusalem because God has called him to it.

Paul is looking forward to preaching in Jerusalem one more time. One more chance to plead with his people that the Messiah they have been praying for was Jesus… and it’s not too late… if they will just repent and come to Him in faith, he will change their hearts…

Why am I telling you all this?

If you have your Bible, open it with me to Acts 21… out text today begins in 21:15 and how does it start?

“After this”? What?

I needed to remind you of the “this”.

Acts 21:15–16 NIV84

After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.

Man from Cyprus… the first stop on Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey… some 20 years ago at this point… he’s not blessing Paul

Acts 21:17–19 NIV84

When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

James the brother of Jesus is leading the church

Good News: God is changing lives through the Gospel.

Paul reports how Gentiles are coming to Christ. He’s telling the book of Acts… It's a joyful report, much like a missionary's update.

He’s telling stories about the lives they have touched… the churches they have established.

If you remember back when missionaries used to come visit churches, they would bring a slide show and they would click through them telling stories of each person… that’s what is going on here.

Paul is telling the stories of Ephesus and all the worship of gods, Corinth - and the sexual sin, Macedonia, Galatia and Achaia. He’s telling stories about Priscilla and Aquila who God had put in Ephesus and blessed Paul… Lydia who was a dealer of purple fabric who supported his ministry. Damaris and Timothy. They all laughed about the seven sons of Scheva running out into the streets naked after they had their clothes beaten off of them.

We need to remember to celebrate the victories, both big and small, in the work of the Gospel. Let’s not get so focused on the next thing that we fail to celebrate when God moves.

Look for evidence of God working in unexpected ways.

Acts 21:20–25 NIV84

When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

Bad News: Old habits die hard.

Despite the victories, the Jewish believers still struggle with cultural traditions (Acts 21:20).... James included.

They are zealous for the Law, clinging to old practices that conflict with new faith.

Where are we holding on to traditions that might hinder Gospel impact?

He’s brought a report of all that God has done… and in spite of celebrating God’s work, they focus on rumors and lies.

It’s the combination of things that makes this such a punch in the gut… he’s given them great news and their focus is on rumors and lies…

Everyone knows Paul hasn’t been doing what he’s accused of doing.... this is a clearly a case of classic miscommunication.

James even knows it… Paul had been here years ago to talk about this very thing… But that’s what makes things like this hurt so much - the one who seems to be leading the charge here is someone who is greatly respected like James.

This is part of ministry… being misunderstood… because so much of it is personal and spiritual… and because of that it hurts even more when we are misunderstood.

How do you respond when those you respect misinterpret your intentions?

Not only does James misrepresent what Paul has been doing… but his solution isn’t to lead… James could say:

“Paul, we know it’s all lies and we are going out with you and we are going to silence this crowd and set them straight… we want you to be there with us so we can show them that their is no division between us.”

No that’s not the plan… instead their plan is to tell Paul, we have some guys who are about to begin a Nazarite vow… to shave your head as a show of repentance and dedication to God. As you do this, your devotion to God will be on public display… the people who have issues with you will see that you are just as devoted to the Law as they are.

At this point Paul’s head is spinning… they are actually inviting Paul to go back to what he has left behind…

He has brought a gift to celebrate what God is doing in the Gentile church… a sign that people outside the law can give their lives to follow Jesus, that Jesus transforms their lives, their generosity proves it… and you will accept their gift… and you want me to use some of it to support a broken system of temple offering that stands against everything I’ve been teaching in Asia and Greece???

Is that what you are asking me to do? I just want to be clear???

Change is hard, and the reality is that often we can get caught up cling to traditions. Giving them power they don’t deserve and haven’t earned.

What was Paul’s response?

Acts 21:26 NIV84

The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

What is Paul doing… it seems that Paul is going back on everything he has been teaching… It’s not about works it’s about faith… why are you going back to rituals???

Paul are you becoming a hypocrite?

What is he doing?

Paul isn’t surprised by this… he’s known this day was coming.

He’s walking through conflict as he is walking in God’s will.

Paul is showing us a powerful truth that we need to understand for this life

Walking in God’s will isn’t about the destination.. but who you are walking with.

Even when you are walking through conflict.

Paul has had time to pray about this… to think about how he will respond.

Now, he’s following the Spirit's lead and as he does, we can learn much about how we can navigate our misunderstandings with grace.

