Courageous Obedience

Just about all of us have family and friends, out of love and concern, who care deeply about us and want to protect us from potential harm. You might have heard them say something like, "Are you sure about this? I don't think it's a good idea." Or, "it sounds risky."

This is a fairly common experience.

It might have been a new job opportunity, or maybe a leap of faith into a new ministry or venture.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul faced in Acts 21. Paul was on a mission, driven by a clear sense of God's calling.

He had just said an emotional goodbye to the Ephesian elders, people he loved dearly. They knew that trouble awaited him in Jerusalem, and out of love, they urged him not to go.

But Paul understood something important—obedience to God is always worth the risk, even when it feels like a bad idea to those around us.

This morning we're going to look at what it means to follow God courageously, even when others say "stop."

We'll look at how Paul navigated the tension between the love and concern of his friends and the call of God on his life.

Let's see together how we can step forward in faith, trusting that God's plan is always worth the risk.

Let's start with Acts 21:1-3.

Acts 21:1–3 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.

Paul had to tear himself away from the Ephesian elders. It was an emotional goodbye.

He and his party sailed from Miletus to Cos, then to Rhodes, and then to Patara, a total of three days’ journey.

When Paul got to Patara, he didn't want a “local coastal” ship that stopped at every port; so when he found a boat going directly to Phoenicia, he and his friends boarded it. It would be a trip of about 400 miles.

In verse one, this phrase, "departed from them," is loaded with emotion.

In the original Greek, it suggests a "tearing away." Like pulling apart something that's tightly knit.

It wasn't easy for him to leave, but Paul knew he had to go where God was sending him.

This would have been a tiring trip. But Paul pushed on because he was committed to following God's call, even when it meant leaving behind comfort and safety.

This part of Paul's story challenges us to consider our own lives. Are there areas God is calling you to serve him that may not be easy?

I don't know what it is for you. That's between you and God.

But it's natural to want to stay in the safe and familiar. But sometimes God calls us into the unknown.

And here's the thing: just because something is hard doesn't mean it's not right. So…

I. Go Where God Sends You, Even When It's Hard (1-3)

Paul understood that the path of obedience often requires us to leave behind what we know and love. But he also knew that following God is always worth the risk.

Remember, obedience to God is always worth the risk, and He promises to be with us every step of the way.

Let's move on.

Acts 21:4–5 NKJV

4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.

We find Paul arriving in Tyre, where he meets a group of disciples.

Now, what do we know about Tyre?

The church at Tyre was planted through the travels of the Christian Hellenists, or Greek-speaking Jews. They scattered to this area because of the persecution of Christians after the stoning of Stephen. We read about that in Acts 11:19. So, we are not surprised that Paul found disciples there.

I'm sure these disciples at Tyre were filled with the Holy Spirit. And Paul was on a mission.

What they do next might seem confusing at first. What do they do?

Verse 4 says, filled the Spirit, or through the Spirit, they urge Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

If the Spirit was leading Paul back to Jerusalem as he had already told them, why would the same Spirit lead these people to try to stop him?

I'm not completely sure, but possibly the best way to explain it is, it shows they were aware of the suffering that lay ahead.

I'm sure the disciples in Tyre were genuinely concerned for Paul. They knew that danger awaited him in Jerusalem, and out of love, they interpreted the Spirit's warning as a directive for Paul to stay away.

It's like when a friend warns you about a storm coming and suggests you cancel your trip. Their advice comes from a place of care, but it might not align with what you know you need to do.

This part of Paul's journey teaches us an important lesson about discerning God's voice amid the noise of others' opinions.

Well-meaning people in our lives might try to talk us out of following God's will because they fear for our safety or well-being. And sometimes because God’s will for our lives doesn’t line up with what they would like.

They love us, but they don't always see the whole picture that God sees.

Paul understood this. He listened to their concerns, but he didn't let their fears dictate his actions. He trusted that God had a plan, even if it involved hardship.

The second big lesson is...

II. Listen to God, Even When Others Warn Us Not to Go, or Do. (4-5)

For us, this means we need to be careful not to let others' fears hold us back from what God is calling us to do.

It is important to seek wise counsel, but ultimately, our faith requires us to trust God's leading above all else.

Just because something is difficult doesn't mean it's wrong.

In fact, the path of obedience often involves challenges.

So, let's ask ourselves: Are we willing to trust God more than the fears of others? And are we ready to follow His call, even when it means going against well-meaning advice?

Remember, God sees the bigger picture, and His plans for us are always good.

As we move on to verses 5-6, we see a touching moment as Paul prepares to leave Tyre.

Acts 21:5–6 NKJV

5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. 6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

After spending seven days with the believers there, it's time for him to continue his journey.

The scene is pretty moving: the entire community—men, women, and children—accompanies Paul and his team to the shore.

They kneel together on the beach, praying and saying their goodbyes. The word used here for "departed" is the same as before, meaning "to be torn away." It's a reminder of the emotional impact of these farewells.

In all this, I think we see the heartache that often accompanies following God's call.

We see it in the lives of families called to the foreign mission field. The parting is always tough. Even though they know God is calling them to do it.

Paul had formed bonds with these new friends, and leaving them wasn't easy.

Yet, he knew that obedience to God sometimes requires us to say goodbye to people and places we love. It's a reality that many of us face.

Whether it's sending a child off to college, a friend moving away for a new job, or a loved one heading to the mission field, these goodbyes can be painful.

But here's the key: the believers in Tyre didn't try to hold Paul back.

We need to be prepared to...

III. Trust God, Even When You Have to Say Goodbye. (5-6)

Instead, they prayed for him and let him go, trusting that God had a plan for his journey.

This is a powerful example for us. When God calls our loved ones to step into something new, our role is to support them, pray for them, and release them into God's hands.

It's not easy, but it's an act of faith and trust in God's sovereignty.

Conclusion:

So let's think about this for a minute.

How do we respond when those we care about are called to take risks for God?

Are we willing to let them go, trusting that God will guide and protect them?

And when it's our turn to step out in faith, can we trust that God will be with us, even when it means leaving behind what we know and love?

Remember, following God often involves difficult goodbyes, but it's always worth it because His plans are greater than we can imagine.

Paul didn't let fear or the well-meaning concerns of others hold him back. He pressed on, knowing that obedience to God is always worth the risk.

And the same is true for us. When we choose to follow God's call, we can be confident that He will be with us every step of the way, guiding us, strengthening us, and using us for His purposes.

So, as we leave here today, I challenge you to take that step of faith.

Whatever God is calling you to do, do it with courage and trust.

And as you do, pray this simple prayer: "God, give me the courage to follow You, even when others don’t understand."

Because when we walk in obedience, we not only fulfill God's plan for our lives, but we also become a testament to His faithfulness and love.

Let's go out and live with courageous obedience, knowing that God is with us and that His plans for us are always good.