The Perseverance of Paul

Introduction

This week we finished up the Book of Acts in our reading plan and looked at Paul’s final few years which were mainly spent under the confinement of a Roman guard.

Before being taken into custody though, we looked at Paul skipping from place to place on his final tour encouraging the believers before heading to Jerusalem where he would be mauled by Jews before being rescued by Roman Centurions and soldiers.

And as I was preparing for this message, I couldn’t help but to zoom out and look at Paul’s final few years from a bird’s eye view and while doing so, I seen some things I think would be of great value to us today.

Today I want us to look at a message I’ve entitled...The Perseverance of Paul and I want us to glean a few things that I think every Christian here can apply to our own lives as we also Persevere for the cause of Christ.

I want us to look at The Preaching of Paul, The Praising of Paul and finally The Pressing On of Paul.

The Preaching of Paul

The first thing I want us to look at this morning is The Preaching of Paul.

As I was reading the plan I couldn’t help but to notice that it didn’t matter where Paul was or the condition he found himself in, he was always preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ!

When the Jews went to plead their cause to the Roman Governor Felix about why they felt Paul needed to die I love what they said about him...

Acts 24:5 — We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.

In their eyes, this was an insult but in the eyes of Paul, I’m sure he took it as a compliment for he knew that it wasn’t him that had stirred up these riots but the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

The truth of the Lord Jesus Christ causes division wherever it is preached and where there is division, chaos is sure to follow!

But as I was thinking about Paul’s preaching and what made him so special, there were a couple things that stood out to me.

First off, was Paul’s Exhortation of the Saints.

A. Paul Exhorted the Saints

Acts 20:1-2 — 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

The Exhorting of the Saints was a major part of Paul’s preaching and in my opinion one of the things that made him so successful in his walk with Christ.

The word “exhortation” comes from the Greek word...

Transliteration: parakaleo

Pronunciation: par-ak-al-eh'-o

1. to call to one's side

2. to admonish

3. to encourage, strengthen

4. to instruct & teach

You see, Paul didn’t just tell people how to live, he set forth an example for them to follow!

It’s one thing to tell others, “do as I say do not as I do” but another thing altogether to lead by example and then call others to walk with you which is what Paul did.

He exhorted his listeners to follow his lead. He admonished them and encouraged them to be the best versions of themselves that they could be for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Acts 20:28-31 — Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Here Paul encourages the Saints to be on the look out for those who would try to lead others astray and he finishes it up by reminding them that for three years he warned them of things that should come upon his departure.

A good portion of Paul’s preaching was the act of exhorting the Saints but not only did Paul exhort the Saints but he also Edified the Saints.

B. Paul Edified the Saints

Acts 20:32 — And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

He exhorts them with a word of warning and the edifies them with a word of yearning.

The word “edification” is the Greek word...

Transliteration: oikodome

Pronunciation: oy-kod-om-ay'

Outline of Biblical Usage:

1. (the act of) building up

2. the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness

Paul exhorted his listeners to live for God and then edified his listeners by helping them to remember the reward they were living for which is eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ.

And not only did Paul edify the Saints but he also called us to edify one another.

Romans 14:19 — Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Ephesians 4:29 — Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 — Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We should always be sure that the life we are living and the words we are saying are edifying those believers around us.

If what we are saying isn’t edifying there’s a good chance that it’s doing right the opposite of building up which is tearing down!

Paul told the Colossians in...

Colossians 4:6 — Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Is the life you’re living edifying to the Saints around you?

Is your speech building up those around you or tearing them down?

Not only did Paul’s Preaching Exhort and Edify the Saints but a good portion of Paul’s Preaching was the Expounding of Scriptures.

C. Paul Expounded the Scriptures

What did Paul Expound?

Acts 20:21 — testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:27 — For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Paul held nothing back and it didn’t matter who it was he was preaching to!

The truth was the truth and the truth is what Paul preached without reserve to anyone and everyone who would listen!

In Chapter 20 Paul was preaching, he was expounding the scriptures to the Saints in Troas until midnight where a young man named Eutychus fell asleep and fell out of a window and was taken up dead the Bible says!

The Bible literally says that Paul was “long preaching!”

And you all think I’m long winded!

The good news is though, the Bible goes on to say that Paul went down and knelt over Eutychus and took him into his arms and said, “not to worry, he’s alive!”

Then what did Paul do?

Well...I mean what else is there to do! He kept on preaching right up until dawn and then left!

And the Bible says the young man was taken home alive and well and everyone was greatly relieved!

Paul expounded the scriptures to the Saints but he also expounded the scriptures to those who didn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you look in Chapter 26, we find Paul Expounding the Scriptures to the Jewish King over all the Region, King Agrippa.

Acts 26:19–27

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

I mean here was a man who understood the scriptures and is a man of high authority and yet Paul decides he needs a deeper understanding and therefore lays it all out for him and then calls him out before all the crowd by saying… “do you believe prophets? I know you believe!”

Then in Chapter 28, after finally making his way to Rome, we find Paul once again expounding the scriptures, this time to the Jews of the area.

Acts 28:23–24

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Paul had such an in depth understanding of the scriptures that over and over again we see him taking to task those living under the law by teaching them that Jesus fulfilled the law thus ushering in the era of grace and that by Him and Him only can one now be truly saved!