How to Navigate Misunderstandings with Grace

What do we do???

First: Resolve to PLEASE GOD

And Sacrifice everything else

In Romans and Galatians, Paul teaches the church that our rituals are worthless.

They have a purpose, but it’s not salvation… and when we make them something they weren’t intended to be, we get into trouble.

So Paul said… heck with traditions… I’m all Jesus.

Galatians 1:10 NIV84

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul says I was the most traditional person you ever saw… but none of it led me to Jesus. It was actually on the side of the road that I met him.

So I don’t put my faith in traditions… but in God.

Whose approval are we living for? Are there areas where our desire to please people has replaced God’s call in our hearts?”

Paul reminds the church in Romans 12:1-2—how we are transformed by renewing our minds, not conforming to this world.

Please God is my first priority, not people, despite the discomfort and criticism that might come my way. Being accepted by all people is just something that we have to be willing to give up.

Ministry will always involve personal sacrifices for the Gospel’s sake​.

Jesus is the LORD OF ALL or not Lord at all.

Are their areas of your life that Jesus isn’t lord over? I know you became a Christian years ago and gave him your life… but over time, things like traditions… tend to creep in and replace Him in our hearts… I just want to give us all a chance today to consider the question… is there Anything that you need to surrender to him today?

Second: Desire to PLEASE PEOPLE

We see it in clearly in Paul.

He knew the risk, but love for the people of Jerusalem drove him back here.

He longs for them to be saved… so much so that he says he would be willing to be cursed if they would just come ot faith in Christ.

Paul;s love for these people spurs him to do the thing that he probably never thought he would be doing again… doing religion for others to see...

But this time, his motivation is to calm the fears of the Jewish believers… in hopes that he might move them closer to Jesus.

Paul realizes that Living at peace with people is not about being a people-pleaser, but about being a peacemaker.

Romans 12:18 NIV84

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Everythign doesn’t depend on Paul… but in this moment, the spotlight is on him and his ministry. He has great influence on the church. And one thing he knows is that the people who know him best, those who traveled with him, and especially Christ - they know his heart… They know that it is his love for the Jewish people that leads him to act graciously even when he doesn’t have to​.

This is an act of humble submission to show his love for them.

Knowing what we do about Paul, we can imagine that everything in him wanted to scream… Listen to me… this isn’t right… he wanted to explain it to them… but their hearts wouldn’t listen.

Being “RIGHT” never seems to be the correct course to take.

Paul’s hope is that this act of devotion will break through.

Let me ask you this, Is there someone in your life that you might disagree with… someone you might have some unresolved conflict with… that you could demonstrate love to as a way of shifting the focus onto the relationship and away from “being right”?

Paul had left this life of religious performance behind in order to live for Jesus… and now, following Jesus he found himself humbling himself in order to reach others.

Today I’m going to ask you to identify one strained relationship and commit to prioritizing the relationship over being right.

This is really the message of today’s text and one I’m sure Paul had in mind when he wrote it to the church in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 (NIV84)

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Paul is teaching that making accommodations is about building bridges without compromising the Gospel.

We might say Paul would do anything to reach people… but the truth is Paul would do almost anything to reach people.

Third: FLEX… but know the BOUNDARIES YOU CAN'T CROSS

Is it necessary for Paul to take part in this vow? No.

Is it wrong for Paul to take part in this vow? No.

Might Jame’s plan work? Maybe.

Does God want to save these people? Absolutely.

Paul isn’t compromising the gospel with his participation in the Law… Paul understands following the law is not necessary for salvation, but he willingly accommodates others… without compromising the core truth of the gospel.

What traditions are we clinging to that we need to release to make room for God’s work?

Just as Paul didn’t, we should never compromises the message of the Gospel even when accommodating others.

I’ve seen banners in other church’s… I remember one that said:

We will do everything short of sin to reach people for Christ.

Way to solve a lack of unity… serve.

If we are troubled with the sin in our world, we should serve them.

If brother has a problem with you… serve him.

This was obviously a church that had wrestled with traditions in the past and had decided that personal preferences were not as important as God’s call for them to prioritize the lost in their community.

But what about you personally?

