Unjustly persecuted - Acts 21:15-36

The book of Acts shows us that persecution is part of the life of the believers (the church) when they are committed in sharing the Good News of Jesus. We have seen it at least six times (Acts 8, 12, 13-14, 16, 17, and 19). Two of them are against the church as a whole and the others against Paul. Some of these affected the churches that he planted.   We know that the church has always been unjustly persecuted because when she lives for Jesus and shares Jesus. Our association with Jesus makes us a target for Satan and those who follow him. This will continue until Jesus comes back.   Paul experiences this in this chapter. This will lead to his imprisonment that will last for over two years. It all starts here.

Ready to Die For the Lord! - Acts 21:1-25

Are you ready to die for the Lord? This question is one everyone hates to answer because it is hypothetical.

I would venture to say that most of us here would say “yes” without thinking it through like Peter did when our Lord told they would all run away when he was arrested.

This may even be in some way easier than asking “Are you ready to live for the Lord?” Why? Because we dying could be fast but living takes up commitment. Regardless of these questions, we find that the Apostle Paul in this book addressed these in his life.

In Philippians we find Paul is in jail (which this text explains how it all begins) and he writes to the church there explaining his dilemma.

Philippians 1:19-26. He wants to live for Christ for the benefit of the church (putting other’s needs first before ours is what Thom Rainer says is how unity is demonstrated in his book “I Will”). He would rather be with Christ “for that is far better”. He is hard pressed to answer either way. The good thing is that the Lord has control of his life.

Let’s look how it all starts.

https://youtu.be/3KjWFjStXag

Why the Church Matters - Matthew 16:15-18

Why does the Church matters even in the 21st century? It is important for us as well as we begin a new year, perhaps a very decisive year as a church. This is why I decided that we need to address this because we need to align ourselves with what God says about the church.

https://youtu.be/uf6fCyIFcGs

When God Ruins Your Plans Matthew 1:18-25

Let’s look at Joseph’s dilemma (he was between the ages of 18-20), how God ruins his plan and what his response was to what He intended to do in his life. This will help us respond to God’s leading our lives even when we don’t think it is the path we want to go.

 

https://youtu.be/YhZGhjqSCGA

 

Advice from a Spiritual Father - Acts 20:17-38

Paul had just travelled four days as he arrives in Miletus. Here the boat will probably unload and pick more passengers. Due to time constrains, Paul decides to call the Ephesian elders to Miletus (a 30 mile journey). He will give them his "farewell" address and encourage them to lead the church well as he has done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNoToHMGoZ0

Encouraging & Strengthening Others, Worshipping on the Lord's Day! Acts 20:1-17

From the apostle Paul, the pastor and church planter we learn the value of encouraging one another to keep growing in the faith as we live in the world sharing the Good News of Jesus. We use the Word of God along with our times of gathering where we also share the Lord’s Supper and eat together as we are doing both today. The focus is on the purpose of the gathering not on the particulars of the event itself. Those are ancillary to help us encourage one another.

https://youtu.be/NwEWBCVF9X0

The threat of the Way, the foolishness of idolatry and God's mission - Acts 19:21-20:1

As we saw in our last section, people who were in bondage to the occult are freed and made whole. They leave these practices and idolatry to follow the living God. The Gospel transforms the way we live and those things that we thought were worthwhile become meaningless in light of the cross. When this transformation happens, it changes our culture and challenges the culture around us. It often goes head-to-head with the world's culture. This is exactly what happens here. The Gospel has brought change to many people in Ephesus. But this is creating social change that is met with opposition. This passage helps us understand how God’s mission goes on regardless of opposition. We can learn from Paul’s resolution to carry it on but also in how he encourages believers to do the same. God’s mission of sharing the Good News is not just for Paul and the believers then, it is for us here now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc_1mc5r8rU

How God Uses His Servants - Acts 19:1-20

Here we see Paul used by the Lord in various ways. These serve as an example for us today. How can we who are also called servants of God serve Him? We may not do exactly like Paul did but we all can learn from him to do in our own context. These relate more with spiritual tasks than tangible ones.

https://youtu.be/Dm9Kq9x7rRQ

Affirming others in the Faith - Acts 18:18-28

Affirming (strengthening, supporting) others in faith is just as important as making sure our faith is steadfast. We have been called to encourage and build one another up in the Lord.

Why is it important? Because our faith is lived in the community of believers, that is, the church. We were not called to be God's lone rangers, but God's community, his church.

To affirm ourselves is to encourage us, to help us strengthen ourselves to remain faithful to the Lord. It's like when a crutch helps by supporting an injured foot or leg. It helps you gain strength. This is how we affirm to others. This requires compassion and mercy. This is a way of showing love to one another.

https://youtu.be/t2w0wMHDKD8

Keep talking, Don't Stay Silent - Acts 18:1-17

Is there such a thing as silent believers? It is easy for us believers to be silent about our faith. We don't want to offend people. We want to live quiet lives. But our calling is to proclaim the gospel in good times and bad. God is with us. It always will. We must not be silent; we must continue to speak.  This was the case with Paul in Corinth.

In this passage we look at how Paul continues to speak, continues to share the gospel in different ways and forms. The Lord uses him to plant a new church which in a short period of time. This church would be the one to which Paul wrote two letters (i.e. 1, 2 Corinthians).

https://youtu.be/rPJvkUb3aiw