Standing Alone-Journey To Jerusalem

Acts 21:1-3 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. ² We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. ³ After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. MAP

Acts 21:4-6 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. ⁶ After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

Acts 21:7-9 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. ⁸ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

This is Philip the deacon one of the 7 (20 years) who we first met in Acts 6, who, ironically, fled Jerusalem, because of the persecution being led by none other than Saul (aka Paul) who was ravaging the church: Acts 8:3-5 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. ⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. Flourishing Ministry

Ethiopian Eunuch–Acts 8:39-40 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

So, after his encounter with the Ethiopian, he traveled around, got married at some point and now he’s living in Caesarea and has four daughters who prophesied.  (Phillip’s Life and Example)

Because of Jesus those who were once enemies (Paul and Philip) are now allies, friends. Phillip is now providing lodging for who was once the Osama bin laden to Christians.

 Acts 21:10-13 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

We were first introduced to Agabus in Acts 11. He’s a resident of Jerusalem who traveled to Antioch where he prophesied to the church that a famine for the Roman empire was coming. Acts 11:27-28 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)  (Not a u-Tuber)Real

Have you ever felt led by God to do something that perhaps your spouse, trusted friends or advisors were counseling you against doing because it just didn’t seem logical? That’s what’s finally coming to a conclusion with Paul in Acts 21. (But it started months earlier)

Ephesus Acts 19:21 Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 

Speaking to the leaders of Ephesus Acts 20:22-23 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

TYRE Acts 21:4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 

Caesarea Acts 21:11 Agabus took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”

After this dramatic example of Agabus: Acts 21:12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. This group included Luke as we see in the use of “we.”  (Paul stands alone)

As good as it is to be with other believers, like-minded people, have you ever noticed there are differences of opinion among us? Sometimes these opinions can come across a bit forceful, almost like divine directives. That’s what Paul faced when his closest friends and perhaps a prophet try to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem.

We see how Paul stayed steady, even when nobody else understood: Vs13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

Paul saw his suffering as a privilege, not a problem. His determination reminds me of someone else whose name is Jesus. Jesus told his disciples 3 times I’m going to Jerusalem where I will be handed over to the authorities, killed and on the third day be raised to life: Luke 9:51 “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

Paul like Jesus was committed to do the will of God no matter what it cost him.  It’s as if he had signed a blank check, giving God full permission to do whatever He wanted to do with his life.

After hearing Paul’s passion to follow God’s will, no matter how hard it is, Vs14 tells us how other believers responded: Vs14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” This is a good reminder for all of us. Ultimately, what we want is for the will of God to be done.

So pastor, what do we do in those situations? How do we discern when we should follow God when it’s contrary to human wisdom and counsel? I don’t have all the answers for you but there are some things we can learn from what Paul went through.

God sometimes calls us to do things that seem illogical, contrary to human wisdom and human counsel.

Hebrews 11:18 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

NOAH. He told Noah to build an ark. This would be the modern-day equivalent of you and I building a spaceship…out in our backyard.

JOSHUA. His first true test of leadership in the Promised Land was to seize Jericho. This was a fortified city. God told Joshua to march around Jericho seven times and to then blow trumpets. 

ANANIAS THE CHRISTIAN IN DAMASCUS

If you and I are truly walking with God, God will ask us to do some things that will not make sense to us. Things that prompt the people around us (and even our own mind) to say, “that just doesn’t make sense!” Rest assured, you’re in good company.

Paul’s life is not guided by comfort and convenience but by his spiritual calling and purpose. May the same be said of you and I.

May we be Empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, may we have this same determination to follow Jesus wherever He leads us, trusting, like those who have faithfully, and bravely, gone before us, that fruit will follow.

Acts 21:15-17 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.