I’ve been thinking about this. I grew up in a pretty dysfunctional house. I know what that life is like. I see kids today being raised by parents who had parents that grew up like me… my heart breaks for them… not just the kids, but the parents hwo are just doing the best they can. i want to help them learn to do better but in order to do that, I need to flex a little. I need to meet them where they are in order to invite them to something greater… Like Paul, I need to flex a little.

Where can you show flexibility… without sacrificing Gospel integrity?

Paul wasn’t ready to sin in order to reach people… he wasn’t willing to compromise his faith for the lost… that wouldn’t make sense… what sort of witness would that be?

Romans 14:23 NIV84

But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

As a church that left the UMC because of our stance on scriptural authority, some things have gotten said about us that aren’t true.

"Our church” hates LGBTQ people.

"Our church” hates people who have had abortions… probably more things like...

"Our church” hates people who get divorced.... people who drink beer… locals… poor people… all sorts of things have probably been said…

And you can’t unring a bell. Once people say things, you can’t take the words back. All we can do is show them the truth of who we are in our love.

That’ the fourth thing… we have to be ready to do what’s not required.

Fourth: Be Ready to DO WHAT'S NOT REQUIRED

Paul said in Romans 14:15-16

Romans 14:15–16 NIV84

If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.

He’s talking about when a Gentile and Jew are eating dinner together… don’t do things that are going to offend your guest. That’s what a host does. When they sit in your chair… you sit somewhere else… when there is only one roll left, you give it to them

Where in our lives are we focusing on temporary things rather than God’s eternal purpose?

I heard this illustration that made perfect sense… He said, pretend like you are a magnate. You know how magnets work on one side they draw one another together, but the side pushes them away.

He said as followers of Jesus we should walk though a room like a magnet ready to turn to draw people to Christ.

Even though Paul knows he is saved by faith through the Grace of God, he participates in rituals in order to avoid unnecessary offense and build a bridge of faith.

It’s what some people refer to as Strategic accommodation – When circumstances warrant it… going beyond what is required… doing things with no benefit to ourselves… for the sake of the Gospel’s witness​.

Action Step: Identify a way to serve or accommodate someone this week, even if it’s not required of you, to show love and build relationships.

Walking in God’s will is about more than just the destination

Even in times of conflict… It’s about our being with Him…

it’s about us being a part of his mission.... and the only way we get to walk this out is by his grace and power… that only are given to us by faith in Christ.

Paul’s decisions were guided by God out of hsi love for Jesus, the Gospel and people, not personal pride.

Paul was unique, but he wasn’t special. What was special was the relationship he had with Jesus and we can live that relationship as well… even in times of conflict, misunderstandings.

This ability starts with being surrendered to God… to his ways and his will in our lives… that brings into our lives a focus on winning people, not arguments.

Keep your eyes on God’s eternal purpose rather than getting stuck on temporary disagreements.

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Heavenly Father,

We come before You, grateful for Your Word and the example of Paul, who walked faithfully through conflict, not for his own gain but to honor You and serve others. Lord, we admit that it’s not always easy to know how to navigate the challenges we face. We need Your wisdom, Your guidance, and Your grace.

For those who have not yet surrendered their lives to You, Jesus. If anyone here is uncertain of their faith or has felt distant from You, I invite them in this moment to open their hearts to pray with me, making it yoru own:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need You. I confess that my efforts to live life on my own terms is falling short. Today, I surrender. I turn from my sin, my pride, and the things that have held me back. I believe that You died for me and rose again to give me a new life. Today, I place my trust in You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, change me, and lead me as I walk in your will for my life.

For all of us: Lord, give us discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent, when to hold firm and when to let go. Help us prioritize pleasing You above all else, even when the road is difficult. Teach us to love others well—not to seek approval for ourselves, but to reflect the love of Christ to everyone we encounter.

Lord, help us see where we need to let go of traditions that no longer serve Your mission. Give us hearts that are flexible and open, willing to accommodate others for the sake of the Gospel, without ever compromising Your truth. May we learn to walk in step with Your Spirit, so that our actions align with Your eternal purpose.

We ask that You open our eyes to the opportunities before us—opportunities to build bridges, to show kindness, and to serve others in ways that bring You glory. Give us the courage to embrace humility, to value relationships over being right, and to live in a way that draws people closer to You.

Most of all, Lord, remind us that the journey with You matters more than the destination. May we walk with You each day, fully present to Your presence and trusting that You will lead us exactly where we need to be.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we pray.

Amen.