Readiness to Die for ChristReadiness to Die for Christ

Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [40]Church Series [40]

Acts 21:1-16Acts 21:1-16

January 13, 2013 January 13, 2013

Pastor Paul K. KimPastor Paul K. Kim

WHY WAS APOSTLE PAUL SO SET ON GOING TO JERUSALEM?

• To deliver the financial contributions of the Gentile churches for the poor in the Jerusalem church.

• To report the work and fruit of his third missionary journey to the church in Jerusalem.

• To be sent to Rome and then to Spain by the church.

• To follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit,

not knowing what will happen to me there.Acts 20:23

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

1)   Paul’s EAGERNESS TO SEEK FELLOWSHIP: it shows his deep commitment to mutual encouragement and support.

1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to

Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship

crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had

come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria

and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there

for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. (vs.1-4)

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

1)   Paul’s EAGERNESS TO SEEK FELLOWSHIP: it shows his deep commitment to mutual encouragement and support.

 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children,

accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down

on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. (vs.5-6)

Paul and his traveling companions intentionally “sought out” the believers in Tyre. Why?

In Paul’s mind, they were “one church”—the body of Christ that needs to be built up by loving and serving one another.

Following Paul’s example, we are to be intentional in seeking out mutual encouragement and support from other believers around us the world as well as around us.

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

2)   Paul’s SUBMISSION TO THE SPIRIT’S LEADING: it shows his utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came

to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist,

who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. (vs. 7-9)

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

2)   Paul’s SUBMISSION TO THE SPIRIT’S LEADING: it shows his utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.

10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus

came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and

bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, 

‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns

this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (vs. 10-11)

Was Paul just stubborn in here? No, the real reason was that he sensed a strong leading of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.

23 ...the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any

value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my

course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, 

to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:23-24

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

2)   Paul’s SUBMISSION TO THE SPIRIT’S LEADING: it shows his utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.

10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, 

‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (vs. 10-11)

Was Paul just stubborn in here? No, the real reason was that he sensed a strong leading of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.

If so, was there a contradicting message of the Spirit here?

No, Agabus’ prophetic utterance by the Spirit was not a “prohibition” but a “prediction” of the Spirit.

Following Paul’s example, we are to submit to the leading of the Spirit—not to the well-meaning people’s appealing advices or pleadings.

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

3)   Paul’s READINESS TO DIE FOR CHRIST: it shows his radical conviction of Jesus’ worth and sufficiency.

12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you

doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to

be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord

Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will

of the Lord be done.” 15 After these days we got ready and went up

to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went

with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge. (vs.12-16)

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

3)   Paul’s READINESS TO DIE FOR CHRIST: it shows his radical conviction of Jesus’ worth and sufficiency.12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged

him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am

ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the

name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we

ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Paul wasn’t doing any wishful thinking but being ready for any danger awaiting for him in Jerusalem—even for death.

How was this possible? The answer is in his value system.

 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage

now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by

life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is

gain. Philippians 1:20-21

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things

and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ...

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings...

Philippians 3:7-8, 10

WHAT KEY LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN THIS STORY?

3)   Paul’s READINESS TO DIE FOR CHRIST: it shows his radical conviction of Jesus’ worth and sufficiency.

12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What

are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of

the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Paul wasn’t doing any wishful thinking but being ready for any danger awaiting for him in Jerusalem—even for death.

How was this possible? The answer is in his value system.

It was Paul’s conviction of Jesus’ surpassing worth and sufficiency in life and death, no matter what happens to him.

Following Paul’s example, we are to know and experience this surpassing value of Christ in our reckless abandonment to God.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

1. In what ways can I eagerly seek fellowship and support of the brothers and sisters in Christ around me?

1. In what ways can I submit to the Spirit’s leading and prompting these days?

1. How can I really live for Christ by being ready to die for Christ? What is my first step?