The problem was and still is that those living under the law are so steeped in tradition that they are unwilling to see that Jesus of Nazareth is the one declared by the law and the prophets to come and that He fulfilled every prophecy of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament in His own way!

Paul’s profound ability to expound the scriptures is what set him apart in his day and time and it’s also what strengthened his case for the cause of Christ!

And the thing I want us to take away from Paul’s ability to Expound the Scripture is this…here was a man who went looking for Jews to expound the scriptures to and the majority of us today are scared to death for someone to ask us to expound the scripture to them because we don’t know it!

And the reason we don’t know it is because we don’t try to know it!

We don’t pick up our Bible’s on a daily basis and meditate on it’s scriptures!

We don’t ask God to open our eyes and our hearts to it’s true meaning.

We don’t ask God to strengthen us in our ability to understand it’s content so that we in turn might share it with someone else!

The Bible says in...

2 Timothy 2:15 — Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The Psalmist said this about the scriptures in...

Psalm 1:1-3 — 1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

If you want to be a blessed Saint this morning then get in God’s word and let it settle in your soul!

Let it be a lamp unto your feet, a light unto your path and hide it’s words in your hearts that you might not sin against God!

James 1:5 — If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Paul Exhorted the Saints, he Edified the Saints and he Expounded the Scriptures and that’s what made him such a compelling preacher!

Now that we’ve looked at how Paul persevered through his preaching, next I want us to look at The Praising of Paul.

The Praising of Paul

As I was studying this scripture this week a couple verses stood out to me in...

Acts 27:35-37 — And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

Here was Paul and he’s in the custody of a Roman guard and on what I can only assume is a decent size ship seeing how many people were on it and they have been in storms for a while now and from the way I read it, they are in a perilous situation!

But Paul, even in the face of peril takes time out to Praise God!

What I found amazing is the fact that when he begins to praise, the Bible says, “then were they all of good cheer!”

Because one man decided to pray and give God thanks in the face of a perilous situation, when all hope looked as if it were lost, Paul’s praise changed everyone around him’s demeanor as well!

How many times do we find ourselves in perilous situations and the last thing on our mind is praising God?

Most of the time we’re like, “why God why?” instead of “Thank you Lord for this storm!”

Paul’s praise was a product of his faith in the God who had delivered him from many other a storm time after time before!

If you go back to Acts 16, you’ll find Paul and Silas in the depths of a Philippian Prison and they have just been beaten for preaching Jesus Christ and just when all hope seemed lost, at the midnight hour, the Bible says in...

Acts 16:25 — And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

They prayed and sang praises to God and we all know the story…the foundations of that prison began to shake and the gates of the cells burst open and their chains dropped form off their hands and feet and they could have walked out free men but instead, they invited the jailor in and told him about Jesus and led him to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Listen, Paul told the Philippians in...

Philippians 4:6-7 — [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 — Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 — [17] Pray without ceasing. [18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

In everything give thanks!

In the good times, give God thanks!

In the bad times, give God thanks!

In the times when you don’t know what else to do, give God thanks for this is the will of God!

Paul Preached the gospel. Paul Praised God. And lastly this morning, Paul Pressed On!

The Pressing On of Paul

Acts 20:17-24 — And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

In Chapter 21, Disciples in Tyre and a Prophet named Agabus in Caesarea also warned Paul that upon his arrival in Jerusalem he would be bound by the Jews and delivered to the Gentiles but look at Paul’s response in...

Acts 21:13-14 — Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Paul was determined to Press On toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and that’s exactly what he did!

Paul Persevered by Pressing On!

Acts 28:30-31 — And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

I just love the final words Dr. Luke has for us about his beloved Paul...

He received all who came unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him!

Until his dying day, Paul Persevered by Pressing On and we too must do the same!

Life gets tough. Things get in our way and try to detour us from God but we must determine to Persevere by Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, by Praising God in the face of Peril and by Pressing On toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

I pray this morning that some folks here amongst us will determine to Persevere as the beloved Bro. Paul did.

I pray that you will set the things of the world aside and stop allowing them to hinder you from growing closer to God.

I pray that you will put God first in everything that you do and follow Paul’s lead!

I pray that you will allow the scripture to exhort you and edify you in a way that only it can and I pray that you will seek God’s guidance and growth in the depth of His word!

Who among us is ready to Persevere here this morning? That’s the question of the day!

Now if you are here and lost, I know this message wasn’t really tailored towards you but I want you to know in our plan there was a word for you too and it’s this...

Don’t frustrate the grace of God!

The Procrastinator

Acts 24:24-25 — And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Then in....

Acts 26:28 — Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Both of these men heard the gospel and we have no record that either trusted in Christ.

One, King Agrippa, we have a record of his death but nothing of him ever trusting in Christ.

He was almost saved but altogether lost!

And from what we read here in scripture, never having a testimony of his salvation, we can only conclude that at this very moment he is in hell separated from God forever.

And if that is indeed the case, I can only imagine that the words that will run through his mind for all eternity are these...

“Almost Paul, you have persuaded me to be a Christian!”

If you’re here and lost don’t procrastinate about the salvation of the Lord. Don’t frustrate the grace of God.

Now is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation.

Come while there’s still time and don’t allow the testimony of King Agrippa become your testimony as well!